The good news: You're pregnant! The bad news: It's time to cut down on the caffeine. Finding out that you're pregnant can be very exciting and joyous. However, it is also a time of change, and not just in the size of your belly. You also need to make changes to your diet, including cutting back on your morning coffee and afternoon soda.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a natural substance found in the leaves, seeds or fruits in a number of plants. It is added to foods and beverages to enhance flavor. Caffeine is a stimulant and diuretic. As a stimulant, it increases blood pressure and heart rate. As a diuretic, it increases urination, decreases body fluids and can lead to dehydration. Coffee is the primary source of caffeine in the adult American's diet, according to the March of Dimes.
Caffeine in Pregnancy
Because caffeine increases blood pressure and increases your risk of dehydration, it is recommended that when you are pregnant that you limit caffeine to 200 mg a day, about the amount found in a 12 oz. cup of coffee. In addition, there are some concerns that too much caffeine can increase your risk of miscarriage, according to the March of Dimes. Evidence, however, is inconclusive.
Caffeine in Your Baby
In addition to limiting caffeine for your health, it is also important to limit caffeine for your baby. Caffeine crosses the placenta, and is metabolized by your fetus. Because your fetus is still developing, its metabolism cannot completely metabolize the caffeine; therefore, the stimulating and diuretic effects may be greater on your fetus than on you. The extra caffeine in your fetus' system can disrupt sleep patterns and affect normal movement.
Caffeine Content of Foods
While coffee may be the most common source of caffeine in the American Diet, caffeine is also in a number of other foods. A regular, brewed 8 oz. cup of coffee contains 137 mg of caffeine, while a 16 oz. coffee from a coffee shop contains 259 mg to 400 mg of caffeine. Tea also contains caffeine, although not as much as coffee. A 6 oz. cup of black tea contains 45 mg of caffeine, and a 6 oz. cup of green tea contains 40 mg. A 12 oz. cola contains 37 mg, and 1 cup of chocolate milk contains 5 mg to 8 mg. Chocolate bars are also a source of caffeine. One milk chocolate bar contains 11 mg of caffeine, and one dark chocolate bar 30 mg.
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