Caffeine may seem like a relatively harmless substance, notes Carista Luminare-Rosen, author of "Parenting Begins Before Conception: A Guide to Preparing Body, Mind, and Spirit for You and Your Future Child," but it can cause serious birth defects and other pregnancy complications. If you are planning to get pregnant, you will need to reduce your caffeine intake to help prevent medical problems and protect the health of your future child.
Decreases Fertility
Consuming a great deal of caffeine while trying to get pregnant can cause fertility issues that prevent you from conceiving, notes Ann Douglas, author of "The Mother of All Pregnancy Books." Excess amounts of caffeine in your body may prevent you from getting pregnant and may also be responsible for the miscarriage of a baby before you even knew you were pregnant. The risks are associated with women you drink five or more cups of coffee per day. Douglas recommends cutting back your caffeine intake significantly while you are trying to get pregnant to help increase your odds that you will conceive a healthy baby. Read labels on your favorite foods because items such as chocolate candy, chocolate milk and soda, can contain caffeine.
Decreases Stores Of Calcium
Consuming large amounts of caffeine while trying to get pregnant acts as a diuretic and can cause your body to waste calcium, reports Douglas. Your body will need a great deal of calcium during conception and pregnancy to help your baby develop strong bones as well as to allow you to retain your own stores of this important mineral. Caffeine can also reduce the amount of fluid your body holds onto, which is also a healthy part of conceiving a baby and sustaining a healthy pregnancy. Eliminate caffeine from your diet or cut back to just one cup of coffee or tea per day while you are trying to get pregnant.
Increases Stress, Insomnia and Mood Swings
Caffeine has been connected to an increase in the feelings of stress, insomnia and mood swings. According to Douglas, it is important that you are in good health when you start trying for a baby because it will help prevent serious medical problems for you and your little one. Caffeine can cause stimulation to the nervous system as well, adds Kimberly A. Tessmer, author of "The Everything Pregnancy Nutrition Book: What to Eat to Ensure a Healthy Pregnancy." Each of these conditions can prevent you from conceiving because your mind and body are not creating a favorable place to create a healthy baby.
References
- "Parenting Begins Before Conception: A Guide to Preparing Body, Mind, and Spirit for You and Your Future Child"; Carista Luminare-Rosen; 2000
- "The Mother of All Pregnancy Books"; Ann Douglas; 2010
- "The Everything Pregnancy Nutrition Book: What to Eat to Ensure a Healthy Pregnancy"; Kimberly A. Tessmer; 2005
