Pregnant women should avoid caffeine altogether for the sake of their baby’s health, a study warned last night.

The research suggested there was no safe level of consumption whether with child or trying to conceive.

Based on 48 studies over 20 years, it concluded that even minimal caffeine intake raised the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth or low birth weight.

But experts said the warnings were alarmist and flew in the face of studies showing moderate amounts were safe.

Women should consume no more than 200mg a day – roughly two cups of coffee, according to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). Last night it insisted it would not change this advice.