Caffeine Associated With Increased Risk of Miscarriage
A new study has found strong evidene that women who consume caffeine during pregnancy are more likely to miscarry than their non-caffeinated counterparts.
Those women who consumed 200 milligrams of caffeine or more a day were about twice as likely to miscarry, the researchers report today on the Web site of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. That’s about the amount of caffeine in two five-ounce cups of coffee, five 12-ounce cans of soda or six five-ounce cups of tea, Li said.
The findings are consistent with those of earlier studies, which have found an increased risk of miscarriage from daily consumption of about 150 to 300 milligrams of caffeine, Li said.
"But we went one step further in determining whether it was the caffeine itself or it was women changing their drinking pattern," he said. "My hope is our study will remove that uncertainty. I think this should put the argument to rest."
Based on the findings, Li recommended that women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant minimize caffeine intake.
"If they have to drink caffeine-containing beverages, they should reduce the amount to one cup a day at the most," he said. (source)
My take on it: As with anything else that causes a risk in pregnancy, I’d recommend just avoiding caffeine entirely from the moment you find out you’re pregnant until after you’re done breastfeeding unless your doctor can provide solid evidence that there is absolutely no danger. Caffeine is a luxury, not a necessity. Why risk your child’s life and health so you can have a morning pick-me-up? Switch to decaf.
What do you think? Is this too extreme? Leave your opinion in the comments.
Tags: womens health, woman, health, pregnancy, caffeine, miscarriage.
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POSTED IN: Coffee, Diet, Parenting, Pregnancy, Prevention, Women's Issues
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4 opinions for Caffeine Associated With Increased Risk of Miscarriage
Katharine
Jan 22, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Not extreme at all. For each of my three full-term pregnancies, I gave up coffee, tea (unless it was herbal—and not all herbal teas are safe), and alcohol (though I’ve never been a big drinker) and tried to eat more healthy meals.
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Jan 23, 2008 at 2:30 pm
[…] Caffeine Associated With Increased Risk of Miscarriage […]
Kristen King
Jan 23, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Thanks, Katharine. I think your approach is a smart one, and I’m sure your doctor agreed.
kristen
Michele
Jan 28, 2008 at 9:07 pm
I do not this is extreme. If studies are proving that caffeine increases risk of miscarriages then intake of caffeine while pregnant should be avoided. Just like not drinking alcohol while pregnant caffeine should be added to the list with out any problems.
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