Caffeine
The risk of caffeine intake during pregnancy is a controversial issue. Still, most experts agree that you should cut back on your caffeine consumption while trying to conceive and while you are pregnant. That doesn't mean you have to completely cut out caffeine, but you should cut down. Most research shows that it is safe to drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages during pregnancy as long as you consume less than three cups, or about 300 mg of caffeine per day (per the American Dietetic Association). Consumption of more than 300 mg per day has been associated with a possible decrease in fertility and an increase risk of miscarriage or low birth-weight babies.
Caffeine acts as a mild stimulant to the central nervous system and also has a diuretic effect, which increases water loss from the body through urination. Neither of these effects is favorable during pregnancy or even for good health in general. Caffeine can also decrease the amount of calcium your body absorbs and can increase loss of calcium through the urine. This effect of caffeine becomes more prominent if dietary calcium intake is already inadequate. Many over-the-counter pain relievers, cold medications, allergy medications, and diet pills contain as much caffeine as a cup or two of coffee, so read labels carefully. When purchasing over-the-counter medications, ask the pharmacist which are best. Be sure to mention that you are pregnant or trying to cut down on your caffeine intake. Many energy drinks on the market today also contain very high levels of caffeine.
While many doctors recommend cutting back on caffeine, others recommend cutting it out of your diet completely, especially if you are in a high-risk category. Some doctors may recommend cutting out caffeine completely during the first trimester and then restricting amounts during the remainder of the pregnancy. Talk with your doctor about your best options. Decaffeinated beverages are fine, but be sure they are not crowding out more nutritious beverages such as milk, water, and juice. When in doubt, do without!
If you are a caffeine junkie, cutting back or cutting out caffeine can be difficult and may cause headaches and fatigue. Cut back gradually, and work to have it under control by the time you are ready to conceive.