12 weeks, in a panic, BIG reaction to caffeine

[Hedgehead]

Am in a panic as I have NEVER had a reaction to caffeine like this. Drank lots of caffeine before pregnancy, probably too much. In the form of tea, not coffee. Stopped for the past 11 weeks apart from the odd cup of tea here and there once a week.

Just had a small pot of tea with milk (small - don't imagine like a big teapot) as I am 11 weeks and starting to get more confident in keeping this pregnancy (past MMC) I thought one or two cups would be okay.

It wasn't. Started to get palpitations, my vision went blurry, had to run to the loo (diarrhoea), while I was on the loo, vomited (not morning sickness - that stopped a couple of weeks ago) Now terrible headache and nausea and my heart is still speeding.

WTF has happened? If this is how I am feeling (awful awful awful) God knows what the baby is feeling? Have I f*cked up?

Can caffeine kill a baby?

What would be the signs if I was going to have a miscarriage from caffeine? Immediate bleeding? Cramping?

Had a scan last week at just 'on' 11 weeks. Have normal growth, heartbeat etc, so not waiting for my "first" scan.

[loopylou52]

Sorry to hear you're feeling so poorly. I don't think you need to worry though - one pot of tea wouldn't take you over the recommended limit for caffeine. I can't look up or link to the official guidance as on my phone but I think they say not to have more than 200mg of caffeine a day and there is less than 50mg in a mug of tea.

It may just be that you've become sensitive to it if you haven't had any for a while, or your symptoms could be unrelated. Please don't panic though!

[ohthegoats]

I'm the same. Never been a big caffeine drinker, but it's a definite NO now. Same with alcohol - I'm not being precious about wine etc (am second tri now) if I fancy it, but urgh... three mouthfuls and I feel awful and/or fall immediately asleep. Very weird.

[twiglet2]

I really struggle with caffeine in general and can't drink tea/coffee/coke or even eat chocolate very often because it stops me sleeping, makes me really irritable and makes my heart pound. I'm 12+4 but have had the odd can of coke (once every few weeks) as a treat and can feel the difference once I've had this.

Sounds like you may have become more sensitive like loopyloo is suggesting - I think the guidelines are there because a lot of caffeine over a long period may have an effect.

[squizita]

Caffeine doesn't 'agree' with a lot of women in the 1st trimester.

But don't worry - the guidelines suggest a slight raised risk for people who drink lots of caffeine every day for ages - not one offs.

I love caffeinated stuff normally, but went off it. Redbush is a good substitute I've found.

[Hedgehead]

Thank you all, that's so reassuring...

I just imagine if I am feeling terrible, God knows what the foetus is feeling...

[rockstars12]

Hey, sorry to hear you're feeling off. I used to drink lots of tea and stopped for past 7 weeks bar one cup around 9 weeks pregnant. I then got horrific IBS. I was having contractions that fortunately were my bowels but it went on for hours and I too had diarrhoea. I seriously thought I might lose my babies. I just had to centre myself, control my breathing and try to relax through the pain. The caffeine wouldn't hurt them but my being unwell could stress them. They're both fine.
I think you are just sensitive to the caffeine now like me, your body is going through so many changes. Just be careful what you eat and drink in terms of not making yourself unwell, and you'll be ok.

[Wolfiefan]

Could be caffeine but could it also be anxiety?

[AlwaysDancing1234]

With both my pregnancies tea has made me violently sick and upset tummy, no idea why but it's not the caffeine as I can have coffee and it does nothing. I'm 34 weeks now and still can't have even a sip of tea without feeling like I'm gonna be sick and mourning sickness wnded months ago.
There would only be small amount of caffeine in the quantity of tea you had so don't worry about that (easier said than done I know).

[ImBrian]

Caffeine could trigger a migraine, sickness, blurry vision, feeling like crap. Maybe something like that?