Caffeine... Worried!

[Renaissance227]

What damage does too much caffeine do?
I don't drink loads and have cut out Coke, but maybe twice a week (no more) I have a medium Americano from Costa. I also have one small one three times a week.
I know the small one is within recommended guidelines, but I am worried about the days I have a bigger one. Should I cut it out all together? Does it do a lot of damage?

[MotherPanda]

No - its fine as long as you dont overdo it! you can safely have up to 200mg a day - theres a table on this website that explains how much caffeine is in everything, and how many mugs of coffee/ bars of chocolate you can have etc.

www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/nutrition/foodsafety/caffeine/

I decided I'd rather eat a lot of chocolate than drink tea - so i drink decaff now.

[Scheherezadea]

My midwife says two normal cups of coffee a day, and just not to have tea after eating meat because it can restrict iron uptake I'm afraid nothing can prise my tea away from me, but I have switched to decaff coffee.

In the first 12 weeks it can affect the development babys heart, - but only if you are drinking a lot every day. One cup once a week isn't going to do anything!

[Paschaelina]

200mg is the daily limit I think. An espresso has roughly 75-80mg caffeine so you are fine.

[Renaissance227]

Thank you for the advice. I think I am borderline with the caffiene I have but now I am worried because I was drinking large, black, americanos in the first 7 weeks, but down to a small one and occasional decaff until the last two weeks.
Does anyone know of any damage too much could cause after twelve weeks?
Thanks for the site MotherPanda.

[Scheherezadea]

My baby is at risk of heart problems due to the medication I was taking before I knew I was pregnant, as such I have to have regular scans.

The whole way through my consultant has told me that all the development is done in the first 12 weeks, after that it's just a matter of 'growing' - i.e. any problems will already be there (and then went on a rant about how people should concieve more carefully etcetcetc). You'd have to be really reckless to risk the babys health after this period. I think caffeine can speed up the heart, like it does ours, but unless you were drinking a lot, regularly, it shouldn't affect the actual development.

This is all going from what I've been told about my own personal circumstances though - probably best to checkw ith your midwife. but you won't be the only pregnant woman in teh world who is drinking 2 cups of coffee once a week!

Luckily no problems have been found at the scans, although obviously we have to wait until the baby is born - but it means there are no major defects like a hole in the heart or deformities.

[silverangel]

I may well be wrong with this but I think the issue with caffeine is that it is linked to low birth weight. As mentioned above, 200 mg a day is fine.

I have unfortunatley gone right off coffee and I miss it! Have still been drinking diet coke though.

[Renaissance227]

Scheherezadea - Thanks for that. I am drinking more than two cups once a week! How are you btw? Are you feeling happier about things? Did you ever take driving lessons?

silverangel - Thank you for the reassurance.

[Renaissance227]

Scheherezadea - Just seen your response from the last time I asked!! Sorry! How is the SPD? Are you still riding? How come the Drs told you not to work?
Not being nosey, just remember you from before and concerned. x