Weddingbee boards

Hi all!

We will be TTC after our wedding in March (both VERY anxious for kids). 

I read a study on a random site that cited either UCSF or Stanford's research that women who consume more than 400 mg of caffeine daily (about four cups of brewed coffee) are like 25% more likely to miscarry or something crazy like that; but even though it cited a reputable source, I am still weary that they skewed the data.

I have been trying to cut out caffeine over the last 2 months because I wanted to prepare my body prior to pregnancy, but I am just dying of tiredness. DYING. I survived the withdrawl, but my coworkers are concerned (I fell asleep sitting up at work the other day, umm EMBARRASSING. Also since I cut out caffeine, I have been spending my lunch daily sleeping in my car for an hour!). 

Please give me reassurance that this isn't true! Or have you heard the same thing?

PS, I am not a huge coffee drinker, but I regularly drank at least 1 maybe 2 cups of coffee per weekday, not on weekends usually.

There are conflicting studies on how much caffeine is "safe."  However, The March of Dimes has stated that under 200mg (about 12 oz of coffee) per day is acceptable.  Just remember that there is caffeine in other sources, not just caffeine, so if you're a chocoholic, you'll have to figure that in.   I'm not a regular coffee drinker and I drink non caffeinated drinks, however, I do still sometimes indulge in a flavored cup of coffee (I'm 37 weeks pregnant).  If you need a cup of coffee to get through the day don't beat yourself up about it.

I am not pregnant but I do not drink coffee, or soda, and the only juice I drink is orange or cranberry. I do drink tea once and awhile but it is usually caffine free, I would say my only caffine fix would be with chocolate and that is minimal. Other then feeling tired when I first wake up in the morning and a bit tired after lunch I am fine and feel normal. I do take multivitamins and a few other supplements including Apple Cider Vinegar which seems to help too.

Falling asleep at work or sleeping every lunch hour is not normal, but it may take awhile for your body to adjust to not have the caffine fix to keep you awake. But if you don't feel better in a few months than I would talk you your doctor.

I have a cup of decaf every morning and caffeine free tea during the day (I know that there is still a tiny bit of caffeine).  I allow myself a cup of regular coffee or a coke about once a week, if that.  I did not cut caffeine from my daily routine until I found out I was pregnant.  I am all for enjoying life while TTC, it's stressful enough as it is!

With my first pregnancy I had an occasional soda with caffeine, and then MC. While there is absolutely no proof to link the two since it was such a small amount of caffeine (maybe 60 mg every other day), it still scared me into giving it up!

I do not drink caffeine at all this time around-- I do occasionally eat chocolate (damn the M&M cravings!!!) so I'm sure I get some, but I avoid it in all drinks.

You should try a few other ways to wake yourself up. some of them involve stretching or taking a brisk walk. Even jumping up and down (silly, I know, maybe do it in the privacy of a bathroom stall if you don't have an office!?) might help. Also, do you work out? If you get up a little earlier to work out, you will actually most likely have MORE energy throughout the day.

Good luck! Oh, and I agree with one of the PP-- my exhaustion was crazy during my 1st trimester so no amount of caffeine would have helped. I took naps in my car at lunch, and would sleep 10-12 hours every night, with long naps on the weekends. 

Oh, and PS- I have a very conservative midwife, but she actually recommended a small amount of caffeine in my 1st trimester to help my headaches. I decided against it-- I had already cut out caffeine 100% and didn't want to trigger headaches by using it. But she did recommend it, so it is definitely safe in SMALL quantities- I think they recommend under 200 mg per day.

Thank you everyone for your advice! I am definitely going to try and limit my intake but maybe indulge in small amounts while my body (hopefully) is adjusting. Definitely no more than 200 mg per day, that seemed pretty consistant across the board!!! =)

@Genuine513: I have always been that way...My mom says I was born tired. Her mom said the same thing about her. We both regularly sleep 10 hours a night. I am mentally prepared (as much as possible) for lack of sleep that I will experience as a new mom though! 

@mmsva: That's a really good tip. I am so nervous for TTC...That's why I have been Googling like crazy!! I want to do anything and everything I can to increase our odds. I just have this feeling that it is not going to be easy for us. Just a gut feeling!!!

@spaniel: I've had my thyroid checked and I take prenatal vitamins (and have for years because of this tiredness thing) plus I eat pretty healthy..I do splurge on sweets sometimes though... I exercise (heacy weight lifting and running daily). No explanations so far. I work in a health clinic so whenever I look pale/tired all my docs check my blood sugar and iron level and it is always normal. I think I'm just tired...haha. It's nice to have docs around though, because I have known more about my glucose levels and iron levels lately than I ever have!! haha.

@chastenet: You bring up a good point...If it makes my day easier while TTC (I'm scared enough as it is!) then maybe I should indulge...with moderation!

@HopingToBeaMama: I exercise morning and night also =) Man everyone is saying that about the first trimester! I am so tired all the time already...Dreading that first trimester!!! hahaha. I guess it makes me feel better that no caffeine would help, because then maybe I won't want it...hahah. I am going to try to limit it to minute amounts until I get pregnant, then first trimester I am done with it, NO coffee/soda/tea/chocolate for me, just to be safe.

@CallmeC: You bring up another really good point. If I miscarry and drank coffee, I would be put into such a funk that I would have a very VERY difficult time kicking...

I love Wedding Bee! Such fast responses!!!! To all of you pregger ladies, good luck and best wishes for a healthy pregnancy; to all of you TTC, BEST OF LUCK that you conceive soon. I pray for ya'll every night!

@BabyBoecksMom: It shouldn't, but I am very sensitive to caffeine/alcohol/medications so it doesn't take much. I splurged this morning before I posted this for the first time in 1.5 months and had a coffee, just a small peppermint mocha and I am JITTERY and shaky and all that jazz!!!

@mrs_pugetsound: That's my other question! So is it okay to make a pre-TTC appointment? I have seen a ton of visits with the 6 doctors I work for (I'm a scribe so I sit in on the visit and type it for them) but never a preconception appointment, so I didn't know if it was a good idea, a normal practice, or if people wouldn't know what I'm talking about. Maybe I'll make another forum about that..