Coffee and Progesterone

[Sarster]

Hi, I am 37 years old and just heard the baby's heart beat today! So exciting. Is it true that one cup of coffee in the  morning is okay?  I've heard it is and that's all I've been having, but my friend who meant well said that I should just switch to decaf. I probably will skip the cup if it's that big of a deal. Not sure, just wanted to ask other women my age. This is my first child. I'm taking progesterone to keep my levels up.  Anyone else?

[jlkmom]

Artificial sweeteners are worse than caffeine, but I don't think a small amount of anything is going to hurt the baby. But also keep in mind that epigenetics is just starting to discover how much mom's diets affect their fetuses through their lifetime and their next generation such as increasing their risks for heart disease and diabetes once the baby becomes an adult. Half the time they discover a small amount of something has negative effects then later find benefits. I think i saw one study showing benefits of coffee drinking on the heart, just like they did with wine but that could change in ten years and they will say the opposite. I think as long as it's in moderation you're probably just fine. As long as it's not meth or something!

[chriru79]

I read that about 2 cups of coffee/day is a-ok. I only drink 1 cup/day 3-4 times per week. My energy level has not improved (22 weeks pregnant now) & working 12 hour hospital shifts just about kills me. So, the coffee helps get me through.

[goanga]

I'm also drinking one cup of coffee in the morning. I brew it myself and it's not strong, and I add milk in it. My doc said it was fine. I also read the artificial sweetener in soft drinks like diet coke is not recommended during pregnancy so I would stear clear of any soft drinks diet or not. No idea what coke zero has in it but I think a mild coffee is better than a diet coke if you really need a kick of cafeinne.

[fornight]

I cut coffee out completely which is really horrible considering what a coffee fiend i was.  It took a while but i do take drink a bottle of coke zero when i am at breaking point.  I imagine coke zero caffeine is much lesser than a cup of coffee.  I am not taking any hormone pills and is currently in my 10th week.

[Lil_Vees]

Agreed - my doctor (a fertility specialist who would certainly be thinking of mc risk) was the one who put me on progesterone, and she's the one who said "two cups max" for coffee when she gave me the rundown on what's safe and what is not. There seems to be broad medical consensus that small amounts - under 200 mg - of caffeine are safe during pregnancy. Only very large amounts (in excess of 5 cups/day) have been shown to slightly increase mc risk. Of course, if someone is more comfortable giving it up entirely, there's nothing wrong with that choice. Just be aware that it's a decision based on a personal preference, not medical evidence and scientific consensus.

[babymama36166]

Caffeine does NOT increase your chance of miscarriage.  Please ladies check your sources and information before saying things that may upset people. This is my second pregnancy and I have drank coffee, tea or soda during both. I quot drinking with my first and had horrible side affects. My mid-wife recommended I drink small amounts everyday because the withdrawl was causing to much stress on my body. The sheet from my hospital Says 200 MG a day is ok.

[socalbetty]

I wouldn't  drink any caffeine. .especially  on progesterone, the reason they say no caffeine, is it increases chances  of miscarriage. ..

[Lil_Vees]

The Mayo Clinic (and everything else I've read) recommends the 200 mg/day limit, and their guidance is very measured, well-researched and trustworthy. I've also gone down to 1 cup in the morning, although I don't usually drink all of it.

This is my first pregnancy too, just turned 38. On progesterone as well, although my levels have been normal. I've actually been on it after each of the 6 IUIs (fertility treatment) I had (6th one was the charm!) in order to increase uterine lining thickness/chance of implantation. Which leads me to think it is often used as "extra insurance," perhaps for women over 35. I'm switching to regular GYN for next appt - does anyone know how long one usually takes the progesterone?

[jjolfert]

Plus it can prevent your body from properly absorbing nutrients it needs because it's a diuretic.

[jjolfert]

I read an article a few months back. I've just searched for it and can't find it. But it is a stimulant, never the less. There are some studies proving that it can restrict fetal growth and sometimes cause spontaneous abortion during first trimester, when taken in certain amounts. I just try to avoid it altogether.

[BaneSprout1]

Coffee was making me sick in the first trimester so I quit drinking it. Sometimes I'll have half a cup on the weekend. Otherwise I have bagged black tea in the morning which is in the 60-80 mg range. My understanding was that the current recommendation is no more than 200mg a day from all sources.

[LoveCake98]

@jjolfert could you please cite your source. ACOG website still lists 200 mg or less. Curious where you found recommendation. Thanks

[jjolfert]

The newest recommendations say no caffeine at all during pregnancy. It's a stimulant.

[2015Harmony]

I'm on baby #3.. I drink coffee. They do say 200 mg of caffeine a day is okay. So I limit myself to one cup of coffe a day. I have a friend she stops drinking coffee completely when prego. I'm a coffee drinker always have been so it's the one thing I do. Your fine.

[Naki123]

200 mg caffine total, so hving one coffee a day is no problem. The above person has been very accurate, making your own has a lot less caffine there Starbucks, or then at a coffee shop.

My doctor even recommended having a small cup of coffee when I was constipated and it did help.

I do drink some sofa so normally I choose which caffeine I'm going to have in a day, chocolate, soda or coffee.

[LoveCake98]

Congrats!   I'm on my second baby. During first pregnancy I drank one cup (10 oz) of regular coffee every day.  All was fine.  Doc said 200 mg total caffeine per day was fine.  I don't drink soda usually.  Know that if you're brewing your coffee at home it's likely to have less caffeine than 10-12 oz at Starbucks.  Also, starbucks will sell you an 8 oz cup--it's just not listed on their menu.

I haven't had much coffee this preg--only because I was so ill this time & it doesn't taste right--hormones change tastebuds I think.