Caffeine is the stimulant present in your morning cup of coffee. It helps you function and tackle demanding things at work. However, excessive caffeine intake does more harm than good to your body. Especially when you are pregnant, you need to be very careful about the things you are consuming. Your doctor’s advice to cut back your caffeine intake seems next to impossible when you are a coffee lover. So the perfect solution for such conditions is decaffeinated coffee.

In today’s article, we will discuss why regular coffee should be avoided and is decaf coffee safe during pregnancy. Keep on reading to understand how much decaf is allowed when you are expecting a baby.

What is the recommended caffeine intake during pregnancy?

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) presented a study to reveal that pregnant women should consume over 200mg of caffeine a day. It is worth noting that the caffeine intake should be minimal during the first trimester. The recommended amount equals one 12-ounce cup of coffee, however, if you are in your first trimester you should reduce your caffeine intake even more. 

What happens when you consume too much caffeine during pregnancy?

Excessive caffeine intake during pregnancy can be fatal for the developing fetus. It is highly recommended to cut back on caffeine because its consumption may lead to severe consequences like:

• Increased risk of miscarriage 
• Low birth weight
• Preterm labor
• Heart and blood pressure complications
• Sleeping difficulties 

Is there caffeine in decaf coffee?

Decaf coffee is caffeine free coffee. Decaffeination is a method of reducing the caffeine content in coffee beans. The coffee beans are soaked in water or various types of chemical solvents and then washed to remove the caffeine content. Chemically washed coffee beans can have 3% of caffeine content plus the chemical residue. On the other hand, water processed decaf removes 99.99% caffeine from coffee beans. It is a natural process in which only water is used to wash off the caffeine content.  

How much decaf is safe for a pregnant woman?

Not all decafs are processed equally. So pregnant women should only consume natural and chemical-free swiss processed decaf coffee which is free from 99.99% caffeine. 

In an 8-ounce of water processed decaf coffee, there are only 2-5 milligrams of caffeine. The caffeine content is way lesser than the recommended caffeine content. It means you can enjoy the rich flavor and aroma of coffee by drinking decaf in moderation during pregnancy. 

Is there any potential risk of consuming decaf during pregnancy?

Consuming decaf is considered a healthier and safer alternative during pregnancy. However, decaf is not completely risk-free. Especially when you are buying a chemically processed decaf. Pay attention to the caffeine content and the packaging instructions and steer clear of chemically processed decaf. The perfect solution is water processed organic decaf which is considered safe during pregnancy.

As stated above an 8-ounce serving of decaf only contains 2-5 milligrams of caffeine, so a pregnant woman can enjoy her beverage guilt-free. However, drinking too much decaf can also be harmful if you consider the bigger picture and calculate the amount of sugar and added calories you are consuming. Too much sugar consumption can lead to gestational diabetes. 

Conclusion 

Decaf is caffeine free coffee, so it can be said that decaf is safe during pregnancy but you should drink it in moderation. Too much sugar and added calories in a large sized latte or cappuccino have potential risks of gestational diabetes. Be mindful of your coffee consumption and make informed choices by only selecting Swiss water processed decaf. Buy your bag of organic decaf from Blue Spruce Decaf Co. Their rich flavored coffee blends come with a 30-day trial period.