When you are growing another human there are new stresses and strains on your body. Carrying around the extra weight can leave you feeling exhausted yet many moms find it hard to sleep. This bodes an answer to the question Can I drink sleepytime tea while pregnant?
Can I Drink Sleepytime Tea While Pregnant? Is It Safe?
You can drink sleepytime tea while you are pregnant, but there are some things you need to keep in mind. When you are pregnant your muscles, bones, and mind are all put to the test. Herbal teas are sometimes the go-to drink before bed to help unwind pre-pregnancy but can you drink sleepytime tea while pregnant? It is thought to be OK in moderation, but keep reading for the risks to consider when drinking herbal teas.
Sleepytime Tea While Pregnant
Many moms to be, question ‘Can I have sleepytime tea while pregnant? If it means they get a few relaxing hours of much-needed sleep, what is the harm right?
Drinking caffeine during pregnancy is something we know should be kept to a minimum so how can there be risks when drinking Herbal remedies? Read further to see whether the benefits outweigh the risks.
Sleepytime Tea Explained
Sleepytime tea has a magical natural ingredient known as chamomile. Chamomile is very popular, especially in the form of tea. Related to the daisy plant this beauty has antioxidant properties, a calming effect on the drinker, and is also good for inflammation.
So with this cup of magic, can you have sleepytime tea when you’re pregnant?
In simple terms, not enough research has been dedicated to determining if the herb chamomile has any negative effect on mom or baby. The ironic factor is that all the wonderful boosting ingredients it has is exactly what a pregnant woman may need.
Now I don’t want you to think that sleepytime tea is off the menu completely but it’s important to consider all factors relating to what we can consume whilst pregnant.
Before we dig deep to find out the dos and don’ts of consuming chamomile during pregnancy let us look at other herbal teas.
What is in Herbal tea?
Herbal teas can be a good replacement for the traditional tea and coffee you may crave during pregnancy. Many herbal and fruit-based teas are caffeine free but it is important not to overdo it as there is little evidence to completely deem them safe during pregnancy. On average one, to two cups a day is thought to be a good guideline throughout your pregnancy.
Look at the following list of popular herbal teas that you could try:
- Raspberry Leaf – Pregnant women are considered safe to drink this tea, especially during the third trimester. It is thought to have promising effects on your uterus and help prepare for labor. With this in mind consuming this tea should only be in moderation and medical professionals would caution to consider an alternative during the early stages of pregnancy.
- Ginger – Ever been told to eat ginger to sort out your nausea? They are not incorrect. Ginger has been found to work wonders at helping to relieve nausea and vomiting. Could be your perfect cure if morning sickness is getting you down.
- Peppermint – Also deemed to be somewhat harmless during pregnancy, Peppermint tea can help to relieve gas, constipation, nausea, and heartburn.
- Lemon – Lemon tea is thought to benefit if you are suffering from anxiety and insomnia.
Many herbal teas have their promising benefits but it is in your best interest to talk to your midwife before jumping on the fruit tea bandwagon as some of them have adverse effects whilst others haven’t been researched enough to give you the green light.
Risks of Sleepytime Tea During Pregnancy
So can pregnant women drink sleepytime tea – The research on sleepytime tea is limited so it is better for us to dig into the ingredients. Many teas including chamomile are great for their anti-inflammatory benefits. This is the most probable cause as to why limiting the amount you drink is best during pregnancy.
Dr. Johnson Arbor dictated that during the latest research chamomile can stimulate contractions which in hand can leave pregnant women at risk of preterm labor or miscarriage.
With this in mind, many medical professionals may advise you to hold off on the sleepytime tea until after your pregnancy.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, it is unclear how much a person would need to consume to stimulate contractions or whether in fact, it can cause miscarriage. As these guidelines fall into the grey area of what is safe and not it may be for the best if you abstain from consuming tea that includes chamomile.
What is The Best Tea for Pregnancy?
Not to scare you completely there are positive benefits to drinking different tea during pregnancy. Many include high levels of magnesium, iron, and other nutrient-boosting properties.
‣ Non-herbal Tea
There are other types of tea that are deemed safe during pregnancy.
Looking at non-herbal teas first, they come in three major groups: Black, green ,and oolong. All three of these are derived from the leaves of the tea plant and caffeine levels will differ for each type.
- Black : Black tea is the most common. Usually consumed alongside a splash of milk and sugar. There are varied types and strengths available.
- Green tea: Known as a stimulant it is recommended that green tea is safe during pregnancy but only in moderation. It contains less caffeine than your traditional cup of coffee so you have to be mindful of how much you drink.
- Oolong: Combination of both green and black tea.
It is important that you limit the amount of caffeine in your diet whilst pregnant. Caffeine is a stimulant that can cross your placenta, and too much can adversely affect your baby.
Recommendations of your daily caffeine intake should not exceed 200mg a day and one cup of black tea can contain 75mg. So two cups of tea alongside the food in your diet could tip you over the scale. This is why non herbal teas should be kept to a minimum during pregnancy.
‣ Herbal Tea
Herbal teas are natural so if you are concerned about your caffeine intake then taking this route could be the best. Made from the roots, berries, and flowers of the tea plant, true herbal teas are noncaffeinated and provide great medicinal purposes.
As mentioned previously the biggest concern would be the lack of data proving them to be safe during pregnancy.
Remember that if you are pregnant then limit your intake to two cups maximum. Herbal teas are not recommended for excessive use.
Other herbal teas that are considered possibly safe during pregnancy are:
- Dandelion – Rich in vitamin A and iron, good for liver function.
- Nettle – High in vitamins A, C and K, potassium and iron. Nettle tea is the go to choice for many midwives as the ingredients are amazing for pregnancy.
- Rose hips – A good boost for the immune system and rich in Vitamin C.
- Alfalfa – Contains vitamins A, D, E, and K. Particularly good for postpartum. Vitamin K prevents hemorrhage after birth.
- Yellow dock – Great for those suffering from anemia. Rich in iron Vitamin A, C and Calcium.
‣ Pregnancy tea
Many herbal teas have been nicknamed ‘pregnancy tea.’
Herbal teas containing the red raspberry leaf are thought to have beneficial properties during pregnancy. Herbalists believe that this tea can help eliminate pregnancy conditions such as pre-eclampsia and help keep labor time short.
Rich in vitamins B and C not to mention their high levels of zinc, iron, and phosphorus it is no wonder that this is classed as a great substitute for your original coffee break.
Be sure to ask advice from your midwife before consuming anything you are unsure of. These are merely guidelines and the best advice can be sought from a medical professional.
Teas to Avoid During Pregnancy
Alcohol is the obvious fluid to avoid but many drinks high in caffeine are also off the green list. If you are a pregnant mom who has turned to herbal tea then please note there are a few that need to be on the danger list.
Drinking parsley or sage tea can have catastrophic effects on pregnancy including links to high blood pressure and miscarriage. Although research is scarce these are definitely two drinks that medical professionals will tell you to avoid.
Wrapping Up
Can I drink sleepytime tea while pregnant? It totally depends on you as a person. Most teas including sleepytime tea are deemed safe but if you were to consider a high dose of chamomile tea then you need to be cautious.
Maybe you can find an alternative in the most common teas, namely raspberry leaf, peppermint, lemon, and ginger would be better suited whilst you are pregnant.
If you feel that you would benefit from any herbal type teas be sure to seek advice beforehand but overall, providing that you consume them in moderation herbal teas can provide you with a great source of vitamins to keep you and bub healthy.
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