Panicking about accidental caffeine consumption

[Ellebel]

I am absolutely devastated. I have just discovered that my partner has not been properly checking the coffee we keep in our freezer and has been filling up our coffee tins wrong. So through possibly my whole pregnancy (I am now 31 weeks) I have been drinking on average 3 cups of caffeine coffees a day thinking they are decaf, sometimes more.

Does anyone know if there is anything I can do now? Do I need to go to hospital to get checked for anything? Have I inevitably damaged my growing baby?

I am so upset and angry I’m not sure I can ever forgive him 😢 I have been so healthy and active throughout pregnant, tried so hard to do everything right, I have gestational diabetes so have had to be so restrictive with what I eat/ drink. He had literally one job, sort the coffee and make me cups.

Sorry for rant I am just furious.

Please don't worry about this. The risk is if you're drinking like 7 red bulls a day or drinking coffee like water all day every day. I had a strong coffee, and at least 1 cup of tea sometimes 2 every day in pregnancy, midwife said that was fine.

This is surely a typo? 20/25 cups of strong coffee a day? Even without being pregnant, this is seriously unhealthy 😳

25?!

I didn't even know caffeine was a risk to pregnancy, mine are 8 & 18. I drunk a lot of coffee during both pregnancies & they're both healthy.

I don't drink water or pop or juice. Tea and coffees is what I live on🤭

Caffeine wasn't mentioned when I had my eldest in the U.K.. when I had dd2 they acted as if caffeine was poison. But then I was also told moderate alcohol consumption was fine when pregnant with dd1!

Wry sorry to read about your mother 💐

Very (sorry, predictive text)

I drank three cups of caffeinated coffee a day. Child one was 7lb 4 oz. Child two was 8.13. Both fine and healthy.

Your baby will be fine. 🙂
Sorry for your loss.

@Ellebel

Try and remember with a lot of the pregnancy advice it is due to not being able to conclusively say x is safe at x level so to avoid being sued governments issue advice to abstain. The reality is until the 60's drinking 1/2 pint Guinness daily was recommended. No safe level doesn't mean dangerous just it's unproven plus hard to measure (in the case of alcohol saying 2 units relies on too much judgement!)

My DC are 29 and 26.

I had two mugs of tea and two mugs of coffee throughout both pregnancies. No folic acid with the first. Had a glass of wine twice a week and with the second (high risk pg) the obstetrician actually said if you usually have a G&T in the evening, have one.

DS was born at 36.3 7lb 5oz, DD 41.5, 8lb 13oz. They grew up fine.

I am not surprised everyone is so anxious now. My mother drank, moderately, when pg with me and smoked socially as well.

Despite society being increasingly risk averse it's interesting how children seem to be more anxious and more allergy prone than previously.

This must be a new thing. I drank coffee throughout my pregnancy 23 years ago. DS graduated with a first in science so clearly not done too much damage.

What's the concern with moderate consumption of caffeine?

Pregnant women have been drinking coffee with caffeine for centuries. It is probably one of the most tested preganancy drugs. If there was any clear link with birth defects we would know.

There is a possible association with lower birth weight. But this is an association not a causation. And the lower birth weight could equally be explained by coffee drinkers consuming fewer calories.

Tbh I would be more concerned about decaff coffee, herbal teas and other drinks with additives. These are relatively new introductions to the diet of pregnant women and we know far less about them.

Relax😀

I am sure you'll be fine. However, I just wanted to say that I completely understand your anxiety. I'm currently 35 weeks pregnant and have been incredibly anxious throughout pregnancy, worrying about every single thing possible. Food, drink, medication, toiletries and cleaning products have been a particular cause of worry for me, I must have googled the most innocuous things to find out if they were safe in pregnancy! I don't drink coffee but do drink gallons of tea and switched to decaf the moment I found out I was pregnant. There have been a couple of occasions when I was at a friend's house or restaurant where only regular tea was available and I agonised every single time about whether a lone cup of normal tea was going to harm my baby. I know these fears aren't rational but just wanted to say I know exactly how you must be feeling. Wishing you all the best for the rest of your pregnancy.

I'd be annoyed too because you asked him to do one job but, honestly, this is not something to freak out over.

You'll be fine.

Your baby will be fine OP <3

I can understand why you’re upset. The caffeine for me isn’t a concern, it’s the fact that your partner wasn’t aware and made the mixup. Do you feel it was an honest mistake? Or that he didn’t listen to you / was dismissive when you communicated your needs?

I’d wait until you’re feeling calmer, then have a talk with him about it. Explain why it’s important and how it made you feel. As parents, you’re not always going to agree on what’s right for your child, so it’s important to be able to communicate openly and listen to one another as much as possible.

i would add that it sounds like you’re going to be a wonderful mum :) remember, you can’t possibly do everything ‘right’ so please don’t fall into that trap! But it sounds like you’re a loving caring person and your baby is lucky to have you. Sending hugs!

This must feel awful and you must be so cross at DH.

The risks with caffeine are miscarriage, preterm birth and low birth weight. But it is just that, an elevated risk, not a guaranteed outcome.

You're almost at term, so miscarriage is off the cards and if nothing has been mentioned at your scans it sounds like baby is growing well?

If you were to have a preterm birth now, it's likely your baby would be fine. The chance of survival if born at 30 weeks is 99% and 90% of babies born 28-32 weeks have no or minimal long term health issues.

I would mention to your midwife just in case they want to do any extra growth scans or take precautions.

I never drank decaff tea or coffee either time.

You'll be fine.

I drank loads of coffee when pregnant, had an 8lb baby who's now 6' 5"

If you are going to be devastated by something like this it is going to be a VERY long pregnancy.

I drank caffeine throughout my pregnancy. I now have very healthy 14 and 12 year olds.

Caffeine was never even mentioned as an issue when I was pregnant. And I live on strong proper coffee. I would have had five or six strong Americano equivalents a day.

I tried not to laugh at you thinking you need to go to the hospital. But the fear of god is put into pregnant women about almost everything these days. No wonder everyone's anxious now.

Babies in third world countries are born everyday with no issues despite no medical care or special instructions on how to navigate pregnancy safely.

You and your baby will be ok. Trust & Believe ❤️

It's caffeine not heroin, sure mention it but no need to hyperventilate over it

In the kindest possible way - please take a deep breath and stop this.

You are fine.
Your baby is fine.
You've been to prenatal appointments and nobody has said, "Whoa Nelly! Have you been drinking caffeinated beverages???" It has had no effect.

Caffeine has no effect on GD either.

Ask your H to double check in future. Forgive him for his mistake and stop being so angry.

Ask your midwife to assess you for anxiety that may need treatment.

Fwiw, my mother said she lived on tea, black coffee and cigarettes while pregnant with me, and wine. Those were the days when mothers were admonished to not gain weight. I weighed 4lbs at birth.

I'm 61, IQ of 154, reasonably attractive, never (knock on wood) had anything worse than the common cold & have had a nice life and decent career.

I am sure your baby will be fine. Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.