If you're pregnant, you should limit the amount of caffeine you have to 200mg a day – the equivalent of two mugs of instant coffee.

Caffeine

Caffeine is found naturally in lots of foods, such as coffee, tea and chocolate. It's also added to some soft drinks, energy drinks and cold and flu remedies.

High levels of caffeine during pregnancy can result in babies having a low birth weight, which can increase the risk of health problems in later life. Too much caffeine can also cause a miscarriage.

Limiting your caffeine intake

You don't need to cut caffeine out completely, but you should limit how much you have to no more than 200mg a day. Try decaffeinated tea and coffee, fruit juice or water, and limit the amount of energy drinks you have as they can be high in caffeine. Don't worry if you occasionally exceed the recommended limit, because the risks are quite small.

Talk to your midwife, pharmacist or another healthcare professional before taking any medicines, including cold and flu remedies. See the Pregnancy care planner for more information about medicines during pregnancy.

How much caffeine?

The amount of caffeine found in some foods and drinks is as follows:

• one mug of instant coffee: 100mg 
• one mug of filter coffee: 140mg 
• one mug of tea: 75mg 
• one can of cola: 40mg 
• one can of energy drink: up to 80mg 
• one 50g bar of plain chocolate: up to 50mg
• one 50g bar of milk chocolate: up to 25mg

So, in one day, you will almost reach your 200mg limit of caffeine if you have:

• one bar of plain chocolate and one mug of filter coffee 
• two mugs of tea and one can of cola 
• one mug of instant coffee and one can of energy drink

Read the answers to more questions about pregnancy.