Caffeine and Pregnancy

Caffeine can be viewed as a good, bad or neutral factor in your healthy pregnancy.

The Good

• Caffeine can help migraine or "vascular" headaches of pregnancy
• Caffeine can help to prevent constipation by its laxative effect
• Caffeine can help fight the "blues".
• Caffeine is energizing.

The Bad

• Excessive caffeine consumption has been implicated in increased miscarriage rates
• Excessive caffeine consumption has been implicated in increased premature labor
• Excessive caffeine consumption has been implicated in low birth weight
• Excessive caffeine consumption by mothers at term has been associated with withdrawal symptoms in newborns.
• Stopping caffeine abruptly can cause migraine-type withdrawal headaches, restlessness and irritability.
• Caffeine acts as a mild fluid pill, causing you to urinate out more liquids than you take in. The final result, especially in Colorado, can be worsening dehydration.
• Caffeine interfered with the body's retention of adequate calcium, needed for the development of your baby's bones.
• Caffeine can cause sleeplessness, irregular heartbeat and muscle spasm.
• Excessive caffeine can interfere with concentration.
• Excessive caffeine consumption seems to be related to an irregular fetal heartbeat.

The Neutral

• Caffeine has not been implicated in birth defects
• Small amounts of caffeine consumption aren't implicated in premature labor or low birth weight
• The evidence of the association of caffeine with miscarriage is controversial and may be over-stated.
• Although caffeine is a mild stimulant, it is not addictive.

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Limit caffeine to 300 mg or less/daily-that's a maximum of 3-4 cups of coffee daily.
• Wean off of caffeine slowly in the first trimester or better yet before you conceive.
• Don't stop caffeine abruptly, instead reduce your intake of caffeine over 7-10 days.
• Increase your water intake when consuming caffeine.

Caffeine Content of Common Foods and Beverages