Can pregnant women drink decaffeinated coffee? Is it possible for pregnant women to drink natural coffee with milk or without caffeine in the early stages: what does it threaten and is there any harm? Which decaffeinated drink to choose

During the period of bearing a child, women face many restrictions that affect their usual diet. It is easier for an expectant mother to refuse some foods and drinks, while it is sometimes very difficult to find a replacement for others. What to do if, for example, before pregnancy, a woman got used to finally waking up only after a cup of fragrant strong coffee? Should I give up this drink for the entire nine months, or is it enough to simply reduce its consumption?

How coffee affects the body

One cup of unsweetened brewed coffee contains a little less than 1200 natural substances, a good half of which belong to the class of aromatic compounds that give the drink its unique taste and aroma. The main component of coffee, which determines its tonic effect, is caffeine, an alkaloid that can excite the receptors of the central nervous system. In order for the drink to successfully cope with the increase in mental and physical performance, a teaspoon of freshly ground natural coffee should contain 0.2 grams of caffeine.

Coffee contains about 1200 different substances

The composition of coffee beans also includes substances such as:

the alkaloid trigonelline, which gives roasted coffee its distinctive aroma. When roasted, it is destroyed, forming nicotinic acid. It is she who stimulates the activity of the nervous system;
vitamin D, which improves the absorption of minerals in the intestines;
carbohydrates that feed the nerve cells of the brain;
minerals that are part of the bones that regulate the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

Due to this rich chemical composition, coffee has both positive and negative effects on human well-being and health. It all depends on the characteristics of the body and the amount of drink consumed.

So, drinking coffee in small quantities can:

relieve asthma symptoms;
activate the work of the intestines;
prevent caries;
improve mood;
increase attention;
reduce the risk of diseases such as Parkinson's syndrome, Alzheimer's syndrome, breast cancer.

The negative properties of coffee include the possibility of:

dehydration of the body due to the diuretic effect;
pressure increase;
development of urolithiasis.

In addition, caffeine is considered a type of light drug. With too much use of this substance, physical and psychological dependence occurs, which makes a person drink coffee more and more often.

Is it possible to drink coffee for women in position and how much

Many modern women drink coffee, and quite often and in large quantities. However, an interesting situation makes them radically change their habits and lifestyle.

According to medical research, the use of coffee by a woman in position can negatively affect her well-being and the health of the child. So, in the first trimester, abortion is possible, and in the later stages, the risk of premature birth and placental abruption increases. However, such undesirable consequences await not those women who occasionally drink coffee, but lovers of a strong drink who absorb it in large volumes during the day.

The results of recent surveys conducted by Danish scientists have shown that a small amount of coffee can not significantly harm maternal and child health. The recommended daily dose is 150 ml of aromatic drink. This amount should be enough to get a charge of good mood and start fruitful activities.

You can, up to three cups of (small) coffee. Of course, the "strength" of coffee is difficult to determine. Almost all Latin American women drink coffee as a traditional drink, but usually no more than 1-2 cups per day.<…>The latest recommendations from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which guide doctors not only in North America, but also in Europe and Australia, were adopted in July 2010, and they state that 200 mg of caffeine per day does not increase the rate of miscarriages and preterm births. This amount of caffeine is equivalent to 2 cups of strong black coffee…

The opinion of Dr. Komarovsky

Popular pediatrician Yevgeny Komarovsky has his own point of view on the nutrition of the expectant mother. Many women treat his recommendations with special confidence. So, regarding coffee during pregnancy, the doctor's position is visible in the statement: “Avoid everything that your great-great-grandmother did not eat. You will be healthier."

The protein components of foods such as citrus fruits, coffee or cocoa cannot be completely digested in our body, and load the liver, which is forced to neutralize them. During the bearing of the baby, the load on the liver of a woman is already large. In addition, there is a high probability of developing an allergy in a child precisely to the “exotic” products used by the expectant mother.

... It is the liver that is the main fighter against toxicosis, the neutralizer of fetal secretions, etc. Let's take care of it. If you want your child not to suffer from the fact that he cannot eat a tangerine or a chocolate bar, then when you are pregnant, you do not need to absorb these same tangerines and chocolates (underdigested particles will pass through the fetus before being neutralized by the liver, causing responses , and the child will then be allergic to these products).

E. O. Komarovsky
http://www.komarovskiy.net/knigi/chto-est-i-pit.html

Why some pregnant women often want coffee, while others feel sick from it

The main factor that makes a woman constantly brew a fragrant drink is the content of caffeine in it. This substance in the shortest possible time through the blood enters the brain, stimulating the production of the neurotransmitter dopamine. An increased level of this biological compound in the body causes a feeling of satisfaction, improves mood and performance. But the effect does not last long (maximum 2 hours), and you have to brew more and more new portions of coffee.

However, physiological addiction is not the only reason that expectant mothers dream of a cup of coffee. The constant desire for this drink may indicate a lack of iron in the blood. This is also evidenced by the suddenly developed love for strong tea.

Iron performs an important function in the female body - it transports oxygen from the lungs to tissues and organs, including the placenta. With a deficiency of this trace element, mother and child suffer from a lack of oxygen. You can fill the lack of iron with a balanced diet, including foods such as:

animal liver;
red meat;
buckwheat;
fruits (apples, persimmons);
beans and peas.

Pregnant women should not succumb to the “provocations” of the body, which requires more and more portions of the black drink. The best option is to consult with your doctor and donate blood for hemoglobin levels. If iron deficiency is confirmed, the doctor will prescribe an appropriate vitamin and mineral complex and give advice on changing the diet.

Some women report intolerance even to the smell of coffee during pregnancy, up to nausea and vomiting. Often the cause of this is toxicosis, as the body reacts to a dangerous product that enhances unpleasant symptoms.

Possible harm, including in the early stages

Many doctors recommend giving up coffee at the beginning of pregnancy or significantly limiting its consumption. In the first weeks, all the main organs and systems are laid in the child, so even a previously harmless drink can negatively affect the development of the fetus.

The use of coffee by pregnant women can lead to the following undesirable consequences for the mother and child that occur at different gestational ages:

Due to the diuretic effect of coffee, the mother's body intensively loses fluid, and with it, calcium is washed out, which is necessary for the fetus to fully form bones at the beginning of pregnancy.
Caffeine constricts the blood vessels of the placenta, which is fraught with a poor supply of oxygen to the baby and a lack of nutrients.
In especially severe cases, a miscarriage or premature birth is possible if the woman had an increased tone of the uterus.
Penetrating through the umbilical cord, the active substances in coffee increase the heart rate in the child.
Abuse of a fragrant drink can adversely affect the growth of the fetus. Norwegian scientists have calculated that women who drank several cups of coffee a day, children were born with a weight of less than average.
Studies in which 60,000 pregnant women took part showed that if a woman drinks more than 150 ml of coffee a day, then each extra cup eventually leads to about 30 grams of underweight in the newborn.
The high content of tonic substances in coffee leads to excitation of the nervous system. Pregnant women become irritable, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia appear.

At the beginning of pregnancy, some women suffer from toxicosis, and drinking coffee only increases nausea. This is due to the ability of the drink to irritate the gastric mucosa, as well as due to the narrowing of the blood vessels. Strongly brewed coffee causes especially strong vomiting.

Who should not: contraindications

Thus, coffee is considered a rather dangerous product for a future mother. If a woman has chronic diseases, you should consult a doctor before drinking the drink. The main contraindications to drinking coffee are such conditions and diseases as:

high blood pressure;
tachycardia;
gastritis and stomach ulcer;
early toxicosis and preeclampsia (complications in the second half of pregnancy);
sleep disorders;
fetoplacental insufficiency;
anemia.

In such situations, even one drunk cup of coffee can worsen the condition of the mother and fetus.

Benefits of a cup of coffee a day for expectant mothers

However, lovers of this product should not be discouraged. Scientists are sure that those pregnant women who have no contraindications can indulge themselves with a cup of aromatic coffee. In some situations, the drink can bring tangible benefits to the expectant mother.

Weak coffee is recommended for pregnant women suffering from low blood pressure. It is not easy for such women to get out of bed without a mug of an invigorating drink. The main condition is not to use it on an empty stomach, you must first have breakfast.

The drink will also benefit those future mothers who have edema in the later stages.. Due to its diuretic properties, coffee removes excess fluid from the body, therefore, with the permission of a doctor, it can be used in conjunction with decongestants.

How to coffee properly

In order for an invigorating drink to remain beneficial for a pregnant woman and not harm the child, doctors recommend following several important rules:

Table: caffeine content in drinks

You should not uncontrollably drink tea, both black and green varieties, since it also contains caffeine. However, in green tea there are many substances useful for the expectant mother, for example, provitamin A, vitamins P and C, so you can drink it, but in reasonable quantities.

Natural grain, instant or decaffeinated?

The quality of instant coffee depends on the manufacturer and, accordingly, the cost. Cheap products contain the minimum concentration of natural coffee and the maximum percentage of various reagents remaining after processing. But even expensive varieties of instant coffee should be consumed as little as possible..

Another question of interest to expectant mothers: what is hidden in a bag under the intriguing name "3 in 1"? The composition of such a product includes numerous flavors, emulsifiers, dyes, but sometimes it is simply impossible to find natural coffee there. This drink is strictly prohibited for women in position!

The best option is a natural grain drink in limited quantities. One small mug of weak coffee with milk or cream per day will not harm the baby and the expectant mother (of course, provided that she is in full health), but it will help her feel more cheerful and happier.

A level teaspoon contains approximately 3-4 g of coffee. However, the exact weight of the powder depends on the grind: the finer it is, the more coffee will fit in a spoon.

Table: adjust the strength of the drink

Important points to consider when choosing:

Experts recommend that expectant mothers carefully choose coffee varieties. Robusta is considered the strongest bean, which contains from 2 to 4% caffeine.. In Arabica, for example, the amount of this alkaloid is 2 times less.
In addition, the caffeine content in beans also depends on the type of roast. The stronger the grains are fried, the more alkaloids they contain, which means that the taste of the drink becomes more saturated and strong. Strongly roasted coffee is not suitable for pregnant women.

Some pregnant women, not wanting to give up an invigorating drink, purchase decaffeinated coffee, and in vain. It turns out that even after processing, some caffeine is retained in the product. In addition, chemicals are used in the production process.

Few studies have been done on decaffeinated coffee, but interesting data from the State Department of Health, Kaiser Permanente Division of Research and UCSF, which included 5144 women: drinking 3 or more cups of decaffeinated coffee per day increases the risk of spontaneous early pregnancy loss 2.4 times compared to those pregnant women who do not drink this type of coffee. Also, another large study showed that it was decaffeinated coffee, and not natural, that increased the risk of cardiovascular disease. It is important to understand that decaffeinated coffee is chemically processed coffee and is not a healthy drink.

How to replace coffee during the first trimester or the entire pregnancy

Of course, in the first trimester, it is best to refuse coffee gatherings altogether or drink coffee in one cup 2-3 times a week. But what if you want to pamper yourself with something warm and warming? Other herbal drinks will help replace aromatic coffee.

Properly selected plants, for example, fireweed, currant leaves, raspberries, rose hips, will strengthen the nervous system, give a charge of vivacity and protect a woman from colds. Before using herbal preparations, you should consult a doctor to avoid possible negative consequences. In addition, one should not be overly fond of herbal tea - 1-2 mugs per day will be enough.

barley coffee drink

A useful replacement option is a drink made from barley. It does not contain caffeine, so it has a completely different aroma and flavor from coffee. However, barley substitute contains many vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and fiber, which distinguishes it from the original. Barley coffee will help the expectant mother with problems with the kidneys and the gastrointestinal tract. There are no contraindications to it, with the exception of individual intolerance.

Barley drink is not very similar to coffee in taste and aroma, but very healthy

How to make barley coffee:

Pour 1-2 teaspoons of ready-made instant drink into a mug, pour boiling water and stir until completely dissolved. Add milk and sugar to taste.
Roast large, good quality barley grains in a dry frying pan, grind them in a coffee grinder. To prepare one serving of the drink, you need to pour a tablespoon of ground barley with 200 ml of boiling water. Let the drink brew for 3 minutes and add cream and sugar to taste.

Chicory

The most popular coffee substitute is chicory. And this is not surprising, since a natural product has the following positive qualities:

maintains normal blood sugar levels;
cleanses the blood of harmful substances;
increases the amount of hemoglobin;
has a calming effect.

However, chicory also has certain contraindications. So, this aromatic drink should not be drunk with peptic ulcers of the digestive system, gastritis, varicose veins.

Chicory is a good alternative to regular coffee during pregnancy

Doctors warn that chicory has a diuretic effect. To prevent dehydration, you should not use it too often. The optimal amount of chicory is 2-3 cups per day. You need to prepare it like instant coffee: pour the amount of chicory recommended on the package with a small amount of boiling water, add sugar and stir until smooth, and then add hot water.

You can add milk, milk foam or cream to such a drink, in general, use all your favorite coffee recipes with it.

Recipe for chocolate chicory:

You will need half a teaspoon of dry instant drink and cocoa powder, a glass of milk and sugar to taste.
Mix the chicory and cocoa in a mug, boil the milk and pour over the dry mixture. Be sure to stir well and let it brew for 5 minutes.

Video: how to make delicious chicory coffee

Coffee recipes with milk

The most important condition for harmless coffee for a future mother is the presence of milk or cream in it. These additives reduce the strength of the drink, and also compensate for the inevitable loss of calcium and other trace elements. We offer two simple and delicious coffee recipes suitable for pregnant women.

Cappuccino with cinnamon

This coffee and milk drink has a pleasant smell and taste. To make it, you will need the following ingredients:

a teaspoon of good coffee;
150 ml of water;
70 ml of cold milk;
a pinch of cinnamon.

Cinnamon cappuccino is a traditional dessert coffee recipe popular all over the world.

Cooking:

Brew a portion of coffee in the usual way for you: on the stove in a cezve or using a French press, coffee maker or coffee machine. When brewing a drink in a Turk, the following order must be observed:
- warm the ground coffee in a Turk for a few seconds and only then fill it with cold water;
- put coffee on the smallest fire, the longer it languishes on the stove, the better;
- the drink should not boil, as soon as you notice bubbles and a sharply rising foam, immediately remove the Turk from the heat.
Heat the milk without bringing it to a boil.
Whip the hot milk with a blender or French press until fluffy.
Fill a voluminous mug with a third of coffee, pour in the whipped milk, gently spoon the froth and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Coffee in New Orleans has a rich dark color, it can be prepared in many ways, both in a Turk, and slowly pouring boiling water in portions through a mixture of ground coffee and chicory

Try reducing the amount of coffee in the recipe so that there is less caffeine.

Cooking:

First, you should brew coffee with chicory in a Turk, throwing a pinch of salt there in the middle of the heating process to better reveal the aroma of the drink.
Then you need to add cream to soften its taste. The drink should be drunk without sweeteners.

Video: how to easily make latte with lush foam at home

Everyone knows that drinking coffee during pregnancy is undesirable, since caffeine, contained in coffee in large quantities, is harmful to the body of the expectant mother. Most women during this period do not even look in the direction of coffee. But what about those who cannot live a day without an invigorating drink. In addition, during pregnancy, taste preferences change, and an irresistible desire to drink coffee may appear, even if the woman did not like it before. In this case, there seems to be a way out - it is decaffeinated, that is, decaffeinated coffee. This drink is very popular among fans of a healthy lifestyle, it is also recommended for pregnant women. But is it really harmless?

Harm of caffeine for pregnant women

Caffeine is known to have a stimulating effect on the body. It increases the heart rate, constricts blood vessels, spurs the nervous system, the blood begins to run faster through the body, vigor and energy appear. However, after a while, the effect of caffeine ends and you need to drink a new portion.

Pregnant women should not drink coffee due to the fact that this drink raises blood pressure. The child does not receive the substances he needs, as the vessels are constricted. Coffee drinkers often give birth to low birth weight babies. A sharp rise in pressure in a pregnant woman can end badly for both the child and herself, for example, placental abruption, bleeding and other serious complications can occur.

Caffeine binds calcium and removes it from the body. And for a pregnant woman, calcium is just what is needed for the formation of the baby's skeleton. Large doses of strong coffee (more than 3 cups a day) can cause dehydration in a pregnant woman.

Decaffeinated coffee, is it healthy?

During pregnancy, coffee drinkers usually switch to a decaffeinated drink. It is believed that it is absolutely safe, as it does not raise pressure and does not excite the nervous system. Yes, this is true, but you can’t drink such a drink in large doses either. First of all, it should be understood that not only caffeine is harmful to coffee. It contains resins, alkaloids, tannin, organic acids, coffee oil, fiber. For a pregnant woman, not all of these substances may be useful, so even with a decaffeinated drink, you need to be careful. Of course, we are talking about natural coffee, and not about soluble chemistry.

Recently, scientists have found that decaffeinated grains increase blood levels of low-density cholesterol. It is this substance that is the main culprit of atherosclerosis. Decaffeinated coffee also enhances the secretion of gastric juice, which is undesirable for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Decaffeinated coffee should be selected only from well-known brands. Some manufacturers use cheap solvents, such a drink will be extremely harmful to the expectant mother.

So is it possible or not to have decaffeinated coffee during pregnancy? It is possible, but in small quantities. The daily dose of this aromatic drink should be approximately 2-3 cups per day. You don’t need to drink more, after all, coffee is more likely to be harmful to a pregnant woman than useful, even if it is devoid of caffeine.

Content

Carrying a baby is the most wonderful period in a woman's life. The expectant mother refuses smoking, alcohol and junk food. Coffee and pregnancy - are they compatible? An invigorating and tonic drink has dynamically entered the daily diet of a modern woman. Learn about its effect on the fetus.

How coffee affects pregnancy

The attending physician can tell you in detail about the effect of coffee on pregnancy: in each trimester, it acts differently. A special substance that is in the composition is caffeine. It causes a surge of energy in the body, removes a headache. Because of the addiction to caffeine, many people are called coffee lovers, because they cannot live without this drink. Their norm is more than 2 servings per day (natural, insoluble surrogate).

Can women in an interesting position caffeine? Before answering this exciting question, you need to understand what changes it brings to the body of the fetus and mother. Excessive addiction to caffeine can cause many developmental pathologies in a baby. You can replace your favorite hot cup with strong black tea: several leafy varieties (not bags) will have a tonic effect, and will help you wake up in the morning.

A direct contraindication to taking caffeine is a peptic ulcer, gastritis. But sometimes a fragrant cup is indispensable, especially if a woman cannot live and work without it. Just one portion per day of a natural, weak drink with the addition of milk will not harm the baby, while the mother’s working capacity will increase, her health and mood will improve. No exact taste analogue of a fragrant and tonic drink has yet been invented.

Coffee during early pregnancy

It is harmful to drink a lot of coffee in the early stages of pregnancy, this can threaten the abnormal formation of the organs of the fetus. In the first trimester (weeks 1-12), women often suffer from toxicosis. Moderate consumption of espresso in the morning can improve a woman's well-being. Just one cup increases low blood pressure and slightly speeds up the pulse, and this is a real salvation for hypotensive patients.

Is it possible for pregnant women to have coffee in the early stages? Yes! The main thing is not to overdo it, otherwise you can harm the embryo. In the first trimester, the laying of organs, the nervous system, and the brain takes place. The fetus develops very rapidly, it is sensitive to external factors. All the substances necessary for his body, he takes from the mother. This should be taken into account when using more than 1 serving per day.

Coffee in late pregnancy

From experienced doctors you can hear a sensible explanation why pregnant women should not drink coffee:

It stimulates urination, which can cause dehydration. The third trimester is already marked by frequent trips to the toilet, and overloading the kidneys of a pregnant woman is useless.
Coffee in late pregnancy causes calcium leaching, and this adversely affects the development of the fetal skeleton.
More than 2 servings of a fragrant drink a day can disrupt the brain activity and heart rate of a small person.

Is it possible for pregnant women to have coffee with milk

Drinking coffee with milk during pregnancy will help to avoid unpleasant consequences. The benefit of one or two cups is to replenish the body of the fetus and mother with calcium. The main thing is a large amount of milk or cream and a little natural espresso. You can use latte, cappuccino, macchiato. Keep in mind that the milk in these drinks increases the calorie content of a serving.

Ladies may mistakenly believe that instant coffee during pregnancy will not do much harm, but this is a big misconception. It is better to exclude this surrogate from your diet, impose a categorical ban on it. A soluble granular analogue is only harmful. In the manufacture, many chemicals are used and it is additionally enriched with caffeine. The use of a soluble drink will entail the appearance of allergic reactions in the baby.

Pregnancy in a woman's life is a period when her eating habits change dramatically. Some products cause a negative reaction of the body, the consumption of others is limited for medical reasons. The list also includes coffee. Some experts believe that a drink in small quantities cannot harm, others categorically oppose the consumption of coffee during pregnancy. Which of them is right?

How does coffee affect the body during pregnancy?

The effect of coffee during pregnancy on the body depends on the general health of the expectant mother. If a woman has high blood pressure, the drink should be discarded. A large amount of caffeine will harm: it will cause a sharp jump in pressure, and your health will worsen. With low pressure, coffee with milk is allowed in small quantities, but only after breakfast.

In order to compensate for the loss of calcium, it is recommended to drink coffee with milk.

The aromatic drink has another feature that is harmful to a pregnant woman - it leaches calcium from the bones. Considering that the child's skeleton is formed at the expense of mother's resources, it becomes clear that calcium loss threatens serious problems for the baby's health. To replenish the level of this substance, doctors recommend that expectant mothers drink more milk, eat cottage cheese, fish, and cheese.

In the early stages

The first months of pregnancy account for a large number of miscarriages. Some of them occur for physiological reasons, and some can be provoked by the mindless consumption of certain foods. Doctors describe the negative impact of coffee in the early stages:

Increased toxicity. The woman has more frequent bouts of nausea, increased salivation and a feeling of acid in the mouth.
Decreased appetite. Refusal of food in the early stages leads to malnutrition of the fetus.
Increased tone of the uterus. By toning the entire body, the drink also affects the uterus, which can lead to fetal loss.

2 trimester

In the 2nd trimester, toxicosis recedes, the state of health of the pregnant woman returns to normal. It would seem that you can treat yourself to two or three cups of coffee at low pressure. However, not all so simple. In the second trimester, the skeleton begins to form in the fetus and the rudiments of teeth appear, which requires a lot of calcium. The ability of coffee to excrete calcium reduces the supply of a sufficient amount of the element to the child and negatively affects its development.

The drink interferes with the absorption of calcium, so gynecologists oppose coffee in general and its periodic use in particular. Babies who received less calcium in the prenatal period are born with anomalies in the development of the skeleton.

3rd trimester

Almost unanimously, all doctors speak out against the use of an invigorating drink by pregnant women when a woman is in the 3rd trimester. In the last stages, the baby is developing the brain and nervous system. Substances contained in coffee pass through the placenta into the circulatory system of the baby. Under the influence of caffeine, brain disorders and malfunctions in the central nervous system may occur.

The drink also negatively affects the lumen of the child's vessels. The vessels narrow, there is a lack of oxygen and nutrition, which can lead to fetal hypoxia. In the 3rd trimester, preparations are underway for childbirth, the extra tone of the uterus at this time is undesirable and dangerous. High blood pressure also becomes a frequent occurrence in the later stages, especially in those mothers who are predisposed to hypertension. Obviously, coffee is not a product that can be safely consumed while pregnant in the third trimester.

In the later months of pregnancy, all doctors unanimously advise to refrain from drinking caffeinated drinks.

Instant, natural or with milk - which coffee to choose during pregnancy?

Store shelves are lined with different types of instant coffee, but is there any benefit in it? Manufacturers of inexpensive brands of instant drink offer us blends that contain little natural coffee and a lot of harmful reagents formed during processing. Pregnant women should not take expensive brands either - it is better to give preference to a custard drink or choose varieties such as latte, cappuccino from trusted manufacturers.

The colorful 3-in-1 bags do not inspire confidence. One bag contains a lot of emulsifiers, a variety of flavors, dyes, and it’s not at all a fact that it contains natural coffee. If it's hard to give up your favorite drink, make a cup of weak coffee with milk or cream. A teaspoon without a slide (3-4 g) per cup is enough. Coffee with milk during pregnancy will invigorate the mother and will not harm the baby.

A morning portion of weak coffee will not harm the body if the diet is nutritious and balanced throughout the day.

Safe daily dose

A balanced diet is not just doctors' recommendations, but an immutable law for pregnant women. Substances contained in food come to the child, and not all of them are safe for him. If the doctor allowed you to drink coffee in the morning, remember how much you can and when:

The correct dose is 300 ml (1-2 cups) of drink per day. Anything more can negatively affect well-being.
Add milk or cream to your cup of coffee to help mitigate the effects of caffeine and compensate for calcium loss (see also Prenatal Calcium Tablets: What's the Best Drug?).
Drink it with water to prevent dehydration.
Never take a flavored energy drink on an empty stomach.

During pregnancy, the choice of products and their dosage should become the norm for a woman. This is especially true of those foods and drinks that can clearly threaten the normal development of the fetus.

Among the huge range of products, you can always find safe substitutes. If it is difficult to do this on your own, you should consult a doctor. The specialist will tell you what is possible and what is better to exclude from your diet.

Decaffeinated coffee - good or bad?

A drink labeled "caffeine-free" is a deliberate hoax. Today, there are no technologies that allow you to completely remove this energy drink from coffee beans. Special processing reduces its concentration, but this is not enough to claim that the product is caffeine-free. The experts concluded that such a drink is dangerous to human health. In its production, chemical solvents are used, and coffee itself can cause the development of atherosclerosis. Decaffeination negatively affects the taste and aroma of coffee. If you can't resist the urge, make yourself a weak boiled drink.

Why shouldn't coffee be consumed?

Many mothers ask why pregnant women should not drink coffee? Doctors answer that if a woman carrying a child has certain health problems, it is better to refuse coffee altogether, even with milk and cream.

The use of coffee by a pregnant woman is possible only after a preliminary examination by the attending physician

The medical ban applies to those who have the following problems:

Anomaly of the placenta and circulatory disorders in it. Caffeine interferes with normal blood flow in the vessels that deliver blood to the placenta and embryo.
Toxicosis of the first trimester. The drink provokes increased vomiting and nausea. Under the influence of caffeine, vasospasm occurs, blood flow worsens, toxins are poorly excreted from the body.
Arterial hypertension. If the problem with pressure was diagnosed even before conception, it is absolutely impossible to use an energy drink that contributes to its increase.
Tachycardia. With this disease, the heart already beats rapidly and it does not need an extra stimulator, especially during pregnancy.
Emotional instability. Some women, while in position, experience increased nervous excitability. Drinking coffee can increase the outburst of emotions.
Gastric ulcer or gastritis. The drink increases acidity, which can cause stomach pain and worsen the general condition.
Anemia in severe form. Iron is poorly absorbed by caffeine.
Insomnia. If a pregnant woman cannot fall asleep normally, she doesn’t get enough sleep, she definitely doesn’t need an extra provoking factor.

For some pregnant patients, doctors put a complete ban on coffee due to health reasons

For those who are going to give birth after the age of 35, coffee is contraindicated. Why do doctors draw such conclusions? Several cups of the drink a day will quickly raise your blood cholesterol, which can lead to serious health problems.

What can replace coffee?

Finding a coffee replacement isn't hard, but it's important to choose one that doesn't cause the side effects that occur during pregnancy. As a drink, you can use juices, fruit drinks, home-made compotes. If you certainly want to feel such a familiar taste and aroma, you can replace it with chicory or cocoa. Doctors believe that it is chicory that gives great benefits to the body of the expectant mother. The beneficial properties of the plant include the following:

elimination of toxins;
lowering cholesterol levels;
improvement of the stomach;
regulation of the intestines;
getting rid of heartburn;
calming effect;
normalization of metabolism.

Gynecologists recommend drinking chicory once a day for patients suffering from anemia. In addition, this plant cleanses the blood well, which is certainly useful for both the expectant mother and the child she is carrying. The taste of the drink is very similar to coffee, which will help a woman remove her psychological dependence on her favorite energy drink. Chicory is an excellent substitute that combines a familiar taste and great benefits for the body of a pregnant woman (more in the article: how is chicory useful for pregnant women?). A cup of a weak drink will give a positive mood, which is so necessary for a future mother.

During pregnancy, the question often arises as to whether it is possible to drink coffee, what is its effect on the well-being of the pregnant woman and the condition of the child. Basically, experts recommend, if not completely abandoning coffee, then at least significantly limiting the use of this drink.

It is possible or not, how it affects the body

It is known that coffee has a stimulating effect on the body and, in particular, the central nervous system and other vital organs. In this regard, the expectant mother may have problems not only with sleep, but also a number of other complications. Excessive consumption of the drink leads to the following consequences:

increased urine output due to the active work of the kidneys;
increased secretion of hydrochloric acid by the stomach;
the appearance of a rapid heartbeat and breathing;
increased blood pressure;
a decrease in the content of calcium and other useful trace elements in the body;
decreased appetite.

In addition to the above problems, which can be caused by drinking coffee, the drink directly affects the reproductive function of a woman, reducing the possibility of conception. In other words, coffee acts as a "contraceptive" remedy. As a result of drinking this drink, pregnant women may experience increased uterine tone, which quite often causes abortion.

The negative impact of coffee is manifested primarily when it is consumed excessively. So, the maximum allowable amount is considered to be no more than 2-3 cups of coffee per day. It's best to avoid it altogether if possible.

It is difficult to determine the period when the introduction of coffee into the diet is highly undesirable. Some experts categorically forbid it for use in the first trimester, others after the 20th week of pregnancy or in the third trimester, due to the increased sensitivity of the child to caffeine. In any case, coffee is the cause of vasoconstriction, which prevents the supply of oxygen to the body in sufficient quantities, and can also cause hypoxia.

Benefit and harm

Coffee negatively affects the condition of the expectant mother and her child. Excessive consumption can cause various complications, including during childbirth. An interesting fact is that the negative effect on the body is not due to the caffeine content, but to the presence of other caffeine-containing substances.

Different types of coffee have different effects:

Natural coffe considered a relatively safe drink if not abused. In certain cases, its use is useful only if a natural drink from ground grains is used.
Instant coffee, as a rule, contains about 15% grains, while the rest of the components used to enrich the taste and smell are of a chemical origin. Thus, it is permissible to use only natural coffee, which will benefit a pregnant woman.
Decaffeinated coffee. This type of drink most often undergoes chemical processing. After that, coffee beans become even more dangerous to human health. In a child, this type of drink can cause allergic reactions, in a pregnant woman - the appearance of atherosclerotic plaques, although at the moment the harmful effects of a caffeine-free drink on the body of a pregnant woman are not well understood.

The presence of coffee in the diet of a pregnant woman is highly undesirable. It is better to use chicory or another product as an alternative, or choose only natural varieties that can be drunk with additions or cream.

The allowable amount of drink is 2 cups or 200 milligrams per day.

Should I give up coffee completely?

Quite often, the desire to drink coffee in pregnant women disappears with the appearance of morning toxicosis. If this phenomenon has been avoided, it is better to switch to a drink without caffeine, but also in limited quantities. In general, there are the following recommendations:

Gradual getting rid of the habit of drinking coffee, as a sharp restriction in the use of the drink leads to headaches, irritability and lethargy.
Gradual replacement of caffeine by mixing or reducing the amount. It is also achieved through the use of milk, which neutralizes caffeine.
The use of other drinks as a substitute, namely herbal teas or chicory.

Contraindications

There are contraindications, the presence of which requires the immediate removal of coffee from the diet of any pregnant woman, namely:

the appearance of frequent migraines;
toxicosis;
high blood pressure;
insomnia or anxiety;
problems with placental blood flow;
any degree;
diseases of the genitourinary system, as well as kidneys;
and other diseases of the stomach;
excessively high cholesterol in the blood;
low levels of calcium in the blood.

In order to avoid the occurrence of negative consequences for the body of mother and child, it is necessary to adhere to the following recommendations:

drinking coffee is allowed only after eating;
the drink should be consumed with the addition of milk, which will become an additional source of calcium;
it is necessary to choose natural varieties of coffee with a low content of caffeine and chemical additives;
an additional amount of fluid, namely water, should be introduced into the diet to avoid dehydration;
other foods containing caffeine (tea, cocoa, chocolate, etc.) should be avoided.

What can be replaced?

There are a number of products that, by their properties, can replace the above drink. This list includes:

Chicory. It has an antimicrobial property, reduces inflammation, so it can be used to prevent the development of viral or infectious diseases. It also helps to normalize blood glucose levels, fills the body with vitamins, in particular, vitamin B. And, of course, it has a tonic property. Thus, it is possible to maintain activity during the day and at the same time prevent the development of certain diseases.
Orange juice. It is important to take exactly fresh. It helps to remove toxins from the body, and also activates the digestive system. It also helps fight morning sickness. Has a tonic effect.
Cocoa. It has a pleasant aroma, reduces stress levels, improves mood. Helps reduce appetite and invigorates well throughout the day.
. Most often it is considered an analogue in the presence of caffeine. It also contains this component, but not in such a pronounced amount. It also normalizes the digestive system, promotes weight loss, removes toxins from the body.
Ginger tea. Helps to strengthen the immune system, tones the body, has an antimicrobial effect. But it is important to remember that a pregnant woman should not drink a drink with a high concentration.

Video discussion on whether pregnant women should drink coffee. How does it affect the body, how safe is this drink:

Coffee has a rather negative effect on the body of any person, and especially pregnant women. There are many contraindications to the use of this product. However, if it is not possible to completely eliminate the drink from the diet, you should reduce its amount as much as possible. The quality of coffee also plays an important role.

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