Impact Of Caffeine On Pregnancy
Pregnant women looking at the cup of coffee before them face a difficult dilemma: Can I drink my favorite cup of coffee or not? Even if you are a regular or an occasional coffee drinker, you must think twice before taking a sip.
Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant found in plants and found in several foods, drinks and medications, including coffee, tea and colas. Studies show that anytime during pregnancy, caffeine can cause serious harm to the mother and the fetus. Caffeine is easy to get and it is one of the most commonly consumed substances. But, should pregnant women continue drinking coffees and teas?
According to scientific diagnoses, the maximum allowable limit of caffeine recommended for pregnant women is 200 mg/day. This amount, that is approximately two to three cups of coffee, is considered safe. High levels of caffeine can lead to insomnia, headaches, or restlessness, and worse, it can affect the baby’s growth. Too much caffeine can also increase the risk for miscarriage and delay in infant growth.
This does not mean that pregnant women should completely stop drinking caffeinated beverages; rather, amount of caffeine intake should be reduced. Doctors recommend that increasing or decreasing the amount of caffeine you consume during your pregnancy will not adversely affect the fetus, but it is best to consume two or fewer cups of coffee per day.
When it comes to coffee, it is not only caffeine that affects pregnant women but the additives added to the drink such as cream, sugar, and certain flavoring syrups can also be harmful. It has been reported that too much sugar during pregnancy can increase the risk of a baby born with too large a size and could also be at a risk of developing diabetes at a young age.
For pregnant women who love coffee, almost all health experts suggest that you should consider other sources of caffeine such as beverages with less than 80 mg of caffeine, sodas and desserts with small amounts of caffeine such as low-fat chocolate milk or dark chocolate. And one should never forget about decaffeinated forms of the drinks that are available.
Potential Risk To The Unborn Baby
It is important to understand what happens when you consume caffeine during pregnancy. When it is taken in excessive amount, caffeine could potentially cross the placenta from mother to baby, increasing the risk of harm to the unborn child. It can cause Baby to develop an increased risk for heart problems and other problems. Too much of anything, including caffeine, can harm the fetus.
Caffeine can also increase the risk of slow growth of the fetus. A further situation that can occur is premature birth. Studies have shown that when pregnant women consume more than 200 mg of caffeine a day, the chances of delivering a baby before the due date increases.
Another potential risk is spontaneous abortion, or miscarriage. High levels of caffeine intake can increase the risk of miscarriage and premature delivery. Some studies do however suggest that only very high levels of caffeine consumption (more than 300mg per day) may increase the risk of having a miscarriage.
It is advised for pregnant women to not only monitor their caffeine intake, but also to reduce consumption of tea, chocolate, soda and decaffeinated coffee etc., to the lowest levels possible.
Reaching The Recommended Limit Of Caffeine Intake
The best way for pregnant women to make sure that they are not overconsuming caffeine is to check the labels of the foods and drinks that they consume. To ease this process, many pregnant women prefer switching to decaffeinated alternative beverages such as herbal teas and decaffeinated coffee.
However, if pregnant women still prefer drinking caffeinated coffee, they should ensure that they adhere to the guiding principle that is quality over quantity. By drinking high-quality, fresh, and organic coffee, the risk of potential harm to the baby is decreased and the level of caffeine intake is kept to a minimum.
It is also suggested that pregnant women consider coffee alternatives such as green tea and herbal tea. These alternatives have a lower amount of caffeine and will also provide the beneficial effects that these drinks are known to give such as anti-oxidants and nutrients, which are beneficial to both mother and baby.
Health Benefits Of Caffeine For Pregnant Women
It is important for pregnant women to limit their caffeine intake, however, moderate caffeine intake has some potential health benefits. Studies have found that drinking caffeine in moderation could improve cognitive development in unborn babies. It can also be an effective booster for pregnant women’s alertness, concentration, and mood. Pregnant women who drink an occasional cup of coffee (within the recommended limit of 200 mg) can reduce the risk of depression, diabetes, and labor complications.
The benefits, however, do not outweigh the risks associated with caffeine. Therefore, it is better for pregnant women to limit or avoid caffeine altogether, since pregnant women are considered to be in the ‘at risk’ population.
Conclusion
It is suggested for pregnant women to stay away from caffeine during their pregnancy because too much of caffeine is not healthy for the mother and the baby. Even if the amount is limited, women should keep a check on the labels to see if their drink contains caffeine or not. In general, pregnant women should be aware of their caffeine intake and pay attention to other benefits that healthy, caffeine-free drinks can provide.
Caffeine Intake While Breast-Feeding
The amount of caffeine that is passed through to the baby ranges from 0% to 60%, varying on the amount of caffeine intake by the mother, and the time gap between breastfeeding the baby and drinking of caffeine. If the intake is more than 200 mg of caffeine, then the body takes a longer time to remove it, which in turn means that it has a greater potential to affect the baby. Studies have proved that if mothers consume more than 500mg of caffeine per day, babies may show signs of restlessness, irritability and poor sleep.
It is important to take into consideration the caffeine consumption by the nursing mother and if it is less than 300 mg/day, the health effects on the baby should be minor. If lactating mothers still want to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, it is recommended that they reduce their caffeine intake by having two sips of their beverage instead of finishing the entire cup.
Caffeine And Fertility
Besides being pregnant, there is also a concern among women that caffeine may impair their potential of becoming pregnant. Studies have confirmed that consuming too much of caffeine may have an effect on fertility levels by decreasing the chances of pregnancy. The exact mechanism behind this is yet to be determined but is thought to be related to caffeine’s ability to increase the genital temperatures, which leads to interfere with ovulation. It is advisable for women who are trying to get pregnant to limit their caffeine intake.
In conclusion, caffeine can negatively affect pregnancy and fertility levels of women. In order to ensure a healthy delivery, pregnant women should quickly reduce or eliminate the intake of caffeine. Moreover, if women are planning to become pregnant, they must monitor the amount of caffeine they consume, to ensure an uncomplicated pregnancy.
