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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Too much coffee

17 replies

krakentoast · 05/05/2017 23:38

I'm 18 weeks pregnant with dc1 and ever since my BFP I've had constant extreme fatigue. For the first 12 weeks, my work really suffered.

At about 14 weeks I had some proper coffee. And though it didn't turn me into a duracell bunny it definitely made me able to get through the day. I've ended up drinking several cups of strong espresso-based coffee a day during the week, plus some tea in the afternoon.

I felt that my mental health and work were important for the baby's future, and that balanced out the risks of caffeine.

But now as my 20 week scan approaches I've really started to worry. I have read that too much caffeine in pregnancy is very high risk but if I stop for a few days the fatigue returns. Right now I'm awake at 11.30pm on a Friday but if I hadn't had coffee I would have fallen asleep hours ago.

I'm terrified that some serious problem will come up at the 20 week scan and it'll be because of the coffee

So I guess what I'd like is reassurance, but as that may be wishful thinking, any other tips for overcoming this relentless fatigue? I will mention the caffeine to my mw though I'm scared of what she'll say. Iron levels at my booking in were fine. When I mentioned fatigue before they just said to try to get some more fresh air and exercise which is easier said than done when you're constantly knackered and weak...

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outputgap · 05/05/2017 23:43

There's no evidence for coffee harming fetal development. The only warning is about a potential increase in miscarriage risk but I haven't actually seen any evidence for that, and suspect the data is tricky.

I too could not manage without it in pregnancy 3, and he's fine.

Original poster

krakentoast · 05/05/2017 23:46

outputgap that's exactly what I want to hear - I would hug you if I didn't have such foul coffee breath

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outputgap · 05/05/2017 23:53

Oh, and get your vit d and b12 checked, but I was just shattered throughout, a bone deep tiredness that I only experienced when pregnant. Even with just 4 hours sleep, I feel better now.

dementedpixie · 06/05/2017 00:01

I thought caffeine consumption was linked to lower birth weight and longer pregnancy. You may need to try to find an alternative energy boost

Teabagtits · 06/05/2017 00:01

I don't want to freak you out but there is plenty of evidence of issues with excessive caffeine there if you look for it (quick google will link to scientific reports) I think as long as you're keeping under 200mg a day your risk is minimal and even above that it's small but increased.

This is from the NHS website:
one mug of instant coffee: 100mg
one mug of filter coffee: 140mg
one mug of tea: 75mg
one can of cola: 40mg
one can of energy drink: up to 80mg
one 50g bar of plain chocolate: most products on the UK market contain less than 25mg
one 50g bar of milk chocolate: most products on the UK market contain less than 10mg

I don't think people set these limits to piss off pregnant women

Original poster

krakentoast · 06/05/2017 00:12

I know the limits are there for a reason, that's why I'm worried. But I'm between a rock and a hard place when I can't function without it. I can't think of any other equally effective energy boosts but suggestions would be very welcome.

As far as I can see the NHS website doesn't list how much there is in a cup of espresso-based coffee, which is only adding to my worries. I'm pretty sure I'm well above 200mg a day - one mug of filter coffee doesn't help with the fatigue at all.

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outputgap · 06/05/2017 00:37

I think espresso varies quite a bit but I've seen 100mg of caffeine repeated on coffee geek websites. I think the coffee geeks say filter has more caffeine on average...

I had two, occasionally three, strong filter coffees with dc3, which put me at 300mg a day at least. At that level, there is no evidence of birth defect type damage to the baby. Perhaps there is a higher risk of miscarriage. I wasn't convinced enough to not drink coffee, and I have a history of recurrent miscarriage.

How sympathetic are work about the tiredness? I had to cut my hours I was so exhausted.

haveacupoftea · 06/05/2017 04:53

I don't think caffeine is linked to any structural damage so you're not likely to see anything at the 20 week scan that would be caused by it. It would be later in pregnancy perhaps growth would be restricted which would be a problem.

The thing is you're supposed to feel tired in pregnancy because your body wants you to rest. Yes it's totally impractical to go to bed at 7.30pm when working full time as well but it's all part of it really. So maybe try and cut the caffeine down to the recommended levels and get some sleep when you're at home.

savagehk · 06/05/2017 05:05

Miscarriage risk is probably higher right at the start rather than later on, I'd have thought (hence my absolute aversion to coffee - made me nauseous - in earlier stages of pregnancy, not an active choice though!). But taking it a bit easier is certainly recommended. You might be anaemic, they'll test your bloods soon again and may recommend iron supplementation.

GingerHanna · 06/05/2017 05:39

Have you read Expecting Better? From memory the writer concludes that up to four cups of decent coffee a day is okay.

I can dig it out if you need.

Karen781 · 06/05/2017 05:45

I reduced my caffeine intake in pregnancy but couldn't give up. Can you gradually reduce it, to maybe 2/3 cups a day? It's hard isn't it

CaptainWarbeck · 06/05/2017 05:54

I've just gone and checked Emily Oster's Expecting Better for you on caffeine. She is an economist who goes through all available studies on a topic and gives you the bottom line.

Her verdict is:

in moderation, coffee is fine
all evidence supports having up to two cups
much of the evidence supports three to four cups
evidence on over four cups a day is mixed: some links are seen with miscarriage but it is possible that they are all due to the effects of nausea.

From reading her detailed analysis, no links have been found between caffeine and structural anomalies so I wouldn't worry about your 20 week scan. Miscarriage links seem to be related to nausea and first trimester, and you're past that stage.

There has been a link suggested between caffeine intake and preterm birth and lower birth weight, but another study (giving one group of women unlimited decaf and one group unlimited caffeinated coffee) found no difference.

So to be honest, personally I'd do what you need to do to get through with regards to coffee and not stress too much about it. Have less if you can but don't worry if not.

As you get more into the second trimester you might find you have more energy. First and third are the hardest. And try and get some decent rest! Your body is working hard. Not many pregnant women are awake at 11.30pm. I'm certainly not. Cut yourself some slack if you can, or talk to work to try and see if there's anything they can do to help.

LifeBeginsNow · 06/05/2017 05:59

Could you try decaf? I know it's kind of the opposite of what you want but I found it had a placebo type effect on me. I needed something in the morning and it seemed to wake me up.

dede124 · 06/05/2017 06:31

I wouldn't worry @krakentoast too much. I limit myself to one coffee and one tea a day now because I can't go without 😴. I tried to stop for two days and got withdrawal headache! As long as your not having 8 cups a day then you should be fine :)

PotteringAlong · 06/05/2017 06:36

You said you were up at 11.30pm on a Friday and without lots of coffee you would have been asleep hours ago. Forgive my ignorance, but what's wrong with that? You're pregnant. It's your first baby so you've got no one else to have to be up for and looking after, just go to bed early?

arbrighton · 06/05/2017 08:08

God yes- i was in bed not much after eight during first trimester several times.

And the trick with coffee if you're overdoing it is reduce not just stop of you do get the withdrawal headache- so have some. Then perhaps later in the day, skip one or two but be firm with yourself.

Over a week or so, you'll be able to bring it back to the levels deemed 'safe'

Oh, and get used to being tired, it doesn't get better. 31 weeks here and 'sleep' isn't what I've just had (back pain, restless legs, pee, mix and repeat until about half three) but need to pack to go off to hol cottage (and get up to feed dogs so they don't puke on the journey) so I'm up.

Original poster

krakentoast · 06/05/2017 11:37

Thanks everyone. The fact that I only just got up suggests that staying up last night wasn't a good idea... I was just enjoying being up on a Friday night for the first time in months. (Pottering most nights I have been going to bed very early, but it's not ideal every single night!)

I kind of hope my next blood tests show up something's wrong so at least I can get supplements or something to solve it!

Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions (and reassurance about the 20 week scan). Expecting Better sounds like a brilliant book - I'm going to order a copy today. Thanks so much Captain and Ginger.

Work are sympathetic up to a point but I can't really afford to cut down hours and it's a relatively demanding job. I will give in to more naps I guess and definitely stick to fewer than 8 cups a day though!

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