The Effects Of Pregnant Women Drinking Caffeine

You may be anticipating a few big changes in your regular routine when you become pregnant---giving up alcohol and giving up caffeine. Although no research suggests that you can consume any safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy, studies aren't as clear on caffeine. Certainly you and your baby can experience negative effects from caffeine consumption, but generally, moderate quantities of caffeine produce only mild effects.

Stomach Upset

Pregnant women often experience three trimesters' worth of stomach woes. During the first trimester, morning sickness may leave you feeling queasy, and a slowing digestive tract causes constipation and cramping starting in your second trimester. By the time the third trimester arrives, you may be experiencing heartburn and acid stomach as a result of the growing baby, explain Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel in their book "What To Expect When You're Expecting." Many caffeine-containing beverages, including coffee, tea and soda, irritate the lining of the stomach. Further, these beverages are all acidic, which can make the symptoms of heartburn and acid stomach worse.

Insomnia

Another frequent pregnancy complaint---which can be aggravated by caffeine---is insomnia. Changing hormone levels and concerns over impending lifestyle changes after a baby's birth may keep you up at night, as do heartburn, backache, congestion, frequent urination and other pregnancy discomforts. In his book "What You Didn't Think To Ask Your Obstetrician," Dr. Raymond Poliakin discusses the importance of relaxation, adequate sleep and naps during pregnancy. He suggests that you may have difficulty relaxing and getting plenty of restful sleep, which isn't healthy for you or your baby and can aggravate pregnancy discomforts. As a stimulant and a diuretic, caffeine can keep you awake and increase the frequency of trips to the bathroom, further decreasing your ability to rest and feel comfortable.

Miscarriage

Studies are split on whether small amounts of caffeine early in pregnancy increase the risk of miscarriage. Explain Drs. Michael Roizen and Mehmet Oz in their book "You: Having A Baby," some research shows that small amounts of caffeine early in pregnancy can lead to spontaneous abortion, whereas other studies show no such effect. Most researchers agree that large amounts of caffeine increase risk of miscarriage, however, leading Drs. Roizen and Oz to recommend that you consume no more than 200 to 300 mg of caffeine per day, or the amount in one to two small cups of coffee.