Pregnant women are generally advised to limit their caffeine intake to 200 milligrams (mg) per day from all sources. This amount is roughly equivalent to:
- About 1 to 2 cups of espresso coffee,
- 2 to 3 cups of instant coffee,
- Or 3 to 5 cups of tea, hot chocolate, or cola drinks.
This recommended limit is supported by health organizations such as the UK's NHS, the March of Dimes in the USA, and others. Exceeding 200 mg per day may increase the risk of pregnancy complications, including smaller birth size, miscarriage, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Due to varying caffeine content in different products, it's important for pregnant women to check labels and consider total daily caffeine consumption from all sources, including coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate, energy drinks, and some medications.
