Caffeine and Pregnancy

Caffeine and Pregnancy

July 25th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Caffeine is the most commonly used stimulant in the country, and a good number of us enjoy a cup of something hot and caffeinated every morning to start our day. The use of caffeine during pregnancy is a controversial topic; most health practitioners believe a small amount of caffeine is acceptable, while others will say avoiding it entirely is the best course of action. Whether you believe in the some or none approach, everyone is in agreement that large amounts of caffeine during pregnancy are dangerous.

What Does Caffeine Do to Your Body?

Caffeine is both a stimulant and a diuretic. This means that it causes you to feel alert, can slightly elevate blood pressure as well as heart rate, and also causes fluids to leave the body through increased urination. Caffeine can cause a jittery feeling and cause sleep disruptions, especially if used in large amounts. Some people are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than others, and pregnant women are among them.

Caffeine and Miscarriage

A recent study showed that women who consume 200 mg or more of caffeine every day (about the amount in a large cup of coffee) carry a 50% higher risk of miscarriage than those who do not. Previous studies, however, have found no relationship between caffeine and miscarriage. Although the results of these studies have been conflicting, there is enough evidence to suggest that a risk of miscarriage may exist. This risk is especially high in the first trimester, so if you don’t wish to avoid caffeine through the entire pregnancy, it’s a good idea to at least skip it during those crucial early weeks. High amounts of caffeine in the diet have also been linked to stillbirth.

Effects of Caffeine on the Fetus

Caffeine does cross the placenta, and this means it reaches the baby. Research indicates that caffeine does restrict blood flow to the placenta, which could impact the baby. It has also been linked with lower birth weights, and a higher heart rate in the newborn baby.

What Foods Contain the Most Caffeine?

Caffeine occurs naturally in some foods and beverages, and is added to others. Coffee beans, tea leaves, and cocoa beans are all natural sources of caffeine. Coffee is by far the highest in caffeine content. The average 8 oz cup of coffee contains about 137 mg of caffeine, but this amount can vary widely depending on the type of coffee and how it was brewed. The same goes from tea, which contains about 48 mg of caffeine in an 8 oz cup. Generally, the stronger your cup of coffee or tea, the higher the caffeine content.

Soft drinks that have been caffeinated contain 37 mg of caffeine per 12 oz serving on average. Some of these beverages may contain higher or lower amounts. Chocolate contains caffeine in varying amounts depending on how dark the chocolate is (the percentage of cocoa solids).

The general consensus on caffeine in pregnancy is that it is probably safe in small amounts. Stick to one cup of coffee a day or the equivalent amount of caffeine from other sources. It’s best to avoid caffeine in the first trimester if you can, but after that you are probably safe to continue moderate consumption. Still, if you prefer to be cautious, skip the caffeine altogether. If you do choose to consume caffeine, remember to drink extra water as well, to make up for the diuretic effect of the caffeine on your system.

Folic Acid: What it is, and Why it’s Important

Folic Acid: What it is, and Why it’s Important

July 16th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

In recent years, folic acid has been the center of much focus due to the research showing its incredible importance for pregnant women. While everyone needs folic acid for a healthy diet, much of the research studying its effects has centered on the prevention of birth defects, particularly neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

Getting enough folic acid both prior to and during your pregnancy is an absolute must to protect your baby against serious birth defects as well as other problems.

What is folic acid?

Folic acid is actually the synthetic version of a naturally occurring B-vitamin called folate. Thus when it is found in a natural food such as spinach, it is called folate. When it appears as an ingredient in a multivitamin supplement or is added to a food to fortify it, it is called folic acid. The function is the same no matter which form it takes. Folic acid is essential to the production of new cells in the body.

Why is folic acid important to pregnancy?

Recent research has shown that getting at least 400 micrograms of folic acid each day prior to pregnancy, and 600 micrograms during pregnancy, can reduce the occurrence of serious birth defects like spina bifida and anencephaly by 50-70%. While this is the most common benefit discussed in connection with folate, it’s not the only one suggested by the research.

Folic acid is also linked with a lower risk of cleft lip and palate, preterm birth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia in the mother. All of this information has led medical practitioners to recommend a daily supplement of folic acid to all women who are of childbearing age, and especially to those trying to conceive or already pregnant.

Why should it be taken before pregnancy?

The effects of folic acid on preventing birth defects are the strongest when the mother already has the required levels of the vitamin in her system prior to becoming pregnant. Also, many birth defects including those of the spine and brain as well as cleft lip and palate occur very early in pregnancy, often before the mother is even aware she is pregnant. If you wait until your pregnancy is confirmed to start taking folic acid supplements, it could be too late.

Still, even if you have not started taking extra folic acid before discovering your pregnancy, you haven’t lost your chance to reap other benefits from the vitamin. Begin taking a supplement the minute you find out you are pregnant, and you can still avoid problems like premature birth and low birth weight, among others.

Where can I get it?

Most multivitamin supplements for women contain the required amount of folic acid. You should make sure yours has at least 400 micrograms per dose. It’s also a good idea to make sure you add foods containing folic acid to your diet, such as citrus fruits and leafy greens. Try orange juice, spinach and broccoli, as well as foods that have been fortified with folic acid such as cereals and breads. As the popularity of folic acid spreads, more products with the vitamin added are appearing.

Although folic acid has only recently begun making headlines for its importance in pregnancy, it has always been an essential part of a balanced diet. Making it a part of your healthy eating plan will ensure you are healthy as well as ready should a pregnancy occur.

The Danger of Smoking During Pregnancy

The Danger of Smoking During Pregnancy

June 21st, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

We know that it’s a bad habit, but yet many of us pick it up somewhere along the way. There’s nothing cute or glamorous about smoking, but yet many women still can’t kick the habit. It may have been something that you picked up when you were much younger, and have inevitably become addicted to. It may be something that you turn to when you’re stressed or when you’re in a social situation.

The smoking pattern of everyone is quite different, but yet the results are the same. Though we hear it time and time again, we somehow ignore the warnings that smoking is bad for us. We know that there is long term potential risks and danger to our health, but we have such a difficult time in quitting. When it comes to pregnancy however, there has never been a greater reason to quit the bad habit. Though we know that smoking is bad enough for us, it takes things to an exponential high when it comes to smoking during pregnancy. Quitting smoking is what you should do for the baby, and there are many reasons why.

Consider the Risks to Your Pregnancy

Though common sense can tell you what you already know, smoking is inherently bad for you and your baby. If the risks to you alone weren’t enough to get you to quit before, consider what smoking can do to your baby and to your pregnancy. The risks as you can see on a chart like this are numerous and therefore this is something to stand up and take notice of.

During pregnancy, there are a great number of risks that can come about as a result of smoking. If you are worried about maintaining a healthy pregnancy, then smoking is the first thing to cut out. When you smoke, it cuts off oxygen and nutrients that your baby and your placenta need to thrive and survive. When this happens, your baby isn’t getting what it needs. Additionally the placenta will spread out in search of oxygen for the baby and this can lead to placenta previa. In this condition, the placenta can cover up the cervix and this is a huge danger. You contribute to the risks of an ectopic pregnancy, vaginal bleeding, and a displacement of the placenta. These are only the risks present to and during your pregnancy – it does get worse!

Consider the Risks to Your Baby

As if the risks to your pregnancy aren’t enough, consider the actual risks to your unborn child. When a woman is pregnant, she will usually put nothing before the health and safety of her baby. She lives for her baby and does whatever she can to nurture and care for her baby in the womb. When you smoke however, this nurturing isn’t exactly happening.

Smoking can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, low birth weight, and many of these unthinkable consequences of pregnancy which lead to the unthinkable with your baby. You are contributing to possible birth defects such as a cleft lip and may even cause actual breathing problems in your newborn once they are born. Down the road, smoking during pregnancy may even contribute to your child developing asthma. So you can see that the risks far outweigh the necessity to light up. If you ever needed a reason to quit smoking, let the health of your baby be the incentive that you needed.