Week 12 of pregnancy and i worried about caffeine intake

Coffee, Tea or Milk?

Anyone who have worked with me or know me know i must have cup of Nescafe in the morning to start the day. Even while i was in school i needed my Iced Nescafe by recess or things will get bad really quick. Tea is my way of being "healthy".

One of my may-jah concern during pregnancy and the first question i asked my Dr Tang was

"Can i have my coffee and tea?!"

It was as if the sky opened up and rained delicious lattes and sweet tea when Dr Tang said"of course my dear, a cup of coffee and tea is okay"
"Yippeeee!"

Of course i had begun reading about the do's and don'ts of pregnancy. but the all seem to say NO.NO.NO.NO. (see links below) and i stop reading those Nos and started looking for the YESes. All seems to say in moderation, coffee and tea would not harm the baby. but i needed to hear it from my doctor. I needed her blessings. The caffeine-fear-mongers words were making me uneasy to sit on my growing buttocks.

"It was previously considered safe to have caffeine equal to the amount of 1-2 cups of coffee per day while pregnant. A new study, published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology January 2008 issue, indicates that more than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day can increase the risk of miscarriage substantially." Caffeine and Miscarriage, Suite 101

This next article analysed several studies to conclude to be safe, try to moderate to 200mg of caffeine per day and dont base your decision on ONE study alone. *cough fear mongers

"pregnant rats were exposed to caffeine and various teratogenic effects, resorption of fetuses, and a reduction in fetal and placental weight occurred...A 60-kg human would have to consume approximately 50 to 70 cups of coffee daily to achieve the equivalent dose used in the study...The Collaborative Perinatal Project identified 5378 mother-child pairs who were exposed to caffeine during the first trimester. No evidence of a relationship between caffeine consumption and congenital malformations was identified. A follow-up analysis of 2030 malformed children and maternal use of caffeine by the Collaborative Perinatal Project also failed to identify caffeine as a teratogen. Other investigators have also found no association between caffeine consumption during pregnancy and congenital anomalies....The most consistent finding regarding caffeine consumption during pregnancy was the possible association with low birth weights." "Coffee: Safe During Pregnancy?" iVillage.

Fear-mongers states that caffeine in pregnancy causes miscarriage and stillborn baby. Some advise don't drink at all. Some says 1 cup is fine. Some says 2-3 cups are fine. Some gets technical to the milligrams. Thats when things gets even more paranoid. As if your hormones arent driving you crazy enough. Now you have to count the miligrams of your caffeine intake per day?

You are pregnant. You are already stressed. Dont stress yourself too much over this.

In all honesty, why shouldn't i have my coffee and tea if it relaxes me? If avoiding stress and withdrawal syndromes that makes you hell for everyone means a cup of coffee or tea. By all means, have a cup.

"If you're a devoted java junkie or cola guzzler, caffeine withdrawal won't be easy. To minimize symptoms — which may include headaches, irritability, and lethargy — ease off gradually. Start mixing decaf with your caffeinated coffee. Or reduce the caffeine in homemade hot beverages by brewing them weaker or for a shorter time. If you love a soothing cup of English Breakfast, steeping your tea bag for just one minute instead of five reduces the caffeine by as much as half." "Caffeine and Pregnancy" BabyCenter

Happy mummy = happy baby. Plus, my hormones were going crazy at it is! coffee and tea makes mummy's hormones behaves. Stressing about it only makes the pregnancy worse. Creates anxiety. Disfunctional mind. Stress on the marriage. the body. did i mention your little fetus? So a cup of coffee OR tea can help this? Please, go ahead. The baby is tougher than you think. Just dont consume it all day and night. then, its a problem even i would admit to.

I complained. i sulked. but i didnt have coffee everyday and a cup (or two) of tea per day..i still limited myself. with help of Daddylicious refusal to make me tea but plenty of Milo instead and the occasionaly trip to Starbucks :)

Tried as i might to have a cup a day of one of my favourite beverage obviously failed a several times in the pregnancy. One day i went over the "limit" and Daddylicious (then a mere Hubbylicious) decided to put his foot down and said

"No more tea for you!"

Note: Even with daily caffeine intake that could have been more than 200mg but with self aware ("this is tea number what eh? better remember") limitations, PP was born 3.31kg (7.2 pounds). See, fear mongers, moderation is the key. not fear.

Which brings me to...
Facebook status back when i was really really desperade for my 3rd cup of tea of the day.

Caffeine Withdrawal: from AT LEAST 3 cups of coffee or tea per day to 1 cup per day. hence temper tantrum to Daddylicious over tea and major drama!

Dayang is asking her husband, why wont you let me have tea?! (Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:21:06 GMT)

Dayang SENSELESS POSTINGS = eviiillll husband who wont let me have tea and hijacks laptop (Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:32:02 GMT)

Dayang is gonna pick up the courage to order decaf coffee at Starbucks soon. I miss you Starbucks KLCC... (Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:11:19 GMT)
<--i did stop coffee right after i found out i was pregnant. not even decaf. so soon after the "ok go" from Dr Tang. I was dreaming of Starbucks vanilla lattes. only now, its "One tall decaf vanilla latte please" total, utter, bliss

Facebook status back when it was safe to say the baby ain't going nowhere the next 6 months

Also, at 12 weeks it was safe to assume baby's survival rate has vastly increased and paranoia majorly been minimised. hence, the official notice of pregnancy. should have added advanced apologies for major dramas due to hormones. if only i knew that was coming.

Dayang like to officially announce she is 3 mths preggy! NOW she accept the congratulations and please pray for our (future mummy, baby IT and erm...future daddy) safety and health. coz...its me you're talking about here. (Tue, 07 Apr 2009 14:43:06 GMT)

And today 12 April 2010, PP is officially 6 months old at 7.2 kg (15.8 Pounds) Happy half-year birthday my sweetheart!

Useful links:

iVillage "Coffee: Safe During Pregnancy?"
BabyCenter "Caffeine During Pregnancy"
Suite101.com "Caffeine and Miscarriage"