Is green tea safe during pregnancy?

Green tea is generally considered safe in moderate amounts. Its caffeine is the main concern. ACOG says up to 200 mg of caffeine a day is generally not linked to pregnancy loss or preterm birth. Ask your doctor how much fits your situation.

Is green tea ok during pregnancy?

Many providers say yes, in moderation. Keep your total daily caffeine in mind, including coffee, soda, and chocolate. Ask your doctor or midwife whether it fits your health history.

Is drinking green tea safe during pregnancy?

A small amount is generally considered safe for most pregnancies. Heavy use, strong brews, or concentrated extracts are less clear. Ask your provider before drinking large amounts or taking supplements.

Can I drink green tea while pregnant?

Key points

Green tea contains caffeine, so it counts toward your daily total.
ACOG says up to 200 mg of caffeine a day is not linked to miscarriage or preterm birth.
Caffeine from coffee, soda, chocolate, and some medicines adds up too.

Why it matters

Green tea has less caffeine than coffee, but it still has some. Caffeine crosses the placenta, so the baby is exposed to it too.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) reviewed the research and found that moderate caffeine intake is generally considered safe. Heavy intake has been linked to a higher risk of miscarriage and low birth weight.

What is OK and what is not

Generally considered OK: A few cups of green tea a day, as long as total caffeine stays within the moderate range (about 200 mg or less a day, per ACOG).
Ask your doctor first: Heavy daily tea, strong brewed tea, or matcha, which can be more concentrated.
Ask your doctor first: Green tea extract supplements or pills. These are more concentrated than tea and are not the same as drinking tea. Many providers suggest checking before taking any supplement during pregnancy.

Practical tips

Many providers suggest keeping a rough count of caffeine from all sources, including coffee, soda, energy drinks, dark chocolate, and some pain relievers or cold medicines.

Caffeine content in tea varies by brand, leaf type, steep time, and cup size. Because of this, it can help to ask your provider how much tea fits your plan.

If green tea makes you feel jittery, causes heartburn, or keeps you up at night, many providers suggest cutting back or switching to a decaf option.

If you already had green tea

If you have had green tea during pregnancy, many providers suggest not worrying too much about past cups, especially if your intake stayed within moderate levels. Going forward, many providers suggest keeping total caffeine in the moderate range.

If you had a large amount of caffeine or concentrated green tea products, many providers suggest mentioning it at your next visit so your provider can help you plan.

When to contact your provider

Contact your provider if you have fast or pounding heartbeats, chest pain, vaginal bleeding, cramping, or fluid leaking, or if you have questions about how much caffeine is safe for you.

Questions people ask

Sources

General information only; it does not replace advice from your doctor or midwife.