Pregnant or Trying For A Baby? Studies Suggest No Safe Level of Caffeine

Research studies analysis suggests that for women who are pregnant or trying to conceive it may be best to avoid that morning coffee, contrary to popular belief.

Observational studies published in the journal BMJ Evidence Based Medicine documents evidence that suggests there are negative pregnancy outcomes associated with maternal caffeine consumption, and warns that there is “no safe level of consumption” for pregnant mothers.

Popular rhetoric for pregnant women and mums to be is that consuming a small amount of caffeine daily will not harm their baby, and the UK National Health Service (NHS) (1.) advises pregnant or breastfeeding women and women who are planning to become pregnant to 'limit' daily intake to 200 mg, which is equivalent to about two mugs of coffee. But this relaxed position needs to change according to Reykjavik University professor Jack James, the author of the study.

“It is important for the public to understand that caffeine is not the benign substance it is often portrayed to be. Unfortunately, the position to date of health authorities has been disappointing in this regard,”

“The idea, promoted by many health authorities, that there is a safe level of maternal caffeine consumption is a myth. That relaxed position is not consistent with scientific evidence and it is a position that must change.”

“Chronic exposure to any chemical during pregnancy is cause for concern. There should be no exception simply because that chemical caffeine happens to be widely consumed,"

“Considering what is known about the pharmacology of caffeine, the fact that the drug is widely consumed during pregnancy, and the many studies (over more than four decades) that have revealed associations between maternal caffeine exposure and negative pregnancy outcomes, it is not surprising that when all the findings are brought together the results point strongly to caffeine being a significant source of harm.” Professor Jack James, Reykjavik University.

Professor James identified no less than 1,261 peer-reviewed articles linking caffeine and caffeinated beverages to pregnancy outcomes. Those studies were then narrowed down to 48 original observational studies and meta-analyses published in the past two decades reporting one or more of six major negative pregnancy outcomes: miscarriage, stillbirth, low birth weight, preterm birth, childhood acute leukemia, and childhood obesity.

A total of 42 findings were reported in 37 observational studies. 32 of which found that caffeine significantly increased the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and 10 found no or inconclusive associations.

Professor Jack James outlined in an interview that when caffeine is consumed whether in coffee or other natural forms such as chocolate during pregnancy, it crosses the placenta exposing the fetus to the chemical caffeine, and are shown in studies to interfere with fetal heart function and oxygenation.

As there is no documented evidence to suggest that caffeine benefits mother or baby, so it may be with this insight that pregnant mothers and mothers to be, choose to avoid caffeine.

1. National Health Service. Should I limit caffeine during pregnancy? 2018. Available: https://www. nhs. uk/ common- health- questions/ pregnancy/