is it OK to drink Green Tea while pregnant?

Question

It doesn't say it's decaffienated (sp)

Answer 1

sure, it's a healthy beverage

Answer 2

Be careful, my Dr. said to avoid caffeine as much as possible, so if you are not sure maybe avoid it?
Also, I had asked about herbal teas, I drank them all the time before I was pregnant. Some herbal teas can in some women cause contractions and even result in loosing the baby. Some teas are OK. It was all too confusing so I avoided it all. I only drank about 3 cups of decaffeinated tea/week and only 2 cups of decaf coffee throughout the whole pregnancy.
Whey I was expecting, there was a documentary on the caffeine levels in decaf coffees (Starbucks,Horton's) etc and the caffeine levels were very high, too high for me to risk mine or my baby's health.
Steer clear of the green tea and any herbal tea unless you have researched them very thoroughly and checked a few reliable sources. It is not worth the risk to your baby.
Ovaltine is a good alternative for a nice hot drink.

Answer 3

Special Information If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding :
Because of its caffeine content, you may want to restrict your intake of Green Tea to no more than 5 cups daily during pregnancy. Although most studies show no harm to the developing baby, some evidence links slower fetal growth to daily intake of 400 milligrams or more of caffeine (6 or more cups of tea). Excessive caffeine intake may also increase the risk of late first or second trimester miscarriage.
Nursing mothers should drink little, if any, Green Tea because, like other beverages containing caffeine, it can cause sleep disorders in infants.
http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/herbaldrugs/101320.shtml
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/1-24-2006-87222.asp
http://ezinearticles.com/?Green-Tea-Side-Effects-During-Pregnancy&id=133518
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QA/QA44819/

Answer 4

I would say so, green tea is very healthy and has antioxidant properties. You should ask a professional if you're not sure though. I know coffee is not so good ...

Answer 5

First of all caffeine is bad for your baby, and yes, green tea does have caffeine, so you should probably avoid it just for that reason.

In addition, green tea is an herbal tea, and herbal teas are supposed to be avoided during pregnancy, according to everything I have read, because they can have substances which can be dangerous to the fetus. Most herbal teas contain a whole mix of herbs, and its impossible to know if they can have a detrimental effect on the development of your unborn child. So play it safe, and avoid green tea for 9 months.

good luck!

read on for more from babycenter.com:

"Herbal teas can be harmful, especially if you drink too much of them. Most of the ingredients in herbal teas are safe, but many are not. Herbs are drugs and thus can be as potent as some medications. What's more, only a few of the herbs used for teas have been studied in pregnant women.

How can I tell which herbal teas are safe to drink during pregnancy?

Although no U.S. regulations specifically address herbal teas, most of the herbs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers safe for food use are presumed safe for teas as well. For example, teas made from ginger, lime blossom, peppermint, roasted barley, rose hips, and thyme are probably safe to drink occasionally in small amounts while you're pregnant or nursing. However, drinking excessive amounts of any teas can cause health problems for you and your developing baby.

Which teas are not safe?
Many of the herbs used for teas, when taken in large or medicinal amounts, can potentially stimulate the uterus and induce miscarriage. These include anise, catnip, chamomile, comfrey, ephedra (called ma huang in traditional Chinese medicine), European mistletoe, hibiscus, horehound, Labrador, lemongrass, licorice root, mugwort, pennyroyal, raspberry leaf, rosemary, sage, sassafras, stinging nettle leaf, vetiver, and yarrow.

Although some midwives use raspberry leaf (also known as red raspberry leaf) to aid delivery, its effectiveness hasn't been proven. In any case, it should be used only near term and under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Avoid the rest of the herbs in this list during pregnancy and lactation.

Note: You can still eat food that contains herbs like rosemary and sage, because the amounts used in food are generally much smaller than those used in tea — and not as potent (the brewing process for making tea concentrates the chemicals of the herbs).

Among other reasons to avoid certain herbs used in teas:

• Coca (also known as mate de coca) contains small amounts of cocaine.

• Comfrey, kava root, skullcap, valerian, and woodruff may damage your liver.

• Lobelia contains nicotine.

• Mate (or yerba mate) can contain as much caffeine as coffee.

None of these herbs should be taken while you're pregnant or nursing.

Answer 6

I drank it well pregnant,Iced and hot. Didn't have any problems with the caffeine.They do see decaffinated if that's what your worried about.

Answer 7

oh yes green tea is great

Answer 8

maybe the best thing to drink

Answer 9

it is an antioxianant purifies the blood i love it