Is Tea Safe During Pregnancy? A Complete Guide for Expecting Moms

One of the most consumed drinks in the world is tea. There are several dietary limitations associated with pregnancy. It is natural for an expectant mother to wonder if tea would be safe to consume during pregnancy. You need to be cautious about what you consume while you are pregnant.

Benefits of Tea During Pregnancy

Tea is rich in antioxidants
It can contribute to your daily fluid intake
Some teas, like ginger tea, have some nutritional value like vitamins and minerals
Sometimes, tea can also work as a natural remedy to deal with pregnancy-related symptoms or to prepare for childbirth

Tea is considered natural since it is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. This plant is mostly found in East Asia. Tea leaves are steeped in boiling water to produce tea. Many women believe that it is safe to consume tea during pregnancy since tea is natural. That being said, some teas can cause more harm than good for pregnant women. These teas should be avoided at all costs.

You can find a complete guide on the different kinds of teas and their safety levels below.

Teas That Are Not Safe to Consume

Most herbal teas should be avoided as they can have potentially risky side effects for pregnant women, like stimulating menstrual bleeding or uterine contractions. Herbal teas are made from dried fruits, flowers, spices, or herbs and hence contain no caffeine. However, they may have other compounds that could be unsafe for pregnancy.

Herbal Teas You Should Avoid:

Fenugreek
Fennel
Vervain
Sage
Borage
Liquorice
Motherwort
Black cohosh
Blue cohosh
Lovage
Thyme
Pennyroyal
Chamomile (in large amounts)
Frankincense (in large amounts)

Some herbal teas like motherwort, lovage, and frankincense can increase the risk of menstrual bleeding during pregnancy, motherwort, along with borage, is responsible for a risk of birth defects. Eucalyptus tea can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Studies also show that drinking chamomile tea can cause low blood flow to the baby’s heart. Certain herbal teas can also interfere with any medications you may be on. So it would be best to avoid herbal teas altogether, and if you must consume them, check with your doctor before you do so.

Non-Herbal Teas During Pregnancy

Common caffeinated teas come under this category. You should limit your intake of caffeinated tea. Green, white, black, matcha and oolong teas are all sourced from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, and all of these teas contain caffeine. Caffeine is a natural stimulant that should be consumed sparingly while pregnant. Let us look at the amount of caffeine each of these has, per cup (240 ml).

Black tea: 47-53 mg
White tea: 25-50 mg
Green tea: 29-49 mg
Matcha: 60-80 mg
Oolong tea: 60-80 mg

Potential Risks of Caffeine Consumption During Pregnancy

Caffeine can cross the placenta and reach the foetus, and studies have suggested that this can harm the baby including long-term health disorders and behavioural issues
Studies suggest that women who have consumed a larger amount of caffeine than the approved amount face a high risk of preterm birth or have a baby born with a low birth weight
A high caffeine intake during pregnancy is also associated with a higher risk of a miscarriage or a stillbirth

It is considered safe to consume a maximum of 300 mg of caffeine, although genetics can play a role here. Some women are genetically sensitive to caffeine and face a risk of miscarriage or other birth defects despite consuming 100-300 mg of caffeine. Caffeinated tea contains less caffeine than coffee, but should still be consumed sparingly. Most caffeinated teas are safe for pregnancy if you do not exceed the recommended amount.

How Tea Can Help You While You Are Pregnant

Peppermint tea: Peppermint tea is considered safe and can relieve gas, nausea, heartburn, and stomach pain. However, no research backs up these claims

Raspberry leaf tea: This tea is considered safe and is believed to shorten labour, although studies show that it shortens labour by only ten minutes

Lemon balm: This tea is considered safe and is considered to help with anxiety, irritability, and insomnia. These claims, however, are not supported by research

Ginger tea: Ginger is one of the most highly studied herbs for pregnancy and is considered safe in moderation. It can help ease nausea and vomiting

There is very limited research on the safety and benefits of herbal teas. In fact, peppermint tea may stimulate menstrual bleeding, while raspberry leaf tea can cause uterine contractions. Therefore, there is controversy regarding the safety of herbal teas during pregnancy.

Tea also contains tannins, which hamper the body’s natural ability for iron absorption. If you are on iron supplements, make sure you consume tea an hour or two after having your meals.

Tannins can also be found in coffee and wine. However, it is okay to consume tea in moderation, just make sure you check with your doctor before drinking any tea. Stick to whatever they suggest as being safe for pregnancy.

Tea is generally considered safe for pregnant women, however, it is important to stay mindful about the amount of caffeine you are consuming. Do not go beyond 200mg of caffeine in a day. If you are considering herbal teas, always check with your healthcare provider as herbal teas can sometimes be dangerous for pregnant women.

Frequently Asked Questions Around Is Tea Safe During Pregnancy

Can I drink green tea during pregnancy?
It is widely accepted that drinking green tea while pregnant is safe. You can drink up to six cups of green tea in a day, which would come to 300 mg of caffeine. However, a lot of studies suggest that pregnant women should avoid that much caffeine, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. Drinking more than six cups has been associated with a higher risk of miscarriage and other negative effects.
How much tea is considered too much during pregnancy?
To be on the safe side, women should limit their tea intake to two to three cups, while pregnant. Consuming more than that has potential risks like heartburn, insomnia, and nausea. Consuming more than six cups can increase your risk of miscarriage.