Need coffee.... I am struggling!

[HeatherLF16]

I am in need of a little advice.  I am 5 weeks pregnant and found out last week.  Of course, the second I found out I started following the rules completly.  I have never smoked cigarettes or been heavy drinker so this is not too hard for me... BUT.... I have a demanding work schedule.  My morning cup of coffee (or little afternoon latte) has saved my exaustion for many years.  For a week ...of decaf... I have been struggling to keep my eyes open and have had a terrible headache (going through withdrawls on top of being pregnant).  I have heard that one or two cups of coffee will not hurt the baby, and will not pose risk for miscarrige (I am very concerned about miscarriage being I had one back in June).  How many of you continued your morning cup of coffee?  Can I give in?  If not safe what can I do to help me focus at work and wake me up.  I am torn!  Some say it's harmful some say not in small amounts?

[HeatherLF16]

Hi All,
Thank you all for your advice.  I do not drink any soda (except ginger ale now and then which is caffiene free for nausea). Juice I have never been a fan of either because of the added sugar, so I try to just eat real fruit instead.

I have decided to either stick with decaf or if I really, really need it I have about a quarter of a cup and water it down with milk (like a watered down latte).  I would do anything to have a healthy pregnancy myth or not with the caffiene.  I had one doc tell me no all together even decaf other said it was ok with the one or two.  I will continue to try to cut it out all together, but again this causes me headaches, loss of focus at work, and makes me feel worse.  ??

I don't smoke/drink but to Riot Queen, my sister smoked when she got pregnant the doc recommeded she reduce the amount she smoked everyday to ween herself from them.  I guess quiting cold turkey could send you into shock and not be good for the baby either.  It took her about two weeks to ween herself and quit.  Just some info for all the smokers not sure if you all have heard of that?

[julianovak]

its definalty fine to limit urself to 2 cups of coffee a day................ and you should consider not drinking soda mayb once or twice a week. bc besides the caffiene its just chemicals and sugar............... try buying your self more nutritious drinks like orange juice or crannberry and make sure its loow in sugar................ i think the majority of us get too much sugar and caffiene

[angela418]

1-2 cups of coffee a day is the standard guideline when pregnant.  I'd say you are safe with that amount.  Maybe you could make one caffeinated and one decaf during the day if you are worried about the amount of caffeine?  But I do agree that if avoiding it at all seems to make you feel worse, then just go ahead and enjoy the recommended amount. :-)  Good luck!  

[faye83]

I used to get a latte everyday but after my 8th week I started getting nauseous everytime I smelled coffee :-( Now I'm back to liking coffee BUT only get decaf. I rather not risk it

[LauraB78]

I am a soda and coffee addict. While I was pregnant, I drank 1 soda in the evening, and one coffee in the morning. Aside from that, I went decaf.. (coffee & soda). 2 should be just fine! ;)

[AHP84]

I attempted to give up coffee when I was between 5 and 8 weeks pregnant, then one day I could smell it brewing and my mouth was watering and...it was all over from there, lol. I drink one cup of coffee each morning (except for weekends because I sleep in) and that's basically the majority of the caffiene I consume for the day, besides a few bites of dark chocolate, which I have a hopeless and consistent craving for during this pregnancy.
As the others stated above, any information you look up about caffiene consumption during pregnancy is going to say that anything 300mg or less is considered safe.
What I have read about caffiene consumption and effects on the fetus are a little...concerning, though. At least I thought so. That's why I keep my consumption to one cup a day.
But as far as the caffiene that goes to the baby, it gets into their bloodstream just as quickly as it does yours. However, their bodies are much, much smaller and their metabolisms are still developing and maturing, meaning that the amount of caffiene you consume that may not really affect you other than making you feel a bit more alert is FAR more intense for the baby. Their systems do not metabolise and eliminate caffiene at the rate an adult's can, which is within a couple of hours; a fetus to age three years (I think) cannot metabolise caffiene in less than a day (I think), and for fetuses, they actually *re-consume* the caffiene *after* they metabolise it through the amniotic fluid, although by the time it's re-consumed, it's not as potent. However, consider that you drink a cup of coffee a day, and the baby is finally able to metabolise it and eliminates it into the amniotic fluid, only to consume it again within the next 24 hours, which is when you consume your next cup of coffee.
This is where part the risk is posed for miscarriage. The other effects of caffiene on a fetus are not really shown to be harmful or damaging, but at the same time, research has not studied or proved much about the long-term effects of caffiene on brain and metabolic development on fetuses in the years after the baby is born.

[Riot_Queen]

Docs are always gunna tell you not to drink, eat or do this and that.
Honestly women have been drinkin, smoking, doing drugs, doing this and that and still luck out with a healthy baby alot of the time.

I am ashamed to say, but I smoked throughout both of my pregnancies, and breastfeedings.
I also had ALOT of caffeine with my first child. Probably 1-2 cups of coffee every morning and a few cola sodas as the day went.
With my second child I laid off the coffee and cola's for the majority of my pregnancy. I had my beloved Dr. Pepper with my dinner and that was it. As I got past my 7th month, I started getting really tired, not getting enough sleep because a comfortable night's sleep was starting to become almost impossible by then. Plus I had to get up early every morning because I have a 1 year old daughter to chase after all day. lol
So my schedule was becoming very demanding and so I went back to my 1-2 cups of coffee in the mornings and still a cola with my dinner.
The last month or so though I sometimes slipped in another cola with lunch.

Both of my kids were born perfectly healthy and happy.
They eat well, my daughter is very active and WAS happy until I brought her little brother home with me from the hospital about a week and a half ago. Little miss sunshine isn't the center of attention anymore, as you can imagine the rest... lol.

Although I wouldn't recomend the amount of caffeine I ended up consuming on a daily basis because it could just be pure luck as to why my kids came out fine, I've been told one cafienated drink a day will cause no harm. Along with one minor alcoholic drink a week is okay too. I.E. a glass of wine, a beer, a wine cooler, etc.
Some docs will tell you none of that PERIOD. Some will tell you what I stated above.
Do what YOU are comfortable with. I'm just telling you from experience.

Congrats on the lil bud and I hope you have a happy and healthy pregnancy!

[martikadragoon]

most of the medical community agrees that caffeine in moderation is alright, and that the the amt you should be under is 300mg/day

So 300 milligrams of caffeine  or less per day is ok. That's a couple sodas and a cup of coffee depending on brands (and if it's espresso!)

it's kinda like alcahol simply because not alot of studies have been done to find out what level exactly is totally safe... they have only concluded that women who have more than 300mg have a higher risk/rate of miscarriage and a few other things...

[Eirlis]

You probably don't want to hear this, but my doctor recommended I stop all caffeine completely since I also had a miscarriage. She said any caffeine (even the amount in decaf, which is what I was drinking) can contribute to the loss of the baby... No idea if she's right since the common advice seems to be that moderation is fine, but at this point I'd rather be cautious and not do anything that could jeopardize this pregnancy!

Good luck!

[HeatherLF16]

Thanks Ladies.  I think I will just try to stick with 1 cup a day in the AM.  I am done torturing myself.  My doc said to try to eliminate it.... well I tried and couldn't function.  :)

[iamkari88]

i drank my coffee and my pepsi everyday i was pregnant and i have given birth to three healthy little girls.

[Ashelen]

it of course depends on the coffee....but the general accepted limit is less than 300mg of caffeine a day. That's about 2 1/2 cups of coffee, something like that....It's something like 7 sodas, LOL. I still drink Coca-Cola fairly regularly but No more than 3 cans (approximately 120mg caffeine) a day as a rule during pregnancy. It's a complete and utter myth that you have to cut it out, but you DO have to be careful.

[Victoria01]

My OB said two cups of coffee a day was fine. I am like you, and need my coffee, and still haven't given it up, completely, though I stick to  only the two cups, except for days it makes me sick to my stomach and I can't drink any. :)

[Sunkissed19]

1-2 cups of coffee a day will not affect the baby...all the sheets i have from ob say thats perfectly fine. i think the withdrawl symptoms would be harder on u two then having the coffee. im not a coffee drinker (cant stand the taste) but i still do have chocolate every now and again which also has caffeine and my baby is just as healthy as ever and i am now 19 weeks along. in the begining of my preg before i knew i was pregnant i was eating fudge pops like no other lol i craved them and like i said before im 19 weeks and my son is just fine. my mom drank her coffee still with me and i turned out fine...she wouldve had to be strapped down somewhere to give up her morning cup lol!
happy and healthy 9 months!