NEED REAL COFFEE

[Traveljunkie]

I am 31 weeks pregnant, and WANT real coffee, will a big cup of filter harm baby at this stage?

[pregnancy1]

Can you trick yourself by getting a big cup of real decaff? I can never taste the difference....

I do think you are allowed a certain amount of caffeine a week - I'm sure one cup won't hurt. Have a look at the NHS guidelines.

[Pavlovthecat]

You might be able to get away with a small cup of weak filter coffee.

Not a large, and not a double espresso to make up for the size either.

A little caffiene is ok, as long as your body can manage it. By 31 weeks I could not even smell coffee. As soon as DD was born, I was desperate for a cup!

[Kif]

you'll be fine

Be moderate - and perhaps avoid if you have high b.p..

[MrsBadger]

it won't hurt the baby

you're allowed 300mg caffeine a day, which is about a mug and a half of decent filter coffee (remember also caffeine in coke, choc etc) - more here

so go for it!

[Traveljunkie]

I have been drinking bucket loads of decaff but typically now want the real stuff, thanks for thoughts, will probably put up with the fake stuff!!! Boo

[Coolmama]

I have one cup of brewed coffee a day - although I will ask for 1/2 a shot rather than th full dose - that way, I still get the taste without too much of a caffeine hit!
(BTW am 39+weeks)

[Traveljunkie]

Thanks Mrs badger, don't eat choc or drink coke etc so was hoping that would be in my favour??

[TheSlightestTeuch]

have the coffee!! It will do your baby no harm...

Enjoy!

A small amount of caffeine is fine. However, if you have a lot of caffeine it increases your risk of having a baby with low birth weight, and increases your risk of having a miscarriage. The increased risk is small. But, it is best to play safe. The Food Standards Agency recommends that you do not have more than 300 mg caffeine in any one day if you are pregnant, or if you are trying to become pregnant.

Calculating your daily caffeine intake

As a rough guide:

One mug of instant coffee has about 100 mg caffeine.
One cup of instant coffee has about 75 mg caffeine.
One cup of brewed coffee has about 100 mg caffeine.
One cup of tea has about 50 mg caffeine.
One 50g chocolate bar has about 50 mg caffeine.
One can of cola has up to 40 mg caffeine.
One can of 'energy' drink may contain up to 80 mg caffeine.
Check the label on medicines for quantities of caffeine.
So, you do not have to stop your favourite drinks, but you may need to limit their amount. For example, you will reach the 300 mg limit for one day if you

Eat two bars of chocolate, drink two cups of tea, and have a cup of brewed coffee, OR
Drink three cups of tea, and three cups of instant coffee, OR
Drink a can of energy drink, two cans of cola, one cup of tea, and eat a 50g bar of chocolate.
Etc.

[Pavlovthecat]

TJ - just have it ou will be fine. Honestly. one cup will be fine, esp if you have not had any for ages!

[Traveljunkie]

Thanks everyone, I will make myself a half cafetiere and savour the flavour!!

[Pavlovthecat]

Enjoy I shall have one with you, just a little stronger!

[OatcakeCravings]

Hi,

I thought that the limits on caffine were only relevant in the first 12 weeks.

[Traveljunkie]

Hi Oatcake, I kinda know where you're coming from, I think the first 12 weeks are the weeks you have to be really careful, having said that i had a glass of red once a week and have had easiest pregnancy so far!!

[beforesunrise]

hope by now you've hd your coffee and loved it. remember, you CAN be too strict. the goal is not to turn into a carmelite nun for 9 months (unless that's your thing!), but to be moderate and avoid taking unnecessary risks.

one v senior mw i saw recently told me, when i confessed to a serious craving for beer, that she firmly believes we crave what we need so perhaps i just needed that half a glass of beer every evening. it def made me feel better and actually the craving subsided after a couple of weeks.. only to be replaced by much less healthy addiction to teacakes!

first pregnancy i was a complete saint re diet and everyting. this time round i was absolutely knackered the whole time, with an insomniac toddler and a crazy workload and i couldn't have made it without starbucks!!!!

[Traveljunkie]

Hahahaha, I totally agree sunrise, I have tried not to gett too holier than though and baby has a healthy fondness for champagne...As do I!! Actually didn't bother with coffee as I am now having a hot flush..joy. Thanks though

[TheSlightestTeuch]

I read somewhere (when I was pregnant last time, how convenient!) that mums-to-be that had chocolate every day had happier babies ...

Now I don't reckon this is because chocolate is good for you, I think it is down to women who are happy to have chocolate every day probably being a little more relaxed and this is passed on to baby.

[beforesunrise]

excellent slightestteuch, am off to get out my green and black!

[Essie3]

I'm having coffee right now! (I'm 34 weeks) I kind of stopped worrying about the caffeine, because I don't really get loads in a day, and so I'm drinking a small cupful every now and again - when I fancy it. Or need it - today I need to go to a lecture and sound intelligent at it. I've already had a nap... why am I so alert when I've got nothing to do?!

[Rocky12]

A French lady I work with (why do they always look so effortlessly elegant) had a cup of real coffee a day. Not instant or defcaff and also a glass of wine a day. She always appeared calm, in control and not constantly craving for something. She sailed through her pregnancies so go for it!