Is it okay for me to drink Coke?

Question

I am 14 weeks pregnant and I just had Jack In the Box (medium size). But the thing is, my drink was Coke. I've heard that it's bad to have any caffeine while pregnant. Well, I had some. I've been wanting to drink Coke ever since. Is this okay for me and the baby? Did I harm my baby in any way? Why is it bad to drink any sodas while pregnant anyway?

Answer 1

Caffeine in Pregnancy


Safety of caffeine consumption during pregnancy is controversial. Some studies suggest that modest caffeine intake of less than two average cups (defined below) of coffee per day presents a slight risk to the embryo or fetus, but others do not. There is stronger evidence that larger daily amounts of caffeine during pregnancy may increase the risks of miscarriage, preterm delivery and low birth weight, but no solid proof.

High caffeine intake during pregnancy should be avoided. Individual sensitivity to caffeine may vary for both pregnant women and developing fetuses, and risks of moderate caffeine consumption are not clear. Women trying to become pregnant may conceive sooner if they limit caffeine intake to moderate amounts. To minimize infants’ exposures to caffeine, breastfeeding women can avoid very high caffeine intake.

General Effects of Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant that is naturally produced by a variety of plants. Natural or synthetic caffeine is present in many foods and beverages, and some medications.

Caffeine usually enters the central nervous system within fifteen minutes of consumption. It slightly increases both blood pressure and heart rate. Caffeine also stimulates urination and thus reduces body fluid levels – an effect considered undesirable during pregnancy, when adequate hydration is important.

Caffeine in Coffee, Tea and Other Products
The caffeine content of a serving of coffee or tea depends on the beans or leaves used, serving size, and the method of preparation. An 8-oz. cup of brewed coffee averages 150 milligrams (mg) of caffeine. Instant coffee contains less. Black tea averages 80 mg per 8-oz. cup. Green tea contains less. A 12-oz. caffeinated soft drink may contain 30-60 mg. (See the table below for more specific values.)

Other sources of caffeine include chocolate, chocolate syrup, hot cocoa, and certain medications. Amounts differ greatly from one such source to another. Chocolate or cocoa generally has very low caffeine content. Medications containing caffeine include some formulations for pain relief, migraine, the common cold, diuretic purposes, and delaying sleep. Unlike foods and beverages, FDA-approved medications carry labels that say how much caffeine they contain. Some “dietary supplements” may contain caffeine, but are not required to say how much.

Caffeine’s Effects on Fertility
Some studies have found a link between high levels of caffeine consumption by women and delayed conception. Those who consumed more than 300 mg of caffeine per day were twice as likely to have conception delayed for a year or more.1 Another study also linked high caffeine intake to delayed conception, but only in women consuming 500 mg or more (about four cups of coffee) per day.2

Caffeine’s Effects on the Developing Fetus
Caffeine easily passes from mother to fetus through the placenta. A developing fetus may have higher, sustained blood levels of caffeine than its mother because of immature metabolism.3 A few studies have shown that even moderate caffeine consumption affects fetal heart rate and movement patterns.3 A pregnant woman’s ability to metabolize caffeine slows as pregnancy progresses, so some of its effects may increase later in pregnancy.

Some studies have found that pregnant women who consumed large quantities of caffeine (five or more cups of coffee a day) were twice as likely to miscarry as those who consumed less, while fewer or no effects were seen at lower levels of caffeine consumption.4, 5 A detailed analysis of caffeine's reported effects on pregnancy outcome can be found at motherisk.org.

Caffeine’s Effects on Newborns and Infants
High caffeine consumption during pregnancy may shorten gestation and lower birth weight.6 Both effects appear modest in terms of days and ounces, but may be important to an infant already compromised by prematurity or fetal growth restriction. Such effects have not been consistently linked to moderate consumption.7

A reported link between heavy maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy and increased risk of SIDS8 has not been supported by further studies.9

Breast milk can transfer caffeine from mother to baby. Very high caffeine intake by a nursing mother may make her baby irritable, with disturbed sleep cycles, but this is not known to occur from ordinary food and beverage caffeine intake, or without use of medications containing caffeine.




Caffeine in Beverages and Chocolate10

ITEM MILLIGRAMS OF
CAFFEINE
AVERAGE RANGE
COFFEE (8-oz. cup)
Brewed, drip method
Brewed, percolator
Instant
184
128
104
96-288
64-272
48-192
TEA (8-oz. cup)
Brewed, major U.S. brands
Brewed, imported brands
Instant
Iced (12-oz. Glass)
64
96
48
70
33-144
40-176
40-80
67-76
Caffeinated soft drinks
(12 oz.) 36 30-60
Hot cocoa (12 oz.) 6.4 3.2-32
Chocolate milk beverage
(8 oz.) 5 2-7
Milk chocolate (1 oz.) 6 1-15
Dark chocolate, semi-sweet
(1 oz.) 20 5-35
Baker's chocolate (1 oz.) 26 26
Chocolate-flavored syrup
(1 oz.) 4 4



Source: U.S. FDA and National Soft Drink Association

Answer 2

Drinking an ocassional coke will not mess up your baby nor harm his/her development in any way. I didn't drink caffeine regularly when I was pregnant, but on Sunday's I would allow myself to have a soda and some cheetos, that was my weekly treat. Then when I started having a lot of non-stress tests (the Dr. was worried my baby wasn't growing fast enough, but she actually was, she was just hiding deep inside me), the nurses would tell me to drink a coke about 30 minutes before coming in to get hooked to the monitor. They told me this would wake the baby up so she'd be moving and kicking and I wouldn't have to lay there hooked up to the machine for so long. Several nurses told me this, they were all maternity nurses. I don't think the would tell patients something that would hurt their babies.

Answer 3

A coke or any soda is ok every once in awhile, but if you drink it everyday it will affect you bones, teeth, skin, and other parts of your body. I don't know how old you are, but if you are a teen you need 4 each 8oz glass of milk per day. Instead of drinking the coke how about adding chocolate syrup to a glass of milk. Delicious! You can use whole milk, or 1% milk, or 2% milk.

Answer 4

A little caffeine is fine just as long as you don't drink a lot.
But please don't drink alcohol or smoke that's bad!!
But a little amount of soda will cause no harm to your baby.
I drank 1 glass of coke a day when I was pregnant with my first and second and they are perfectly healthy little girls they also had no problems at birth or any other time.

Answer 5

The small amount of caffeine you ingested will not harm your baby, but it is better to not have caffeine while you are pregnant.
I drank decaffeinated drinks while I was pregnant.
In each tri-mester your Doctor should tell you certain things to eat and not to eat along with exercises that will help you and your baby.
I had my children 23 and 21 years ago naturally.
I did what the doctors said and I had my first in 5 1/2 hours and my second in 2 hours and a minute.
Check with your Doctor and see if he has these list of foods and exercises. You will be glad you did.
Good luck and GOD bless!

Answer 6

It is ok as long as you don't drink it all the time. Coke is the only thing I can drink if I feel sick. I am 4 1/2 months along.

Answer 7

I guess It is ok. But seriously, I would avoid the coke and sodas in general. I am not a soda lover and less when I was pregnant, First of all, it is not good for you and second, it causes cellulite and not good for your skin. I highly recommend natural orange juice with carrot juice blended together, eat lots of vegetables instead of junk food, and if you are craving the soda go for it, but very very limited. After the baby is born you don't want to work double to loose all the weight, just start now by eating healthy!

Answer 8

There is caffeine in your daily meals, therefore, drinking Coke would just add to that. Too much caffeine is not good for the baby and you should drink Ginger Ale instead. You need to make sacrifices for the health of your baby.

Answer 9

Yes you can drink coke the only way somehting is harmful to yourbaby is drinking alcohol,and taking drugs andyou are not harming any body so you can drink coke.

Answer 10

Stimulates your heart, respiratory system, and central nervous system.
2. Makes your blood more `sludgy' by raising the level of fatty acids in the blood.
3. Causes messages to be passed along your nervous system more quickly
4. Stimulates blood circulation
5. Raises blood pressure
6. Causes your stomach to produce more acid
7. Irritates the stomach lining
8. Makes digestion less effective by relaxing the muscles of your intestinal system
9. Its diuretic effect causes increased urination

Now ....the question is do u want all of these things to happen to your child...??????

Answer 11

I drank coca-cola when i was pregnant and everything was fine, like the other person said, everything in moderation, but yes, it should be fine...once you hit around 7 months though, you'll want to be careful, caffeine will make the baby active and you'll get kicked a lot...