Although you may be able to remember that you are eating for two while pregnant, you must also remember that any substance that has an effect on you may also have an effect on your unborn child. Caffeine is problematic in pregnancy only at higher doses, but any level of nicotine can have negative consequences for your baby.
Effects of Caffeine
According to the American Pregnancy Association, caffeine crosses the placenta and thus reaches your baby. Caffeine is a stimulant that increases both your blood pressure and your heart rate and can keep your baby awake, even in utero. Your baby also cannot metabolize caffeine in the same way that you can; therefore, small amounts of caffeine that have little effect on you may have larger effects on your baby.
Risk of Caffeine Usage
Caffeine can affect your unborn baby. According to the American Pregnancy Association, however, small amounts of caffeine are unlikely to have a negative impact on your baby. Amounts larger than 300 mg, or three 5-ounce cups of coffee, may increase the risk of miscarriage, preterm labor and low birth weight in your baby. Remember that coffee, tea, soda and chocolate all typically contain caffeine. For example, a Starbucks grande coffee contains 400 mg of caffeine, whereas 1 ounce of chocolate contains 26 mg, and a 6-ounce cup of black tea contains 45 mg. According to the Mayo Clinic, most health care providers recommend limiting caffeine intake to less than 200 mg per day during pregnancy.
Effects of Nicotine
According to the American Lung Association, 10.7 percent of women smoked during pregnancy in 2005, and teenagers and young adults have the highest rates of maternal smoking. Nicotine constricts blood vessels in the umbilical cord, likely reducing blood flow and decreasing the amount of oxygen available to a fetus.
Risk of Nicotine Usage
Smoking during pregnancy or using nicotine replacement products increases your baby's risk of low birth weight, reduced lung function, premature delivery, pregnancy complications and sudden infant death syndrome. According to the American Lung Association, smoking during pregnancy accounts for 20 to 30 percent of low-birth-weight babies and approximately 10 percent of infant deaths. Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your unborn child, and the sooner the better. Babies born to mothers who quit smoking in early pregnancy are less likely to have a low birth weight than those whose mothers smoke throughout pregnancy.
Quitting Caffeine and Nicotine
Limiting caffeine may be difficult if you are a heavy caffeine user. Decreasing your intake slowly over time before becoming pregnant is optimal because you may have headaches if you dramatically reduce caffeine intake. You should discontinue nicotine use completely---preferably before your pregnancy. Do not use nicotine replacement products because these products will affect your baby much like cigarette smoking does. Your physician can help you determine which smoking cessation programs are appropriate for you. In all cases, support from family and friends is critical as you attempt to change your lifestyle to optimize your baby's chances for a healthy start.
