Food & lifestyle

Do you have to give up coffee completely during pregnancy?

Checked against the sources listed on this page. Not reviewed by a clinician. Last updated 5 November 2026. How we check.

Myth

Not necessarily. Most guidelines say up to 200 mg of caffeine a day, about one or two cups of coffee, is acceptable.

Caffeine crosses the placenta. High intakes are associated with miscarriage and lower birth weight. Some newer studies suggest even moderate amounts may slightly affect growth, so less is better and zero is a reasonable choice.

Remember tea, cola, energy drinks and chocolate contain caffeine too.

References

  1. NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy
  2. ACOG: How much coffee can I drink while I’m pregnant?

Related weeks

Week 27

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