Are you pregnant and longing for a latte? Beat your caffeine kick with this favorite drink.

Expectant mothers agree that avoiding caffine for 9 months is a bit difficult. Those longing for a soda, coffee or other caffienated drink can take heart in this pregnancy treat. Substituting herbal tea for caffeinated drinks can be a great and healthy alternative for pregnant women.

Pregnant women should use caution when choosing teas to drink during pregnancy. We suggest starting with a basic black or green tea and adding honey, sugar, lemon or orange rind, cinnamon, cloves or mulling spices to spice it up a little. In choosing off-the-shelf tea blends, pregnant women should definitely do their research to determine if the tea is safe to drink.

It is believed, the following teas, if taken in small amounts, to be safe during pregnancy or nursing.

• ginger
• lime blossom
• peppermint
• roasted barley
• rose hips
• thyme

The following herbs might be found in teas and they MUST be avoided during pregnancy:

• coca
• comfrey
• kava root
• lobelia
• mate
• skullcap
• valerian
• woodruff

Teas containing any of the following herbs should be avoided:

• anise
• catnip
• chamomile
• ephedra (a.k.a. ma huang)
• european mistletoe
• fennel
• hibiscus
• horehound
• labrador
• lemongrass
• licorice root
• mugwort
• pennyroyal
• raspberry leaf
• rosemary
• sage
• sassafras
• stinging nettle leaf
• vetiver
• yarrow

Variations

Ask your friends to join you- tea for two or more!

IndianMomsAndBabies.com suggest sticking to a tea that is proven safe. To make tea time extra fun, buy a special tea cup and spoon to mark the occasion. Pair your tea with biscuits, scones or cookies, and accompany the whole set with cream and sugar. Go all out! Make it an event to be savored.