Pre-Pregnancy Consumption of Caffeine Linked To Increased Miscarriage Risk

Miscarriages and intake of excessive amount of caffeine have been found to be intricately linked. A recent study carried out for the purpose of observing harmful effects of various lifestyle factors on pregnancy found evidence that caffeine increases the odds of miscarriage.

The study was led by Germaine Buck Louis, Ph.D., director of the Division of Intramural Population Health Research at NIH's Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. This study was later published in Fertility and Sterility.

The data for this research was obtained from the Longitudinal Investigation of Fertility and the Environment (LIFE) Study which was done to assess the association between fertility, lifestyle and exposure to environmental chemicals. In the LIFE Study, 501 couples participated from four different counties in Michigan and 12 counties in Texas, from the year 2005 to 2009.

For this study, various lifestyle factors such as smoking, intake of caffeinated beverages and the use of multivitamin supplements were studied in 344 couples with a singleton pregnancy starting prior to conception till the seventh week of pregnancy.

The results of the study were reported by using a statistical concept called hazard ratio which analyzes the probability of a particular health outcome during a particular time frame. The consumption of caffeinated beverages was analyzed in terms of the daily likelihood of pregnancy loss over a given time period. A score of more than 1 shows an increased risk of miscarriage each day following conception, and a score less than 1 indicates a decreased daily risk.

Caffeine Increases the Chances of Miscarriage

Out of the 344 pregnancies that were analyzed, 98 terminated in a miscarriage (28%). According to the study, the couples who consumed more than two caffeinated beverages a day prior to pregnancy were likely to face miscarriage. Similarly, women who consumed more than two cups of caffeinated beverages on a daily basis during the first seven weeks of pregnancy also carried a high risk of miscarriage.

The study also found out that women who take vitamin supplements on a daily basis before and during pregnancy faced far less chances of miscarriage as compared to the women who didn’t take these multivitamins.

Prior to conception, miscarriages were related with female age of 35 and above. Consumption of increased caffeine by both males and females was associated with a high hazard ratio of 1.74 for females and 1.73 for males.

The causal relationship between caffeine consumption and miscarriages could not be established precisely. The high risk of miscarriages as a result of caffeine intake was ascribed to the advanced age of sperm and egg in older couples or cumulative exposure to substances in the environment, which could be expected to increase as people age.

The researchers said that there was a possibility that miscarriage resulted from a normal pregnancy rather than caffeine interfering with the pregnancy. For instance, the symptoms of nausea and vomiting that are frequently experienced during pregnancy may cause women to stop drinking the caffeinated beverages.

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Since an association was found between miscarriages and pre-pregnancy consumption of caffeine, it was inferred that intake of caffeine during pregnancy can also yield the same harmful effects. The researchers also noticed decreased miscarriages in women taking multivitamins like vitamin B6 and folic acid.

This study has provided valuable insight into the information that every couple should follow while planning a pregnancy in order to minimize the chances of miscarriage. It is advised that the amount of caffeine should not be more than two caffeinated drinks per day. Folate and vitamin B6 supplementation is recommended to every woman starting prior to conception.  In this way, optimization of pregnancy can ensure a safe, healthy pregnancy.

12 Things All Couples Should Do Before Getting Pregnant

The ideal time to start preparing for a pregnancy is way before conception. Every couple needs to make major changes in the lifestyle in order to ensure safe pregnancy which is healthy for both the mother and the child. Following are the 12 most important changes that you need to heed before heading into pregnancy.

1.Time Your Pregnancy

Time is the most crucial element if you are planning to have a baby. Twenties is the ideal time for a pregnancy. As a woman crosses the threshold of 30s, she starts encountering the problem of delayed conception. In the wake of 40s comes the likelihood of birth defects. This is why planning the time of pregnancy is essential.

2. No Contraceptives

It goes without saying that when you decide to get pregnant, you need to say no to the pill at once since it takes about two weeks for fertility to return after stopping the pill. If you use any other method of contraception like the patches or vaginal devices, they should be reversed well within time.

3. Watch What You Eat

Diet is the single most important factor needed for a healthy pregnancy. Incorporate healthy foods in diet like fresh vegetables and fruits, grains, lean meat, dairy products. Cut down the consumption of sugary and fatty foods. For a healthy pregnancy, you need to monitor your diet very closely.

 4. Say No To Caffeine

Caffeine, if consumed in excess amounts, can have detrimental effects on the pregnancy which is why you need to curb your intake of coffee and other caffeinated beverages.

5. Avoid Alcohol

Even a little amount of alcohol can have adverse health outcomes for the baby so avoid alcohol at all costs.  

6. Folate Supplements

Deficiency of folic acid is linked with increased likelihood of birth defects like spinal abnormalities in the fetus so give your body its fair share of Folate. Dietary sources of Folate include green leafies, citrus fruits, cereals, whole grains etc. It is also available in the form of supplements.

7. Weight Optimization

Consult your obstetrician about the ideal weight that is needed for a healthy pregnancy in accordance with your stature. If you are overweight, reduce your weight and if you turn out to be underweight, try to gain some pounds for a healthy pregnancy.

8. Exercise

Adopting an active lifestyle well before conception has been proven to have a positive impact on the pregnancy. Do regular light aerobic exercises like simple walking etc. to keep yourself active. Talk to your obstetrician about acceptable level of physical activity and avoid over-exerting yourself.

9. No Stress

Stress can affect a pregnancy negatively which is why you need to have a relaxed state of mind while embarking on this journey.

10. Vaccination

If you have not been vaccinated for certain diseases like flu, measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria etc. now is the time to get it out of the way. The vaccines of certain diseases contain weakened strains of living organisms so you need to get those shots at least three months in advance.

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11. No Medicines

If you are taking medicines for any kind of disease like diabetes, thyroid diseases etc. even if they are herbal medicines, you need to stop taking them immediately and consult your doctor about the safety of each drug and whether or not it is safe to use them during pregnancy.

12. Visit The Obstetrician

Even though you will be meeting your obstetrician regularly during pregnancy, it is essential to visit at least once prior to conception. This ensures that you do not have any condition that might complicate the pregnancy and even if you do, how to tackle it for a healthy pregnancy. Other issues like previous history and any past pregnancy problems can also be addressed.