Coffee during pregnancy: what you should consider
There are a number of nutritional considerations to consider during pregnancy. You should also keep an eye on your coffee consumption before giving birth. You can read how much coffee is safe for you and your baby in this practical tip.
Coffee in pregnancy - how does caffeine affect your baby?
The caffeine contained in coffee stimulates the cardiovascular system and among other things ensures that the heart of the consumer beats faster. Fatigue is also suppressed. The hot drink is therefore an integral part of everyday life for many people.
- If a pregnant woman takes coffee, the caffeine also reaches the unborn child's bloodstream through the placenta. As a result, the baby has the same caffeine concentration in the blood as the mother and is therefore also affected by the stimulating effects.
- Unlike full-blown people, unborn babies can break down caffeine only slowly and with difficulty. The reason for this is that the body does not yet have enough enzymes to do this.
- So if you drink coffee during pregnancy, your baby will be affected by the effects of caffeine for a very long time.
- Pregnant women also break down the substance more slowly than usual.
What are the risks and how much coffee is actually allowed
Researchers have found that consuming coffee during pregnancy slightly increases the risk of miscarriage and premature birth. Drinking high amounts of coffee also increases the likelihood that the child will be born underweight.
- Nevertheless, the basic rule is : coffee in moderation during pregnancy will not harm the baby in most cases.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) advises not to exceed 300mg of caffeine a day. That's about three cups of coffee. The European Food Safety Authority, on the other hand, mentions an amount of 200mg per day as harmless.
- If you want to be on the safe side, you can of course simply do without coffee during pregnancy and use alternatives. However, you should also consult your doctor here as to whether consumption is safe for you.
