Caffeine is both a food additive and a drug that has a stimulating effect on users. When you drink your morning coffee, the stimulating effects of caffeine usually help you feel more awake and focused, but can can have negative side effects for some users who are particularly sensitive to the drug. In general, pregnant women should carefully control their caffeine intake by avoiding coffee, teas and energy drinks with high caffeine content.
Physical Effects of Caffeine
Caffeine tends to make a user feel energized and alert, which is why many of us drink coffee or tea in the mornings or when we feel fatigued and need to stay awake. Depending on the user's individual sensitivity, caffeine can also cause increased heart rate, restlessness, jittery sensations and even an inability to concentrate. Caffeine is processed more slowly through the body of a pregnant individual, so it is more likely to cause unpleasant side effects. Pregnant women also tend to struggle with individual sensitivities to smell and taste or occasional dizziness or nausea, and it is possible caffeine consumption could intensify these issues.
Caffeine and Miscarriage
While there is no definitive link between caffeine use and miscarriage, the March of Dimes cautions pregnant women that daily caffeine consumption of 300 grams or more may increase miscarriage risk. It's very difficult to predict each individual's response to caffeine during pregnancy and a variety of factors that may result from caffeine consumption, such as increased heart rate or blood pressure, could contribute to possible miscarriage. The March of Dimes advises expectant mothers to limit their caffeine intake to less than 200 mg, or two 5-ounce cups of coffee, per day.
Effects on Developing Fetus
There are few definitive findings on the exact effect caffeine has on a developing fetus. Some studies indicate that daily ingestion of more than 300 mg can lead to lower birth rates. It has also been found that mothers who consume more than 500 mg of caffeine a day are at risk of giving birth to babies with higher breathing rates, higher heart rates and poorer sleeping habits. Caffeine can travel into a fetus' blood stream through the placenta, so a fetus can also develop a physical dependence on caffeine if the mother is consuming high amounts on a regular basis.
Expert Insights
The March of Dimes and the American Pregnancy Association both caution pregnant women to carefully limit their caffeine intake to no more than 200 mg per day. Unwanted risks can be avoided by cutting back and quitting caffeine use altogether--either prior to conceiving or as early as possible in the pregnancy. Alternative beverages, such as decaf coffees and herbal teas, can be consumed in place of your normal caffeinated beverages.
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