As you endure pregnancy, you might find yourself feeling a little tired. In search of a little pick me up, you might wonder if it’s safe to drink tea during pregnancy. In short, most teas, even caffeinated ones, are safe to drink during pregnancy. During pregnancy, though, your daily intake of caffeine should not exceed 300 mg during pregnancy. Before you bring that fresh cup of tea to your lips, stop to consider how much caffeine is in it (if any) and how much you’ve already consumed. If you are sensitive to caffeine, you might be advised to consume a lesser amount daily, or none at all. If you have any concerns or sensitivities to caffeine, try a caffeine-free tea or herbal tea. We will cover types of caffeinated and decaffeinated teas that are safe to drink during pregnancy for most women.
Which types of tea are safe to drink during pregnancy?
Most teas are safe to drink during pregnancy, and some can benefit pregnant women. If you’re new to the tea world, it can be overwhelming to choose a tea or a few to try. If you can find teas with benefits during pregnancy that you enjoy, it’s a double win.
Before we dive into types of tea, you should note that there are two kinds of tea - herbal tea and non-herbal tea. Non-herbal teas usually contain caffeine and can be categorized as black, green, and oolong. Herbal teas are usually caffeine-free.
Here are some herbal teas to consider during pregnancy. You might want to check with your doctor before consuming, as everyone’s pregnancy can differ.
- Raspberry leaf: Some believe that raspberry leaf tea can shorten labor and help prepare the uterus for birth. While this might sound appealing enough to have you headed to the store, some research shows that it may only reduce the second stage of labor by about ten minutes.
- Peppermint: Peppermint tea can relieve gas, stomach pain, relieve gas, or heartburn, but these benefits are simply rumored.
- Ginger: While some taste buds are not ginger fans, it is one of the most studied herb remedies during pregnancy. It’s suggested by research that it can reduce nausea and vomiting when consumed dry. You should not consume more than one gram per day.
- Lemon balm: To reduce anxiety, irritability, and insomnia, try lemon balm tea. Like peppermint tea, these benefits are rumored as no study was found to support these benefits.
Why do some teas need to be avoided during pregnancy?
There are some things to be mindful of when drinking tea during pregnancy. Let’s review.
- Some teas contain caffeine: During pregnancy, caffeine should be consumed in moderation. Teas such as black tea, oolong tea, chai tea, and green tea, otherwise known as non-herbal teas, usually contain caffeine.
- Some herbal teas can present risks: Herbal teas are made from flowers, spices, dried fruits, or herbs. While they don’t contain caffeine, they may contain other compounds that are unsafe during pregnancy.
- Teas are not heavily regulated or tested: Due to a lack of regulation, tea may contain unwanted compounds such as heavy metals. Even though the ingredients might be listed on the label, there might be other ingredients in the tea.
What herbs and teas should be avoided during pregnancy?
When it comes to consuming herbal teas, it’s recommended not to consume herbs in greater amounts than you would find in foods. In addition, there’s a risk of contamination with herbal teas. Two types of herbal teas to avoid are parsley tea and sage tea.
What herbs are not safe during pregnancy?
Two types of herbal teas to avoid during pregnancy are parsley tea and sage tea. Parsley tea can increase the chance of miscarriage and impact your baby’s development. Sage tea in concentrated forms has been connected to miscarriage and high blood pressure.
What should I drink in my first trimester of pregnancy?
During your first trimester, you should live life as normally as possible, with some exceptions. It’s important to drink plenty of water during the first trimester, and throughout your pregnancy. You may even want to consume an extra glass. If you don’t love water, tea and other water-based beverages can help you achieve water intake goals. During your first trimester, consider rooibos tea, peppermint, or ginger tea. Rooibos tea is rich in antioxidants, and ginger and peppermint tea can help soothe morning sickness.
Conclusion
During pregnancy and after pregnancy, you and your baby’s health is a top concern. While you research what’s best for both of you, you should also lean on your most qualified resource to assist, your doctor. Your doctor can help you determine what’s safe, depending on your specific circumstances. The basics, such as good nutrition and adequate sleep, are at the foundation of a healthy life for you and baby.
As you learn to readjust after pregnancy while learning life with a new baby, sleep might be interrupted. Do your best to find routines that offer adequate sleep for you and baby. Remember, baby has come from a noisy and dark womb, and is adjusting to a great big world. Ensuring they have just the right environment for sleeping can make all the difference.
Try a Dream Sound Machine and Dream Weighted Swaddle to start. Our weighted sleep swaddle is easy to use, simply lay baby down in the swaddle, wrap the swaddle band snugly around them (with arms in or out), and zip up the swaddle.
Our CoverCalm® technology evenly distributes weight from your baby’s shoulders to toes to help naturally reduce stress and increase relaxation. Help your baby adjust to sleeping along effortlessly while knowing they are safe and sleeping sound.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-tea-safe-during-pregnancy#potentially-suitable-teas
https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/herbal-tea/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-tea-safe-during-pregnancy#potentially-suitable-teas
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/herbal-teas-during-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding#:~:text=Parsley%20tea%3A%20avoid%20parsley%20tea,miscarriage%20and%20high%20blood%20pressure.
https://wfmchealth.org/maternity-health-care/what-should-you-drink-during-pregnancy/
