Doctors have long encouraged pregnant women to limit their caffeine intake. But results from a medical study released earlier this year suggest that the impact might be far more serious then previously believed… even for light coffee drinkers.

 

According to the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, women are at 40 percent higher risk for miscarriage even when they consume less than 200 milligrams of caffeine, or about one or two cups a day, as compared to women who consume no caffeine.

 

“I’ve always recommended limiting caffeine to less than 200 milligrams a day, so this study certainly makes you take notice of what you are suggesting to your patients,” says John Eichenlaub, Medical Director at Women & Babies Hospital. “This study is the first to suggest that there might be a detrimental effect with less than 200 milligrams of caffeine.”

 

 

However, a similar study released at the same time in Epidemiology reached a different conclusion: That consuming less than 200 milligrams of caffeine is safe and has no impact on miscarriage rates.

 

Dr. John Eichenlaub Medical Director at Women & Babies Hospital

One thing is not in dispute in both studies: Consuming more than 200 milligrams a day should be on every mother-to-be’s “no-no” list, along with smoking, alcohol and drugs not prescribed by a physician.

 

“According to the Journal study, women who consume more than 200 milligrams of caffeine a day are at 120% greater risk for miscarriage,” Dr. Eichenlaub says.

 

The Journal study used surveys of pregnant women instead of scientific testing. Because of the nature of the study and since it is only the first to contradict standard recommendations, Dr. Eichenlaub doesn’t believe it’s necessary to urge his patients to completely avoid caffeine.”

 

But women should also remember that caffeine is present in other drinks and foods; so cutting back on coffee alone might not be enough.

 

According to OBG Management magazine, average caffeine levels in common foods include:

 

“Caffeine will cross the placenta and can increase the heart rate in the fetus,” he says. “Fortunately, most mothers-to-be are already aware of their need to watch their caffeine intake,” Dr. Eichenlaub says.

 

“The one thing we want to avoid is making a woman feel that she caused a miscarriage because she consumed a small amount of caffeine,” he adds.

 

So what does Dr. Eichenlaub now recommend?

 

“I tell my patients, ‘If you have to have coffee, limit it to one cup a day,’” he says. “Don’t feel like you can’t drink any, but remember that less is always better.”