Giving Up Caffeine While TTC?

[rockymtnmama]

Hi Ladies,

We are planning to start actively ttc #3 in October and I am wondering if I need to start cutting back on caffeine now. I currently drink 2-3 cups of coffee per day. I gave up caffeine completely with my last two pregnancies after I found out I was pregnant, but I am older now (34) and fully aware that it may not be as easy for me to get pregnant as it was before in my early twenties.

I know that too much caffeine during the 1st trimester increases the chances of miscarriage, but does it affect your chances of conceiving as well?

Any experiences or thoughts you have to share on this subject would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[MaerynPearl]

personally I dont worry about it and havent had a problem

from what ive read if you want to optimize it... just drink 1 cup per day.

[Jane]

I try to keep it under 5 servings a day, the recommendation for pregant women. Then again, I haven't been able to stay pregnant, so you might want to do something different than me. LOL

[enigo]

I got pregnant with DS at 36 first try drinking 4-5 cups a day. However I quit coffee 6 months and one pregnancy ago and haven't been able to get a baby to stick. Maybe the caffiene was holding it all togerher.

[Drummer's Wife]

I have never worried about it. However, at this point, the only caffeine I have is from green tea and I tend to drink it once or twice a day.

In the past I drank 2 cups of coffee and coke about once a day - including while pregnant

That all said, it can't hurt to give it up (unless it means you are super exhausted).

[BunnyMcFluff]

there have been some medical studies that suggest increased caffiene intake (I think it was more than 2 8oz cups per day) correlates with lower rates of pregnancy. There were similar findings for low-moderate alcohol use.

That said, the last time I got pregnant I was bartending and drinking a LOT of red bull to make it through my shifts, and we conceived him without even trying. I quit caffeine prior to ttc this time because withdrawls are really a b!tch for me and I didn't want them on top of morning sickness.

[AnnieA]

I would say that if you intend to not drink coffee/caffeine while pregnant, it would probably be easier if you could quit before you get pregnant. I found out last week that I was pregnant and I LOVE coffee and needed the caffeine. I quit cold turkey and those first couple of days were so hard because not only was I tired from the pregnancy, the caffeine withdrawals were kicking my butt too! I would have rather only had to deal with those things one at a time.

[elonwy]

I have quit now while TTC for the same reason, I don't want to deal with the headaches and cranky once I'm actually pregnant. Amazingly, I have a ton of energy and actually wake up in the morning not groggy. I got up this morning an hour early and worked out. I have never done that in my life.

[justimaginelove]

"Caffeine increases estrogen levels. A study from Fertility and Sterility shows that drinking just two cups of coffee a day boosts levels of estradiol, a natural estrogen. Women who drink 4-5 cups of coffee a day produce 70% more estrogen in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, when the body is trying to produce a viable follicle for ovulation."*

If you do not normally have problems with your fertility caffeine may not be that big of a deal, but if you have any hormonal issues it may be best to avoid it.


*http://natural-fertility-info.com/

[Maurine]

Like someone else said, I cut out caffeine when I started TTC only because I didn't want to go through withdrawl while pg. Actually, I don't miss it! I do allow myself to have the occasional coke or something though. I drink herbal tea now instead.

[TTC]

Hi I'm a new member and this is my first post. I used to drink several cups of coffee a day for years up until last week because I've been reading it makes it harder to conceive as it restricts blood flow to the follicles. Needless to say I am suffering major withdrawl symptoms and it's not fun but am hoping to get through it.

[bolobear]

green tea

Originally Posted by Drummer's Wife

I have never worried about it. However, at this point, the only caffeine I have is from green tea and I tend to drink it once or twice a day.

In the past I drank 2 cups of coffee and coke about once a day - including while pregnant

That all said, it can't hurt to give it up (unless it means you are super exhausted).

To the Original Thread - I am trying to reduce my caffeine intake. I usually only have one cup of coffee a day but I tend to get in a lot of tea. I do want to keep it under the number. I'm very new ttc#1 next month so I would almost want to give it up completely but I'm not sure we have to.

I did want to comment on green tea though - as much as I love it - and have drank 5+ cups a day for the metabolic effects, I have read that too much can decrease folic acid!

I'm not sure of everything, but just going to keep the green tea to a few times per week for now and perhaps cut it all out and drink safe herbals.

[mom61508]

Originally Posted by justimaginelove

"Caffeine increases estrogen levels. A study from Fertility and Sterility shows that drinking just two cups of coffee a day boosts levels of estradiol, a natural estrogen. Women who drink 4-5 cups of coffee a day produce 70% more estrogen in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, when the body is trying to produce a viable follicle for ovulation."*

If you do not normally have problems with your fertility caffeine may not be that big of a deal, but if you have any hormonal issues it may be best to avoid it.


*http://natural-fertility-info.com/

[MountainMamaGC]

If you still want to drink more than one cup a day, cut your regular coffee grinds with about 2/3 swiss water decaf. That way you still get less caffiene but it still tastes like normal coffee. 2/3 decaf was as high as I could go without affecting the flavor. Also because you only have 1/3 the caffeine, you can have a few more cups if you feel like it.

[Tear78]

I've struggled with this topic, as it's now been over two years of TTC and I want to feel like I can LIVE while ttc. I've quit coffee several times and it didn't make a lick of difference for me, and at some point I got angry and frustrated and went back on. Same with alcohol. And exercise (should I during the TWW...should I not? Is exercising/not exercising the REASON we're not preg?)

Now, however, we're undergoing expensive fertility treatments, so I'm feeling like at least for now I should play by the book. I'm drinking much more decaf coffee and much less real coffee (a cup or less a day), and I'm not drinking alcohol during my tww. I also have started doing yoga, my mission being to do it daily but realistically every other day. The only times I got pregnant (m/c) were while I was regularly exercising...hm....you'd think that would motivate me more. I'm just so damn SICK of this journey. I think there's no "answer" to what you should do during TTC, and it could drive you crazy. You just have to do what feels right to your body, AND your sanity.

[Stevi]

I have been TTC for quite awhile, almost five years, in fact (with a few breaks). I've quit caffeine many times, but it is hard. I don't drink coffee or tea, my caffeine of choice is soda.

I think, ideally, if you can quit completely, you should. Right now, I'm just trying to keep it to a reasonable amount.

[dykemom]

It is a very good idea. Caffeine cuts your chances of fertility and conception. I gave up caffeine, alcohol, smoking, sugar and upped intake of water and vegetables while TTC. It sucked, and I was very exhausted but a little bundle of joy is worth it!!!

*baby dust**