Health Care And Beauty

caffeine can cause damage to the baby while developing in the womb. In fact, expecting mothers should not take anything which contains caffeine. This includes drinking soda, tea, chocolate and of course coffee during pregnancy.

Sometimes we hear our mothers or grandmothers say, that they never cut down on their intake of caffeine during pregnancy and had perfectly normal children. The point is that a lot of studies have been done since those days and they suggest that an overdose of caffeine can be responsible for a few complications. Such as a lower body weight for the baby at birth or the possibility of going into labor prematurely.

Now the question with regards to caffeine and pregnancy is how much caffeine can be harmful for pregnant women? It has been stated by doctors that a reasonable amount of caffeine does not harm the baby in any way. It is true that caffeine has some effect on the placenta, but if it is taken in doses less than 300 milligrams a day (which means one 8 ounce cup of strong coffee) it will not have a harmful effect. But if you take more than that it can be a risk for your baby. It is shown by various studies that there is a little more risk of miscarriage in women who drink more than 300 milligrams of caffeine on a regular basis. Always discuss this issue with your own doctor.

Studies also show that babies are born with a faster heart beat and higher breathing rates in women who have more than 500 milligrams of caffeine in a day. This affects the babies sleeping pattern. It can cause the baby to sleep uncomfortably in the initial days, spending more time awake.

There are other reasons why women may want to limit their caffeine intake when they are pregnant. Firstly caffeine has no dietary value. It is a well known fact that pregnancy and nutrition have a very important relationship. The next point is, you have a chance of raising your heart rate as caffeine is a stimulant which can cause sleeplessness and headaches. This in turn can lead to pressure on a growing baby. Caffeine can also cause heartburn. If this is not your first pregnancy you are probably aware that heartburn can be quite a problem, and is aggravated with caffeine. You also run the risk of dehydration with Caffeine being a diuretic, which will lead to fluid loss in the body. This is not a state you want to be in while pregnant.

Hans K Anderson

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