It's very important to stay well hydrated during pregnancy! Why? Proper hydration helps prevent problems with urinary tract infections, constipation, water retention, and heavy legs. But what can I drink when I'm pregnant? Is coffee allowed during pregnancy? What about tea ?
As a reminder, pregnant women are advised to drink 1.5 liters of water or even 2 liters of water per day. To avoid drinking only water, you can supplement your intake with hot drinks. And to answer the question, tea and coffee are not prohibited during pregnancy , but you should know that they contain caffeine (theine is the same molecule as caffeine). To protect the baby's nervous system, the WHO advises not to exceed 300 mg of caffeine per day during pregnancy. Depending on the beverage, this can correspond to 2 or 3 cups per day.
So with herbal teas , you can both avoid any caffeine intake and also benefit from the benefits of certain plants. So why deprive yourself?
But what infusions for a pregnant woman?
What herbal teas should I drink during pregnancy?
Some herbs are safe and can even help alleviate minor discomforts. For example, ginger tea can reduce nausea during early pregnancy. German chamomile infusions can soothe reflux and nausea, and are known to calm stress.
Verbena and lemon balm are also very gentle plants that can soothe stress or digestive problems. Linden can promote better sleep.
The mallow flower, which has a very subtle taste, relieves transit problems and can be consumed without any problem during pregnancy.
Plants like nettle and spearmint are remineralizing plants, which help support the body and replenish its stores of iron and other minerals. They are therefore plants that are perfectly suited to pregnancy.
At the end of pregnancy (during the 9th month) raspberry leaf tea is known to have an effect on the uterus and to make contractions more effective during childbirth.
And of course, fruit infusions (apple, for example) are safe. But if you have any doubts about a plant, it's essential to consult your healthcare professional before consuming it.
Which herbal teas should you avoid during pregnancy?
When pregnant, certain infusions should be avoided. Plants that have estrogenic activity or that can disrupt implantation in early pregnancy should not be consumed by pregnant women: hops, eleutherococcus, ginseng, parsley, red clover, black cohosh, feverfew, etc.
Certain plants present a risk of triggering contractions and should therefore also be avoided, such as sage or licorice.
How to consume herbal tea during pregnancy?
To prepare a herbal tea during pregnancy, it is recommended to opt for organic plants, therefore with as few chemical residues as possible.
Pregnant women are also advised to infuse their herbs and avoid decoctions. The difference? Infusion involves pouring hot water over the dried herbs and letting them steep for a few minutes, unlike decoction, which involves boiling the water and herbs simultaneously for several minutes.
Infusion is a gentler method that allows you to fully benefit from the virtues of plants while reducing potential risks during pregnancy!
How to choose between loose-leaf or tea bags during pregnancy?
Loose leaf herbal teas are often made from whole plants or larger pieces. Larger pieces of plants tend to release more flavor and aroma when brewed.
Additionally, these plants often retain better integrity of their active ingredients, as they undergo less handling and fragmentation than those found in tea bags. So if you are consuming an infusion to relieve some of your symptoms, a loose leaf herbal tea will be more effective.
Tea bags, on the other hand, offer a practical and faster use.
It's up to you to make your choice depending on the time of day.
Which herbal teas are suitable for breastfeeding?
It's important to note that breastfeeding herbal teas aren't necessary for all women. If a mother already produces enough milk to meet her baby's needs, introducing galactagogue teas could lead to overproduction, which can lead to painful engorgement.
However, in cases where an increase in milk production is necessary, certain plants are known for their galactogenic properties. For example, fenugreek, fennel, anise, verbena, and nettle are often cited for their ability to stimulate lactation . These plants can be consumed in the form of herbal teas, following the recommendations.
For more information, please send us a message (by email or on Instagram) or in the comments!
And find all our infusions to accompany the different trimesters of pregnancy while relieving your different symptoms right here 🫶
