Melbourne cafe refuses to serve woman coffee for ‘being pregnant’

A pregnant woman has spoken about her shock and anger after she was told one thing at a Melbourne cafe after she made her order and paid.

A pregnant woman has been left shocked and embarrassed after claiming a Melbourne cafe refused to make her a cup of coffee.

Pregnant Melbourne mother Shell told radio station 3AW that she had taken her children out for a treat to the unnamed cafe, when the barista asked if she wanted her coffee decaffeinated.

“I thought that was a really weird question, and I said no, I’ll have that normal,” she said.

“When I went and sat down the person in charge said unfortunately they’d like to ask me if I could make that a decaf because the barista didn’t feel comfortable making me a caffeinated beverage, given I’m pregnant and there are health risks for babies.”

The mum really wanted a coffee.

Having already experienced two pregnancies, she said she was consistently strict with foods and was aware of the risks and of what she could and could not eat.

Pregnant women are allowed 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine per day to remain in a safe range, among a myriad of other restrictions.

After the embarrassing encounter Shell refused the decaffeinated coffee and asked for a refund, before taking her children home to make her own coffee.

“I was just so shocked and angry because I really wanted that coffee – it was midday at that point,” she said.

“I felt a bit judged for my choices, it just felt a bit unfair that someone else was making assumptions based on my pregnancy.

“I’ve always drank coffee, in fact nowadays I need it more and more, but I do try to just stick to the one and I’m pretty strict with other foods as well.”

The mum went home and made her own coffee.

Following the ordeal, Shell’s husband Tim got in touch with the cafe to share his disappointment, prompting a response from the owner of the cafe, who apologised for the incident.

In a message to the couple, the owner said the staff had made an incorrect decision and that it wasn’t store policy to refuse service.

The owner invited the duo back to the cafe for free drinks, but Shell said she wouldn’t return.

“We were happy with the response but I won’t be going back, even though they offered coffee,” she said.