A 28-year-old pregnant woman at 14 weeks gestation asks the nurse how much caffeine she can safely consume each day. The nurse advises her that according to current guidelines, pregnant women should limit their caffeine intake to less than________ milligrams per day to reduce the risk of miscarriage and low birth weight.

Pregnant women are advised to limit caffeine intake to less than 200 mg per day, which is roughly equivalent to one 12-ounce cup of coffee. Excessive caffeine crosses the placenta and may affect fetal growth and development, increasing the risk of miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and low birth weight. Moderation helps minimize these risks while allowing limited consumption for those who regularly consume caffeine.