There is no good evidence that moderate amounts of coffee harm a fetus. Is there a small, small risk having a second cup of coffee, a small glass of wine, a piece of bologna, some soft cheese, and a sushi roll? Perhaps. But there's almost certainly a bigger risk, say, driving anywhere. Do your best and don't beat yourself up.

I disagree with the advice about chocolate and would recommend cutting out the cocoa powder in your coffee if you can. It'd be better to just have the caffeine from the coffee -- not the coffee and the cocoa!

I totally understand how you feel and think this is very common for pregnant moms with older children. I, too, am totally dragging my mid-afternoon and have a 2 YO!

What works best for me is a short brisk walk around the block or a few moments of breathing and yoga. The extra exercise gets me going and helps me feel better. I can't sleep if I drink coffee this late in the afternoon, so even if I wasn't pregnant, it's usually a no-go for me.

Good luck! Don't feel bad about it, but try to cut it out as frequently as you can.

You sound perfect. Just add some whipped cream next time!

Try a piece of chocolate next time, OP. It's a good jolt and a little better for you. And so-o-o-o satisfying!!

Remember a cup of coffee is only 8 ounces. Coffee mugs are usually 12 to 14 ounces at least.

Read "Expecting Better" by Emily Oster. She has great chapter on this - really the caffeine limits are crazy strict. You're safe to drink up to six a day I think. Even the most dedicated caffeine hounds don't usually finish that much.

^^ Only IN extraordinary amounts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That doesn't sound like too much caffeine to me. It sounds like you're only getting 4 oz. or so of coffee each time, right? Which would make it only 1 cup? Your concoction sounds delicious, by the way.

200 mg. a day is the limit ACOG recommends; for me brewing at home, this means I can have 2 6 oz. mugs. I did so regularly until it began making me so nauseous that I switched to herbal/green iced tea combo sipped throughout the day.

Green tea is a no-no during pregnancy.

Only is extraordinary amounts. One cup a day will not harm the baby.

Anonymous wrote:That doesn't sound like too much caffeine to me. It sounds like you're only getting 4 oz. or so of coffee each time, right? Which would make it only 1 cup? Your concoction sounds delicious, by the way.

200 mg. a day is the limit ACOG recommends; for me brewing at home, this means I can have 2 6 oz. mugs. I did so regularly until it began making me so nauseous that I switched to herbal/green iced tea combo sipped throughout the day.

Green tea is a no-no during pregnancy.

That doesn't sound like too much caffeine to me. It sounds like you're only getting 4 oz. or so of coffee each time, right? Which would make it only 1 cup? Your concoction sounds delicious, by the way.

200 mg. a day is the limit ACOG recommends; for me brewing at home, this means I can have 2 6 oz. mugs. I did so regularly until it began making me so nauseous that I switched to herbal/green iced tea combo sipped throughout the day.

The guidelines I read said anything under 200 mg is fine. I think more recent research has indicated that more is fine, too. As long as you're not downing a thermos, I think you're OK.

It's fine. I drank several cups a day. Kids turned out fine. I needed it since I had a hyperactive 3 year old that exhausted me on top of the pregnancy. Just don't drink so much that you have trouble sleeping at night.

Me too. I feel guilty, but not enough to stop. I'm not drinking or smoking or taking any medicine. The only way I can stay on top of work is with two daily hits of caffeine. It is what it is. Toddlers, work and pregnancy don't mix.

I'm in almost exactly your same boat, except that my 2yo is just difficult, rather than awake for a medical reason. I'm freaking exhausted. If I didn't have to work I would go back to bed immediately after I dropped kids off at school. I have a regular cup in the morning to become functional, and then at least one other serving of caffeine in the afternoon to get through.... sometimes I use half-caff, and sometimes I have a coke! I don't think 2 cups is so terrible, especially if a bunch of it is milk, etc. Hang in.

When I found out I was pregnant last month, I went from 2 cups a day to 1. But... the last few days I've been backsliding . I have a 2yo and 5yo and rarely get a good nights sleep due to medical issues with the 2yo. By 4pm, I am having sooooo much trouble staying awake. Anyone else drinking more than a cup a day? Fwiw, I fill the mug with 1/4 coconut milk, 1/4 whole milk, 1/2 coffee and some cocoa powder - so it's not really a full cup although we have large mugs, and I only drink water the rest of the day. Trying not to feel too guilty while also hoping some of this exhaustion goes away 2nd tri.