Pregnancy Signs & Symptoms, Week by Week Pregnancy Guide

Giving up caffeine consumption completely is not necessary during your pregnancy.

Most of the experts agree that you can still enjoy your favorite caffeinated drinks as long as you don’t over do it.

Caffeine consumption during your pregnancy should not exceed 300 grams a day.

This quantity is equivalent to six cups of tea or three mugs of instant coffee.

A study conducted in 2007 showed that moderate consumption of caffeine during the second half of the pregnancy causes no effects on your baby.

Caffeine and pregnancy – Effects on your body

Caffeine is generally considered as stimulant; it raises your heart rate and also increases your metabolism. This can also affect your growing baby. Caffeine consumption increases alertness, cause indigestion and trouble while sleeping.

The consumed caffeine flows across the placenta and also reaches the fetus, thus decreasing the blood flow to the placenta, which causes harm to your baby.

If you consume coffee regularly, then you will become addictive to that. Large amounts of caffeine consumption can lead to headaches, nervousness and insomnia [Insomnia during pregnancy].

Caffeine also acts as a diuretic. This makes your body to lose water content and other fluids. If you drink coffee or tea along with your meal or 30 minutes after having meal, then it can obstruct your body’s ability to retain iron.

Consuming caffeine can twice as likely to increase the risk of pregnancy miscarriage when compared to the women who consume no caffeine.

Caffeine and pregnancy – Foods and beverages that contain caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant found in many beverages, foods and also in some medications. Basically it is added to beverages and foods to give some extra flavor. You should be aware of which beverages and foods contain caffeine so that you can limit their intake when you are pregnant or when you conceive.

Soft drinks and chocolates are the great source of caffeine. Ice-creams and yogurt also contain caffeine.

Medicines which you use for migraines, headaches, and colds contain caffeine. So, you should avoid taking caffeinated medication and consult your healthcare provider before taking any medications.

Some herbal medicines also contain caffeine like gaurana. You should avoid taking herbal products during your pregnancy, because they are not approved as safe in pregnancy.

Caffeine and pregnancy – Effect on your newborn baby

• According to the studies, large amounts of caffeine consumption can lower your baby’s birth weight.
• If you consume more than 500 mg of caffeine per day, then the baby after birth will have rapid heart rates, faster breathing and are more likely to sleep less during the first few days of their life.

Consult your doctor and take the advice whether you can consume caffeine or not.