Women may enjoy their morning cup of coffee, but they may worry about its safety in pregnancy. Some studies have indicated that high consumption can increase miscarriage risk, low birth weight babies and preterm labour; however, new research shows that moderate consumption likely remains safe during gestation.

Dr Gunn-Helen Moen of the University of Queensland (UQ), headed up an extensive study that included genetic data from over 12,000 families in Norway. Researchers employed Mendelian randomisation as a means to disentangle lifestyle factors’ impact on pregnancy outcomes – an approach crucial because previous observational studies on coffee drinking and pregnancy did not account for other lifestyle choices, like smoking or alcohol consumption, that might impact chances of conception for women.

Though the results of this study are encouraging, it’s still essential that pregnant women discuss their caffeine consumption with their healthcare provider. Women who consume over 300mg per day (which includes tea, chocolate and medications containing caffeine) face an increased risk of miscarriage and low birth weight babies1.

Be mindful that any advice to limit coffee intake does not apply to decaffeinated versions, which still contain small amounts of caffeine. In addition, it is wise to check all drinks and food products that may contain hidden sources of caffeine such as certain pain-relieving medications that contain caffeinated ingredients to counteract their sedative properties.

If you are an avid coffee drinker looking to reduce your intake during gestation, there are various solutions available. UQ researchers advise focusing on switching to decaffeinated varieties as well as cutting back on other forms of caffeine intake such as from beverages like soda.

Use a smartphone application that enables you to scan barcodes on packaging to identify how much caffeine each product contains, then use that information to balance your levels and make informed decisions about caffeine intake.

As with all aspects of nutrition, it’s best to listen to what makes your body comfortable and avoid anything that makes you uneasy. In moderation, caffeine-containing beverages such as coffee or herbal teas is probably safe during pregnancy if balanced against the required number of glasses of water per day.

UQ researchers plan to conduct more research into the relationship between caffeine consumption and pregnancy in future years. They are currently planning a large, prospective cohort study in Sweden which will allow them to monitor thousands of newborns’ health over time – providing ample opportunity to examine any effects such as caffeine intake on infants’ long-term health outcomes.

At least until more research is available, pregnant women are generally advised to limit their daily caffeine consumption to no more than 300mg, including all sources such as tea, chocolate and certain medications. If any concerns arise regarding your individual circumstances it would be a good idea to seek advice from healthcare providers directly.