For many people, the morning is incomplete unless they have sipped coffee. They’re used to it because they wake up anytime they’re sleepy.
However, if you are pregnant, your doctor may advise you to limit your coffee consumption. Coffee has just as many negative affects on pregnant women as it does on your child.
Another study has recently been published that relates coffee to a baby’s intellect and behaviour. Here are some facts regarding it that you should be aware of.
Caffeine During Pregnancy
Coffee’s effects on pregnant mothers, as well as the baby’s cognition and behaviour, have been studied.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that drinking coffee or other caffeinated beverage while pregnant is harmful.
According to a new study undertaken by the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience at the University of Rochester Medical Center, drinking coffee while pregnant has an effect on the baby’s brain development in the womb.
It claims that consuming coffee or other caffeine-containing beverage changes neural connections in the brain. It has the potential to induce or exacerbate behavioural issues.
Study: Drinking caffeinated drinks while pregnant lead to behavioural issues in children
This was discovered after reviewing more than 9 brain scan books from youngsters aged 9 to 10. In addition, scientists obtained information from the moms of the children to determine if they drank coffee or caffeinated drinks while pregnant.
Despite the fact that the findings of the tests were minor and unimportant, it is nonetheless remarkable that a woman’s consumption of coffee while pregnant resulted in a change in her child’s conduct.
Children born to women who consumed coffee while pregnant showed signs of behavioural disorders, short attention span, and hyperactivity.
“These are sort of small effects and it’s not causing horrendous psychiatric conditions, but it is causing minimal but noticeable behavioural issues that should make us consider long term effects of caffeine intake during pregnancy,” said John Foxe, PhD, the leader of the said study.
“I suppose the outcome of this study will be a recommendation that any caffeine during pregnancy is probably not such a good idea,” he added.
Negative Effects of Caffeine During Pregnancy
Image from iStock.
Aside from the most recent findings, other research has already been conducted demonstrating the negative effects of coffee on pregnant women. Here are a few examples:
- It affects the growth of the baby in your womb.
Research has shown that caffeine inhibits blood flow to the placenta. Caffeine goes through the placenta to your baby when you consume it during pregnancy. The placenta develops in your uterus (womb) and provides nourishment and oxygen to the baby via the umbilical cord.
A healthy placental blood flow is essential for providing sustenance to the fetus.
The baby’s weight lowers by 0.5 pounds for every 100mg of caffeine consumed by the mother throughout the first three months of pregnancy (72g). They also stated that women who consumed caffeine frequently had smaller kids than mothers who did not drink caffeine.
- Increased likelihood of miscarriage
According to one study, consuming more than 200 mg of caffeine a day increases a pregnant woman’s chances of miscarriage.
- Your child may be overweight or obese
A 2018 study also discovered that drinking coffee while pregnant can alter a child’s overweight or obesity as he or she grows.
According to the study, children born to women who use a lot of caffeine (200 mg a day) have a 66% chance of having “excess growth” or being overweight while pregnant.
- Increased chance of getting sick
Aside from the negative consequences of coffee on your newborn, you may also have elevated blood pressure, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, stomachache, and diarrhoea.
Also, if you enjoy drinking coffee before becoming pregnant, your chances of developing gestational diabetes are great.
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Healthier Alternatives to Coffee
Caffeine consumption is not recommended during pregnancy due to its detrimental consequences. If it is inevitable, limit your intake to 200 mg. That’s around 1 to 2 cups of coffee a day.
Aside from coffee, there are other caffeine-rich beverages such as tea (black), energy drinks, soda, and even chocolate.
Although some beverages are prohibited, many others are permitted for pregnant women. Some of these still have caffeine in them, but only in trace levels.
Instead of coffee, consider the following alternatives:
It is also good to drink ginger tea instead of coffee because it helps to strengthen your immune system and prevent infection.
A little fruit juice or a slice of lemon can also be added to lukewarm water and can be used as a substitute for coffee every morning.
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Coconut water or coconut juice
It is 95% water so it really quenches your thirst. Moreover, coconut juice contains electrolytes that help fight vomiting or morning sickness.
Image from iStock.
Aside from being tasty, it also has calcium that will strengthen your bones. It still has a small amount of caffeine (2-7mg). But it’s a good alternative to coffee if you need energy.
If you are still longing for the taste of coffee, just drink decaf of its kind. Compared to brewed coffee which has 60 to 200 mg of caffeine. Decaffeinated coffee contains only 2 to 4 mg of caffeine in a cup.
Green tea contains relatively little caffeine. Ginger root, peppermint leaf, chamomile, red raspberry leaf (limit chamomile and red raspberry leaf tea to 1 cup per day in your first trimester), and lemon balm are some herbal teas that are healthy for pregnant women.
Image Source: iStock
It’s difficult to ignore coffee, especially when it’s where you receive your energy for the day. However, instead of drinking coffee, you can simply consume fruits or nuts to maintain your energy levels.
Also, increase and increase your diet to avoid becoming weak. Don’t forget to take your prenatal vitamins to keep your strength up.
There are numerous taboos around pregnant women. It’s depressing sometimes, especially when it’s something you’re used to, like drinking coffee. But it won’t last forever. Soon, you’ll be able to have the hot coffee you’ve been craving.
Simply put up with it for the next nine months. When you give birth to your baby securely and healthily, it is well worth the sacrifice.
Translated with permission from theAsianparent Philippines.
Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.
