Coffee Consumption

efiestedt · January 2016

Hi!

I've been trying to figure out what an appropriate amount of coffee to consume a day is. Before I was pregnant I would drink approximately 20-24 ounces of coffee a day. Now that I am pregnant I cut it down to 12-16 ounces a day. I know everywhere says 200 milligrams of caffeine is enough however I'm wondering if a little bit more is a bad thing? How much coffee do you drink a day? Have you ever heard of anybody have any problems in pregnancy because they drank too much caffeine?

amandazap · January 2016

I completely stopped drinking pop and only drink 1 grande coffee from Starbucks per day. I have never heard of someone having complications during their pregnancy due to caffeine consumption but this early in the game, it's better to play it safe. I'm sure what you're doing is fine.

Usual line: Talk to your OB if you feel it is a concern.

tinkerbell11210 · January 2016

I second that. I would talk to your OB to get his/her opinion. If you search about caffeine consumption when pregnant you will receive tons of different answers on the Internet. I usually have a small cup or a soda every once in awhile ( a few times a week).

smilormarie · January 2016

I used to fill my 16 oz mug 2-3 times a day, sometimes even going downstairs to top it off with a few more oz to warm it up ( my office is on the third floor, my kitchen is on the 1st floor). I was estimating up to 48 oz or more a day. But I had been slowly adjusting the proportion of decaf to regular so it was about 75% decaf. I've cut myself down to only one mug a day and I occasionally will have a can of diet Pepsi if I have an upset tummy, which hasn't happened yet. Ginger ale has worked so far for me this pregnancy. I think most doctors agree to stay under 200-300 mg but ask your doctor or midwife their specific recommendations.

Pepper6 · January 2016

I think the 200 MG is a conservative estimate just because there haven't been many studies on the effects of caffeine, so they err on the side of caution and suggest limiting it. I probably would try to keep it limited close to that, but if there's a day here and there where you need an extra pick me up, I think you'd probably be okay going over.

mmclark10 · January 2016

Once I was nursing my first, I switched to half decaf, half regular when I make (and order) coffee. I can't tell a difference and having two cups doesn't make me feel guilty!

jamiesc58 · January 2016

I drink decaf now just to be safe. I do have a 16 oz can of pepsi a couple of times a week. Here is a link for an article that I read on caffeine and the charts to tell you how much is in what.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372

Car0liiine · January 2016

We asked about this at my last 2 appointments and both providers said that the 200mg thing is kind of random. They said there is probably no risk, "I wouldn't drink 5 pots, but then again 5 pots of coffee still might not increase your risk of miscarriage." They had no recommended limit. The last OB did say she didn't think energy drinks were a good idea but otherwise to not stress over it.

1faceinacrowd · January 2016

I have read some of the studies that led to the 200 mg suggestion. I think it's somewhere around 400 mg daily that the chances of miscarriage increase, but there's really no "exact" cutoff, so they say 200 mg as a safe number. My midwife agreed with less than 200 mg.
Personally, after experiencing a loss, I have pretty much completely cut out caffeine as an extra precaution. Decaf, caffeine free soda if I'm craving one of those, caffeine free tea... I honestly feel really good because I kicked my caffeine habit and don't feel like I *need* it anymore. I'm not sure I'll even go back to drinking it post-baby.

blond1230 · January 2016

One to two per day is what I have been told. So I drink either a Starbucks half caffeine grande iced coffee a day, or make my own iced coffee and drink one glass of that (I'd guess its 12 oz). I dont really drink soda but occasionally will have an iced tea each day too. Did the same with my DS and he's perfecto

charmedlifex3 · January 2016

I've honestly only been drinking it to stave off migraines. If I feel one coming on, I will go have a coke, or cup of coffee. Sure the caffeine comes with risks, but the risks are lower than if I end up needing to take migraine meds because I let it get away from me.

Day to day I have cut it out. The recommendation I got was 200 mg as well. Which is 2 cups of light roast home brewed, but less than one starbucks Tall. It's not just how much you drink, but how strong the brew is, how much of it is actually milk, etc.

Bethyboo26 · January 2016

I go by the 1-2 cups per day of caffeine. I know the internet says different things about it, but so does every dr. It can be confusing!

tisunge602 · January 2016

Like others, I drink my regular amount (about two cups) but I brew half caf at home. If I want anything in the afternoon, I just get decaf. I haven't really been able to tell the difference!

cepricco · January 2016

I cut back to 1 cup per day (8-10oz) from 2 cups, but from what I gather 12-16 oz should be just fine.

Stephanie7693 · January 2016

I used to drink at least a pot a day. I've now cut it back to 2 to 3 cups a day, which my nurse practitioner said was fine. If I want more, I make decaf. I get my caffeine but donot feel like I'm giving anything up. I also don't drink anything else except water or milk, so coffee is my only caffeine.

PinkLady2015 · January 2016

Studies show some link/correlation with increased intake of caffeine and miscarriages. Most doctors will say to limit caffeine to no more than 200 mg a day... I've also seen studies saying 300 mg max. I would follow this advice... where I don't know anyone that's had issues...it can also be hard to extrapolate exactly what caused complications it there were any. Some advice I find silly, but I'd follow this recommendation and keep it under 200 mg (300 maybe every so often)

christineehh · January 2016

According to Expect Better, 200 mg/day is a very conservative, risk averse number; but for those of us who regularly drink more than that, it's a good goal to cut back to something at or near that level. Need to count caffeinated sodas too.

Personally, I went from a venti starbucks pike place each day to nothing in about a week, it's been my biggest taste aversion by far and an odd experience. I just started drinking it again at 11-12 weeks (and am SO HAPPY!) but am going to try to limit to days I'm working and 1 cup only, so that if I really need that 2nd cup, I can have it and it will be effective in waking me up.

efiestedt · January 2016

Thank you for all of the feedback. I asked my nurse practitioner at my 1st appt and she said 200mg but wasn't 100% sure that's what I needed to adhere to. I see my OB Feb 16th and will ask again.

Abfisher · January 2016

Everything that I have read is 1-2 cups of coffee per day is okay, and that's what I have been doing. Miscarriage is linked to extreme consumption (>300mg/day) in first trimester. After that, increased consumption can inhibit fetal growth.

Veronica0422 · January 2016

A lot of the studies are based on cups of BLACK coffee. When you think of the milk/cream & sweetener/sugar mixed in you're probably not using as much coffee as you think. I'm almost 9 weeks, have a 4 1/2 month old and 6 year old and 8 year old stepson.....I drank coffee the whole pregnancy with my youngest, with my older I couldn't until the 3rd tri because of horrible nausea......Usually medium iced is my choice, however I sometimes brew hot at home. 1-2 cups per day is absolutely fine. Just drink lots of water throughout the day.

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