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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Tell me about your caffeine intake

29 replies

RockinRobinBird · 30/12/2010 12:19

It's a tiny, petty thing, but I'm struggling with this. I'm a tea jinny, I like lots of good strong mugs of Yorkshire tea, particularly in this weather.

Three years ago when I was pg the guidelines were 6 cups of tea per day. I could live with that and averaged about 4 cups. Now the guidelines say two cups which just isn't enough to keep body and soul together! I'm trying not to drink coke and have gone off chocolate so it's just the tea that's a problem. I am very fussy and fruit/green/de-caffeinated/rooibos tea just aren't an option

Please come and tell me that caffeine intake isn't a big deal really and it's just another silly rule. I promise to keep off pate and prawns :o

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Bue · 30/12/2010 12:30

Personally I think it's probably another slightly silly rule If you were fine with 4 cups per day last time, you'll be fine with it this time.

MrsCratchit · 30/12/2010 12:32

I've been wondering about this too. Probably only having 2-3 cups of tea a day, but been eating quite a lot of chocolate over Christmas!

Original poster

RockinRobinBird · 30/12/2010 12:33

Perfect answer, thank you :o

OP posts:

SaraL77 · 30/12/2010 13:00

I'd agree, I'm struggling to keep my caffeine intake low as I love coffee (and tea) and probably have 2 small coffees and a tea a day (sometimes less) or a coffee and 2 teas, plus chocolate (well it is Xmas!) I agree with Bue -I think 'guidelines' are over-cautious, and as long as you're not downing a dozen a day, I'm sure baby will be just fine on around 4

dessen · 30/12/2010 13:05

Drank loads of tea when I was pregnant - was perfect.

Kazmog · 30/12/2010 13:15

Hello, just to let you know Coke is fine - only 30mg per can (which is a third of a cuppa). I asked my doctor about this and she pulled out a chart and showed me as in my first trimester I had a craving... Have you tried decaff tea? x

MainlyMaynie · 30/12/2010 13:45

I am usually a heavy caffeine drinker, but have cut right back. I've had one coffee since I found out I was pg (on Xmas day!) and I usually have several strong fresh cups a day. I used to have some diet coke every day too, but now only have that once a week or so at a pub or restaurant.

I am NOT finding it easy, all the books say you'll probably go off tea coffee and alcohol, but I certainly haven't. I have actually been craving whisky .

But it isn't a silly rule. I did lots of reading on it and there is very clear evidence linking high caffeine consumption to increased risk of miscarriage and lower birth weights. Some evidence suggests that the risk begins to increase at 50mg per day. Of course, this is only an increase in risk, so the vast majority of the time it will be fine to have more caffeine. Everyone has there own perceptions of risk and I know I am being very risk averse, having struggled to conceive and had a previous mc.

southlondonlady · 30/12/2010 13:50

I did go off coffee in the first trimester and started liking it again later. I probably have around 2 cups of coffee and 2 cups of tea per day, plus chocolate...I think its fine unless you're drinking absolutely loads!

coastgirl · 30/12/2010 13:55

I was a coffee fiend and at first (4-5 weeks) found it hard to cut down to one cup of filter coffee a day but at 7 weeks I have gone off it altogether - took a sip of DH's today and it tasted foul.

But I have tried to stay below the amount recommended because as said above, there is a clear a proven link between caffeine consumption and miscarriage risk, and as it's a relatively easy thing to avoid I want to do it.

I drink Horlicks chocolate drink or lemon and honey in hot water if that helps!

Original poster

RockinRobinBird · 30/12/2010 13:57

I know you're right, which is why I am trying hard to stick to it. I don't smoke, drink, take drugs or eat dodgy things anyway, drinking tea seems so harmless :(

OP posts:

discobeaver · 30/12/2010 14:01

Been on the decaff for ages, I love tea and have about 6 cups a day maybe more, I remember reading something last time around about how the baby showed signs of increased heartrate/movement after the mother had a coffee, so that kind of put me off caffeine.

I know what you mean about tea being harmless though, but have got used to the decaff really quickly.

thefurryone · 30/12/2010 14:30

I've stuck to 2 cups of tea a day I do have the odd cup of decaf but I'm not a huge fan, if I want more hot drinks I have peppermint tea instead.

I have found myself craving coke and coffee neither of which I ever really have when I'm not pregnant which is weird!

I do have friends who decided to drink no tea and coffee at all but having given up smoking, drinking, some of my favourite cheeses and pate I had to allow myself something. Also I figured that my mother and grandmother would have drunk shed loads and the only effect seems to be them having bred tea drinkers so it can't be all bad!!

GrumpyFish · 30/12/2010 14:43

I have been really careful this time round as have a history of MC - no coffee, caffinated tea only at other people's houses (so a cup every few days), although no limits on chocolate! I swapped to Tetley decaf tea at home as I do enjoy my cuppas, and honestly now that I'm used to it I can't really tell the difference.

bessie26 · 30/12/2010 14:51

I don't think 4cups a day is anything to worry about.

I drink one cup of caff tea first thing in the morning, the rest are all decaff. I used to drink loads of herbal teas, but lemon & Ginger is the only one I can stomach this pg. Do try different brands of decaff tea as some are nicer than others. I like Clipper, but it's probably not strong enough for you if you like Yorkshire tea!

DD arrived 6 weeks early (for no apparent reason) and I am so glad I stuck to all the "rules" otherwise I think i would be beating myself up about what I could have done to prevent it.

Original poster

RockinRobinBird · 30/12/2010 15:08

Well I've just seen that there is a decaff Yorkshire tea so I'll give that a whirl. If that fails I'll give up all hope!

OP posts:

Leilababyno1 · 30/12/2010 16:39

You have obviously had no previous complications or miscarriages, so I really wouldn't stress about it. Enjoy your cuppas! I am relaxed about the guidelines, and continue to eat 'banned' foods occasionally. Had some smoked salmon over xmas.. 'Moderation' is the key word me thinks.

sittinghippo · 30/12/2010 19:03

Oh sh*t whats the guideline for prawns then?! I knew about pate but not heard anything about smoked salmon or prawns...

gallicgirl · 30/12/2010 19:13

Shellfish is fine as long as it's cooked. There's thread somewhere that suggests smoked salmon is ok too.

I went onto decaff coffee immediately and was careful during the first trimester but there's no way I'm going to drink decaff tea as it's disgusting! I do try to spread out tea with cups of peppermint or liquorice tea though. Nothing beats a good brew though :)

brokeoven · 30/12/2010 19:18

Well, ive been TTC for about 5 years (!) and cut out all caffien then. Went completely to decaf everything.

Soon got used to it, but i did suffer from withdrawls badly.

I think i read some where that you should cut it out BUT cant remember why....can any one shed anylight ont he reasoning?

jellyhead188 · 30/12/2010 20:15

you and me both - first 2 pg were 6 cups a day I just stayed within that - this time 2! FWIW I drink what I fancy, I can't stomache it like I normally do so get through about 4 a day.

enjoy!

msbossy · 30/12/2010 20:32

It's a minefield isn't it. And v hard to stick to all the rules if you're also tired and/or nauseous. The only thing I can suggest is that you try Tetley decaff. I found it much better than typhoo and some others.

debka · 30/12/2010 20:56

Be Careful going completely decaf. I have been unable to drink caffeine after 4pm for almost 3 years now- it keeps me awake at night!

Paribus · 30/12/2010 22:32

continue to eat 'banned' foods occasionally. Had some smoked salmon over xmas.- Leilababyno1, smoked salmon is allowed

nomoreheels · 31/12/2010 09:31

I have 1-2 soya cappuccinos per day at home, made with single espressos (so not masses of coffee)

I very occasionally have a cup of tea when it's been really freezing. And I have have a diet coke sometimes when I'm feeling a bit rough, seems to help.

Coffee is my last pleasure these days, and seeing as i only have 1-2 a day anyhow, I'm not giving it up!

fairybubbles · 31/12/2010 09:50

I agree tetley decaff is fine. also you can get caffene free diet coke. ive gone off coffee ive not had 1 during the whole pregnancy so far. the most i have is 2-3 cups of tea a day but some days much less.

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