You may have heard that coffee and pregnancy are not a good combination. Most studies that show the adverse effects of caffeine on pregnant women find that large amounts seem to be the culprit in increased risk of stillbirth and miscarriage. Generally, 200 mgs daily is considered a safe amount of caffeine. While it may be safe to consume coffee when pregnant as long as it is done in moderation, most experts would agree that it is best for you and your baby if you can cut back to very little, or none at all.
200 mg is equal to about one cup of coffee, so quite a few women will find that they drink quite a bit more than that on a daily basis. So, while you may still wish to consume coffee when pregnant, you will probably want to cut back quite a bit from the amount you are accustomed to. While cutting back on your coffee consumption isn’t easy, it can be done with a bit of will-power and support. Fortunately, there are many decaffeinated coffees out there that taste as good as the caffeinated version. Keep in mind that decaf still contains caffeine, but less than a quarter of the amount of caffeinated.
Since caffeine is a drug, there will be some withdrawal symptoms if you cut back or decide you do not wish to consume coffee when pregnant. Some of the most common complaints are irritability, headaches and fatigue. Fortunately, these usually don’t last for more than a few days, and can be considerably minimized by cutting back gradually. Simply start mixing decaffeinated coffee in with your regular brew, increasing the proportion of decaffeinated a little bit every day. Within a week or so, you will find yourself drinking straight decaf with minimal withdrawal problems.
If you continue to consume coffee when pregnant, but cut back significantly on the amount, you may still find yourself more lethargic than you would like. Some of this can be minimized by keeping your blood sugar levels up. This can be easily accomplished by eating 5-6 small meals daily, making sure they are rich in protein and complex carbohydrates. A regular exercise regime can help you feel more energetic and drive away feelings of irritability. Also make sure to get plenty of sleep and take your pregnancy vitamins.
While coffee and pregnancy don’t necessarily go together, you can probably find a way to cut back to a point that is safest and healthy for you and your baby. Even if you have to go through some withdrawal, you will probably be pleasantly surprised to find how much better you feel if you decrease or eliminate the amount of caffeine you take in. If you must consume coffee when pregnant, try to find ways to drink less, and perhaps substitute a decaffeinated version.
While it is safe to consume coffee when pregnant, this is only the case if you do so in moderation. Cutting back to 200 mg or less daily will do a lot to make you feel great and keep your baby safe.
You can find helpful information about coffee and pregnancy and everything you need to know about consume coffee when pregnant at Aha! Baby.
Article Source: How to Cut Back on Coffee when Pregnant
