|
Caffeine
How many times
have you heard or said, "I can't function without my coffee
in the morning?" Caffeine, a stimulant that occurs naturally
in some plants such as coffee, tea, and cocoa, is the agent responsible
for this "wake up" effect. Caffeine
effects the central nervous system and in excess it may cause miscarriage,
birth defects, and behavioral changes in your baby. In addition,
caffeine can make it more difficult to deal with stress, a common
feature of pregnancy. High levels of stress
during pregnancy may also be linked to birth defects.
The average per capita
consumption of caffeine is 200 milligrams (mg) per day and 144 mg per
day in pregnant women. With this level of consumption, current evidence
suggests no observable effect of caffeine on normal growth and development.
However, at levels equivalent to just 5 cups of coffee per day, about
650 mg caffeine, it has been linked to increased rates of miscarriage
and stillbirths. At higher levels, caffeine has been associated with decreased
growth, birth defects such as cleft palate, and subtle but lasting behavioral
changes.
If you do not
normally consume caffeine, during pregnancy is not a good time to
start. Women who have a history of miscarriage should try to avoid
or strictly limit caffeine to even lower daily consumption. In addition,
reducing your stress levels can improve the odds of successful and
healthy pregnancy.
If
you need to cut down on caffeine, you should know that withdrawal
symptoms of headache and fatigue can occur. Cutting back gradually
over 2 to 4 weeks can help to minimize this problem.
|
| Caffeine
Content of Selected Foods and Beverages |
| Coffee
(per 6 oz.) |
mg
|
| Drip |
175 |
| Percolated |
131 |
| Instant |
79 |
| Decaffeinated |
5 |
| Tea
(per 6 oz.) |
mg
|
| 5
minute brew |
59 |
| 1
minute |
36 |
| Cocoa,
Chocolate (per 6 oz.) |
11
|
| Ovaltine |
0 |
| Chocolate
(per 1 oz.) |
mg
|
| Baking
chocolate |
68 |
| Sweet
chocolate |
45 |
| Milk
chocolate |
20 |
| Soft
drinks (per 12 oz.) |
mg
|
| Coca-Cola |
65 |
| Dr.
Pepper |
61 |
| Mountain
Dew |
55 |
| Tab |
49 |
| Diet
Rite |
32 |
| Gingerale,
Grape |
0 |
| Rootbeer,
7-up |
0 |
| Orange,
Pepsi Free |
0 |
| Medications
(per pill) |
mg
|
| Vivarin |
200 |
| No
Doz |
100 |
| Weight
Control Aids |
66-200 |
| Cope,
Midol, Anacin |
33 |
| Dristan,
Sinarest |
30 |
|
