| Caffeine Use During Pregnancy
Caffeine is probably the most common and widely used drug in the world. Even with its popularity, relatively little is still known of its harmful effects. When you are pregnant, you should be aware of every chemical that goes into your body and how it might affect your growing child.
Heavy coffee drinkers should consider cutting down if they become pregnant or are trying to conceive. There is some controversy about whether or not caffeine is harmful to fetuses, but some studies suggest that large amounts of caffeine per day may increase risk for miscarriage, preterm delivery, and low birth weight.
Women who are trying to become pregnant should limit their caffeine consumption. Studies have linked caffeine intake to lower levels of fertility. Women who took in more than 300 milligrams per day were twice as likely to have delayed conception for up to a year.
General Effects of Caffeine
Caffeine moves through the body very quickly, entering the nervous system in as little as 15 minutes. It causes the heart rate and blood pressure to rise, which is why it is classified as a stimulant. It is also a diuretic, which means it will cause more frequent urination and may cause an overall reduction of your bodily fluids.
Effects of Caffeine on Fetuses
As your pregnancy progresses, your metabolic ability to process caffeine slows down, increasing its effects. Some of the effects of caffeine, such as dehydration, can be harmful to the fetus and mother. In addition, caffeine is easily transferred through the placenta from mother to fetus. Since fetuses have a much less mature metabolism, a fetus may experience higher levels of caffeine for longer periods of time than its mother.
Some studies have reported that even small intakes of caffeine affect the heart rate of the fetus and the fetus' movement patterns. There have also been reports that suggest caffeine consumption may be linked with miscarriages. Women who consumed five or more cups of coffee a day had double the risk of miscarriage, while those that consumed less experienced no such side effects.
Effects of Caffeine on Newborns
Excessive caffeine intake during pregnancy may shorten gestation and lower a baby's birth weight. For some babies, these changes could be slight and harmless, but for newborns that already have birth problems, these minor changes could become dangerous.
Any chemical put into the mother's body can be transferred to the baby through breast milk, including caffeine. Babies who drink breast milk containing caffeine may be cranky and have irregular sleep patterns. Just as in pregnancy, mothers who are breastfeeding should maintain a reduced intake of caffeinated drink and be aware of any medication that may contain caffeine. While excessive caffeine use can cause noticeable changes in the baby's behavior, consuming foods and drinks that contain limited amounts of caffeine should not affect breastfeeding babies.
Other Foods
There are many foods that contain caffeine that you may not be aware of. If you are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding, you should be cautious and check the labels to see if the foods, drinks or medications you use contains caffeine.
Foods made with chocolate contain caffeine, although usually only slight amounts. Some medicines headaches medicines and those designed for cold and sinus often contain caffeine. Some dietary supplements, energy drinks, and weight loss pills may contain caffeine, but often do not have labels telling how much.
Look over the following chart to get an idea of how much caffeine is in many common foods and beverages.
| Item |
MILLIGRAMS OF CAFFEINE |
|
|
AVERAGE |
RANGE |
COFFEE (8-oz. cup)
Brewed, drip method
Brewed, percolator
Instant |
184
128
104 |
96-288
64-272
48-192 |
TEA (8-oz. cup)
Brewed, major U.S. brands
Brewed, imported brands
Instant
Iced (12-oz. Glass) |
64
96
48
70 |
33-144
40-176
40-80
67-76 |
Caffeinated soft drinks
(12 oz.) |
36 |
30-60 |
| Hot cocoa (12 oz.) |
6.4 |
3.2-32 |
Chocolate milk beverage
(8 oz.) |
5 |
2-7 |
| Milk chocolate (1 oz.) |
6 |
1-15 |
Dark chocolate, semi-sweet
(1 oz.) |
20 |
5-35 |
| Baker's chocolate (1 oz.) |
26 |
26 |
Chocolate-flavored syrup
(1 oz.) |
4 |
4 |
| Source: U.S. FDA and National Soft Drink Association |
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