The Importance of Tea During pregnancy

When you find out you are pregnant for the first time, you need to educate yourself on the journey ahead and make lifestyle changes. For example, you suddenly care more about nutrition, vitamin intake, exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor or relieve back pain; the list goes on.

To say you have to make a few lifestyle changes is putting it mildly. Your world becomes about nurturing the growing baby inside of you, and in doing that, looking after your body and mind becomes essential. 

Teas can be an excellent addition to your lifestyle to help nurture the body and mind. They offer therapeutic benefits to support the mother during pregnancy. Besides, there is something very calming about the warmth of a teacup against your palm and how the act of sipping has a grounding effect and allows you to process your thoughts. 

Here are 4 uses for Tea while you are pregnant:

One of the early symptoms of pregnancy is nausea which can last up to week 20 and in some women for the full duration of pregnancy. There is no cure for nausea, however there are changes you can make to your diet and lifestyle that can help. One of which is incorporating the use of Ginger . There is evidence that Ginger may help in reducing nausea. If you don't feel like drinking juiced ginger in the morning, ginger tea is a good alternative. 

Substituting your morning cup of coffee with tea on some days is a way of reducing your caffeine intake. Herbal teas are a caffeine free option, if you are looking to completely eliminate caffeine. However, you do not need to eliminate caffeine altogether because there are days you will feel tired or exhausted and you may need a pick me-up . 

A guideline to the caffeine content of food and drink to allow you create a balance

• 1 cup of instant coffee = 100 mg of caffeine 
• 1 cup of filter coffee = 140 mg of caffeine 
• 1 cup of herbal tea = caffeine free 
• 1 cup of tea = 75 mg of caffeine 
• 1 can of cola = 40 mg of caffeine 
• 250 ml of energy drink = 80mg of caffeine 
• 50g bar of plain dark chocolate = <25mg of caffeine 
• 50g of plain milk chocolate = <10mg of caffeine 

Source: NHS UK (2022)

It is fair to say that there is an increased level of anxiety while you are pregnant and during the first few months of postpartum. Botanicals in tea such as chamomile and lavender have a calming effect on the nervous system and can be a useful arsenal on those trepidatious days. 

Breastfeeding can be challenging for some mothers. Breastfeeding teas can help to naturally support the needs of nursing mums. Herbs termed as Galactagogues which includes fenugreek, milk thistle, fennel seed can help with supporting mothers during breastfeeding. 

There are a few uses for tea during pregnancy, it is up to you to decide what use of tea fits with your lifestyle. 

Disclaimer: Please check with your midwife or doctor that it is suitable. 

Blog post provided by Bloom & Bambi