Drinks During Pregnancy – Good to Know

Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy

It has long been known that a fetus is affected by the mother's alcohol consumption. Alcohol passes through the placenta to the baby. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or cause harm to the baby. The fetus’s liver is underdeveloped and cannot break down alcohol.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Its Consequences

The damages caused by alcohol are known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). FAS is characterized by growth restrictions in the fetus, central nervous system disorders, and the development of certain characteristic facial features. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can also lead to miscarriage, birth complications, premature birth, and low birth weight. Even moderate amounts of alcohol can harm the fetus, so the best choice is to avoid alcohol completely during pregnancy.

Coffee, Tea, and Energy Drinks During Pregnancy

Coffee and black tea contain caffeine, which in excessively high doses can increase the risk of miscarriage. When pregnant, you should limit your daily caffeine intake to 200-300 milligrams. This is roughly equivalent to two cups of brewed coffee (5 oz per cup) or four cups of tea (7 oz per cup). Keep in mind that cola drinks and energy drinks also contain caffeine.

Variations in Caffeine Content

The caffeine content in coffee and tea varies depending on factors such as the strength of the drink, the plant variety used, and where it was grown. White tea and oolong tea also contain caffeine in similar amounts to black tea. Even cocoa contains small amounts of caffeine.

Risks of High Caffeine Intake During Pregnancy

Consuming more than 300 milligrams of caffeine per day can increase the risk of miscarriage, especially early in pregnancy. Even doses over 200 milligrams are suspected of negatively affecting the baby’s birth weight. Research shows that consuming less than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day is not harmful to the fetus.