How can I possibly stop drinking coffee now that I'm pregnant?

Question

Well, I'm now pregnant and up until now I have gotten a Vente coffee at starbucks atleast four times a week.

As soon as I found out about my pregnancy I stopped but it has been killing me. I'm so exhausted and tired and I can hardly function. lol.

Is there any way I can "perk myself up" in the morning without caffine??

Answer 1

When I was pregnant with my son I worked early mornings and needed a "perk" so I started making nice healthy smoothies from yogurt and different fruits. They were yummy and much better for the baby! Congrats on the pregnancy :)

Answer 2

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.
www.pregnancyweekly.com

Answer 3

I do not think four times a week is so bad. Congradulations on your pregnancy and your effort to take care of yourself during this time. I'm a huge coffee drinker and have four kids. I did switch to a lesser amount of caffine and after a week or so you'll feel better also the vitamins really start to kick in and now thinking back I'm more sluggish now with my coffee than I was during carrying!!!

Answer 4

The syrup is fine. And caffiene is fine in moderation, I still wouldn't go all out as it makes the baby's heartbeat spike rapidly, which isn't really a great thing. It's completely okay to have a regular latte (or even two) a day, but if you drink more then that, just make them decaf :)

Answer 5

You'll get past the exhausting time. Just keep at it. Take a cold shower in the morning, eat citrus fruit, have some chocolate or something sweet, open the blinds and look at the sun. They all can perk you up. Stay well hydrated. Exercising is good too to get your heart rate up in the morning.

Answer 6

You don't have to cut it out completely, and many doctors suggest that women who took in caffeine before pregnancy not quit cold-turkey anyway. Doing so will only aggravate first-trimester woes, if any exist.

It's safe during pregnancy to have up to 300mg of caffeine per day. That equals roughly 2-3 8 oz. servings of coffee each day (NOT giant mug fulls of it), depending on the kind of coffee you consume - some have higher levels of caffeine. Starbucks in particular is great about posting their nutritional information - complete with caffeine content - on their website, so check it out to make sure you're within the range you should be.

Congrats and good luck!

Answer 7

Sometimes the effect of coffe is totally a mind thing. You could get your usual coffee in the morning but make it a decaf. You will still enjoy it, but not harm the baby. And also, my doctor told me it is perfectly fine and safe to have 1 can of soda or 1 cup of coffee a day. You don't have to completely eliminate caffiene from your diet. If you still absolutely HAVE to have the caffiene in your coffee, make it a small, and you'll be fine.

Answer 8

Hah I feel your pain. For 4 months before i got pregnant I got a grande latte every single day at starbucks. As soon as i found out I was pregnant I have not had one ( I am almost 17 weeks). It sucked for like 3 weeks but after that it was better. I still crave my latte and can't wait to have another one after this baby comes out

Answer 9

I still drink my morning coffee, even at 30 weeks, my midwife told me that drinking a moderate amount of caffeine will not harm the baby. It's when you start drinking 6 or 7 cups of coffee a day that you run the risk of pre-term labor.

Answer 10

Whoever recommended smoothies was right on! An apple in the morning has a better ability to wake you up than a cup of coffee.