How Much Caffeine Can You Have While Pregnant?

Caffeine is one of the most loved stimulants in America. And now that you are pregnant, you may have to pay more attention to the quantity of caffeine you are ingesting daily.

How Does Caffeine Affect to Humans?

Caffeine is a stimulant and a diuretic. Due to the fact that caffeine is a stimulant, it increases your high blood pressure and heart rate, both which are not advised during pregnancy.

Caffeine also increases the frequency of urination. This causes reduction in your body fluid levels and can result in dehydration.

Caffeine crosses the placenta to your baby. Although you might have the ability to handle the quantities of caffeine you feed your body, your baby can not. Your baby’s metabolic process is still developing and can not totally metabolize the caffeine.

Any quantity of caffeine can also cause modifications in your baby’s sleep pattern or normal motion pattern in the later stages of pregnancy. Remember, caffeine is a stimulant and can keep both you and your baby awake.

Caffeine is discovered in more than simply coffee. Caffeine is not only discovered in coffee but also in tea, soda, chocolate, as well as some over the counter medications that relieve headaches. Understand what you consume.

Why You Should Avoid Caffeine While Pregnant

Caffeine Causes Birth Defects in Humans

Various research studies on animals have actually shown that caffeine can cause abnormality, premature labor, preterm delivery, reduced fertility, and increase the risk of low-birth weight offspring and other reproductive issues.

There have not been any definitive research studies done on humans; nevertheless, it is still much better to play it safe when it concerns undetermined studies.

Caffeine Causes Infertility

Some research studies have revealed a link between high levels of caffeine intake and postponed conception.

Caffeine Causes Miscarriages

In 2008, two research studies on the results of caffeine associated to miscarriage showed significantly different outcomes. In one study released by the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, it was discovered that women who take in 200mg or more of caffeine daily are twice as likely to have a miscarriage as those who do not consume any caffeine.

In another research study launched by Epidemiology, there was no increased risk in women who drank a minimal amount of coffee daily (between 200-350mg daily.)

Due to contrasting conclusions from various research studies, the March of Dimes states that till more definitive research studies are done, pregnant women should restrict caffeine intake to less than 200 mg daily. This is equal to about one 12 oz cup of coffee.

Is It True That a Pregnant Woman Should Not Consume Any Caffeine?

Experts have mentioned that moderate levels of caffeine have not been found to have an unfavorable impact on pregnancy. The definition of moderate varies anywhere from 150 mg– 300 mg a day.

How Much Caffeine Is In Your Favorite Drinks & Snacks?

• Starbucks House Blend Coffee (16 oz) 259mg.
• 7 Eleven Big Gulp Diet Coke (32 oz) 124mg.
• Green tea (6 oz) 40 mg.
• Baker’s chocolate (1 oz) 26 mg.
• Black tea (6 oz) 45 mg.
• Dr. Pepper (12 oz) 37 mg.
• Excedrin (per pill) 65mg.
• Ben & Jerry’s Coffee Buzz Ice Cream( 8 oz) 72 mg.
• 7 Eleven Big Gulp Coca-Cola (32 oz) 92 mg.
• Starbucks Grande Coffee (16 oz) 400 mg.

How Much Caffeine Can You Have While Pregnant

The less caffeine you consume, the much better. Some professionals say more than 150 mg of caffeine a day is excessive, while others state more than 300 mg a day is too much.

Avoiding caffeine as much as possible is your most safe course of action. If you need to get your fix, it is best to discuss this with your health care company to make the healthiest choice for you and your baby.