Pregnancy changes your life, in many ways. Mothers become more aware of their body, what it needs and what it does not. Due to hormonal changes, sometimes your cravings change too. However, a fear always looms over: what is safe to drink and what is not?While for an adult certain food and drinks are safe to consume, for a pregnant woman, it may not be safe. So, if anyone of you have ever wondered about drinking tea and if its safe during pregnancy or not, we have got answers for you!Why do people drink tea?Some drink it to help meet the increased fluid needs of pregnancy, however, some drink it to use it as a natural remedy for pregnancy-related symptoms. In some cultures, it is also used as a tonic to prepare for childbirth during the last weeks of pregnancy, states a 2020 paper, titled Use of Herbal Medicine by Pregnant Women: What Physicians Need to Know.So, is it really safe to drink tea?Black, green, white, matcha, chai, and oolong teas are all sourced from the leaves of Camellia sinensis plant, which contain caffeine. It is a natural stimulant and must be limited during pregnancy. As per the USDA Food Data Central, and a 2017 study titled Healthy properties of green and white teas: an update, each of these tea provide the following amount of caffeine per cup (240 ml):matcha: 60-80 mgoolong tea: 38-58 mgblack tea: 47-53 mgchai: 47-53 mgwhite tea: 25-50 nggreen tea: 29-49 mgCaffeine can cross the placenta, and your baby's immature liver can have difficulty breaking it down. Such infants are also more likely to experience side effects that amounts of caffeine that would otherwise be considered safe for adults. As per research, infants who are exposed to too much caffeine during pregnancy may have a higher risk of being born preterm or have a low birth weight. Caffeine can also increase the risk of miscarriage or a stillbirth.ALSO READ: Can You Eat Goat Cheese In Pregnancy? However, if pregnant women limit their caffeine intake, the risks on babies appear minimal. Though it is important to note that caffeinated teas contain less caffeine than coffee and are generally considered as a safer option. However, it is always best to consult your doctors or your nutritionist. Herbal TeasHerbal teas are made from dried fruits, flowers, spices or herbs, and have no caffeine. However, there might be certain compounds which can be unsafe during pregnancy. These teas may increase your risk of miscarriage:fennel fenugreeksagevervainboragepennyroyallicoricethymemotherwortlovageblue cohoshblack cohoshfrankincense (in large amounts)chamomile (in large amounts)Some teas could also stimulate or increase menstrual bleeding include: motherwort, lovage, and frankincense. There are teas which can increase risk of birth defects: motherwort and borage. In rare cases eucalyptus tea may cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. As per reports, regularly drinking chamomile tea during pregnancy could also result in poor blood flow through a baby's heart. Several herbal teas also contain compounds that can interact with medications, thus, it is advisable, that you speak to your doctor before consuming any such tea.