are you giving up coffee?

[SarahO]

any other joe addicts?
i drink one cup per day, and i'm trying to cut back....
last pregnancy i gave it up.
are you giving up coffee?

[snazzy_mom]

I drink a cup a day but I did switch over to decaf. I did give up tea altogether though other than decaf herbals.

[Thalia]

I'm not a huge coffee or tea drinker, but I did used to like to have a diet soft drink now and then. I'm giving them all up except for herbal tea. I might have some decaf coffee once in a while, but I haven't felt like I needed it yet.

[RoadWorkAhead]

I'm trying to, but first I gave up smoking, all diet drinks since the phenylalanine issues and such, all afternoon caffiene. I'm still getting in 1-2 cups of morning coffee, but I am trying to cut back on that and plan to get off all caffiene within 3 weeks.

[jessjillbolyer]

Luckily I gave up all that with my first pregnancy and never went back! I drink mostly water and milk these days. Some juice now and then.

[newmomtoteen]

I gave coffee up and now need the energy boost. I had a cup every morning just to get my day started. Can anything replace it?

Sylvia

[OldFashionedGirl]

Originally Posted by Kierdan'sMom

I'm trying to, but first I gave up smoking, all diet drinks since the phenylalanine issues and such, all afternoon caffiene. I'm still getting in 1-2 cups of morning coffee, but I am trying to cut back on that and plan to get off all caffiene within 3 weeks.

Sigh. I'm almost afraid to ask. What issues do you mean? I've given up coffee (much to my chagrine) and have been having the occassional (3-4/week) Diet Rite (no caffiene). So what's wrong with diet pop? (Gee whiz...isn't anything safe? : )

[MacKinnon]

Originally Posted by OldFashionedGirl

Sigh. I'm almost afraid to ask. What issues do you mean? I've given up coffee (much to my chagrine) and have been having the occassional (3-4/week) Diet Rite (no caffiene). So what's wrong with diet pop? (Gee whiz...isn't anything safe? : )

As far as I know, Diet Rite contains Splenda, which is actually suppose to be safer than the other artificial sweetners. Although, I did hear that Splenda is proudced using a chemical bleaching process, so it might not be something that you want anyway...

As far as coffee goes, I am a real coffee junkie! I never developed an adversion to coffee with my DD's pregnancy. I cut it out all together in the first trimester (well, I still had decaf in the AM) and then went back to one cup of 50/50 caf/decaf in the second and third trimesters. I don't have any other caffiene during the day. I'm on my way down to all decaf, mixing more and more decaf into the regular every day now. I have to wean myself off because I get migraines if I just stop (in non-preggo land, I drink cups and cups a day!)

[tannersmommy]

Originally Posted by OldFashionedGirl

So what's wrong with diet pop? (Gee whiz...isn't anything safe? : )

Here's a link about the side effects of artificial sweetners in diet drinks (or anything that is "sugar free"/artifically sweetened)
Aspartame Side Effects
I don't ever eat anything that is "sugar free" or diet...I figure that sugar may have more calories, but at least it's from nature. If you're able to, I would really try to stay away from diet drinks. (Hope that doesn't come across as harsh...just encouragement )

Like another poster said, I gave up coffee before I got pregnant with my first child, but I admit that I went back to about one Coke a day after he was born. Man, is that a hard habit to break! I found two all natural sodas at Wild Oats that I like...one is Wild Oats All Natural Cola (which is caffeine free) and Hansen's Grapefruit Soda. This is what I'm substituting now for my daily Coke addiction. In the morn instead of coffee, I drink Red Raspberry Leaf tea (yummy and strengthens your uterus) or another herbal caffeine free tea. I like Celestial Seasonings Tangerine something or other.

ETA: Never mind...link is working correctly now.

[meggles]

I was a coffee drinker until I saw I haven't had a single cup since. Peppermint tea gives me a boost in the morning and afternoon when I'm feeling dreary.

[Mamita Mala]

Part of my morning routine was a cup of coffee after dropping my daughter off at school , but so far I've stopped cold and am ok.

[storychick]

I dont drink coffee, but I have not given up tea which is my addiction. My last 2 pregnancies I found that I disliked it for awhile in the first trimester (decaf or not) so I dont drink much while it makes me sick. But I go back to my 2 cups caffeinated in the AM and 2 cups decaf in the pm after I'm done being morning sick.

I have found this pregnancy that iced, sweetened green tea is fantastic. I crave it so I'm drinking a lot of that. Plain water tends to make me nauseous so this works.

I figured that I intended to keep drinking the tea after the babies were born, so they'd better get used to it in utero before they got it in breastmilk! My LC/CBE with my first child said to drink it while pregnant (less than 3 cups a day) if you want to have it while BF, and that really the impact of caffeine in pregnancy is primarily in huge amounts and affects actually getting pregnant more than the growing fetus. But that was in Canada 6 years ago, so things may have changed since.

[tannersmommy]

This is what I read that made me decide that it wasn't worth it.
Caffeine in Pregnancy

"Caffeine’s Effects on the Developing Fetus
Caffeine easily passes from mother to fetus through the placenta. A developing fetus may have higher, sustained blood levels of caffeine than its mother because of immature metabolism. A few studies have shown that even moderate caffeine consumption affects fetal heart rate and movement patterns. A pregnant woman’s ability to metabolize caffeine slows as pregnancy progresses, so some of its effects may increase later in pregnancy."

I was literally ready to open a Coke (it would have tasted SO good), and decided to do a quick web search, read that, and decided never mind. I'm sure in moderation it's fine, but it's easier for me to just go cold turkey.

I feel for you guys who are coffee lovers, and good luck to those of you who are trying to quit - those headaches can be awful.

[SarahO]

wow, thanks for the link, tannersmommy. i was starting to feel nonchalant about forcing myself to give it up entirely.....but i think its really what i should do. i like the idea of switching to rasberry leaf tea and peppermint tea. i need a morning "treat," and perhaps tea could substitute! are they both safe?

[NikasMama]

I dropped from 2-4 cups of black tea a day to one. I'm pretty comfortable with the idea of one cup of tea each morning.

[gr8tfulmom]

I am a huge coffee head. I've gone from a pot a day to 1 morning cup. With my first 2 dds I was pretty mainstream and really didn't even slow down at all, and yes anecdotal, but they are just fine and dandy. During my last pg I could not stand the smell of coffee, let alone the taste. Each pg is different, just like each kid.

[Neldavi]

Originally Posted by tannersmommy

This is what I read that made me decide that it wasn't worth it.
Caffeine in Pregnancy

"Caffeine’s Effects on the Developing Fetus
Caffeine easily passes from mother to fetus through the placenta. A developing fetus may have higher, sustained blood levels of caffeine than its mother because of immature metabolism. A few studies have shown that even moderate caffeine consumption affects fetal heart rate and movement patterns. A pregnant woman’s ability to metabolize caffeine slows as pregnancy progresses, so some of its effects may increase later in pregnancy."

Thanks for that link. I work at a coffee shop so just recently started to get into really good coffee ... got a french press, the whole deal. It wasn't an issue with my first pregnancy. I was trying to convince myself that I could still drink it a few times a week, but I know it's better to just give it up ... no biggie, it'll just taste that much better a year from now

[snazzy_mom]

I read an article a few days ago that said that eating an apple in the morning gives you more of a boost that 2 cups of coffee. I am going to try that starting tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes

[Paige, CPM]

Here's a shocker...

I am a midwife and I had coffee this morning after we took the preg test.

Caffeine is addictive and a diuretic. However, I do not think one cup a day would really be so harmful or fall into the addictive catagories for most mamas.

Personally, now that it is me, I think I will not have a cup a day, but have a cup occasionally.

I think some organic milk and organic coffee is better any day than a chemical soda or drink.

I believe if you eat well in pregnancy (don't worry about being perfect) you not only lower the risks of some preg diseases (GD & PIH for example) but you start a good habit, set a good example for your family ~ which is so important for your children's health, and can reduce health problems as you age.

What about Stevia as a sweetener? I will have to research this...

Paige

[Jenelle]

I didn't necessarily plan to give up coffee. I planned to switch to mostly decaf. Now, though, if I do make a cup, I usually take a couple sips then it gets left sitting somewhere. I guess my body's just not craving it anymore.

And, as far as I know, stevia is safe for use during pregnancy. If someone finds research indicating otherwise, please let me know, as I am still using it occasionally. Thanks!