Even if you have always needed that ‘caffeine kick’ several times through the day, for the expecting mothers this addiction needs to be kept under check.  In moderate amounts, caffeine is not that harmful with only temporary stimulation or diuretic effect. But, caffeine is present in the tea, coffee, cold drinks and chocolates and so it is easy to cross the limits for daily intake recommended during pregnancy.

Effect of caffeine

• Acts as a stimulant causing more alertness.
• Slightly increases blood pressure and heart rate
• It is a diuretic, which means it increases amount of urine body makes.
• Caffeine causes some people to feel jittery, have indigestion or have insomnia
• In pregnant women, caffeine takes longer time to be excreted from the body than non pregnant.
• It passes through the placenta to the foetus and may decrease blood flow to the placenta

Sources

Caffeine is found in:

• Coffee and coffee-flavored products, like yogurt and ice cream
• Tea
• Some soft drinks
• Chocolate and chocolate products, like chocolate syrup and hot cocoa

Dosage Recommendation

Women who are pregnant or trying to conceive should get no more than 200mg of caffeine per day. This is the amount of caffeine in about one 12oz (approx.360ml) cup of coffee.