Overview: Teratogen.
Any agent that can cause congenital disabilities to an unborn child is a teratogen. Teratogen has other effects such as preterm births, miscarriages, or birthing problems. Teratogens exists in the mother environment and when exposed to the mother can cause the baby to the born with defects (Mitchell et al.…, 2015). Common teratogens include medications, alcohol, diseases the mother may be presently infected with or common behaviors and habits such as unregulated coffee intake and general food habits which can affect the state of the fetus.
How does coffee intake affect my unborn child? How much coffee is harmful to the fetus? How does my coffee intake relate to my baby development during pregnancy?
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During your pregnancy, you should understand and perceive coffee as a stimulant and pay close attention to the amount consumed daily. As a stimulant, coffee is used to increase alertness (Brent et al.…, 2013). Coffee stimulates the brain and the body by increasing blood pressure and the rate of heart functioning.
During pregnancy, an increase in heart rate and blood pressure is not advised as it can affect the fertility by risking the safety of the pregnancy (Mitchell et al.…, 2015).
Effects on caffeine during pregnancy
• Increase in blood pressure
• Increased blood rate
• Constant urination which reduces body fluid
• Dehydration
• Increased restless and irritability
• Stomach upsets and twitching of muscles
• Unregulated weight gain
Where do you find caffeine?
Contrary to common belief caffeine is not only found in coffee but is also present in tea, soft drinks like soda, energy drinks, chocolate and cocoa products, and Over The Counter drugs as an ingredient in relieve of colds or pain prescriptions (Brent et al.…, 2013).
In pregnancy, it becomes a requirement to be vigilant and careful by observing what you consume.
What type, frequency, or amount of caffeine exposure is a concern?
The numerous studies and research that has been conducted have resulted in the same finding. Pregnant women should avoid caffeine intake and reduce it to about a cup a day which is equivalent to 200 mg of coffee per day.
Developmental Risks: Risks to prenatal development.
Caffeine presents a developmental risk to the fetus. When food or drinks with caffeine are consumed, they can cross the placenta wall to the baby. Unlike you, your baby metabolism is barely developed which presents a challenge in digesting the caffeine in its body which leads to overworking the baby system.
Continued injection of caffeine which gives a problem to the baby metabolism will have fatal consequences.
Caffeine intake and trimester development
As the baby continues to develop, caffeine affects the baby sleeping patterns and healthy growth. Caffeine as a stimulant keeps you and the baby wake which leads to fatigue and physical exhaustion which is unfavorable for development.
Caffeine effects are critical in prenatal development that the toxin affects the brain, heart, and lungs of the fetus (Monie, 2016).
In the later stages, caffeine affects baby movements which are crucial in preparation for labor and birth.
Consequences of caffeine in baby and mother system
Caffeine half-life presents an elimination and metabolism problem for the baby (Monie, 2016)
Caffeine restricts fetal growth and development.it causes malformations and birth defects.
Impact and outcomes to family and society as a result of prenatal caffeine exposure.
What are the short-term and long-term outcomes from the exposure?
Exposure to caffeine causes infertility. Research shows that high consumption of caffeine in childbearing women causes a delay in conception compared to those who moderately or rarely consume caffeine (Brent et al.…, 2013).
Increased caffeine intake increases nocturnal awakening of more than three times per night in both the mother and the baby.
Caffeine increases the chances of delivering a low birth weight for babies whose mothers are high consumers of coffee and other caffeinated products. Caffeine consumption is associated with the continued reduction in baby weight.
Caffeine was also seen o increase the gestation period of a mother which affects the fetus. Studies revealed that caffeine products extended pregnancy hours by eight hours for every 100mg of coffee while caffeinated products increase it by five hours (Center for Science in the Public Interest, 2017).
Research shows that long term effects of caffeine affect the heart functions of the baby.
Minimizing Exposure
• Caffeine promotes poor nutrition and pregnancy requires a healthy diet to supplement the fetal growth and supply energy to the mother. Proper diet nourishes and supports the rapidly growing fetus.
To prevent exposure to caffeine which has many adverse effects on pregnancy childbearing women should adopt a healthy diet. Increasing intake of healthy products reduces the risk of baby diseases and conditions such as autism and eczema.
Reduced caffeine intake help in optimizing baby weight in later life and improve baby conditions such as colic and childhood allergies (Center for Science in the Public Interest, 2017).
Reduction in consumption of caffeine also cuts down the risk of premature and complicated births. It also reduces pregnancy complications such as high blood pressure.
Prevention and intervention options.
• During pregnancy, you should practice healthy caffeine consumption habits. Constant consultation with health providers helps in prevention of making mistakes that can harm your health or that of your baby.
• Ensure you consume quality and nutrition products such as organic food and organic coffee in moderated intervals.
• In pregnancy it is advisable to avoid caffeinated products and coffee due to its high possibility of harm to the baby. You should know that coffee has no benefits whatsoever to the baby and only serves to destroy and raise complication in the pregnancy process (Monie, 2016).
• Caffeine intake should be supplemented with proper diet and exercise to eliminate fatigue.
• Nutrition labels should indicate the amount of caffeine in products to allow making health consumption decisions.
Medical prevention interventions
• To prevent the harmful effects of caffeine women should seek medical advice when preparing and planning to get pregnant. It is also advisable to seek guidance when they conceive to receive proper guidance and ensure healthy mothers and babies.
References
Brent R.L, Christian M.S, &Diener R.M. (2013). Evaluation of the reproductive and developmental effects of caffeine. Birth Defects, Development, & Reproduction Toxicology.
Center for Science in the Public Interest. (2017) Caffeine chart . Retrieved from: https://cspinet.org/eating-healthy/ingredients-of-concern/caffeine-chart.
Monie I.W. (2016) Development and physiology of the fetus . Gynecology and Obstetrics. Vol. 2. Harper & Row, Publishers, Hagerstown, Maryland.
Mitchell D.C, et al. (2015). Assessing dietary exposure to caffeine from beverages in the U.S. population using brand-specific versus category-specific caffeine values . Food and Chemical Toxicology.
