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Is it safe? · Pregnancy Smart

Is decaf coffee safe during pregnancy?

Assigned clinical reviewerMichael Yuzefovich· MD, FACOGDraft · pending clinical reviewUpdated

What does the evidence say about decaf coffee during pregnancy?

  1. An 8-ounce cup of decaf coffee usually has just 2 to 15 mg of caffeine, compared with 80 to 100 mg in a regular cup. 1
  2. Moderate caffeine intake, under about 200 mg a day, hasn't been consistently linked to miscarriage or birth defects. 2
  3. Moderate caffeine intake under 200 mg a day doesn't appear to be a major factor in miscarriage or preterm birth. 3
  4. Decaf can still trigger reflux in people who are sensitive to it, since it contains chlorogenic acids, separate from any question about caffeine. 4

Is decaf coffee safe in each trimester?

  • First trimester. A common swap in the first trimester if nausea or an aversion makes regular coffee unappealing.
  • Second trimester. Same guidance. If you also drink tea or eat chocolate, add up your total caffeine, though decaf's small amount rarely tips the scale.
  • Third trimester. Same guidance. Heavy amounts of certain brews, like long-steeped decaf espresso or a lot of cold brew, can add up, so keep an eye on your total daily caffeine.

Frequently asked questions

Is Swiss-water decaf safer than solvent-processed decaf?

Both methods are FDA-regulated, and the final products meet the same residual-solvent limits. Pick whichever brand you like the taste of.

How much decaf can I drink in a day?

Decaf has so little caffeine that several cups still stay well under ACOG's 200 mg a day limit. If you have reflux, spread your cups across the day instead of drinking them all at once.

Is a decaf latte the same as regular decaf coffee?

Yes for caffeine, and the milk also adds some protein and calcium. Just keep track of your total caffeine if you're also having regular tea or chocolate.

Does decaf still help me stay 'alert'?

That's mostly in your head: some people feel a small boost from the ritual, but the actual leftover caffeine is too small to have much effect.

Related in the library

References

  1. Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much? (FDA)

    FDA · https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/spilling-beans-how-much-caffeine-too-much

  2. Caffeine: MotherToBaby Fact Sheet

    MotherToBaby · https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/caffeine-pregnancy/

  3. Moderate Caffeine Consumption During Pregnancy: ACOG Committee Opinion

    ACOG · https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2010/08/moderate-caffeine-consumption-during-pregnancy

  4. Coffee and Caffeine: NCCIH Herbs at a Glance

    NIH · https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/herbsataglance

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.