We are often asked about tea and pregnancy - is it safe for mom and baby to drink tea when mom is pregnant?
Our first response is to always follow the advice/directions of your doctor or midwife as they know your particular health profile and medical history. Some health practitioners recommend pregnant women ease off all caffeine, including coffee and tea, and others say a minimal amount, 2-3 cups per day is OK. Remember caffeine hides in colas, chocolate, and some medications, as well.
So what follows, is general advice. Again, we emphasize that if you have any concerns, you should ask your health practitioner.
Pregnancy & Green Tea - from a UK website
I am eight weeks pregnant. Can I drink green tea?
Written for BabyCentre UK
Fiona Ford answers:
It is safe to drink green tea during pregnancy, in moderation. About three or four cups of green tea a day would probably be a sensible limit.
Green tea has been thought to be a health-promoting drink since ancient times. However, recent research has cast doubts over its benefits during pregnancy and has even raised some concerns about its safety. This is just one reason why it is wise to be cautious.
Claims for the benefits of green tea are based on the fact that it is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are chemical compounds that can help to prevent cell damage in our bodies. Research suggests that green tea may help protect you against a number of diseases, including heart disease, high blood pressure and some forms of cancer.
Other studies have shown that drinking green tea may be good for oral health, bone strength your ability to fight bacterial and viral infections.
However, the research for these claims is not strong so it is hard to draw any firm conclusions from it.
Some doctors are concerned that green tea may affect the body's folic acid (also called folate) levels. Folic acid is an important nutrient during pregnancy. One study linked neural tube defects in babies, such as spina bifida, to women drinking a large amount of green tea at around the time of conception. Spina bifida is a serious condition, which occurs when the tube around the central nervous system - the neural tube - fails to close completely. Neural tube defects such as spina bifida are usually associated with folic acid deficiency.
The data for this study is very weak so it is too soon to say that avoiding green tea during pregnancy will reduce the risk of neural tube defects, but more research is needed.
Remember that green tea, like other teas, contains some caffeine, which should be limited in pregnancy. Although green tea is relatively low in caffeine it would be unwise to drink vast quantities of it during pregnancy.
Finally, green tea, like other teas and coffee can also make it difficult for our bodies to absorb iron from food, which is another reason why it should be drunk in moderation.
Herbal Teas & Pregnancy
Certain herbal teas can be very beneficial in pregnancy and may help to alleviate some of the symptoms of pregnancy. Many women find that small amounts of ginger tea can help with morning sickness, while peppermint tea can ease heartburn and indigestion. Slippery elm or meadowsweet tea may also aid digestion. However, it is always a good idea to drink herbal teas in moderation.
Generally speaking, any herb which is considered fine for food use is presumed to be safe for teas as well. Look on packaging labels for contents that may normally be part of your diet (such as mint, lemon or orange extracts). All herbal preparations which are bought as tea bags from the supermarket are thought to be safe for use in pregnancy. You can also buy herbal tea blends specifically made for drinking when you are pregnant.
It is important to steer clear of unfamiliar ingredients (such as black cohosh, pennyroyal, and mugwort, all best avoided during pregnancy). Other herbs to avoid in pregnancy include celery, parsley and sage (the latter should also be avoided if you are breastfeeding, as it may reduce milk supply). Never make a tea from any plant in your own garden, unless you're 100 per cent sure what it is and that you can safely take it while you're pregnant.
Babycentre.ca has charts of safe and moderately safe herbs for pregnancy and labour. You can view the page here.
I've heard that raspberry leaf tea in pregnancy can help to make labour easier. If so, when should I start taking it and how much should I take?
Written for Canada
Wisty Hoyland answers:
In a study carried out in Sydney, Australia, 192 first-time moms were given at random either a 1.2g raspberry leaf tablet or a placebo twice a day from 32 weeks of pregnancy. The herb had no harmful effects on mother or baby, and those women who had taken raspberry leaf tablets were found to have a shorter second stage of labour and a lower rate of forceps delivery(19.3% versus 30.4%). However, far more research is needed to confirm these results.
It is very important not to use raspberry leaves until the last two months of pregnancy because of their stimulating effect on the uterus. Start with one cup of tea a day or one tablet and build up gradually to a maximum of four cups of tea or tablets daily. The tea can be sipped freely during labour, too.
You can buy raspberry leaf tablets from health food stores. However many women prefer to make a tea from the dried herb, which is available from Steeped Tea. The tea, or infusion, can be made as follows: put 25g/1oz of the dried herb in a pot and pour on 600ml/1 pint of boiling water. Cover and infuse for 15 minutes. Alternatively, add 1 teaspoonful of the dried herb to a cup of boiling water.
Can I drink Rooibos tea while pregnant?
Rooibos and Honeybush teas are considered decaffeinated herbal teas. Although Rooibos is called a "tea," it is actually an herb from South Africa and differs greatly from tea (camellia sinensis).
Anemia, or low iron, is a common problem during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Many teas prevent your body from absorbing iron due to an ingredient called tannin. Both Rooibos and Honeybush teas contain low levels of tannin, so they are less likely to interfere with iron absorption.
Research by Japanese scientists has shown Rooibos tea to have beneficial effects relating to constipation, liver function, blood sugar levels, skin diseases, depression and anxiety. This tea may also have other stomach and indigestion benefits, possibly relieving nausea, vomiting, and heartburn.
However, some variations of Rooibos tea (such as the Energizer Rooibos Herbal Tea) contain the herb rosemary, which should be avoided during pregnancy because it may cause uterine contractions. Be sure to read the label to make sure that there are no additional herbs added to either Rooibos or Honeybush teas. If it is the pure tea, it should be a wonderful addition to your pregnancy and lactation diet.
