Pregnant Women Should Limit Caffeine Intake
Caffeine is a substance found in common products like coffee, tea and soda. While its stimulating effects can increase alertness and help stay energized, pregnant women should limit their intake of caffeine. The amount of caffeine can affect how well the body absorbs nutrients, which can later cause complications during pregnancy. Additionally, drinking too much coffee can lead to a false positive on pregnancy tests.
This happens because both caffeine and the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), are excreted in urine. When caffeine is consumed in large amounts, hCG sensitivities on pregnancy tests can be altered, resulting in false-positive results. Therefore, pregnant women who regularly drink coffee are more prone to incorrectly showing as pregnant on a pregnancy test.
Dr. Mehwish Sultan, a gynecologist and obstetrician, advises pregnant women to limit their caffeine intake in order to be on the safe side. Sultan says “drinking more than 300 mg of caffeine per day during pregnancy can cause insomnia, increased heart rate, and high blood pressure. Furthermore, it can be detrimental to the growth of the baby and could also cause a miscarriage”.
Research by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology shows that consuming 200-300 mg of caffeine a day is safe for pregnant women. For reference, a cup of coffee contains approximately 95-200 mg of caffeine, whereas an 8-ounce cup of tea contains about 40-120 mg. Thus, Caffeine intake should be monitored, and pregnant women should reduce or stop drinking caffeine altogether.
Trying to conceive should also be done with caution. Women should avoid drinking caffeine while they’re trying to get pregnant—overconsumption can cause a false positive on the pregnancy test. Dr Sultan advises that women replace coffee with healthier beverages, such as herbal teas. Alternatively, pregnant women can opt for decaffeinated versions of their favorite beverages.
Drinking coffee can lead to getting a false positive result on a pregnancy test due to the presence of hCG, the pregnancy hormone. Pregnant women should limit their caffeine intake and opt for healthier drinks to avoid over-stimulating their bodies and falsely indicating they are pregnant.
Coffee May Lead to Dehydration
Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning that it can lead to dehydration in pregnant women. Coffee, tea and soda are all high in caffeine, which can lead to dehydration. Pregnant women who commonly drink coffee tend to create an environment in the body where it has difficulty rehydrating itself, leading to a decrease in both electrolytes and water, which can be dangerous for the baby.
Dr. Hussain Rashid, a family medicine and obstetrics/gynecology specialist, states “severe dehydration can cause constipation, headaches and even labor problems. If a pregnant woman is dehydrated, it can increase the chances of experiencing preterm labor, low birth weight and other pregnancy complications.”
Studies conducted by the British Journal of Nutrition have shown that pregnant women who drank more than a liter of coffee a day have higher odds of preterm delivery. Drinking more than 28 cups a week can increase the odds of the baby carrying weight under than average, and the risk of having a baby with significant problems at birth quadruples. Therefore, it is essential for pregnant women to drink an adequate amount of water and other fluids to stay hydrated.
Dehydration is common in pregnant women who drink a large amount of coffee. It can lead to a series of complications during pregnancy, from constipation to preterm labor. Pregnant women should drink an adequate amount of water and other fluids to stay hydrated and to reduce the chance of experiencing health complications.
Coffee Drinking Can Be Interlinked with Pregnancy Issues
High consumption of both caffeine and alcohol can lead to placental abruption, which is a pregnancy complication that happens when the placenta detaches from the wall of the uterus before delivery. According to a study done by Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, heavy consumption of coffee and alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk of placental abruption. The study also found that consuming a moderate amount of both caffeine and alcohol (1-2 cups of coffee or wine a day) had no significant effect on the risk.
Dr. Yer Corwiyan, a midwife at Sulaymaniah Fetal and Maternal Health Center, explains “Moms should reduce the amount of caffeine and alcohol intake to be safe during the pregnancy. Furthermore, many studies have shown that consumption of more than 300 mg of caffeine per day has been linked to a higher risk of miscarriage. Nevertheless, mothers have to remember to stay hydrated, get a balanced diet and exercise during the pregnancy”.
Heavy consumption of caffeine and alcohol have been interlinked with placental abruption and increases the risk of miscarriage. Moderate consumption of both alcohol and caffeine is safe for pregnant women, and they should remember to drink more fluids and get a balanced diet to keep up their energy levels.
Alternatives to Caffeine for Pregnant Women
By now, it should be apparent that pregnant women must reduce their caffeine intake. Doctors advise pregnant women to consume no more than 200-300 mg of caffeine per day. Fortunately, there are alternatives to coffee and other caffeine-based drinks. Tea, for example, is both tasty and contains properties that are beneficial for pregnant women.
Fruits or vegetable juice can be used to substitute coffee and tea. Moreover, low sugar and low caffeine energy drinks can provide the same energy boosting effects without compromising the health of the baby. Lastly, pregnant women can look into exercising and getting enough sleep instead of relying on coffee. Exercise increases endorphins, which is a natural energizer, and having a good night of sleep can help their energy levels the day after.
Pregnant women can replace coffee with a number of alternative energizing drinks, such as tea, juice, and energy drinks with low sugar and caffeine levels. Exercise can also be considered as a viable energizing activity, as it increases endorphins.
Pregnant Women Have to Handle Caffeine Cravings
Pregnant women should reduce their caffeine intake in order to avoid any health problems for both themselves and the baby. However, not everyone can obtain the desired effect for reducing caffeine intake. Dr. Cheya Genappa, a psychiatrist and hormone specialist, comments “Many pregnant women have to handle the cravings that come with reducing the amount of caffeine that they consume in a day. It is important to recognize these cravings and stay firm with reducing their coffee intake, as consuming too much of it can be dangerous for both mother and baby.”
Consuming too much coffee can put strain on the body, which can lead to a number of complications. To counter this, pregnant women need to handle their caffeine cravings. Whenever a craving appears, the mother can opt for a decaffeinated version of the beverage or drink some herbal tea and fruit juice for energizing effects.
Reducing caffeine intake is essential for a healthy and safe pregnancy, yet it can be hard for pregnant women with a heavy coffee drinking habit. In addition to following the 300 mg/day limit, pregnant women have to handle their cravings and opt for healthy alternatives such as decaf coffee and herbal tea.
Coffee Has Health Benefits for Non-Pregnant Women
Although pregnant women should reduce their caffeine intake during pregnancy, a moderate amount is safe for consumption. Caffeine has many health benefits, as it is known to improve energy levels, focus, last black mood, and even lower the risk of developing some chronic diseases. According to a study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, women who kept their consumption of caffeinated beverages under 450 mg/day were less likely to develop type-2 diabetes.
However, to make the most of these health benefits, women should follow the recommended guidelines for drinking beverages with caffeine—up to 4 cups per day. Drinking more than 4 cups per day can increase some risks, such as high blood sugar levels and kidney stones.
Coffee has many health benefits for non-pregnant women, especially when consumed in moderation. It can increase energy levels, improve focus, and even lower the risk of developing some chronic diseases. While pregnant women should reduce their intake of coffee, non-pregnant women should follow the recommended guidelines of up to 4 cups per day.
