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How much coffee can you drink TTC?
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Anonymous
| I know somebody on here said caffeine affects fertility. What is the safe limit? Is it the same as the limit for pregnant women? |
Anonymous
| bump, and if people don't mind to comment on their experience with decaffeinated coffee, too, that'd be great ... |
Anonymous
|
The March of Dimes recommendations:
http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1148.asp 1 cup per day. I've been limiting myself to 1 tea per day and then drink decaf green tea the rest of the time |
Anonymous
|
I drank a cup of half-cafe in the morning all through my successful IVF (also through all my unsuccessful IUIs). I usually stuck to only decaf later in the day, but maybe a had a full strength cup once in a while. Did the same while PG.
And, was drinking two cups of half-caf every day when I got PG w/o ART for #2. |
Anonymous
| There are studies showing an increase in miscarriages during the first trimester for women who drink a good amount of coffee, like 4 cups a day. And there is at least one study showing a slightly decreased chance of success for women who drink caffeine while doing an IVF cycle - not sure about the amount of caffeine consumed in that one. Beyond that, there are no good studies on the effects of caffeine on TT&C in general and every OB, RE, acupuncturist, nurse, etc. will have a different view. Caffeine does decrease blood flow, including to the uterus, so it may reduce the chance of implantation in certain woman, but this clearly isn't the case for all women because many get pregnant without going off of caffeine. In terms of decaf coffee, I've heard that some clinics, or particular nurses or doctors at least, will say no decaf. You really have to do what is comfortable for you. |
Anonymous
| I don't believe it's a "good amount" of coffee. The studies I've read refer to an increased risk of miscarriage at 300 mg or more of caffeine a day. Then the studies say that is about 3 cups of coffee. But you have to think about what your source of caffeine is to determine how many mg of caffeine you are taking in. For instance, maxwell house has less caffeine than starbucks. And certainly drip coffee has less caffeine than espresso or latte drinks. Further, how many of us have an 8 oz coffee? An average mug is at least 12 oz. I just got back from Shady Grove and their recommendation for TTC (even prior to ART) is 1 coffee/tea/soda a day. I really haven't come across one source of info that says caffeine is okay. So why risk it? I personally have been having one cup of regular coffee (non-starbucks) or one diet soda a day. Then I switch to decaf coffee/soda if I have anymore that day. |
Anonymous
| I'm the one who wrote "good amount" and I happen to think that 300 mgs of caffeine is a lot of caffeine to be consuming. |
Anonymous
|
Recent studies show increased chances of preterm labor and/or low birth weight at 200mg per day, and recommend the 100mg range to be safe. This is for during pregnancy, though.
I weaned myself to decaf while trying just because I didn't want to go cold turkey all of a sudden. I still had the occasional morning cup in the down weeks, but I really appreciated already being off of it in general and not doing the yo-yo effect (I did the same with alcohol, pretty much got rid of it with the rare drink on the off weeks while trying). |
Anonymous
|
PP again:
The March of Dimes guidelines are here: http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1148.asp A list of usual amounts of caffeine in common sources is here: http://lds.about.com/library/weekly/aa121202b.htm |
Anonymous
| Sorry - I wasn't trying to be rude 11:41 with the "good amount" comment. It's just that 300 mg isn't necessarily 4 cups of coffee. As I did more research I found that one cup of starbucks is close to 200 mg of caffeine while maxwell house that you make at home is only around 100mg. |
Anonymous
Actually, Maxwell house (and other cheapo coffee) has MORE caffeine than starbucks or other high-end coffee. The cheap coffee is largely made from a different type of coffee bean that naturally has more caffeine (and less flavor). A shot of espresso does not have more caffeine than a full size cup of regular coffee -- if it is made properly it probably has less. Sorry, I'm a coffee geek. Best information I saw when TTCing 3 years ago was that 3 cup of regular coffee or more per day started to produce slightly higher miscarriage rates. But, there is very little evidence one way or the other on coffee. Most "negative" health impacts from coffee have been debunked. Limiting yourself to one regular sized cup of coffee a day seems intelligent. But, drinking Maxwell house or other crap coffee will not help you. Make your one cup a tasty cup. |
Anonymous
|
To PP - can't say I agree totally as my research has returned different results on the drip vs espresso/starbucks v. maxwell house issues. But anyway, here are some helpful links:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/caffeine/AN01211 http://www.somacon.com/p147.php http://www.diet-blog.com/07/how_much_caffeine_in_starbucks_coffee.php |
Anonymous
| Thanks. I always guessed 100 mg per cup. Guess I was off a bit. |