I'm a Pregnant Doctor and I'm Not Giving Up Caffeine. Here's Why.

Can you drink coffee while pregnant—and is staying under 200 mg of caffeine really “safe”? We’re looking beyond the headlines at what the research actually tells us about caffeine, miscarriage, baby’s growth, and preterm birth. We’re Dr. Sarah Bjorkman, an OB/GYN and fertility specialist, and Dr. Kurt Bjorkman, a pediatrician—parents of three with another baby on the way! In this episode, we bring together the evidence, the uncertainties, and Sarah’s real-life approach to caffeine during pregnancy. We cover: ☕ How caffeine works and why it can help you feel more alert 🔬 Why pregnancy studies can be difficult to interpret—and why association doesn’t automatically mean causation 🤰 What studies show about miscarriage, fetal growth, and preterm birth 📏 What 200 mg actually looks like in coffee, tea, and other everyday drinks 🧡 How Sarah thinks about her own caffeine consumption while pregnant Our goal is to help you make informed decisions without turning every sip of coffee into another source of pregnancy anxiety. 🧡 JOIN US IN TDB+ Looking for more guidance and connection from TTC through toddlerhood? TDB+ is our private community with live Q&As, educational resources, and support from other parents navigating the same stages. [Explore TDB+](https://www.thedoctorsbjorkman.com/membership) CHAPTERS 0:00 – Intro 1:24 – Caffeine - helpful or harmful? 4:14 – Does caffeine cause miscarriage? 7:16 – Fetal Growth and Caffeine 9:56 – Preterm Birth and Caffeine 10:50 – Reasons for caution 12:48 – What does 200mg look like? 17:09 – Dr. Sarah’s real life consumption 18:52 – The take-home message SELECTED RESEARCH DISCUSSED • [ACOG: Moderate caffeine consumption during pregnancy](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20664420/) • [NEJM: Coffee, Caffeine, and Health — van Dam et al., 2020](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32706535/) • [Caffeine and miscarriage risk — Savitz et al., 2008](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18091004/) • [Caffeine consumption and miscarriage — Weng et al., 2008](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18221932/) • [Caffeine, small for gestational age, and preterm birth: meta-analysis — Askari et al., 2024](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36825339/) • [Reducing caffeine intake: randomized trial — Bech et al., 2007](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17259189/) • [Caffeine and adverse pregnancy outcomes: integrative review — Rohweder et al., 2024](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38042437/) Subscribe for more evidence-based conversations about pregnancy, babies, and parenting—and share this episode with someone navigating pregnancy alongside you! This video is for education and entertainment purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. #CaffeineDuringPregnancy #Pregnancy #TheDoctorsBjorkman