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Hope this helps, Detta
Do I have to give up caffeine now that I'm pregnant?
Not necessarily. You can still enjoy your favourite caffeinated drinks as long as you don't overdo it. Guidelines issued by the Food Standards Agency in October 2001 suggest that women have no more than 300mg of caffeine a day while pregnant. This is equivalent to three mugs of instant coffee or six cups of tea or eight cans of cola per day. Although these moderate amounts of caffeine are unlikely to harm you or your unborn baby, some women choose to cut out caffeine completely.
Is it dangerous to drink more than the moderate amount of caffeine during pregnancy?
No one really knows for sure, but research suggests that consistently having more that 300mg of caffeine per day could be related to a higher risk of low birthweight, miscarriage and birth defects, such as cleft palate.
Some research has failed to take into account other risk factors such as smoking and alcohol intake, which can also lead to complications in pregnancy, labour, and delivery. However, it still seems sensible to stick to moderate amounts of caffeine while pregnant.
What exactly does caffeine do to my body?
Caffeine is a stimulant; it increases your heart rate and metabolism, which in turn affects your developing baby. But while unremitting stress isn't healthy, brief bouts of fetal stress, such as that your baby would feel after you drink a cup of coffee, won't cause him any harm. It's akin to your dashing to the bus, another situation that briefly boosts your heart rate and metabolism.
Anyone who drinks coffee regularly knows that it can be addictive and that large amounts can also cause insomnia, nervousness, and headaches. And it's a diuretic, which causes your body to lose water and other fluids and calcium, all of which you need to maintain a healthy pregnancy.
Caffeine hampers your body's ability to absorb iron if you drink it within one hour before or after a meal.
Which foods and beverages contain caffeine?
Caffeine can be found in coffee, tea, colas, and chocolate. Some over-the-counter drugs, including headache and cold tablets, stay-awake medications, and allergy remedies also contain caffeine. Always seek your pharmacist's advice before you buy over-the counter remedies, and don't forget to mention that you are pregnant.
Even the amount of caffeine in coffee and tea can vary widely depending on whether the coffee grounds or tea leaves are brewed or instant, weak or strong. Colas and other drinks vary in caffeine content, too. You might be surprised how easily you can get a big dose of caffeine.