Coffeeclues

Caffeine is a stimulant and a diuretic. It poses risk for pregnant women when consumed in higher doses. This article tries to explains about the relation between caffeine intake and pregnancy.

Caffeine and Pregnancy

• Caffeine acts as an diuretic and stimulant. As it is a stimulant, it increase the rate of blood flow, thereby leading to increased heart rate. This is not recommended during pregnancy. It causes increased urination rate, due to this reason fluid levels within the body tends to fall and ultimately leads to dehydration.
• Caffeine when taken in high doses passes through the placenta and interferes with the baby’s development. Baby’s metabolism rate is low and cannot totally metabolize caffeine. It also affects sleep patterns in baby as well as the mother.
• Studies have shown that caffeine causes reduced fertility, birth defects, reproductive problems and preterm delivery.
• Intake of coffee in more than the recommended amounts is responsible for increased metabolism and heart rate. It can sometimes cause headache, insomnia and nervousness. It stimulates the secretion of acids from the stomach and creates heartburn.
• As you reach the final stages of pregnancy, caffeine break down is slowed down and therefore higher levels of caffeine starts to accumulate in the body. Therefore, posing a difficulty for its breakdown.
• Apart from caffeine, coffee also contains phenols that are responsible for less absorption of iron. Most pregnant women are deficient for iron and over that if you take coffee it interferes with iron absorption.
• Caffeine intake causes the flushing out of fluids and calcium out of the body. The baby needs extra fluids constantly. So, better to limit caffeine intake during pregnancy.
• Caffeine also effects the cardiovascular system and is responsible for cause of arrhythmias and tachycardia in the fetus.
• Caffeine intake should be lower than 300 milligrams per day. Caffeine is not only present in coffee but also in other sources such as tea, chocolates and soft drinks.