Effects Of Caffeine During Pregnancy
Caffeine is a commonly consumed substance in our society. It is present not only in coffee, but also in soft drinks, chocolate or tea, for example. Therefore, caffeine consumption during pregnancy is a controversial issue. Let’s delve into this subject.
What is caffeine?
We talk about caffeine often, but do we really know what it is? Chemically, it is an alkaloid that belongs to the group of methylxanthines. In our body, it acts on the central nervous system as a psychostimulant.
It is a competitive antagonist of adenosine A1 and A2a receptors. These receptors are responsible for inhibiting the release of many neurotransmitters. Therefore, the effect of caffeine is its release. It stimulates, among other things, the action of dopamine.
Caffeine is also considered a drug because of its energy and stimulant properties. Excessive consumption on a regular basis causes tolerance and can lead to withdrawal symptoms when it is suppressed at once.
It is also used because of its pharmacological properties. More specifically, it is often used as an adjunct in the analgesic treatment of pain. It is also part of the composition of many medicines against flu and migraine, among others.
What are its properties?
As we have already said, caffeine is a psychostimulant and psychoactive substance for the central nervous system. This means that it activates our brain, “waking it up” and keeping it alert.
In addition, it also has other effects on our body, such as:
- It is an antioxidant and attacks free radicals.
- Increases blood pressure.
- Increases heart rate.
- It has diuretic properties.
- Favors blood circulation.
- May cause some dehydration.
- It can cause a headache, although it also helps to eliminate it.
- Improves respiratory function by increasing diaphragm contraction.
- It produces vasodilation at the muscular level.
Effects of Caffeine During Pregnancy
Caffeine is sometimes considered a risk factor for fertility, as is tobacco or other drugs. At low doses there seems to be no risk, however this is something we should keep in mind not to abuse it if we are looking for a pregnancy.
Moderate caffeine consumption during pregnancy has no harmful effects. However, high levels of caffeine during pregnancy can cause miscarriages as well as slow fetal growth.
Side effects
Why do these effects occur? Caffeine crosses the placenta, so the amount in the mother’s blood can pass freely into the amniotic fluid and fetus. In the placenta, there is no way to metabolize this caffeine, and the fetus also does not have the necessary enzymes for this in its liver until 8 months of gestation.
Thus, because of the properties of caffeine, there may be uterine and fetal vasoconstriction, thus reducing the amount of blood that reaches the fetus and, as a consequence, the oxygen and necessary nutrients. Therefore, a high consumption of caffeine can alter the growth of the fetus.
Other more serious complications that caffeine can cause during pregnancy are, as we’ve said, the risk of miscarriage, especially in the first trimester, or the onset of pre-eclampsia or hypertension.
Blood pressure and heart rate are factors that must be controlled during pregnancy. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid the use of substances that alter them, in order to avoid unwanted complications, both for the mother and the fetus.
Furthermore, during breastfeeding, caffeine also passes into breast milk. Excessive caffeine consumption by the nursing mother can cause irritability and sleep disturbances in the newborn. Moderate consumption, however, poses no risk.
There is still a lot to be investigated in this field. Undoubtedly, excessive caffeine consumption only has harmful effects, especially during pregnancy, for both the mother and the fetus. However, moderate consumption can even be beneficial.
