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Pregnancy

So what's the deal with decaf coffee?

13 replies

ThePregnantPhantomPlopper · 24/08/2009 19:26

I've been told that decaf is actually worse for increasing the miscarriage risk than normal coffee, wasn't given a reason why this was the case though.

Anyone know?

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BexJ78 · 24/08/2009 20:51

don't know if this is true or not, but someone once told me that the chemicals used to strip the caffeine from coffee are quite nasty.

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puffylovett · 24/08/2009 20:53

they use a heck of a lot of chemicals in the decaffeination process.

If you want a good decaff coffee, go for a Swiss water processed one. No chemicals used in that process.

IMO 1 cup of good quality caffeinated coffee per day is not a problem. Would take a small amount of caffeine over and above the chemicals every day

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mogend77 · 24/08/2009 20:54

If you're going to drink decaf (pregnant or not) you should look for "water process/swiss water process" decaf (Fresh coffee only). The chemicals used in the standard processing of decaf are very nasty indeed, and far more likely to be harmful to you or baby than a bit of caffeine. The water process stuff is fine though.

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preggersplayspop · 24/08/2009 20:59

Hmmm, I'm guessing Starbucks isn't swiss water process then?!

I thought I was doing the right thing drinking decaff. B**ger.

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ThePregnantPhantomPlopper · 24/08/2009 21:03

Also guessing the Somerfield own brand that MIL got me is also not Swiss water processed.

Shall go back to one cup of the decent stuff.

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preggersplayspop · 24/08/2009 21:15

I can't go back to non decaff now, it makes my heart race.

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HeadFairy · 24/08/2009 21:20

Does the same apply to tea? I actually don't really like the taste of decaf tea, but I'm curious. I've been sticking to two cups of weak milky tea a day.

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ThePregnantPhantomPlopper · 24/08/2009 21:24

I've not been able to swap to decaf tea, it tastes revolting, I've cut back and don't brew it for as long.

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puffylovett · 24/08/2009 21:27

Not 100% sure but yes I think the same thing applies to tea.
Redbush is a good alternative and a great anti-oxidant to boot - you can drink it with milk and sugar, it's a similar bitter taste.

Preggers- you can get low caffeine coffee, although I guess its questionable wether the caffeine levels have been lowered using chemicals !

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katster37 · 25/08/2009 13:11

Oh no!! I have just got my taste for coffee back, after it made me heave for the first 25 weeks, and now I have been guzzling the stuff.... Eeeeek. Oh dear.

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mogend77 · 25/08/2009 13:21

preggersplayspop When I started drinking coffee again after a long break and couldn't take full caffeine version, I bought my own fresh full caff & swiss water process decaff and mixed half - caff.

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NewbeeMummy · 25/08/2009 13:36

This is not good news, was a major coffee adict pre pg, (6-8 cups of cofee, 3-4 cups of tea a day) so switched to decaff except for my firts cup of the day, don't drink anywhere near as much as I did as I don't like the taste, but easy drinking 4 cups of cofee and 2 tea a day (all decaff)

Thought I was doing the right thing... obviously not...

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preggersplayspop · 25/08/2009 22:29

Thanks for the tip mogend77. I'm thinking the diet cokes I drink are probably doing me more harm than the decaff coffee though anyway! Going to look into this swiss water process decaff stuff though.

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