Coffee While Pregnant??

i too LOVE coffee, but i don't think it's worth it (if you plan on drinking it often). as pregnant moms, our diets are laying the foundations for our babies' bodies and their development. i knew a lady who drank double espressos throughout her pregnancy and felt okay about it...i wonder now how well her baby sleeps...but anyway that's not the point.

when i was pg with my 2nd, my midwife told me regular coffee was better than decaf...and that if i REALLY craved one to have one, it was okay ONCE in a while. so i went to starbucks and it's funny because it was too much for me and i actually got a little sick off of its richness and didn't crave any the rest of the pregnancy.

i would say when it comes to your baby, to listen to your maternal instinct over your craving---plus it's only a few more months and not the rest of your life.

good luck whatever you decide to do!

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I have read ONE cup is ok....

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1-2 cups/day was a-okay by my doc when i was pregnant. it was just all about moderation...

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My doctor told me that I could have two cups per day. (I also used to drink at least 4 a day!) I stll felt a little guilty, so most days i would make mine half caffeinated and half decaf. It made me feel better about having my two cups! I had my son 5 weeks ago and he is fine... not irritable, sleeps well, etc. I think it's fine!

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I am pregnant as well and can not give up morning java fix. I pick my battles and either do coffee or a soda later in the day...I don't want to over do the caffeine or the sugar.

I have read that decaff is pretty bad for you, the chemicals and the process they use to take out the caffeine is just not worth it! Drink a cup to keep you going, just add a lot of milk or cream to get some calcium in you as well, ps I wouldn't recommend the fake sugar either.

Good luck to you and your little one!

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I don't think it is a problem at all. 1 cup in the morning is FINE and it is such a small amount of caffeine that it will do no harm. Just be sure that you aren't getting caffeine in other places (chocolate, soda...). Of course, I'm not a dr. - I'm just speaking from my own experience. I drank a cup of joe every morning into my 8th month and then just gave it up because it didn't taste good any more. With 2 little ones and a 3rd on the way - I can't believe you're mnaking it without ! :)

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I totally understand. I love my coffee too. I have a 4 month old baby boy. I drank coffee and soda occasionally during my pregnancy. But my doctor said 1-2 caffeinated beverages a day are fine. Everything in moderation I guess. Good luck and hang in there.

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Hello. I used to be addicted to coffee. It has more antioxidants than green tea but it also is really bad for calcium. It deteriorates the calcium in your body. I would say that maybe you should not just stop drinking coffee while your preg. but all together. Anything in execs is bad for you. Once in awhile is good but if you can't do once in awhile then none is the answer. If you are trying to get a little pick me up I would suggest drinking green tea and breathing exercises. When we are stressed, tense or just busy we actually forget to breath. Don't believe me? Try to be conscious of your breath all day and see how often you are shallow breathing or not breathing at all. That itself can get you super tired. Plus you have two toddlers. Whew... Besides, coffee also gives you ups and downs. It makes you crash once the caffeine is gone and extremely irritable. Anyway hope this helped. Congrats on the new baby. Happy pushings! :)

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Hi!

I know how you feel. I, too, was a coffee fiend and really wanted to have it during my pregnancy. During the first trimester I didn't drink any. Then I started to have one or sometimes two cups in the morning. One day toward the end of my pregnancy I went in for a "non-stress test" (that checks the baby's heart etc.) and her heart rate was high. My doctor asked me if I had any coffee that morning. I had. And then she said that even a small amount of caffeine affects the baby. She said not to drink any more. I know it's hard but it is only for a little while and your baby's development is the most important thing. Good luck!

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Hi R.,

When I was pregnant my doctor said I could have 1 cup a day which was great news for me since I had been drinking coffee forever. I tried to stop cold turkey for the 1st three months and I started getting headaches. Once I started drinking coffee again they stopped.

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Hi R....
I also am a coffee lover! When I became pregnant I was willing to give up anything but struggled with the fact of having to give up my caffene. I spoke to my OBGYN about it and he said one cup a day was fine....just dont over do it...I would sip on decaf the rest of the day or have a glass of Ice Tea...
You should be ok to treat yourself to one cup and be fine.

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I had the same dilemna, so I did a lot of digging and asking of doctors... Note that I AM NOT A DOCTOR! :)

My OB said the most conclusive study says that more than 6 cups/day can do some damage. He said drink it.

"What to Expect When You're Expecting" says it's not ideal, but if it stresses you out to skip your coffee, have it.

There is plenty of evidence that it's bad for your baby if you're stressed, and no real evidence that MODERATE coffee drinking is a problem, so I decided to allow myself one coffee each day - and I made sure it was a good one!

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Don't feel bad. I have 2 wonderful , healthy children. I had coffee with both, occasionaly more than a cup a day. My doctors all said it was fine. They are concerned about women who are having 3 or more cups of caffeine a day. Enjoy your coffee. i know I would have lost it if i had given up my coffee.

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It's fine to have one cup in the morning. I did with both my pregnancies. If I was purchasing a cup from somewhere like Starbucks, I would get it 1/2 caffeinated and 1/2 decaf.
If you're happy and feeling good, then your baby will be happy, too.

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I alway heard 1 cup a day is fine. Just if you do that try not to have too much soda. Good luck..

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Hi R.
I think it's fine to drink coffee, but don't go overboard. I drank coffee with my second pregnancy and he turned out fine. My OB said it was okay too as long as I didn't drink so much. 4 cups would be an excess to me, but I think you're fine with 1 cup. Good luck with your pregnancy and congratulations!

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I say no, or limit it to just one. When I had my first, I had NONE whatsoever and everyone made fun of me. My MIL told me I was being ridiculous. With my second, I eased up a little and had one a day. With my third, there were complications and they did a full color ultrasound of my baby's heart. There was a valve that was fluttering and the blood was flowing thru. The doctor said to me: "Looks like you're avoiding the caffeine and that's good. When you drink caffeine it speeds up the blood flood, the valve flutters wildly out of control and the blood will flow in the wrong direction." That just freaked me out and I couldn't bring myself to drink it after that. The thought of that little heart fluttering wildly out of control just flipped me out. So, no caffeine!!!!!

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Hi,

My doctor told me one cup a day was fine. I would mix decaf beans with regular beans, so I was making 1/2 and 1/2. I worked through my entire pregnancy, so I needed that cup in the morning still to get me going. Some days I had two. It had no affect on my baby.

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When I was pregnant my doctor said I could have a little bit of coffee a day. I also read that in a few books. It's only recommended not to be used in large quantities. So maybe instead of 4 cups a day you could have one.

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To be honest, I never stopped drinking coffee while pregnant or nursing either of my girls. It didn't seem to effect them at all. I probably drank a venti Starbucks mocha every day. :) I would try to cut back to 1-2 cups and see how that goes. And because I know I can't live without my Starbucks, I tried to cut out other caffeine (sodas, chocolate etc) to make up for it.

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It is totally fine to drink coffee while you are pregnant. My OB (dr.poliakin) wrote a book (what you didn't think to ask your OB) and there is no evidence that coffee causes harm.
You can actually view some of his book online (http://books.google.com/books?id=bG96VjmAn1MC&printse...)

I have 3 totally healthy babies and drank coffee thru all 3 pregnancies. Every MD is going to tell you something different. Maybe to ease your mind limit it to 2 cups. Or if you feel the need to drink 4-cups do half decaf/have regular...I would do that during the day! Us momma's need our coffee to keep us on our toes!!!
Good Luck!!!

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I am way past that stage of my life, but if I remember right, don't studies show a correlation between caffeine and low birth weights? Is it the coffee you want, or the caffeine? Can you drink de-caf for the coffee taste, or maybe mix the real stuff with the de-caf for less caffeine?
(I hate to sound stupid about this, but I'm not a coffee drinker, so I really don't know - and when I was going through this, I wasn't hooked on caffeine, so I drank ginger-ale, sprite and root beer instead of colas . . . )

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Most people shudder in horror at the thought but many women took coffee and alchohol and even smoked back when we were in our mommy's tummy. And it does matter at what stage you consume these items.

So, what exactly are you feigning for? Is it the caffeine, or the coffee itself?

If it's just the coffee, try a naturally decaffeinated coffee from a health store (no chemicals).

If it's the caffeine, see if your doctor will allow a mix, say like 1/4 regular and 3/4 decaf.

Or, you might try chocolate or tea, which often contains caffeine in small amounts.

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The doctor told me it was ok to drink Decaf. It worked for me because I looooooooove coffee too. Hope this works for you.

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R.,
Is it more about the ritual or the taste or the caffeine? If it's not the caffeine buzz, then try 1 cup of decaf in the morning. Or if it's the ritual, try some Mother's Milk tea or other herbal non-caffeinated tea. That's what I did. I would avoid the caffeine.
Good luck!
D.

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i drank the alloted two cups a day while i was pregnant with my second baby...no problems. i say go ahead! I know the feeling!

be blessed

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You may have coffee, but just ONE CUP!! And make sure to drink plenty of water.

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I went down to one cup while pregnant (both times) & dr.s seemed happy with that. I would even have a second cup in the afternoon sometimes. Why not ask your doctor?

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Yes you can have coffee! Limit it to one cup a day. My OB told me she rather I have a cup of coffee than take the Tylenol I would need to ease the headache I would have if I didn't drink a cup. I work nights too!

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I drank a soy latte every day while pregnant, my baby is fine, my dr. said one cup is fine, she said 1 shot of expresso is equal to 1 cup of coffee, so I went for it, it's like a treat, I didn't want to give it up and I didn't

this is sad, but if you think about women who occasionally drink or smoke while preg. and their babies come out fine, I think a little caffeine will do no harm

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I just had baby number three six days ago. My doc gave me the thumbs up on one cup of regular coffee a day. You should totally be fine. What I did, because I couldn't give up my Vanilla Latte's was alternate one day decaff, one day regular. I have a beautiful, healthy, 8 1/2 pound baby:) Coffee is fine!! Cheers

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there is no proven link to any problems with caffiene and unborn children later in life - but if you want to wean your self start with 1/2 decaf and work back - I wouldn't recomend a straight release from caffiene cause it can do funny things to you - obviously - try decaf or 1/2 decaf soon engough decaf will be enough for you!

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I am also an avid coffee drinker (my husband is in construction, and I am NOT a morning person!) and while I was prego I would brew half cafinated, and half non cafinated. That way I had a little caffine (dr's and books say a little caffine is ok) that way I could have 2 cups with the caffine of 1 cup. I hope you can figure somthing out. Good Luck!

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Hi. First of all, that's awesome you are going to have a third child! You are brave! I have two little boys ages 3 and 5 so I know we need a kick start to the day! Just remember our mugs are usually 12 oz. not 8oz. Plus, naturally decaffeinated, organic coffee is much better for your body and your growing fetus. There's still a little caffeine and the flavor is the same!
Fellow coffe lover,
R. P

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Fluids are needed as the embriotic fluid changes. Drink one or two cups a day if you must...but be sure you drink two cups of water for each cup on coffee. THis will keep you properly hydrated.

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Hi R.
Congrats to you!! well I must say its so different from where u live...I had my first child, daughter 2y 3months old, in The states, California. Which I have been living for the past 18 years, then we moved back to Europe, in northern E, Sweden.
And its so different how they see things...but I am a Coffee NUThead, like you it sounds.... :) I wasn't intreseted in coffee the first few months, but ofcourse, after 3rd month go ahead I must say, but drink it with a "grain of salt"moderation, I do half/caf I mix half regular and half decaf, for that it works for me. I have one plus half cup in the morning and then another one in the afternoon. ...it works really good.
let me know how you doing...
Go Coffee... :)
A.
ps. I miss Starbucks....they're not here in northern Europe...yet...

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I read that you can do 1 cup a day. I stopped coffee with both my kids just to be safe but I know that alot of doctors say it is fine. Good luck.

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of course you can have coffee, but maybe just half or one cup. if you give it up you will most likely get depressed. i did so i had one cup a day and then eventually weaned to black tea which is fine during pregnancy, then i would sometimes have a cup of coffee. try to cut the coffee by the end of your pregnancy because caffeine is hard for babies to metabolize and your babe may go through withdrawals and become irritable. i learned the hard way with my four year old. follow your instict, mama! tea is fine though and because another nice ritual of life.

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I have 3 beautiful & very healthy Girls. I NEVER gave up coffee or sodas. Thinking back, none of my doctors even mentioned limiting my intake. I've read the other Mamas' advice & just wanted to add that all-in-all the decision is yours. Enjoy this pregnancy!

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I had one of the top OB/GYN doctors in Los Angeles, and he told me with both of my children to pick my battles. He said if you need your coffee then it is completely fine to have two cups in the morning but no more caffeine intake the rest of the day. No sodas, no chocolate...
As we know there are so many no no's when pregnant. The latest I just heard...was no nail polish. Never heard that before and wore it the entire time I was pregnant. A woman needs her coffee and a good pedicure when she is pregnant.

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My friend cut out coffee and had horrible head aches afterwords. Her doc told her to drink a cup in the morning so she wouldn't get headaches. It doesn't hurt the baby as long as you don't over do it. I drank English breakfast tea and Chai tea during mine.

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dacaf is definitely OK...I know several Moms that went to "Half Caf" while PG. (that has been out a while in the grocery stores)

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Hi R.. I am by far not an expert, as I am pregnant with my first, but I have been reading a lot of books. What I have read so far indicates that you can have 6oz of coffee a day (100 mg of caffeine) without adverse effects. So I would think it to be okay to have a cup a day. Just don't make it a tumbler size! I hope my advice helps a little, but I am only an accountant! Good luck!

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Hello R....I too was a caffeine nut and when I became prego was nervous as to what I could consume. Based on research I have done and discussions with my OBGYN, 1 - 2 cups a day should be OK. But based on the research I did, it was not truly known to what extent is harmful...so, I presonally decided to cut out all caffeine and drank de-caf instead only during my 3rd tri-mester - but I was definitely being ultra-conservative. So, if you feel like you need to have a cup here and there...don't feel guilty because chances are it will not have any negative affect on your precious little one.

Hope this helps and good luck!!!

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HI!! I think its worse if you just stop cold turkey and especially if it stresses you out! Stress is worse, then a cup of coffee here and there. With My first pregnancy I had caffeine through out my whole pregnancy and my 3 year old is just fine. No compaction or anything. Coffee or stress...I'd go 4 the coffee! Have u tried decaf??
Good luck with everything!
K.

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I am the same way - I need a little coffee when I first wake up. I have two healthy sons and had one cup every morning during my pregnancies. - N.

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Hi-
My husband and I are avid coffee lovers and I was also sad when I had to give up coffee for a while around getting pregnant and the during first trimester (just to be safe. although I drank de-caf); Starting second trimester I drank ONE regular cup of coffee a day, in the morning for the rest of my pregnancy and really enjoyed it. ALso, there were some times I would have a half cup in addition in the evening as I had to work. So I believe if you have always drank coffee and your body knows it, just one cup a day shouldn't hurt. I am an alder mom and had a super healthy, full weight girl with a normal labor.

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Hi R.;

I am not trying to scare you, but it is bad to drink coffee while you're pregnant. It is just like alcohol/drugs is bad for you and the baby. Imagine, whatever you ate and drink, the baby inside of you will absorb all of those food and drink. Think about her health and your health. I used to drink lot of coffee for a long time and I wiithdrew those caffeine because it is bad for my health since I have Hypertyroid and diabetes in my mother side of the family. Unless you wanted to have a very hyper child when your baby is born. Please control yourself and think about your child inside you. I think that's why we have so many problem with children because the way some people ate and drink while they're pregnant. Take care and please don't be offended because I am just concern for baby's sake and yourself.

A.

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Hi R.,

I believe all things in moderation, even when pregnant, is okay (and okay with my dr.)...we always laugh at how our mothers' were with us pregnant (eating everything and drinking martinis). I enjoy a cup of "half caf" on my way to work and occassionally have a fully charged cup to get through the afternoon/evening especially in this last trimester.

Good luck.

J.

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Decaf coffee is fine on a daily basis, and a cup of regular coffee now and then is harmless. Decaf does still have some caffeine, so you'll still get a little of that boost you are looking for.

I have four kids, two of them 2 year old twins, and I was told by my doctor AND by my specialist (when I was pregnant with the twins) that a little caffeine every day is fine. Like 1 Coke or 1 cup of coffee.

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My understanding is 1-2 cups per day is fine.

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