If pregnancy symptoms haven’t kicked your butt yet, then maybe your caffeine withdrawals will! I know they have for me. Making that transition from one to two cups of coffee or latte to zero caffeine has taken its toll.
My energy level is lacking and don’t get me started on my mood. As if the pregnancy hormones rearing their ugly head aren’t bad enough to deal with… I now have withdrawals to deal with as well.
However, this is totally my choice. And I’ve done my research, too. Over the past few weeks I’ve read that caffeine consumption during pregnancy is linked to autism, ADD, poor infant sleep patterns, longer pregnancies and low birth weight babies. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommended 200 milligrams per day in 2010. The 200 milligram limit, they stated, would not increase the risk of miscarriage or preterm birth.
Still, I feel it is really a personal choice to be made — and one that every mama should make for herself, with the help of her doctor.Caffeine-free just so happens to be the way for me. The health of my baby is most important and though kicking back with a hazelnut latte is tempting enough, it seems completely selfish to me.
Until then, I’ll just be gazing longingly at my hubs as he makes his Americano and other frothy yummy delights.
Have you cold turkey on caffeine or do you allow yourself small quantities?
