Caffeine and pregnancy...can you still drink coffee?

Question

I generally have a cup of coffee every morning...I'm hoping to be pregnant, but I'm not retesting unitl the 18th. Should I stop drinking it all together or wait until I get a positive pt result? Again, the name is semineurotic b/c I am !!!! :-) Just don't want to mess anything up!

Answer 1

You don't have to stop altogether. One cup in the mornings won't hurt. Remember, everything in moderation.

Answer 2

You can have a limited amount of caffeine while you are pregnant--I used mine in my 2 cups of coffee each morning and then drank a caffeine free soda in the afternoon. You could always try De-caf coffee if you are worried.

Here's something I found that might help:
Caffeine
Many women are told by their doctors or midwives to limit their caffeine consumption while they are pregnant. Giving up that morning cup (or cups) of coffee may be a struggle for some pregnant women, and many question if it is really necessary to give up caffeine completely while they are pregnant.

The topic is a controversial one and the answer is still under debate. Some studies have shown a slightly higher risk of miscarriage with women who consume more than 300 mg of caffeine a day. Others have shown that babies born to women who consumed more than 500 mg of caffeine a day while pregnant had faster heart and breathing rates, and spent more time awake in the first few days after birth. However, the research is inconclusive and the amounts of caffeine generally used in the studies were vastly greater than what a normal person would consume on a daily basis. The most consistent finding with studies performed on caffeine consumption during pregnancy was a possible association with low birth weights. According to the March of Dimes, high caffeine consumption may slightly increase the risk of preterm labor or low birth weight; and in a fetus who is already experiencing difficulties, this slight increase could make all the difference.

Most experts agree that moderate caffeine consumption is probably safe for a healthy woman experiencing a normal pregnancy. However, decreasing or cutting out caffeine altogether will probably make you feel better because caffeine can cause or exacerbate many common pregnancy-related complaints. Since caffeine is a stimulant, it can cause insomnia, nervousness, and headaches. It can contribute to heartburn because it stimulates the secretion of stomach acid, and it's a diuretic so it will enhance dehydration. It also causes your bones to lose calcium; and contains phenols which impede your body's ability to absorb iron, a nutrient many pregnant women are already lacking.

Coffee and tea are the most obvious culprits for caffeine, but it's also found in chocolate, some soft drinks (including several orange sodas and root beers), energy drinks, and some over-the-counter medications.

Here is a list of common caffeinated foods and beverages and their caffeine content:

Food or Beverage Quantity Caffeine Content
Brewed coffee 8 ounces 100-300 mg
Espresso 2 ounces 40-70 mg
Decaffeinated coffee 8 ounces 1-8 mg
Brewed tea 8 ounces 35-175 mg
Green tea 8 ounces 8-30 mg
Instant tea 8 ounces 40-80 mg
Iced tea 12 ounces 65-75 mg
Soft drinks 12-ounce can 30-60 mg
Hot cocoa 8 ounces 3-30 mg
Milk chocolate 1 ounce 1-15 mg
Dark or semisweet chocolate 1 ounce 5-35 mg

If you are a regular coffee, tea or cola drinker and want to kick the habit completely while you are pregnant, ease off gradually. Going cold turkey may cause headaches, fatigue, and lethargy.



Good Luck......I hope you get the answer you want from your test this week!

Answer 3

It depends on what you are comfortable with. Some studies have shown a link between high caffeine consumption and miscarriage in the first trimester, but very few studies have been done on women drinking a normal amount of coffee in the first trimester. Therefore, it's generally accepted by doctors that a small cup of coffee a day throughout the pregnancy is no big deal.
I personally could not drink coffee because it made me jittery throughout pregnancy and worsened my heartburn. But if you limit your intake to about 1 to 2 cups max. each day, you should be fine. (Normal size mugs - not a large Dunkin Donuts container!)

Answer 4

My doc said I can have 2 8 oz cups of caffeine per day. As long as you do not over do it, it is fine. I think people go a little overboard with what not to do in pregnancy. If you are pregnant, :), ask your doc.

Answer 5

You really have to limit your caffeine intake when pregnant. I think it works out to one cup of coffee a day. You might want to look up a typical diest for a pregnant woman...it will tell you how much caffeine a day you can have.

Answer 6

alot of people go a little over board with the whole health thing during pregnancy. i have 2 teens, i drink a cup of coffee every morning, during my pregnancy i did the same. neither of my babies were effected in any way. now if you said, "i drink a whole pot of coffe a day", then yeah, cut back, lol. i would still consult with your doctor of course, but i bet he'll say it's ok.
good luck!

Answer 7

Caffeine isn't really great for an unborn baby. However, it can be difficult to give it up cold turkey! (I know, I've done it!) Maybe try going half-caf for awhile - slowly cutting back your caffiene will make it less painful for you and healthier for the baby. (By the way - I sleep better, wake up easier and feel much better since I've gone off the caffiene - don't miss it a bit!)

Answer 8

According to recent studies, and 3 different OB/GYNs, 2-3 8oz cups of regular strength coffee is completely safe amounts.

Answer 9

I had a baby in October of last year (my first). I asked my doctor the same thing cause I like my coffee too...

He told me that one a day was OK, just don't over do it.

Congratulations :)

Answer 10

Dont drink it. Caffiene inhibits the absorbtion and use of calcium, potasium, b vitamins (folic acid), and other nutrients vital to the growing fetus.

The more you drink, the less of those things that can remain in your body.

It also raises your blood pressure which deprives the growing baby of oxygen.

People will tell you 'I drank coffee and my baby is fine' or 'my doctor said one cup is okay', but the truth is, its just not. Why risk your child's health, or provide it with less than your best, just because you want a morning pick-me-up?

Matte tea is a natural stimulant, and effects only your brain's alertness, NOT your other body's systems.