Side Effects Of Caffeine During Pregnancy

Is caffeine during pregnancy safe? After getting pregnant, it is very important to take special care of your health in order to ensure that your baby is healthy. The first thing you must do is quit certain bad habits.

If you are a smoker, quit smoking. If you have the habit of drinking alcohol, bid goodbye to it. And what else? Yes, it is better to stay away from coffee too.

Does Caffeine Affect Girls During Puberty?

Though your morning cup of coffee seems harmless, it comes with its own share of risks. Especially, when you are pregnant, it is better to stay away from coffee. You will be surprised to know the fact that excess amounts of coffee can increase the chances of a miscarriage. It is a diuretic. It stimulates you and also ups your heartbeat and BP. It is unhealthy to undergo these changes when you are pregnant.

Caffeine can also dehydrate you as you have to urinate more often when you consume coffee.

Caffeine during pregnancy is not safe for the health of your baby. Pregnant women should not consume more than one cup of coffee per day. Even after the delivery, it is better to reduce the intake of caffeine till the breastfeeding phase is over.

The baby's body cannot metabolise caffeine at such a young age and that is why breastfeeding mothers should avoid caffeine. Avoid foods such as tea, ice tea, black tea, soft drinks, dark chocolate and soda.

Effects of caffeine during pregnancy

Baby's weight
Caffeine during pregnancy first trimester is certainly harmful for your baby. Studies suggest that the weight of your baby may get reduced due to the intake of coffee every day while pregnant.

Gestation period
Caffeine increases the gestation period. It means that the pregnancy period tends to be a longer one if you are addicted to coffee.

Certain issues
Studies suggest that caffeine can create certain long-term health problems for your baby. If you care for the health of your baby, cut your intake soon.

Sleep
Coffee can interfere with your sleep patterns. You might become restless and lack of sleep can affect your health too. This is one of the effects of caffeine during pregnancy.

Iron
Do you know the fact that excessive intake of caffeine can also interfere with the absorption of iron in your body? If you are pregnant, then you must ensure that your body absorbs iron well.

Blood pressure
Coffee also speeds up your heart rate as well as your blood pressure. When you are pregnant, it is not advisable to stimulate your system so much.

Dehydration
It goes without saying that too much caffeine during pregnancy dehydrates your system. You will start visiting the loo to urinate every now and then if your caffeine intake is excessive.