Is Drinking Caffeine Dangerous During Pregnancy?

Addicted to coffee? Or perhaps soft drinks with caffeine? If you are wondering if caffeine is dangerous during pregnancy pay attention. As far back as the 1980’s the Food and Drug Administration began warning women to avoid or seriously restrict how much caffeine they consume because of the risk of birth defects. This message was reinforced in hundreds of medical journals including the Journal of Neurotoxicology and Teratology.

In 2010, the message has changed slightly advising pregnant women to consume less than three hundred milligrams per day. The reason for this change is that studies have shown no ill effects with amounts less than 300mg.  To be safe though, you might want to consider completely eliminating caffeine to play it really safe.

So What Exactly Does Caffeine do?

There are a number of effects that caffeine has on you, many of which are not very good. A number of these negative impacts are as follows:

Reduces your ability to absorb iron, raises the rate of your heart, reduces your calcium levels, dehydrates your body because it makes you urinate frequently (more than usual), increases blood pressure, and stimulates the central nervous system.

All of these impact your growing baby who will even take calcium from your bones if you are not taking in enough calcium.  And to make matters worse caffeine also interferes with the normal growth of your fetus, can cause low birth weight have a negative impact on blood sugar levels and the ability to deal with stress.

Pretty scary what caffeine can do isn’t it. If you absolutely must have caffeine then play it safe and try for one hundred and fifty milligrams. It is always a good idea to be below whatever guidelines exists.

So what contains caffeine?

Well the obvious one is coffee but there are a number of other items that might surprise you. Tea is a big offender- opt for non caffeinated versions. Soda, milk and dark chocolate and medicines for headaches also contain caffeine and should be avoided.

Now you may be thinking “but I need my caffeine, how will I stop consuming it”. Well, baby steps. Start trying to reduce by a little each day until you are either consuming none or just a little. Your baby will thank you and you will avoid the dangers of caffeine during pregnancy!