We know pregnancy can be stressful on a woman’s body. That is exactly why we are spilling the tea on pregnancy tea and how it can help. With the rise of alternative medicine, you may be wondering about teas and what they can do to ease your mind and body during the significant changes you go through while creating a new life! But how do you know what teas are safe for you and your growing baby? Isn’t caffeine bad for you during pregnancy? What are the benefits of these teas during pregnancy? And where are the best companies to purchase these teas to ensure they are from reliable sources?
Is it Okay to Drink Pregnancy Teas if they Have Caffeine?
There are so many do and don’ts of pregnancy, so I am sure you are curious about caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant as well as a diuretic. It increases your heart rate, blood pressure, and encourages your kidneys to flush out water- causing dehydration. These are things that are very important to keep check of during pregnancy, so it is essential to monitor your caffeine intake while pregnant. This does not mean you need to avoid tea, it just means be conscious of what you are putting into your body.
Many studies have been done to determine the risks of caffeine consumption during pregnancy. According to the March of Dimes, pregnant women should limit their caffeine intake to 200 mg/day or less. So with that goal in mind, let’s look at different types of tea, their caffeine amount, and the benefits of each during pregnancy.
Talking about Tea
Before we get into different teas, we need to break tea in general into two categories; non-herbal and herbal.
Non-Herbal:
There are three categories of non-herbal teas: black, green, and oolong. Non-herbal teas derive from leaves of tea plants. Their caffeine content depends on a few factors: oxidation time (fermenting of leaves), brewing time, the size, and the type of leaf used to make the tea.
Black Tea- 40-75 mg caffeine per 8 oz cup
Black tea is the most common tea in the world; including varieties like Earl Gray, English Breakfast, and Orange Pekoe. This type of tea has the most caffeine compared to its counterparts due to being fully fermented. Black tea contains antioxidants called tannins and catechins. These antioxidants contribute to improved cardiovascular health and cancer prevention. However because black tea is more oxidized than other types of non-herbal teas, there are better options with more antioxidants. All that said, black tea is probably not the best choice when it comes to pregnancy tea.
Green Tea- 15-60 mg caffeine per 8 oz cup
Green tea is more delicate than black tea. This type of tea has very little caffeine, especially compared to some other types. The amount of tannins and catechins found in green tea is higher than black tea making green tea an excellent choice for your daily dose of antioxidants.
Oolong Tea- 50-75 mg caffeine per 8 oz cup
Oolong tea comes from the same tea plants as black and green teas. Despite the amount of caffeine found in this tea, it has many calming effects such as reducing anxiety and the impact of stress on the body. These effects are an awesome benefit during pregnancy, just watch your consumption.
Herbal & Fruit Teas:
Herbal teas are not recommended for pregnancy and we recommend avoiding them completely. Fruit teas, on the other hand, can be beneficial as they do not contain caffeine. Make sure when you purchase fruit teas they are not mixed with herbal teas.
Below is a list of different fruit tea types and their benefits. Before drinking the teas below, please speak with your doctor or midwife about consuming and herbs during pregnancy.
Red Raspberry Tea
- Rich in iron
- Increased milk production
- Eased labor pains
- Helps with nausea symptoms
Lemon Balm Tea
- Relieves irritability
- Prevents Insomnia
- Reduces Anxiety
Ginger Root Tea
- Helps with Nausea
- Reduces Vomiting
Dandelion Tea
- High in Vitamin A, calcium, and iron
The Best Pregnancy Teas
Some companies out there have created packaged teas specifically designed to be consumed by pregnant women. Here are a few favorites out on the market:
Traditional Medicinals Pregnancy Tea
This minty, sweet tea comes from a trusted company that combines conventional herbal wisdom and science to create a blend that helps with most bothersome pregnancy symptoms. The star of this tea is a raspberry leaf. This power herb tones the uterus, adds nutrients such as Vitamin A, B, C, and E, iron, and calcium, and helps with morning sickness. Raspberry leaf may reduce pain during labor and delivery. Check Current Prices Here!
Earth Mama Morning Wellness Tea
This organic company has a variety of products for expectant mothers, including this tea they claim is for “wellness in the morning, not sickness.” Ginger Root, chamomile, lemon balm, mint, and a twist of orange peel makes this tea a citrus treat to calm your queasy stomach. Check it out here.
PeaPod Tea For Two Pregnancy Tea
PeaPod has created a loose-leaf tea designed to support your healthy pregnancy. The specially selected herbs relax the uterus, help with morning sickness, and is recommended to be used your entire pregnancy and postpartum. As a tip, freeze the brewed tea into ice pops for dehydration and nausea. Purchase yours here!
I think we have got it all covered! Tea can be a great benefit to you during your pregnancy. If you are interested in adding these benefits to your pregnancy, discuss this with your doctor or midwife, research herbs on the National Medicine Comprehensive Database, and review some of the pregnancy teas mentioned in this article. You may just find your pregnancy comfort in a cup!
Have questions about Pregnancy? Feel free to ask in the comments Or ask a question in our Rookie Moms Facebook Group, it’s a great group of moms where you can share your experiences, ask for advice and even help out another mom!
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Citations:
Herbal Teas and Pregnancy: Which Ones Are Safe? (2018, October 08). Retrieved from https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/herbal-tea/
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