Table of Contents
- 1. Health During Pregnancy
- 2. Tea and Pregnancy: Is tea safe during pregnancy?
- 3. Why is tea good for pregnancy?
- 4. Best tea for pregnancy
- 5. Is caffeine-free tea good for pregnancy?
- 6. How many cups of tea is safe during pregnancy?
- 7. Which tea is bad for pregnancy?
- 8. Conclusion: Is tea good for pregnancy?
Pregnancy is one of the most giving times in a family’s life. Every childbearing woman focuses on her well-being like no other time during the gestating period.
From morning sickness to constant anxiety, there is a lot that a pregnant woman has to deal with during these nine months.
However, one can use several practices and home remedies to make this period less painful and hectic.
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Tea can be one of these aids. How?
To figure out the answer to this question, read ahead.
1. Health During Pregnancy
Paying attention to health during and prior to pregnancy is necessary not only for the to-be-mother but also for the young kin.
Regular physical activity in moderation before pregnancy helps the mother’s body support health and maintain a healthy weight through the pregnancy. (1)
Alongside physical activity, diet plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of both mother and baby. (2)
An everyday diet isn’t always enough to meet the needs of the gestating woman; there are certain foods that must be avoided during this period and some that are beneficial.
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Diet during pregnancy is one of the flagbearers for:
- Meeting the nutritional needs of the foetus.
- Meeting the requirements of the mother.
- Facilitating breast milk synthesis.
Beverages are often times easier to consume for the gestating women and can make up a significant chunk of their diet during this period.
Fruit juices, vegetable juices and tea are some of the most commonly consumed beverages.
However, Is tea ok during pregnancy?
2. Tea and Pregnancy: Is tea safe during pregnancy?
The practice of making tea has been around for thousands of years, rightly so.
Tea is made up of polyphenols that protect the heart, antioxidants and nutrients that boost the immune system.
Thus, having tea during gestation can have its fair share of benefits.
A cup of warm tea might help combat morning sickness and help through labour when taken in the correct quantity. (3)
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Every coin has two sides; while there are benefits of drinking tea, there are certain teas that may be harmful when ingested during pregnancy.
To understand which teas are safe during pregnancy and which aren’t, keep reading.
3. Why is tea good for pregnancy?
A warm cup of tea is a wonderful solution to several pregnancy woes. Pregnancy-safe teas are a wise choice because:
- They help ease morning sickness, nausea and vomiting.
- Help lower anxiety and stress levels.
- Provided the gestating woman with nutrients and antioxidants.
- Aid in hydration.
- Help prepare the uterus for labour in some cases.
4. Best tea for pregnancy
Ginger tea
Ginger tea helps ease morning sickness during pregnancy and is usually adequate.
It helps maintain sugar levels in the blood and prevents gestational diabetes. (3)
For your diet too, ginger tea is good for fertility.
Ginger is also used in tea for nausea during pregnancy.
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Discussing the intake of ginger tea with your healthcare provider may still be a good idea.
Peppermint tea
Peppermint tea often helps calm an upset stomach during gestation. (3)
Peppermint tea for pregnancy is used mostly during 1st and 2nd trimesters.
It is generally considered safe. However, it may not help with morning sickness.
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Caffeine-free peppermint tea during pregnancy is also a good choice for tea-loving to-be-mothers.
Black or White Tea
Black or white tea can be safe to consume during pregnancy.
However, in moderation, four cups of black tea amount to 200 mg of caffeine, the upper daily limit for pregnant women.
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Raspberry leaf tea
A widely asked question--does raspberry leaf tea help postpartum? The answer is yes. (4)
Raspberry leaf, when taken before giving birth, is associated with positive birth outcomes like the shorter second stage of labour and fewer interventions. (4)
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Many women consume it for ovulation as raspberry leaf tea delays ovulation.
Raspberry leaf tea affects the uterus; thus, it's better if taken after 32 weeks.
According to a study, when raspberry leaf tea in pregnancy was taken from 32 weeks until labour, it caused no adverse effects on the mother or baby.
A lower rate of forceps delivered between the treatment group and the control group was observed. (3)
If wondering how to make raspberry leaf tea, do read our blog on the same.
Rooibos Tea
Rooibos tea has beneficial antioxidant properties; it's also caffeine-free.
Drinking rooibos tea for stress relief, nausea, and digestive problems is a good choice. (5)
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Dandelion Tea
What is the connection between dandelion tea and pregnancy?
Dandelion leaves are high in calcium, iron, and potassium.
It is a gentle and effective diuretic remedy during pregnancy and may ease fluid retention.
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Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is a good source of magnesium and calcium.
It helps ease the inflammation of the joints. It also prevents insomnia and promotes effective labour contraction.
However, it is best to avoid chamomile if you have a history of hay fever. (6)
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5. Is caffeine-free tea good for pregnancy?
During this period of pregnancy, several people might recommend that a gestating woman should drink caffeine-free tea,
But should she?
Yes, decaf tea is a good option for pregnant women since it comes with the benefits of traditional tea (antioxidants, calming effects, etc.) without the harmful inclusion of caffeine.
6. How many cups of tea is safe during pregnancy?
The amount of tea one can have during pregnancy depends on the tea consumed.
However, if it is a caffeinated tea limiting oneself to two or three cups a day i.e., 200 mg is ideal.
According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) pregnant women should limit their caffeine intake to less than 200 milligrams per day. (7)
When having herbal tea, the amount of tea drunk must be based on the herb content.
7. Which tea is bad for pregnancy?
Before pregnancy, sipping a cup of hot hibiscus tea or lemongrass tea might have been your guilty pleasure; however, it may not be the brightest idea during pregnancy.
There are certain herbal teas that come with risks when consumed during pregnancy.
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Hibiscus tea
While Hibiscus tea can be pretty refreshing, its root extracts might interfere with oestrogen levels in the body.
Thus, it should be avoided majorly during the first trimester because of its effect on hormones.
Ephedra/Ma Huang tea
Ephedra contains alkaloids that may lead to an increase in blood pressure, which is not ideal during pregnancy.
It may also increase heart rate and stimulate uterine muscles; it is best to avoid this tea, hence.
Blue and Black Cohosh tea
Cohosh herbs are known to induce labour and may lead to premature birth.
Lemongrass Tea
Lemongrass is an aromatic herb and is well known; it can be dangerous for gestating women.
It may decrease blood pressure and cause contractions in the uterus, which is not ideal.
Green Tea
Green contains high amounts of caffeine and is known to reduce the absorption of folic acid.
Limiting oneself to a cup of green per day if you can’t avoid it is advisable.
Don Quai Tea
Don Quai is a herbal tea that stimulates the uterus and is prescribed for easing menstrual problems; thus, it must be avoided during gestation.
Ginseng Tea
Ginseng may prove detrimental to the foetus. It may cause foetal growth issues, especially in the first trimester.
Liquorice Root Tea
An ill effect of liquorice root tea during pregnancy may be the stimulation of Oestrogen, which is not ideal for gestating women and the foetus.
Pennyroyal Tea
Pennyroyal is a herb used for regulating menstrual problems.
It may lead to miscarriages and damage the liver and kidneys.
Yarrow Tea
Yarrow is a muscle relaxant herb often associated with miscarriage.
John’s Wort Tea
According to some studies, John’s Wort is an anti-depressant herb that may not be safe for the mother and baby.
It might cause congenital disabilities in the child and act as a stimulus to the uterus.
Hence, a safer bet would be to avoid it rather than gambling with the two lives.
Other herbal teas to avoid :
- Alfalfa
- Comfrey
- European mistletoe
- Goldenseal
- Horehound
- Kava
- Labrador
- Liquorice root
- Mugwort
- Nettle leaf
- Passionflower
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Sassafras
- Saw palmetto
- Vetiver
- Yerba mate
8. Conclusion: Is tea good for pregnancy?
Image credits: Belenka
Finally, to answer the question,
“Can I drink tea during pregnancy?”.
Yes, pregnant women can have certain teas, but it is best to consult a gynaecologist beforehand.
So go ahead and reap the benefits of a warm cup of tea, both to-be-mothers and kin to come.
Teas are of several kinds, each with its own advantages or risks.
It’s best to go through the list of teas above and consult your healthcare provider before taking a sip.
