Caffeine During Pregnancy: Coffee, Tea, and the 200 mg Guide
ACOG advises keeping caffeine below 200 mg a day in pregnancy. How to count coffee, tea, decaf, energy drinks and supplements, and why cup size matters.
If you’re pregnant, we recommend limiting your caffeine intake to less than 200 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per day.
Cleveland Clinic: Can Pregnant Women Drink Coffee? Read the original source
The short answer: ACOG advises keeping caffeine below 200 mg per day during pregnancy. Count caffeine from all sources, not just coffee. A cup's size and the way it is prepared can change the amount substantially.
Does one cup of coffee fit under 200 mg?
Maybe. The FDA's typical ranges put a 12-fluid-ounce brewed coffee at 113–247 mg. That range crosses ACOG's daily guide, so “one cup” is not a reliable measurement. Check the serving size and caffeine amount supplied by the shop or manufacturer when available. A large or strong coffee may use more of the day's caffeine than expected.
This is a practical limit for planning, not a claim that 199 mg is risk-free or 200 mg is harmful. The NIH pregnancy supplement review notes that ACOG does not find moderate caffeine intake to be a major contributor to miscarriage or preterm birth, while the relationship with fetal growth remains uncertain. Discuss your own circumstances with your prenatal clinician.
What else counts toward the day?
Coffee is only one source. For 12-fluid-ounce drinks, the FDA gives these typical amounts:
| Drink | Typical caffeine |
|---|---|
| Brewed coffee | 113–247 mg |
| Black tea | 71 mg |
| Green tea | 37 mg |
| Caffeinated soft drink | 23–83 mg |
| Energy drink | 41–246 mg |
These are estimates, not guaranteed amounts for a particular product. The FDA also identifies chocolate, some energy or protein bars, dietary supplements, and over-the-counter medicines as possible caffeine sources. Some supplement ingredients, such as guarana, contain caffeine; the NIH review notes that the amount can be hard to determine from a supplement label. Ask your pharmacist or prenatal clinician about a product when the label is unclear.
PregNut's food nutrition lookup compares selected nutrients per 100 grams; it does not measure caffeine. Do not use its coffee, tea, or chocolate entries to estimate your daily caffeine intake.
Is decaf caffeine-free?
No. The FDA says an 8-fluid-ounce decaf coffee typically contains 2–15 mg. Decaf can lower your intake, but it still belongs in the daily total if you are counting closely.
A simple way to count it
- Write down each caffeinated drink, food, supplement, or medicine you use that day.
- Record the actual serving size and the product's caffeine amount when provided.
- Add the amounts together. If the amount is missing, ask the maker or a health professional rather than treating it as zero.
If caffeine worsens nausea, sleep, or palpitations, raise that with your clinician. The FDA recommends cutting back gradually if you regularly consume caffeine, because withdrawal can be unpleasant. If sleep remains a concern, our melatonin research guide explains what is and is not known about that supplement in pregnancy.
Sources: ACOG: coffee during pregnancy, NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: pregnancy, and FDA: caffeine amounts and labels. This guide is educational and does not replace prenatal care.