From the Guidelines
When 8 weeks pregnant, it is recommended to limit caffeine intake to no more than 200 mg per day. This guideline is based on the most recent evidence from the study published in Advances in Nutrition in 2020 1. According to this study, the recommended daily caffeine intake for pregnant women is 200 mg or less.
To put this into perspective, 200 mg of caffeine is equivalent to:
- About one 12-ounce cup of coffee
- Two cups of tea
- About 5-6 cans of cola It's essential to be mindful of caffeine intake during pregnancy, as excessive consumption may be associated with an increased risk of miscarriage or low birth weight. Caffeine crosses the placenta to the baby, who cannot metabolize it efficiently during development 1.
Some key points to consider when consuming caffeine during pregnancy include:
- Caffeine is found not only in coffee but also in tea, soft drinks, energy drinks, chocolate, and some medications
- It's crucial to check labels on foods and medications for hidden caffeine
- If concerned about caffeine intake, consider gradually reducing consumption rather than stopping abruptly to avoid withdrawal symptoms like headaches
- Discuss any specific concerns with your healthcare provider, who can offer personalized advice based on your individual health circumstances 1.
From the Research
Caffeine Intake During Pregnancy
- The recommended daily caffeine intake for pregnant women is less than 200 mg per day, based on risks to fetal health 2.
- A study of 2802 pregnant women found that second-trimester caffeinated beverage intake within current recommendations was associated with lower gestational diabetes risk, but not preeclampsia or gestational hypertension 2.
- Another study of 1112 women, including 401 pregnant women, found that the median daily caffeine intake among pregnant women was 114.5 mg, and 73.8% of pregnant women had a caffeine intake within the safe range of 0-200 mg/d 3.
Caffeine Intake and Fetal Growth
- A study of 7346 pregnant women found that higher caffeine intake was associated with smaller fetal length, and offspring of mothers who consumed ≥6 caffeine units/d tended to have increased risks of small-for-gestational-age infants at birth 4.
- A study of 87,106 participants found that children born to mothers who consumed >300 mg caffeine per day had a 1.11-fold increased odds of gross motor developmental delay at 12 months of age 5.
Caffeine Intake and Child Growth
- A study of 788 children found that those whose mothers had higher plasma caffeine concentrations during pregnancy had lower height z scores, but differences in weight z scores were only observed in the third quartile of caffeine concentrations 6.
- Another study of 1622 children found that those whose mothers had higher caffeine intake during pregnancy had lower height z scores, with the gap widening with each successive year of age 6.
Recommendations for Caffeine Intake at 8 Weeks Pregnant
- Based on the available evidence, it is recommended that pregnant women limit their daily caffeine intake to less than 200 mg per day, regardless of the stage of pregnancy 2, 3.
- At 8 weeks pregnant, women should be aware of their caffeine intake and try to limit it to less than 200 mg per day to minimize potential risks to fetal health 2, 3.