I Accidentally Had Too Much Caffeine While Pregnant

Many of us have fallen into the trap of being addicted to caffeine. With so many Americans not being able to ‘function’ before their cup of Joe it can be a worrying time if you’re pregnant. Research has uncovered that caffeine poses a risk to unborn babies but what can you do if you accidentally had too much caffeine while pregnant?

I Accidentally Had Too Much Caffeine While Pregnant – What Do I Do Now?

Accidentally taking a bit too much caffeine by accident or for a small portion of time is not something to worry about.

However, it is important for you to be aware that any caffeine can cause complications with 200mg a day being the limit to stick to.

The effects of too much caffeine while pregnant can vary. Research has made us very aware that consuming caffeine in excessive amounts can put you at risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and low birth weight.

How Much Caffeine Is Too Much When Pregnant?

The number of dos and don’ts in pregnancy can leave you in a whirlwind of doubt and dysfunction. The sweet excitement of growing a new life can become a challenging time for many future moms leaving you in a tizz over what things you can eat and drink.

Whilst you create a mental tick chart of what is safe to consume one thing we know for certain is the risks that are posed if you ingest too much caffeine.

Sitting and thinking I think I accidentally had too much caffeine while pregnant won’t undo what you have ingested into your body but knowing the risks and when to seek medical attention can help.

Limits of Caffeine

Limiting caffeine is one of the big musts in pregnancy. Whether it’s in the things you drink or the food you eat too much can cause complications in pregnancy.

Caffeine is a stimulant that many of us are guilty of overindulgence. High levels can help you stay more alert and give you an energy boost ready to tackle life’s tasks.

Considered safe for consumption, health professionals have found that too much caffeine can relay adverse effects on pregnant women and their unborn babies.

Recommended Caffeine Limit During Pregnancy

Before we delve into the risks of what can happen if you accidentally drank too much caffeine while pregnant, let’s look at what is classed as a safe amount to consume.

Moderate caffeine consumption is considered to have no major link to the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth as reported by ACOG. The term moderate in this instance is believed to be equivalent to 200 mgs a day which is equivalent to two small cups of coffee. The research continues to explain that the link to low birthweight is still undetermined so whilst you can still enjoy your coffee this can still have a negative risk on your pregnancy.

It is also important to consider what foods you eat because they too can also contain caffeine so reaching for that chocolate after your second cup of Joe may not be the best idea.

What Happens If I Drink Too Much Caffeine While Pregnant?

During pregnancy anything you eat or drink you share with your baby. Caffeine is a stimulant that takes longer for your body to break down.

The placenta is your baby’s lifeline, this organ is responsible for delivering oxygen and nutrients to the baby which means caffeine can also be crossed over leaving your baby with the aftereffects.

Having a drink containing caffeine can take effect after 15 minutes but the stimulant can last in your body for hours afterward. According to The Cleveland Clinic, it can take up to 10 hours for caffeine to completely be out of your bloodstream. The scary fact is whilst pregnant this time is longer ranging from 11.5 hours to 18 hours. Having caffeine lurking in your system for this lengthy period is asking for it to enter your baby’s bloodstream as well.

So what happens when you drink too much caffeine while pregnant?

Research suggests that taking in more than recommended doses of caffeine can increase the risk of miscarriage and maybe stillbirth but the outcomes of such remain a largely under researched area.

Even if you stick to the recommended amount there are still links to low birth weights and other side effects when your baby is born however to look at the whole picture these cannot be clearly defined as caffeine has a different effect on us all.

The side effects on you in itself has clearer picture consuming too many caffeinated products can

Increase blood pressure.
Increase heart rate.
Cause dizziness.
Increase anxiety.
Cause abdominal pain.
Subject you to diarrhea.

If you feel any of the above symptoms then you may find even the slightest bit of caffeine doesn’t agree with you during pregnancy. Always seek medical advice if you have any concerns.

Caffeinated Products

Caffeine can appear in many items you wouldn’t think twice about eating or drinking. The obvious are tea, coffee, and energy drinks which doctors recommend you should cut back on especially whilst pregnant.

But other staples in your pantry that can include caffeine are:

Decaf coffee and tea – in order for it to be categorized as decaf it has to include no more than 2-4 mg per 8 oz.

Chocolate – contains anything from 1-35mg. Generally darker chocolate has a higher concentration.

Medication – pain killers, pre workout, and supplements all contain caffeine in varied amounts.

Soft drinks – can include 30-60 mg of caffeine so take note your favorite carbonated liquid can pose risk if drank in large amounts.

The list can go on but it is clear that before you drink or eat anything you should check the label.

Cutting Back Off Caffeine

The American Pregnancy Association recommends that you shouldn’t consume more than 200mg of caffeine a day whilst pregnant. This would include the foods you eat also.

The studies prove that maintaining a highly caffeinated diet can harm you and your baby but if you are anything like me your morning coffee acts like liquid gold to help get you started for the day.

Cutting back can seem like a challenge but look at the tips below to help yourself and your doctor can provide sound advice and support.

Ease off – cutting caffeine out cold turkey can sometimes be worse than cutting down. Withdrawal symptoms of caffeine are ugly, it can make you irritable, give headaches, and make you feel shaky and nauseous. Cutting down can help ease your body into the new norm but be sure to get under 200mg a day as soon as you can.

Switch to decaf- even though caffeine will still be present it is of a much lesser amount meaning you can still enjoy your favorites without fearing you are over the limit.

Herbal Tea – if it’s a warm drink that you can’t go without, herbal teas can benefit your pregnancy without containing any nasty ingredients. Be aware that some herbs are not recommended throughout pregnancy so do your homework!

Being out and about shopping for baby clothes is one of the highlights of being pregnant but before you stop off at your favorite coffee shop for a recharge look at the caffeine content in some popular drinks.

Product	Amount of caffeine
Starbucks latte grande	150mg
Dunkin’ Coffee large	270mg
Starbucks Cappuccino grande	150mg
Dunkin’ latte medium	166 mg

This list will certainly make you think twice before ordering! Just by having one coffee you mean coming close to your limit for the entire day.

Contacting A Doctor

The main scope of this article is what to do if you have accidentally drank too much caffeine while pregnant. The bottom line is, there isn’t anything you can do. Making this mistake shouldn’t be a regular occurrence so it is unlikely that your baby will be at risk if you had a one off chocolate binge or an extra coffee.

The main thing to take from this situation is to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Educate yourself on everything you put into your body, and make a mental note of how much you have had. Don’t fall into the trap of one more coffee won’t hurt. As research suggests it can have long term effects on your body as well as your little growing bean.

If you feel unwell at all or notice any change in movements you must seek professional advice and may have to be monitored to ensure your baby is healthy.

There are many ways to monitor your caffeine limits, check out this caffeine calculator or record them in a notebook. It won’t take long before you are an expert at what and how much you can drink.

Wrapping Up

How much caffeine is too much when pregnant?

Any amount of caffeine can affect you and your baby. The FDA suggests that for a healthy adult, 400mg is the maximum limit but this amount should be halved when pregnant.

I totally understand the pressure you probably have already put yourself under by accidentally drinking that extra cup of coffee, in hindsight it wasn’t worth the stress and anxiety it has caused but making little tweaks to your routine switching up to decaf or opting for an alternative will help keep you at your limits.

Remember to seek medical advice if you or your baby feels unwell, it could be from the overconsumption of coffee or it could be something totally related.

I Accidentally Had Too Much Caffeine While Pregnant – What Now?