I am newly pregnant and am trying to give up my caffeine. I've switched to decaf coffee in the mornings. I find myself really dragging though. I've been having to have a drink of soda just to keep my awake!

Would a Cafe Mocha be really bad? I love them so much! Does espresso have less caffeine than regular coffee because it's dark roasted? I'm really trying to justify these.

How much caffeine did you consume while pregnant?

By Missmudd on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 11:57 am:

I tried to cut it out almost completely and used it only as a treat really. I think the expresso has more, not less caffeine in it. It takes a while to get used to getting rid of that caffeine but you do make it after a while. I think that when I was prego they said no more than 2 cups of coffee a day but things may have changed since then. I dont think one cup a day would cause trouble but I would definately talk w/ your OB.

By Colette on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 12:01 pm:

I think one cup is ok - I couldn't drink it once morning sickness kicked in.

By Heaventree on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 12:12 pm:

First of all - CONGRATULATIONS!!! How are you feeling?

I mostly gave up caffine as I am super sensitive, one cup a day and I am hooked. If I were to have one cup a day for a week and then stop for one day I would have a headache so bad it's almost unbearable.

I went to Starbucks and bought a naturally decaffinated coffee "Swiss Water Method". It was the best decaf I ever tasted and I continued to drink all thru nursing as well. Other decafs use a chemical process.

New studies have indicated that you can have up to I believe 2 to 3 cups per day while pregnant. Personally if I drank that much caffine prego or not I would be a basket case.

I think that 1 cup per day should not be a problem although the smell might just make you nauseous. Every once in a while I get a craving for a French Vanilla and off I go.

Good luck with your pregnancy, I hope all goes well and you have a healthy, happy baby.

By Breann on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 12:20 pm:

I did cut it out. But, I've heard over and over that a cup of coffee (or soda or whatever) a day won't do any damage.

I just wasn't taking any chances!

Once you break the "habit" of caffeine, you won't feel like you HAVE to have it any more. It takes a couple weeks to get over it.

By Kay on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 12:34 pm:

I cut out all caffeine when I was pregnant and nursing - as well as most of my chocolate intake (argghhhh). Danged if I didn't let myself slip back into the caffeine trap later on! (And we won't even talk about the chocolate!)

By Palmbchprincess on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 12:35 pm:

I cut way down, because I normally drink quite a bit of soda, but I only drank one 20oz a day while pregnant. My doctor didn't advise quitting completely, since I was quitting smoking, and didn't want to stress my body too much with an additional withdrawl. Honestly, I think pregnancy makes people freak out over everything, and it's not always that big of a deal. Relax, do what makes you feel best, take good care of yourself, and a cup of coffee isn't going to kill your baby.

By Tink on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 01:24 pm:

I tried to cut down but I'm a huge soda addict and was able to keep it down to a can or two through out the day. I knew that a cup or two of coffee a day was fine and that the soda had less caffeine than coffee. I agree that a cup of coffee will be fine and may be less stressful than worry about it and feeling tired all day long, although I felt that way anyway!

Congratulations!!!

By Boxzgrl on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 02:06 pm:

I cut it out completely but I really never drank much soda or coffee before I was pregnant so it was quite easy. Ask me again during my next pregnancy and I may have a whole new story, lol.

Congrats!!!! Have a fun pregnancy!

By Vicki on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 02:18 pm:

I did not cut it out completely, but did cut down quite a bit. I started with coffee and mixed half regular/half decaf grounds together and gradually went to all decaf. I also bought caffine free pop for the house. But, if we were out, I would have a regular coffee or a Coke and not fret too much about it. I think most things in moderation are fine.

By Hlgmom on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 03:02 pm:

I cut it out completely- and still have- still nursing! (she is 17 mos)
Though some docs do say that a cup a day is fine-If you really feel you need it I would say have one and just make sure there is a ton of water to counterbalance! Eat healthy and I am sure all will be well! Congrats and best of luck!!!

By Amecmom on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 03:13 pm:

Congrats! No, I drank 1/2 dacaf 1/2 regular in the am and then decaf during the day if I wanted it. I did cut down, but I didn't cut it out.
Ame

By Rayanne on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 03:19 pm:

I did not cut it out. The doctor told me that I could have 2 cups of caffeine a day. Just like Amy, I had to cut down, but didn't cut it out.

By Jann on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 04:28 pm:

I only drink coffee in the am, no soft drinks, so I just made my coffee half and half.

By Kim on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 04:40 pm:

I also cut out my coffee but did drink decaf. One day a week, on Sunday, I would have one cup of regular coffee.

By Andi on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 04:45 pm:

I gave up coffee but I had 1 Diet Coke a day and I usually had it at lunch.

By Cat on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 04:54 pm:

Honestly, I don't remember! lol I've never liked coffee, so that's not an issue. I can't remember if I gave up soda during my pregnancies or not. Probably not! I may have cut back. Gosh, my kids are only 9 and 11. I must really have a mommy brain! Congrats on your news.

By Unschoolmom on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 05:32 pm:

I still had my cup a day.

I figured I could have a bit of caffeine or kill myself tripping down the stairs I didn't even notice were there because I was in such a fog.

By Dana on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 05:36 pm:

i just ended my pregnancy 2 months ago. With my first pregnancy, my body just turned against coffee altogether...I couldn't stand even the smell. With this last baby, I still wanted my cup. I did a lot of looking around on line and from what I saw, it is not bad if you don't over do it. I only drank one cup a day, but from what I saw, you can have up to 5 cups a day. I think that is a bit more than I would personally be happy sending to my unborn child. I did my one cup per day and my 9 wk old boy seems just as happy and easy going as a possible.

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 10:18 pm:

I had given up caffeine prior to pregnancy (just because I thought it would be healthier for me, no baby thoughts had even crossed our minds)so it wasn't a problem. Now I can't stand anything caffeinated...major headache and sleepiness all at the same time.
I think it's fine to have a caffeinated drink once or twice a day, just limit yourself and treasure those moments when they come!

By Feona on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 06:57 am:

I had tea and alittle soda. I couldn't stomach the coffee.

By Tonya on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 08:26 am:

I won't lie I lived on Mountain Dew when I was pregnant with Timmy they had me taking 2 prenatal vitamins a day with him and I still dragged butt through the entire pregnancy. It was the only thing that kept me going I got home from work by 4:30 and was in bed by 5pm for the night through the entire pregnancy.

Now with Jade I drank a little bit of Diet Pepsi but by month 5 gave that up and it never bothered me. And I never took any prenantal vitamins with her I couldn't they made me sick. Good luck and do what you feel is best.

By Karen~admin on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 01:12 pm:

Thread spammed 07-30-06