New study finds caffeine doubles risk of miscarriage

[Anonymous]

Really? How about the study on fetal alcohol syndrome? The study on the effects of smoking on the fetus, which people also ignored for years?

[Anonymous]

Wow--thanks for that tremendous insight.

Again, if you listen to your body and do what makes sense to you, I think, oh I dunno, maybe you'd put down that bourbon and not light up.

And if polishing off that fifth and reaching for that pack of Reds DOES make sense to you, then you're not reading forums trying to figure out how to best care for your kids.

THIS is why I avoid hanging out at the playground.

[Anonymous]

Just listen to your body is pretty dumb advice. I suppose it beats astrology and palm reading.....

You don't feel the affects exposure until its too late. You most often do not show any physical sign until its too late. Take a look at hypertension, it has the nickname silent killer for a reason. Unless you have some sort of pyschic power, your body isn't going to tell you there is a problem in time to help your yourself or your baby.

On the fish thing. larger fish that ingest other fish contain more mercury than smaller fish. Hence, the mercury warnings are more aimed at these fish or total cumulative consumption. The omega3 and other beneficial properties are still very important to nutrition. This doesn't contradict the warning not to ingest too much fish that contains more mercury, just eat other types of fish within a reasonable limit.

I do understand how people struggle to understand information that is not crystal clear. We aren't exactly a society that deals well with restricting what we want but its not that hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow--thanks for that tremendous insight.

Again, if you listen to your body and do what makes sense to you, I think, oh I dunno, maybe you'd put down that bourbon and not light up.

And if polishing off that fifth and reaching for that pack of Reds DOES make sense to you, then you're not reading forums trying to figure out how to best care for your kids.

THIS is why I avoid hanging out at the playground.

This is just nonsensical. Do you think that women in the 60s and 70s just weren't "listening" to their bodies when they smoked while pregnant? It's idiotic to think that you're body will "speak" to you when you've had too much mercury. Come on, PP. These women weren't informed because the science just wasn't there. You seem to be suggesting that we don't need scientific studies to help us determine what's safe while pregnant because we'll somehow intuitively know. Incredibly naive.

[Anonymous]

I'm suggesting that many studies, such as the caffeine study that was basis of the original post, were not based on thorough analyses and the media has rushed and sensationalized them.

And that yes, there are obvious, proven things that you should heed.

But that you should be reasonable, that obsessing over everything you do is actually pretty stressful which is also very bad for your baby (to say nothing of your friends that you annoy to NO END with your tsktsking), and that if you just use common sense, talk to your doctor, and aren't a complete moron that chances are you'll be fine.

The end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:obsessing over everything you do is actually pretty stressful which is also very bad for your baby

Really? How do you know--I mean, FOR SURE?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm suggesting that many studies, such as the caffeine study that was basis of the original post, were not based on thorough analyses and the media has rushed and sensationalized them.

And that yes, there are obvious, proven things that you should heed.

That's the whole point. At one point, not smoking/drinking was not obvious. And at one point, not proven. But women's bodies weren't "telling" them it was wrong - which is ridiculous. It hardly seems like such a big deal to give up caffeine, for at least three months, in case recent studies are, in fact, accurate, which is highly likely. But to ignore it just because it wasn't a "solid enough" study seems irresponsible. Is it really worth it?

[Anonymous]

I decided to totally quit caffeine, alcohol, use algae-based DHA supplements instead of eating a bunch of fish, avoided pesticides by eating organic foods, and so on -- these decisions were simple and not at all stressful.

[Anonymous]

I'm seeing this string of messages very late, but thought I'd post a reply in case someone else comes across it.

As stated by others, caffeine is said to be linked to miscarriage and preterm birth. I stuck stringently to the rules with my first pregnancy (carried to 41 weeks), and ignored them frequently with my second. I gave birth to my second son at 24 weeks and he did not survive.

I have a sister-in-law who was pretty smug about "how easy" her pregnancies are and how there's no need to obsess over the latest studies or tone down the physical exertion. I bit my tongue as I watched her down espressos at Christmas time and run races with her older boys. Two weeks later, she miscarried at 19 weeks. Might have happened no matter what -- might not have.

Neither of us will ever know for certain what caused our pregnancies to fail. As our doctors told us, "every pregnancy is different for each woman. Your body is not the same as it was with your last pregnancy." So, while I agree that you don't have to deprive yourself of all life's pleasures while pregnant, it's hard for me to read the posts from people who throw all caution to the wind.

I promise you that no beverage, food, or spin class is worth holding a 24 week old baby who has just died.

[Anonymous]

For 21:16, I am very sorry for your and your sister-in-law's losses.

I am confused as to why you include a spin class in your comments. Unless your OB tells you otherwise, moderate exercise is better for the baby and the pregnancy than none.

[Anonymous]

and I too am very sorry for your loss.

Please don't blame yourself for this.

[Anonymous]

I'm so sorry for your loss 21:16. I had a loss myself, albeit much earlier. After that experience, it's very difficult for me to understand taking these kinds of risks for coffee, for example.

[Anonymous]

Really sorry about your loss too.

To the folks that still drink a lot of coffee, it seems that switching to decaf should do the trick, no? I pretty much quit the caffeine, a bit of decaf or an occasional cup of tea seems to be just fine.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I didn't really expect any responses since my post was so much later than the last one. Even now, three years later, it really helps to hear those words "sorry for your loss." So, thank you. Very much.

To the poster who asked why I included the spin class comment: you're right -- moderate exercise is supposed to be good for the mom. I guess I said that because, during my pregnancies, I felt some pressure to be the wonder woman that so many women are during their pregnancies. My husband came home from the gym one day and told me that there was a 7 months pregnant woman (with twins no less) teaching the spin class. He didn't actually say "get off your lazy ass" but that is how I felt. So, I tried to be that woman, to disastrous effect.

If you're in on this discussion, you already know that the depth of the grief following a miscarriage or preterm birth can really catch you off guard. (I had no idea how bonded I was with my son until I held him and saw that he had dark hair and eyes shaped just like his brothers --- yes, at 24 weeks). I am sorry for your losses, too.

So my personal opinion is: You just do not know if you're going to be in the statistical downside. My doctor had absolutely no concerns, given that I had carried a 9 lb baby to term just 8 months before while globe-trotting for my job. So do yoga, walk, try not to stress, space your pregnancies out by a year if you can, and eat/drink sensibly. If I am ever so fortunate as to be pregnant again, I know that I will. And I bet that my unfortuante (no longer smug) sister-in-law will also.