2007-05-10 06:56:55 · 23 answers · asked by Jennifer W 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Caffeine is a stimulant and a diuretic. Because caffeine is a stimulant, it increases your blood pressure and heart rate, both of which are not recommended during pregnancy. Caffeine also increases the frequency of urination. This causes reduction in your body fluid levels and can lead to dehydration.
Caffeine crosses the placenta to your baby. Although you may be able to handle the amounts of caffeine you feed your body, your baby cannot. Your baby's metabolism is still maturing and cannot fully metabolize the caffeine. Any amount of caffeine can also cause changes in your baby's sleep pattern or normal movement pattern in the later stages of pregnancy
It is recommended that a pregnant woman not consume any caffeine but tolerable limits are defined at about 150-300 mg a day.
A starbucks Grande coffee contains about 400 mg of caffeine, just to give you an idea. The baby will respond to caffeine levels in the blood and will respond with a type of "hyperactivity", the reason why the baby was kicking.
You will be fine if you dont usually consume too much caffeine. I hope this helps!!! Good luck with pregnancy!
2007-05-10 07:01:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yup. Unfortunately so. It does increase the likelihood of miscarraige, never a good thing! The studies still have not shown denifinitively whether it affects the baby but better safe than sorry. Caffeine is a diuretic and will rob your body of the fluids and calcium that your body desperately needs right now. And if you are drinking regular soda you are just giving your body empty calories that it can't use to help your baby. And the diet soda has chemicals in it. Best to stay away as much as you can. Probably a cup of coffee or a soda a day isn't going to hurt but water and juice are a better option.
2007-05-10 07:03:02 · answer #2 · answered by PK211 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do I have to give up caffeine now that I'm pregnant?
Not necessarily. You can still enjoy your favorite caffeinated drinks as long as you don't overdo it. After years of controversy over the issue, most researchers now believe that, although caffeine does cross the placenta, moderate amounts (less than 300 milligrams a day) won't harm your baby.
That's about what you'd get from two or three 8-ounce cups of coffee. But keep in mind that the amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee varies widely depending on how strong it is, and that your serving size depends on how big your mug is — a typical mug holds about 10 ounces.
Many pregnant women limit their intake even further or cut out caffeine completely. If that seems wise to you, you won't get any arguments from your midwife or doctor.
2007-05-10 08:20:57 · answer #3 · answered by pensk8r 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Each doc is different. I read in what to expect that you should stop caffeine and I went cold turkey. At my first visit with the doc he said not to worry about caffeine if I just had a few servings a day-3 or 4. I am 9 months now and have pretty much given it up. I am drinking mostly water now.
2007-05-10 07:06:07 · answer #4 · answered by #2 in the oven 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you should, as much as possible. It affects your child the same way it affects you. Increased heartrate, jitters.. some babies even have withdrawals when they are born. A cup of coffee here or there is ok. But sodas should be out of the question. Just a bunch of junk empty calories right along with your caffeine. Thats definitely not good for your baby!
2007-05-10 07:05:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I tried to, but there are some things too hard to give up.
I still have my one cup of joe once in a while, and decaf tea is so gross that I just drink the regular stuff.
As long as you stay in the limits (1-2 cups of coffee a day or less than 300 mcg per day), you'll be fine.
In general however, soda is HORRIBLE for you, anyway you slice it, so I'd avoid it on that basis alone.
2007-05-10 07:00:28 · answer #6 · answered by Waiting and Wishing 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to give it up altogether, but you should definatley have it only in moderation. I drank one can of diet soda a day while I was pregnant, because my doctor said that would be okay. I did switch to decaf coffee and tea, though. I didn't want to have to count the milligrams of caffeine in my drinks, and I feel it's better safe than sorry.
2007-05-10 07:01:23 · answer #7 · answered by Graciela, RIRS 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes..not good for you or for baby...Some studies have shown a slightly higher risk of miscarriage with women who consume more than 300 mg of caffeine a day. so if you still "need" caffeine..try to stay under 300 mg
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
2007-05-10 06:59:52 · answer #8 · answered by Shina Beana 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My doctor told me that it was OK to drink one cup of coffee or have one soda a day. I'm allergic to caffeine, so that helped me stay away from it.. but I think in moderation it's fine to have a cup of coffee or tea every once in a while.
2007-05-10 07:05:05 · answer #9 · answered by PJ's Mom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You shouldn't drink too much caffeine. I am 20 weeks pregnant and have one cup of coffee most mornings and some days I drink tea.
2007-05-10 07:07:17 · answer #10 · answered by Kris H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋