Caffeine during Pregnancy

From WikiParenting

[edit] Concerns during pregnancy

The concern with caffeine is that it crosses the placenta and may effect the fetus during pregnancy. Studies on animals show that there was a higher occurrence of fetal malformation in pregnant animals that were given caffeine, but this has not been proven in humans. Although it has not been proven, it is recommended that pregnant women eliminate products containing caffeine from their diets. There is an increased risk of miscarriage and low birth weight associated with high doses of caffeine, an amount that can be found in six to ten cups of coffee a day.

If you are accustomed to drinking one or two cups of coffee each morning, there is no solid evidence that it is harmful to your baby, but consider that the caffeine will stimulate your baby the same way it does for you. And your baby’s liver will not be able to eliminate the caffeine from his system as fast as you can, so he will feel the effects longer, and the effects will be more pronounced.

[edit] Tips for reducing intake

Tips to try to reduce your intake of caffeine:

• If you drink tea, limit the amount of time that you let it steep - one minute is good.

• Switch to decaffeinated coffee and tea. Select decaf coffee that is water processed not chemically processed.

• Experiment with herbal teas as a substitute, but watch for hidden stimulants. Don’t choose teas that claim to energize you. Research any herbal tea first to see if it is safe to drink during pregnancy. Just because tea is a natural product, it does not mean that they are safe to consume during pregnancy. Some herbal teas, such as peppermint and red raspberry leaf, can cause contractions in pregnant women and increase the chance that you will have preterm labor.

• Check labels of the products you use, such as cold medicine and headache remedies.

Keep track of how much caffeine you are consuming and reduce the amount slowly to decrease the possibility of caffeine withdrawal.

[edit] Are you newly pregnant?

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[edit] Safety Information

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[edit] Common Concerns

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