Many pregnant women receive advice from friends and family on what they should eat and drink during gestation, which may be daunting at times. Giving up favorite drinks or foods such as caffeine could prove challenging; you might have even been warned against drinking coffee altogether as this can increase miscarriage risk and cause low birthweight in babies.

However, according to a recent genetic study, moderate amounts of coffee may actually help prevent gestational diabetes. The researchers conducted genetic tests on women to ascertain how much caffeine would be safe during gestation; two to three cups per day is generally considered acceptable during this time frame.

Caffeine can quickly enter fetal bloodstreams, and its effects are profound: constricting of uterine and placental artery networks reduces oxygen supply for growth, leading to low birth weights. Furthermore, caffeine may trigger stress hormone production which could increase risk for early delivery or obesity of child after birth.

However, while the amount of caffeine a person can safely consume daily is entirely up to them, experts advise no more than 200mg a day which would be equivalent to two or three cups of brewed coffee.

Caffeine can be found in other beverages and food as well, so it is important to keep track of how much caffeine you are consuming. A large iced tea from McDonald’s contains approximately 42mg, while one brewed cup of decaf Starbucks coffee typically has around 15mg.

Some pain-relief medicines contain small amounts of caffeine as well, making it important to read their labels before taking. Remember to only take it according to instructions from your healthcare practitioner.

There is no definitive answer on whether caffeine consumption during gestation is safe, but experts agree it would be prudent to be cautious and limit how much caffeine you consume. If you are an avid coffee consumer, switching to decaf or cutting back could be good options.

If you find yourself craving coffee, try enjoying it before bed or after your baby awakes in the morning. Mix your cup with milk or sugar to reduce how much caffeine you are consuming; or opt for herbal or green tea which contains significantly lower levels of caffeine – though these might not offer as satisfying an experience as traditional coffee does!