Few can resist their morning cup of joe, and giving up caffeine during pregnancy might seem impossible. But rest assured: small amounts are safe as long as you follow recommendations from healthcare providers; indeed, one study from University of Queensland determined that moderate coffee consumption did not harm fetuses.

Researchers had previously linked maternal coffee drinking with neurodevelopmental difficulties in children, but those results weren’t able to clearly pinpoint whether caffeine was directly at fault. In this new study, over two decades tens of thousands of pregnant women were tracked using Mendelian randomisation as a statistical method that takes into account other variables that might impact child development; specifically women were divided randomly into groups who consumed lots of coffee vs those who consumed very little before researchers compared these groups for cases of neurodevelopmental issues in either category.

At the conclusion of this study, no relationship was discovered between caffeine consumption and neurodevelopmental issues in children; however, this does not indicate a recommendation to start drinking your morning latte every day. Instead, medical experts advise only taking small doses (less than 200 milligrams daily) from sources other than coffee as part of your daily dose of caffeine intake.

Reasoning suggests it may be safer to consume caffeine in moderation during pregnancy is that physiological changes hinder your body from breaking it down as readily, meaning caffeine could pass across the placenta to reach your fetus, who lacks enzymes for metabolism of this drug.

Caffeine is a stimulant and may lead to jitters, headaches, nausea and increased urination that could potentially lead to dehydration.

HealthLink BC reports that too much caffeine in your system can increase your risk of miscarriage or premature birth, so adhering to the daily recommended maximum of 200 milligrams should be practiced while pregnant. Keep an eye out for other beverages like tea and energy drinks which also contain caffeine; keep track of how much is being consumed.

Replace caffeinated beverages with decaffeinated alternatives, like green tea and fruit juice, as this will help ensure you get all of the vitamins and nutrients that your body requires while still sipping your favorite beverage. For further advice on maintaining a healthy pregnancy diet and fitness routine during gestation, reach out to your healthcare provider; they can offer tailored advice about what eating and drinking habits would support a better experience during gestation.