Coffee is one of the most favorite beverages for most women. When you drink a cup of coffee, you feel the stimulant property. The presence of caffeine in coffee exerts this stimulant property. But this active ingredient of coffee is not good for your pregnancy. Caffeine can increase the risk of miscarriage, may interfere with the growth of your baby, and excessive intake leads to infertility.
Consequences of coffee intake during pregnancy
Caffeine is not only present in coffee, but chocolate, cola, tea, energy drinks also contain this bioactive ingredient. The amount of caffeine varies from product to product. For example, a cup of instant coffee contains 60 to 80 mg caffeine, whereas a cup of filter coffee contains 60 to 120 mg caffeine in it.
Caffeine acts on the nervous system and stimulates the system. But excessive stimulation can cause irritability, insomnia, nervousness. You may able to deal with these conditions because of your metabolism capacity. But do you know that caffeine can cross the placental barrier and reach your baby? Incomplete development of the metabolic functioning of your baby cannot handle the condition. The sleep pattern of baby hampers, which leads to sleeplessness.
A properly hydrated body system is essential for a healthy pregnancy and childbirth. Caffeine has a diuretic property, which triggers frequent urination. This can cause dehydration and may lead to unwanted consequences.
Excessive stimulation during pregnancy by drinking excessive coffee per day increases heart rate and blood pressure. Both of these consequences are not good for your pregnancy.
Evidential support to avoid coffee intake during pregnancy
There are many research studies conducted to check coffee rather than caffeine intake during pregnancy. But most f these studies are conducted on a laboratory or preclinical basis. No human studies yet conducted for confirmation.
There is a doubt that caffeine intake can cause a birth defect. Animal research study findings supported that caffeine intake during pregnancy can cause premature delivery, low birth weight.
Some research results reported excessive caffeine intake causes conception difficulty.
The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology released a study result in 2008 that had reported 200mg or more caffeine intake twice a day during pregnancy increased the risk of miscarriage than the women who had not to intake caffeine during pregnancy.
All these study results had showcased limited intake of caffeine during pregnancy is a preventive measure to avoid pregnancy-related complications.
What is the recommended dose of coffee during pregnancy?
According to many research result findings, little or moderate intake of coffee during pregnancy do not cause any harmful effect. Some study findings limit the caffeine intake to 150 mg per day, whereas other researchers believed that the upper limit of caffeine intake is 300mg per day during pregnancy. However, the American Pregnancy Association has recommended that avoid intaking coffee or other caffeine-containing product during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Instead of intake coffee, you can try some herbal tea preparations like ginger root, peppermint leaf, and lemon balm containing green tea. These are safe options during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
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Ravi Sharma is a self-motivated, successful entrepreneur and has a solid experience in the fertility segment. and he is the director at ARTbaby Global (ARThealthcare). He is a pharmacy graduate with post-graduation in business administration and has 14 years of rich experience in the field of infertility segment. He loves to write about IVF, Surrogacy, and other ART (assisted reproductive technology) news, issues, and updates. He is a Pharmacy graduate (B. Pharm) and M.B.A (marketing).
His most recent success includes the successful launch of the medical tourism company, ARTbaby, which offers treatment options for infertility, egg donation, and surrogacy. He likes spending time with his family and writing about various aspects of IVF surrogacy and donating eggs.