The latest guidelines recommend limiting caffeine intake during pregnancy to no more than 200 mg per day, about the amount in one 12-ounce cup of coffee or two cups of instant coffee. This limit includes all sources of caffeine, such as tea, chocolate, cola, and energy drinks.
- 200 mg per day is the widely accepted safe upper limit according to the World Health Organization (WHO), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), NHS (UK), and most international bodies.
- Exceeding this amount may increase the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, intrauterine growth restriction, and stillbirth.
- Energy drinks and some coffees may have much higher caffeine content than expected, so it’s important to check labels and total all daily sources.
- Some research suggests that even lower intakes—around 100 mg per day—may pose some risks, but 200 mg is the guideline threshold for most expert organizations.
- There is no clear evidence that very low (under 100 mg/day) intake causes harm, but since caffeine crosses the placenta and is metabolized slowly by the fetus, lower is safer when possible.
- Coffee, tea, chocolate, cola, energy drinks, and some pain medications are all sources of caffeine—add them up to stay within limits.
- 1 mug of filter coffee ≈ 140 mg caffeine
- 1 cup of instant coffee ≈ 100 mg caffeine
- 1 mug of tea ≈ 75 mg caffeine
- 1 can of cola ≈ 40 mg caffeine
- 1 bar of plain chocolate ≈ 25 mg caffeine
In summary: keep total caffeine intake under 200 mg per day during pregnancy for the safest outcomes, and consider reducing intake as much as possible for additional reassurance.
If you’re facing pregnancy concerns like nausea, back pain, dizziness, cramps, spotting, or worries about travelling, getting timely guidance is important. A skilled gynecologist can assess pregnancy safety, manage complications, provide ultrasound evaluations, and guide you on safe travel. You can consult Dr. Sofia Manzoor a leading gynecologist with 16 years of experience. She’s known for handling infertility cases, high-risk cases, travel-related concerns, and overall women’s health with expertise and care.
