Caffeine and TTC

[bam1014]

Thought you gals might find this interesting:

From pregnancy-info.net:

Caffeine Warning to Mums
Researchers at Macquarie University in New South Wales, Australia have found that increased amounts of caffeine can affect a woman's chances of becoming pregnant. In their study, researchers found that women who consumed more than one cup of strong coffee a day were half as likely to become pregnant. The study showed that caffeine could change the ratio of estrogen to progesterone, thereby working as a physiological stressor in women. While caffeine did not appear to change a woman's ovulation cycle or ability to conceive, it did affect implantation of a fertilized egg. The affects of caffeine were particularly noticeable when the woman or her partner also consumed alcohol or cigarettes.
Source: Tony Vermeer, The Sunday Telegraph

September 4, 2004

amazingpregnancy.com:
Caffeine and It's Effect on Your Ability to Get Pregnant
By : Admin

Caffeine has been a part of many people's daily lives for over a century now. Whether it comes in coffee, tea, cappuccino or soda pop, many people either can't or don't want to limit their caffeine intake. While research has shown negative effects of an overabundance of caffeine in pregnant women, does caffeine affect your ability to get pregnant?

Some research has suggested that there is a connection between high caffeine intake and a delay in conception. For purposes of one study, "high caffeine intake" was defined as consuming more than 300 mg of caffeine per day. For another study, "high caffeine intake" was defined as consuming more than 500 mg of caffeine per day. A woman who is trying to conceive should limit her caffeine intake to no more than 300 mg per day.

I know that I read somewhere about caffeine effecting implantation, but now I can't find it.  I'm not saying I consume alot of caffeine, no more then one can of soda a day.  But I'm cutting out that one can - just in case.  Beside it can't hurt to try?

[ladyofstyle]

thanks for the info! i practically live at starbucks!! but i read that 1 cup a day can help increase the bloodflow and create a better lining in the uterus for the lil eggy to implant itself. the article said that the caffine thins out the layers of blood making it easier for implantation. caffiene and  taking baby tylenol is supposed to help also.

[EricaB28]

So long coffee...lol! I just can't quite get over the OJ and Dr. Pepper thing, nunu...I can't imagine the flavours together. Anyway...When I got preg. with DD I didn't drink coffee at all (and at the time was the Chef at an upscale cafe) and now that I work with kids, I think I drink about 3 cups of coffee and 2-3 cups of caffinated tea a day....time to cut down?! I'm starting to think yes...Thanks Bam!! :D

[ArmyPrincess819]

Whonderful Job Bam. You always have the best info for everyone on here. Thank you. I have been told by my dr that too much caffeine and folic acid increases your chances of having a miscarriage. My dr didn't tell me to cut it out completely but don't over do it. It's really interesting stuff.

AP

[steph9803]

I know that you aren't supposed to have any herbal teas which was a pain in the behind to explain to my MIL. If I do get my BFP I'll cut it out, but until then I'm enjoy my coffee. I wont go overboard though. It's a good thing they closed down the Starbucks by my house LOL. I have a feeling that I might get my BFP, but I'm trying not to get my hopes up so I don't have so far to fall if I don't. I sure am having a lot of symptoms pretty early though even for AF.

[mikaleen]

I know, I switched from coffee to green tea, and just on a whim started looking for info.  My brother had spina bifida so I'm really big on the folic acid.  The info says that the same stuf that helps prevent cancer tumors (the ecgc stuff I think)  can block folic acid.  I figured green tea is so healthy, and you probably have to drink a bunch of it to cause problems, but who knows?

Before my first m/c too I was drinking some herbal decaf tea that my MIL left here, orange peach something, but now I wonder if it had something to do with the m/c because it's got some herbs and roots in it that I read pregnant women should probably avoid.  I figured I'd cut out the caffeine and drink something good. Hah!

If I want something warm to drink I'll have to heat up some apple cider, but I have to make sure that's pasteurized too I think.

I am waiting to hear about your BFP, I can't imagine you NOT getting one this month. =)

[steph9803]

mikaleen- Wow! I had never heard that. I used to have a cup every day, but haven't had any lately. Why does this all have to be so complicated LOL

[mikaleen]

Green tea can block the absorption of folic acid.  I read that it might not hurt to avoid it until the second trimester to avoid increasing the risk of neural tube defects.

[steph9803]

With my pregnancies before this last one I only drank coffee every once in a while. I had no problem stopping all caffeine when I was pregnant though. Once I get my BFP I will quit again :P And nunu....I can do OJ and Sprite, but I've never heard of OJ and DP LOL

[BP0629]

oj & dr pepper....really???

[bam1014]

Well I don't want to get anybody worked up over it.  TONS of women get pg while drinking caffiene.  I just thought it was interesting and wondered if anybody else had opinions on it.

I didn't know about the blocking iron thing though . . .

nunu - OJ and Dr Pepper ?????

[smr08]

I drink 2 cups of coffee a day and diet soda, hope thats not bad.

nunu- OJ and Dr Pepper????

[nunu1977]

yes im drinking a mixture of OJ and diet Dr Pepper. I hardly drink OJ or soda but have been craving it for about week now. I have changed to decaf green tea though!

[mikaleen]

I just finished my afternoon cup of coffee before I read this.  

[want2beamommy2387]

i also was told that if your takin prenatals that caffine is natural iron blocker and that.. so if you consume a lot of caffeine and are trying to take prenatals or vitamins it can counter act them so your not getting the nutrients u think you are.  just thought i'd add to that info.. good to stuff!

[steph9803]

When I got pregnant last time I was downing a pot of coffee a day. I wasn't ttc then though. It just happened. Now I drink 2 cup of coffee a day. Which is way less than I was before. I don't drink anything else with caffeine now though.