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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Coffee question

33 replies

Littlelady33 · 14/03/2015 20:16

This is probably one with a pretty obvious answer given all of the advice out there - but I'm wondering if most of you are giving up caffeine altogether in pregnancy or drinking in small amounts? I've not touched a drop until now at 21wks but I think I'm going to have to crack. I don't miss booze, blue cheese or anything but caffeine... There are days I can barely stay awake.

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AnythingNotEverything · 14/03/2015 20:22

I'm 25 weeks with DC3.

I have one cup of caffeinated tea and the rest as decaf (and as much chocolate as my indigestion allows).

I believe it's most important in the first trimester due to the heightened risk of miscarriage, but obviously the risk of decreased birth weight remains.

I think you should relax, have a couple of normal strength coffees (not Starbucks style!) each day, and remember that you're growing a new human. Tiredness is a sign to rest more. And I know it's not that easy - I have a young toddler to run after!

I think the official limit is 200 micrograms per day. Research how much is in your favourite and be sensible. You don't need to abstain, but don't be doing espresso shots to keep going

confused79 · 14/03/2015 20:22

As longs you stay under 200mg a day you're fine, think that's about 2 coffees (you might want to double check). I had caffeine throughout my pregnancies and theyre fine (we'll ignore the fact my eldest is constantly hyper and always has been...)

ragged · 14/03/2015 20:24

Mind tea drinking too, if you're worried about caffeine. Mostly just as strong as coffee.

PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 14/03/2015 20:28

I went off coffee in the first trimester and rarely have tea.

Thereafter I have whatever I fancied. I read the research and was comfortable with that.

SoMuchForSubtlety · 14/03/2015 20:28

200mg of caffeine a day is the limit, so you can have some coffee. I had one coffee a day throughout my whole pregnancy, it wouldn't be safe for anyone if I was completely uncaffeinated! DD seems relatively normal

squizita · 14/03/2015 20:30

I had 1 small cup a day.
My consultant said if I wanted to be strict, to have an americano not a filter coffee ... that way I knew, one shot, about 120-40 mg.
It left enough "allowance" for a chocolate treat too!

squizita · 14/03/2015 20:31

Tea actually has measurably less caffeine than coffee. It's a myth it's equal.

Purpleball · 14/03/2015 20:37

I have decaf tea and coffee, and the odd diet coke if I need caffeine

leanne963 · 14/03/2015 21:43

I have about 3 or 4 cups of decaff tea a day and more chocolate than any human should be able to consume, but i am just craving it ha! But estimated birth weight is higher than average so i don't think decreased birth weight has affected my little wriggler!

applecore0317 · 14/03/2015 21:50

Haven't touched any caffeinated drinks, don't like fizzy drinks and am too obsessed with chocolate. So cutting out my coffee seemed sensible :)

ShanVanVocht · 14/03/2015 22:00

200mg is a completely arbitrary amount. A full review of all available literature (by the uk committee on toxicity) concluded that while there might be a an increase between restricted fetal growth rate and/or spontaneous miscarriage a >300mg p/d, the evidence was inconclusive.

In short, if you want some coffee, have some coffee.

ps, its milligrams, not micrograms

DaisyRaine90 · 14/03/2015 22:07

I was told unless your drinking redbull the limit is as many as 8 coffees or 10 cans of cola. (Obviously there's the sugar issue there though.) it's to do with your tolerance to caffeine too, and whether it's spread out through the day. I stuck to the reccomended allowance, but I'm not a big caffeine drinker anyway, but I wouldn't stress if your a little over. It only affects the baby in large amounts.

AnythingNotEverything · 14/03/2015 22:11

Thanks Shan I have my head in medication at the mo.

Ineedacleaningfairy · 14/03/2015 22:12

I drank lots of coffee throughout both my pregnancies.

Is it supposed to decrease birth weight? My dc were both close to 11 pounds, thank god I drank coffee, they may have been even bigger if I hadn't!

Skiptonlass · 14/03/2015 22:22

I normally mainline tea like it's going out of fashion. However, since being pregnant I don't want it at all. I think if your body is craving it, have a coffee - a couple of cups a day is fine.

itsnotmeitsyou1 · 14/03/2015 22:44

I have one full coffee a day. I have given up so many things I love, I won't deny myself a coffee. Had two yesterday, that was naughty .

ShanVanVocht · 14/03/2015 23:18

You're not a small child, its not naughty. It's fine , 2, 3 coffees, whatever you want yourself.

Gemerama · 15/03/2015 08:04

This reply has been deleted

This poster has privacy concerns, so we've agreed to remove this now.

hestialou · 15/03/2015 08:47

I used to love my Starbucks in the morning as was going to switch to decaf to try and trick body, but I cant stand the taste of coffee at the moment if I could I would still have a cup a day within the guidelines

crazycatlady82 · 15/03/2015 10:03

I have always had a weak latte for breakfast every morning to get me going. Then 0-2 instant coffees during the day.

When I found out I was pregnant I tried decaf beans 3 mornings and found it so disgusting I didn't drink it!

I then made the informed decision to allow myself 1 small weak latte every morning as before and instant decaf for my other coffee drink (to be fair instant coffee is a completely different drink to fresh and I don't really notice much difference between normal and decaf instant).

I also bought myself some gorgeous beans from a wee artisan shop because I felt I deserved them since I can't have wine anymore

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 15/03/2015 10:14

I'm also on one weak latte a day too. This is DC3. I did similar with the other two DC and they seem perfectly fine - I hope.

MummaV · 15/03/2015 11:39

I have been drinking tea and coffee as normal (4-5 cups a day)throughout my pregnancy after talking to my midwife who essentially said it was fine and that guidelines are just that, a guide not a rule. I haven't had an alcoholic drink or a cigarette since I found out, if I'd cut out caffeine as well I think I would have gone insane. Everything is going well and other than the usual aches, pains and pregnancy moans everything is textbook at 37 weeks.

If you want a coffee, have one!

CBo79 · 15/03/2015 12:24

I gave it a swerve in first trimester (luckily I went right off it) but now having one latte a day, most days. It's a treat I'd really struggle to do without, and I don't believe it's doing baby any harm. Only in the morning though, at night it aggravates my already sensitive bladder! So sit back and enjoy :)

SueV14 · 15/03/2015 12:43

I stick to my mug of instant coffee in the morning cause I know it is still under 200 mg. I normally hardly have had coffee during the day pre-preg, so no need to cut anything off. Also drinking herbal teas mainly, so just watching how much green/jasmine tea I have if I happen to go to an Asian rest. Opting for chrysanthemum tea instead.

ragged · 15/03/2015 13:48

It depends how strongly the tea or coffee has been brewed how much caffeine it has, whether you take with milk, green-black-espresso etc. Tea definitely can have as much caffeine as same fluid oz of coffee. Especially if you're talking instant coffee. It's a myth to assume that tea is always much less.

There's a graph here to give idea how brewing time affects caffeine in tea.

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