Why should I limit my coffee during pregnancy? The recommended coffee intake for a pregnant woman is about 10 ounces per day. Since coffee has high amounts of caffeine, it doesn’t have much nutritional value. There are some minute amounts of calcium, protein, and a few vitamins. However, excess consumption of coffee is believed to increase the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth during pregnancy. There is also the risk of babies being born with low birth weight. During pregnancy you can always limit your intake to the recommended amount, or stick to caffeine free options like decaf or instant coffee.