If you have just found out that you are pregnant, you want to do everything you can to make sure your health and the health of your unborn baby are good. If you are normally a caffeine drinker, you might not think twice about grabbing a soda or a mug of coffee, but because caffeine is a stimulant, you will want to take caution when consuming it during your pregnancy.
Caffeine
Caffeine is derived from plants and naturally found in many drinks, including tea, coffee and soda. Caffeine stimulates the body's central nervous system. When the central nervous system is affected, it can place changes on the body that can range from subtle to extreme, depending on the amount of caffeine consumption. Consuming more than 200 mg can be dangerous to your body and possibly affect your unborn child. Caffeine is said to have addictive qualities that can be passed down through the placenta.
Side Effects
An 8 oz. cola or coffee containing less than 75 mg of caffeine will likely not harm your overall health. Reaching for additional cans of soda or more cups of coffee can cause your nervous system to go into overdrive. This means your blood pressure could increase, as can your heart rate, and this can directly affect your baby. If you have underlying anxiety issues, caffeine can cause anxiety symptoms to worsen. Other common symptoms of caffeine intake include tremors, nausea, depression, restlessness and insomnia. All of these symptoms can make your overall pregnancy more challenging to get through.
What to Avoid
You should avoid drinking caffeine altogether if you can. If you are a heavy coffee or soda drinker, try to cut back to only one beverage per day. Avoid caffeinated drinks such as soda, energy drinks, frozen coffee drinks, teas and liquid caffeine stimulants. Some foods also might contain caffeine, such as chocolate. Most forms of chocolate naturally do not contain caffeine but might have caffeine as an added ingredient. Certain types of medications also might contain caffeine, such as aspirin, pain relievers and over-the-counter headache medicines. Always read labels to assure products you take are stimulant-free.
Precautions
A concern with heavy caffeine usage is that it also is a natural diuretic. When you drink coffee it can cause you to urinate more frequently than usual. This can place strain on your kidneys and quickly deplete your body of vital electrolytes and sodium. Loss of electrolytes can lead to dehydration, which can put your baby's health in danger. When in doubt, always be sure to discuss caffeine intake with your obstetrician.
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