Consuming large amounts of caffeine, a mild stimulant found in coffee and other foods and beverages, may make it more difficult for a woman to conceive. Caffeine consumption has also been linked to certain pregnancy complications. March of Dimes recommends that pregnant women and women who are trying to conceive consume no more than 200 mg of caffeine -- about the amount of caffeine in a 12-oz. cup of coffee -- per day.
Caffeine and Fertility
A study published in "American Journal of Epidemiology" in 1993 concluded that among women trying to conceive, those who consumed 300 mg of caffeine or more per day were 27 percent less likely to get pregnant than those who didn't consume caffeine. According to research published by "British Journal of Pharmacology" in 2011, caffeine may negatively affect fertility by interfering with muscle contractions that move a woman's eggs from the ovaries through the fallopian tubes into the uterus. However, according to BabyCenter.com, most experts agree that moderate caffeine doses of less than 300 mg/day don't appear to affect fertility.
Caffeine and Pregnancy Complications
According to research by Sean Ward, professor at the University of Nevada School of Medicine and one of the authors of the "British Journal of Pharmacology" study, in addition to reducing odds of conception, caffeine consumption may increase the likelihood of ectopic pregnancy, a condition in which an embryo gets stuck in the fallopian tubes and starts to develop there. According to the March of Dimes, there is also some evidence that consuming caffeine in excess of 200 mg/day while pregnant may increase chances of miscarriage, stillbirth and low birth weight.
Sources of Caffeine
If you're trying to conceive, it's important to recognize the sources and amounts of caffeine in your diet in order to keep intake at conception-friendly levels. Besides coffee, caffeine is also present in chocolate, hot cocoa, black and green teas, energy drinks, soda, coffee-flavored snacks and in certain medications and herbal supplements. Keep in mind that even decaf coffee contains some caffeine and that coffeehouse-prepared coffee may contain more caffeine than the coffee you brew at home. Also, when trying to conceive, make sure you tell your doctor about any medications or dietary supplements you are taking.
Pre-Conception Nutrition
In addition to limiting caffeine intake, you should also avoid alcohol, recreational drugs and cigarettes when you're trying to conceive. It's also important during this time to get good nutrition needed for proper reproductive functioning. A healthy pre-conception diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products and lean meats, according to the American Pregnancy Association, APA. Zinc-rich foods in particular may also boost your fertility, according to the APA. Discuss your pre-conception diet and lifestyle with a prenatal health care professional; she can help you identify any foods in your diet and/or habits that may impair your fertility.
References
- BabyCenter.com: Caffeine -- Does it Affect Your Fertility?
- March of Dimes; Caffeine in Pregnancy; May 2010
- "American Journal of Epidemiology"; Relation of Female Infertility to Consumption of Caffeinated Beverages; F. Grodstein, et al.; 1993
- "British Journal of Pharmacology"; Inhibitory Effect of Caffeine on Pacemaker Activity in the Oviduct is Mediated by cAMP-regulated Conductances; R.E. Dixon, et al.; May 2011
- MedlinePlus; Caffeine May Interfere With Fertility in Women; Mary Elizabeth Dallas; May 2011
- American Pregnancy Association; Pre-Conception Nutrition; August 2011
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