Is Caffeine During Pregnancy Harmful?
Pregnant but still craving your caffeine fix? A new study published by the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology may help dissuade you from reaching for a second cup of coffee. It finally answers the question of how much is too much caffeine during pregnancy. First of all, let’s discuss why caffeine may be harmful to a developing fetus. Caffeine does cross the placenta, from mother to baby, constricts blood vessels and can inhibit blood flow. The fetus can metabolize small amounts of caffeine but very slowly which can cause a caffeine build up to dangerous levels. There is also a consensus that caffeine may affect cell development and cause birth defects. Coffee and teas contain phenols which can make it harder for your body to absorb iron. Here’s a list of caffeine amounts in every day products: o Chocolate bar 30mg o Stay-awake pill 100mg o Vivarin 200mg o Cold relief tablet 30mg o 2 small cups of coffee (7 ounces) o Drip 115-175mg o Brewed 80-135mg o Espresso 100mg of caffei
