Too much caffeine in Cocoa Butter lotion??

Shoegal36

Hi ladies, 

I had an ultrasound last week and the baby's heart beat was a little irregular, just a few skips but the technician said it was common and nothing to be concerned about.  She asked if I drank a lot of caffeine and I said no, no coffee or pop, just a little chocolate once in a while and then she asked me if I used cocoa butter lotion. I said yes, and she told me that is probably what was causing it and to stop using it right away.  When the doctor came in, she agreed.

I was totally shocked.  I thought that was the #1 thing everyone recommended to help with itchy belly and stretch marks...

I've stopped using it, but I'm just really curious if anyone else has ever heard this before?  Seems crazy to me. The small amount that's even in the lotion would have to go through your skin...yet pregnant women are allowed to have a couple cups of coffee if they want per day.  I don't get it.

  

BekW2009

I loathe the smell of cocoa butter... Glad I never used it now!

pearlsonthebeach

that's one of the very silliest things I've ever heard.

even if there was a trace amount of caffeine in a LOTION, the process by which it would need to be absorbed by your body and then delivered to your baby...and the amount of caffeine...and the..I just..no.

hope you get a second opinion.

TheyCalledHerKate

wow!  I didn't know that. I am not using cocoa butter, but this is good info to know.

ETA: I am seeing some of the other responses now....interesting

caden1206

Hmm, interesting. Prayers the irregularities go away with you stopping the lotion.

April!

PetraStonegirl:

nola78:

In the pregnancy packet that my OB's office gave me was a one-page note in large font that warned against using cocoa butter lotion due to the caffeine.  I've never used cocoa butter so I pretty much ignored it. 

What the what?  

ETA: Bump posted before I was ready. Cocoa solids average ~230mg/100g caffeine to solids. Cocoa butter shows only trace amounts, on the order of >1mg/100g caffeine to butter. Being a loss mom, I am all for taking the cautious route every single time. But, warning against using lotion with cocoa butter seems like an ill-thought out, knee jerk reaction to me.

Thanks, Petra! This sounded like crazy talk to me but it's good to know the science behind it being wrong.

OP, this is so weird. I would call your OB back and try to clarify what she meant. It might be worth getting a second opinion if she won't check you again or try to figure out why your baby is having an irregular heartbeat.  

Shoegal36

Yes, I'm actually going for weekly ultrasounds because of having a short cervix, so I will make sure they check the heart again to make sure. She didn't seem concerned but I obviously still want them to check it out.  I'm really curious to see if it's normal after having stopped using the cocoa butter.  I would be really surprised if that was the cause considering you're allowed to drink caffeine in moderation. 

I'm not quite sure why the tech was giving me advice...but she did confirm with the doctor when she came in the room who agreed, which surprised me even more.

I've been seeing this particular doctor who is a specialist because of my cervix, and I find she and my regular OB have different opinions on a lot of things...which is frustrating and confusing.  I'm going to bring it up with my regular OB at my next appointment too and see what her thoughts are on this...

Thanks for all your comments  

Brooky11209

I've been using it my whole pregnancy and they have never asked me about it or made comments about it. His heart beat has been normal every time though. He has a SUA and that's just about there only concern not the coco butter.