ALCOHOL, SMOKING AND CAFFEINE
Alcohol
Smoking
Caffeine
- When trying to fall pregnant, alcohol consumption should be kept to a minimum
This section provides information on why you should reduce your intake of alcohol and caffeine, and advice on how to give up smoking.
ALCOHOL
Women with a high alcohol intake have decreased fertility and heavy drinking throughout pregnancy can lead to problems in the developing baby. The Department of Health recommends giving up alcohol for one month pre-conception and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
When trying to fall pregnant, alcohol consumption should be kept to a minimum. In the first three months of pregnancy, important organs including the brain and nervous system are formed. Heavy drinking around this time is associated with birth defects and poor intellectual development. Why not try making some non-alcoholic cocktails - download the attachment at the top right of this page for some great recipes.
SMOKING
Trying for a baby may provide the perfect incentive to stop smoking. Smoking throughout pregnancy has been linked to increased incidence of premature birth, babies of low birth weight and sudden infant death syndrome (cot death).
If you stop smoking whilst trying to conceive, you are:
- More likely to have a healthier pregnancy and baby
- Able to cope better with birth
- Baby will cope better with birth complications
- Less likely to have an early baby
- Less likely to give birth to an underweight baby. (Babies of mothers who smoke are, on average, 200g lighter than babies of mothers who do not smoke. These babies have problems during and after labour and are more prone to infections)
- Able to reduce the risk of cot death
The sooner you stop smoking, the better. Even stopping in the last few weeks of pregnancy can be beneficial to you and your baby. Protecting your baby from tobacco right from pre-conception to birth will be one of the best ways to give your baby a healthy start in life.
Try these links to gain more information about smoking:
Visit the
website for the Department of Health.
Or take a look at this fun interactive site on how to give up smoking:
Lifebytes.
CAFFEINE
There is a slight risk of miscarriage with high intakes of caffeine and high intakes have also been associated with babies of a low birth weight. Caffeine intake should be moderate and consumption should be limited to no more than 300mg per day, (about four cups of coffee).
Here are some examples of foods and drinks containing caffeine:
- Tea
- Coffee
- Cola
- Chocolate bars
- Soft drinks and energy drinks (contain a small amount of caffeine)
Each of the following contain roughly 300mg of caffeine:
- 3 mugs of instant coffee (100mg of caffeine each cup)
- 4 cups of instant coffee (75mg of caffeine each cup)
- 3 cups of brewed coffee (100mg of caffeine each cup)
- 6 cups of tea (50mg of caffeine each cup)
- 8 cans of cola (40mg of caffeine each can)
- 4 cans of 'energy' drink (up to 80mg of caffeine each can)
- 8 (50g each) bars of dark chocolate (up to 50mg each). Caffeine in milk chocolate is about half that of dark chocolate
So, having a:
- Bar of dark chocolate (50mg of caffeine) AND
- 3 cups of tea (150mg of caffeine) AND
- A can of cola (40mg of caffeine AND
- A cup of instant coffee in a day (75mg of caffeine)
Will take you up to the 300mg limit for the day.
The Alternative Choice to Caffeine
The most obvious alternative choice is a decaffeinated coffee or tea. Green tea is also very low in caffeine, as are herbal teas. Another alternative is herbal coffee made from roasted herbs such as chicory, carob, barley and betel nut, which can be ground and brewed.
If you feel you need extra help
You can get extra help and support from the NHS Pregnancy Smoking Helpline, tel. 0800 169 9169. They are open from Monday to Sunday from 12 noon to 9pm every day (if you are in Northern Ireland, the contact number is 0800 783 3339).
