What Drinks Can Cause Miscarriage: 10 Beverages to Avoid During Pregnancy

When you’re pregnant, what you drink is just as important as what you eat. Certain beverages can pose serious risks to your developing baby and may increase the likelihood of pregnancy complications, including miscarriage. Understanding which drinks to avoid is crucial for maintaining a healthy pregnancy.

While many beverages are perfectly safe during pregnancy, some can contain harmful substances, bacteria, or compounds that may threaten your baby’s development. This comprehensive guide will help you identify potentially dangerous drinks and understand why they should be avoided during pregnancy.

Why Certain Drinks Are Dangerous During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your body undergoes significant changes that affect how substances are processed. Your immune system is naturally suppressed to prevent rejection of the developing baby, making you more susceptible to foodborne illnesses and infections.

Additionally, many substances you consume can cross the placental barrier and directly affect your baby. Since the fetus’s organs are still developing and cannot process certain compounds as efficiently as an adult body, even small amounts of harmful substances can have serious consequences.

1. Alcoholic Beverages

Alcohol is one of the most dangerous drinks during pregnancy and is strongly linked to miscarriage risk. When you consume alcohol, it passes directly through the placenta to your baby.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that there is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy. Drinking alcohol at any stage of pregnancy can cause:

• Increased risk of miscarriage and stillbirth
• Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs)
• Premature birth
• Low birth weight
• Physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities

This includes all types of alcoholic beverages: beer, wine, hard liquor, cocktails, and mixed drinks. Even occasional drinking or small amounts can be harmful, so complete avoidance is the safest choice.

2. Unpasteurized Juices and Smoothies

Fresh-squeezed juices and smoothies from juice bars, farmers’ markets, or homemade preparations can contain harmful bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria if they haven’t been pasteurized.

These bacteria can cause foodborne illnesses that may lead to:

• Severe dehydration
• Uterine infections
• Pregnancy loss
• Preterm labor
• Stillbirth

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that pregnant women are about 10 times more likely to get listeriosis than the general population. Always choose commercially pasteurized juices that are clearly labeled as pasteurized, and avoid fresh-pressed juices unless you’re certain they’ve been treated to eliminate bacteria.

3. Raw or Unpasteurized Milk

Raw milk and products made from unpasteurized milk can harbor dangerous bacteria including Listeria, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, and Salmonella.

These pathogens can cause serious infections that may result in:

• Miscarriage
• Premature delivery
• Illness or death of the newborn
• Severe maternal illness

Pasteurization is a process that heats milk to kill harmful bacteria without significantly affecting its nutritional value. Always check labels to ensure dairy beverages are pasteurized before consuming them during pregnancy.

4. High-Caffeine Drinks

While moderate caffeine consumption is generally considered safe, high amounts of caffeine have been associated with increased miscarriage risk and other pregnancy complications.

Caffeinated beverages to monitor include:

• Coffee (especially espresso-based drinks)
• Energy drinks
• Pre-workout beverages
• Strong black or green tea
• Caffeinated soft drinks
• Some sports drinks

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends limiting caffeine intake to less than 200 milligrams per day during pregnancy. This equals approximately one 12-ounce cup of coffee.

Caffeine crosses the placenta easily, and your baby cannot metabolize it efficiently. High caffeine consumption has been linked to:

• Increased miscarriage risk
• Low birth weight
• Preterm birth
• Developmental delays

5. Herbal Teas and Supplements

While many herbal teas seem natural and harmless, certain herbs can stimulate uterine contractions or contain compounds that may increase miscarriage risk.

Herbal beverages to avoid during pregnancy include those containing:

• Pennyroyal
• Black cohosh
• Blue cohosh
• Roman chamomile (in large amounts)
• Dong quai
• Ephedra (also called Ma huang)
• Licorice root (in large quantities)
• Saw palmetto

Even teas marketed as “pregnancy teas” should be discussed with your healthcare provider before consumption. Some herbs haven’t been adequately studied for safety during pregnancy, making it difficult to know their potential effects.

6. Energy Drinks and Sports Drinks with Stimulants

Energy drinks often contain dangerously high levels of caffeine along with other stimulants like guarana, taurine, and ginseng. A single energy drink may contain 200-500 mg of caffeine, well above the recommended daily limit for pregnant women.

These beverages can cause:

• Rapid heart rate
• High blood pressure
• Increased miscarriage risk
• Sleep disturbances
• Dehydration

The combined effects of multiple stimulants are not well understood, and their safety during pregnancy has not been established. It’s best to avoid energy drinks entirely during pregnancy.

7. Beverages with Artificial Sweeteners

While most artificial sweeteners approved by the FDA are considered safe in moderation during pregnancy, some studies suggest that excessive consumption may be linked to pregnancy complications.

Saccharin, in particular, crosses the placenta and may remain in fetal tissues. Although direct links to miscarriage are not definitively established, limiting beverages with artificial sweeteners is a precautionary measure many healthcare providers recommend.

Drinks to consume in moderation or avoid include:

• Diet sodas
• Sugar-free energy drinks
• Artificially sweetened juices
• Some flavored waters

8. Contaminated or Untreated Water

While water is essential for a healthy pregnancy, contaminated water sources can pose serious risks. Polluted water may contain:

• Lead and other heavy metals
• Bacteria and parasites
• Chemical contaminants
• Pesticides

These contaminants can harm fetal development and increase the risk of pregnancy complications. If you use well water or suspect your tap water may be contaminated, have it tested or use a certified water filter. When traveling, stick to bottled water from reliable sources.

9. Beverages Made with Raw Eggs

Some drinks incorporate raw or undercooked eggs, which can contain Salmonella bacteria. These beverages include:

• Homemade eggnog
• Raw protein shakes with egg
• Some traditional holiday punches
• Certain smoothies

Salmonella infection can cause severe illness with fever, cramps, and diarrhea. In some cases, the infection may cause uterine cramping that could lead to preterm labor or miscarriage.

Always ensure eggs in beverages are fully cooked or choose products made with pasteurized eggs.

10. Drinks with Quinine

Quinine is a compound found in tonic water and some bitter drinks. In large amounts, quinine can stimulate uterine contractions and has historically been used to induce labor.

While the amount in most tonic waters is relatively small, it’s best to avoid regular consumption during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester when miscarriage risk is highest.

Safe Beverage Alternatives During Pregnancy

Understanding what to avoid is important, but knowing safe alternatives is equally valuable. Here are healthy beverage choices during pregnancy:

• Plain water (filtered or bottled if tap water quality is questionable)
• Pasteurized 100% fruit juices in moderation
• Pasteurized milk and dairy alternatives
• Coconut water (natural electrolyte source)
• Decaffeinated coffee and tea
• Pregnancy-safe herbal teas like ginger or peppermint (after consulting your doctor)
• Fruit-infused water
• Vegetable juices (pasteurized)

When to Consult Your Healthcare Provider

If you’ve consumed potentially harmful beverages before realizing you were pregnant, don’t panic. Many women have healthy pregnancies despite early exposure to substances they later learned to avoid. However, you should contact your healthcare provider if:

• You’ve consumed significant amounts of alcohol or caffeine
• You experience symptoms of foodborne illness (fever, severe vomiting, diarrhea)
• You have concerns about your water supply
• You’re unsure about the safety of specific beverages
• You experience any unusual symptoms after consuming a questionable drink

Your doctor can assess your individual situation, provide personalized guidance, and monitor your pregnancy for any potential complications.

Understanding Miscarriage Risk Factors

While certain beverages can increase miscarriage risk, it’s important to understand that most miscarriages occur due to chromosomal abnormalities that are beyond anyone’s control. Other factors that may contribute to miscarriage include:

• Maternal age (risk increases after age 35)
• Previous miscarriages
• Chronic health conditions
• Infections
• Hormonal imbalances
• Uterine abnormalities

Avoiding risky beverages is one way to reduce preventable risks, but remember that consuming a forbidden drink doesn’t automatically mean you’ll have a miscarriage. If you accidentally consume something you shouldn’t have, contact your healthcare provider for guidance rather than assuming the worst.

Creating a Pregnancy Beverage Plan

Staying hydrated and nourished during pregnancy is essential. Here are tips for developing healthy drinking habits:

• Aim for 8-12 cups of fluids daily, primarily from water
• Keep a water bottle with you as a reminder to drink regularly
• If plain water is unappealing, add fresh fruit for natural flavor
• Read all beverage labels carefully before purchasing
• When dining out, ask about pasteurization and ingredients
• Track your caffeine intake to stay within safe limits
• Prepare safe beverages at home when possible

The Bottom Line

Protecting your pregnancy involves making informed choices about what you drink. While the list of beverages to avoid may seem overwhelming, remember that there are plenty of safe, delicious options available.

The most important drinks to completely avoid are alcohol and unpasteurized products, as these pose the most significant risks. Caffeine should be limited but doesn’t need to be entirely eliminated if you stay within recommended guidelines.

When in doubt about any beverage’s safety, consult your healthcare provider. They can provide personalized recommendations based on your health history and pregnancy status. By making careful choices about what you drink, you’re taking important steps to support a healthy pregnancy and give your baby the best possible start in life.

Remember, pregnancy is temporary, and the beverages you’re avoiding now can be enjoyed again after your baby arrives. Your temporary sacrifices are contributing to your baby’s lifelong health and development.

Sources:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Alcohol and Pregnancy
• FDA – Food Safety for Pregnant Women
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists – Caffeine During Pregnancy
• CDC – Listeria Risk Factors
• FDA – Dangers of Raw Milk
• FoodSafety.gov – Food Safety for Pregnant Women