TTMA: Coffee

[oldbaylover1024]

When I was pregnant with J, I gave up coffee as soon as I found out I was expecting. Mainly because my AL brain was in full swing, but also because I figured why not? I couldn't hurt. Actually, I ditched all caffeine. Then, I had elevated blood pressure with J, so my doc was pleased I had already stopped drinking it. I never had pre-e, but cutting caffeine would have been the first step to reduce my BP.

Fast forward to motherhood and coffee reentered my life for all the right reasons I usually drink 2 cups of black coffee a day and that's the end of my caffeine intake - no soda or tea.

I'm still drinking coffee and was wondering what you ladies are doing. Are you planning to ditch the caffeine temporarily, or keep indulging in the beauty that is coffee?

[takes sip of Wawa French vanilla black coffee]

[EmMilAlly]

I'm still drinking a big mug in the morning and some soda or tea in the afternoons. Like you, I had HBP during my last pregnancy so I need to cut down but I *can't* right now because Henry is teething. (It took him almost 3 months to get ONE tooth, so I may be in labor with this LO drinking a grande.)

[shellbell]

I continue to caffeinate. I'm not feeling like my normal coffee in the morning, at least right now. Last week I was drinking two cups of coffee (down from my normal 3). I'm also trying to kick my afternoon Diet Coke habit.

But cannot do this without caffeine. Unless medically necessary.

[pivot]

*Currently sipping on my morning 10 oz. cup as I type*

I have one cup of coffee in the morning and an occasional soda in the evening if I am completely dragging and I have things to do other than veg around. However, I also had HBP with my last pregnancy & was on bedrest from 33-39 weeks. Trying to avoid that at all costs this time around so I am going to savor my coffee to get me through this first trimester exhaustion & start weaning once second trimester comes around.

[meladorie]

I have 1.5-2 cups of black coffee every morning (from my keurig). Best estimate puts me at about 200 mg of caffeine, so within the "safe" limits for pregnancy. I have no intention to cut back or stop unless the doctor makes me. I need my coffee though. Stopping my evening wine was hard enough!

[meladorie]

Also, for you Starbucks fans: Starbucks black coffee is absurdly high in caffeine. A tall black coffee is basically the most caffeine recommended in a day. Espresso is much lower caffeine though.

[zcookiemonster]

So glad you asked this! Last time I gave it up right when I found out and it just didn't sound good to me. But this time nothing has hit me yet to say this tastes bad or I don't want it...so I continue to enjoy my morning cup. I've read that certain amounts is just fine but I was feeling a little guilty. I feel way better that there are some other coffee drinkers in the group, I shall keep drinking it!

[oldbaylover1024]

Last PG my doc recommended a Starbucks skim latte over Starbucks black coffee. One for the reduction in caffeine. Two for the calcium.

[pibblemom]

I WISH I could still drink coffee... However, it's on my aversion list. The only coffee I like is dunks iced coffee.

[ls2012]

I'm kind of coming at this question from the opposite. I don't drink caffeine and haven't for years, with the very rare exception. But now, I'm seriously craving a giant mocha-y frappe creation and I don't know if it's a good idea.

Yay or nay on the frozen coffee deliciousness?

[meladorie]

Jun 22, 2016 9:30:09 GMT -5 ls2012 said:

I'm kind of coming at this question from the opposite. I don't drink caffeine and haven't for years, with the very rare exception. But now, I'm seriously craving a giant mocha-y frappe creation and I don't know if it's a good idea.

Yay or nay on the frozen coffee deliciousness?

Yay. You can check caffeine content if it's Starbucks. Stay under 200-300 and you're fine.

[addymac]

I'm not a big coffee drinker to begin with- in the four years I've worked nights, I've drank coffee maybe ten times. I used to drink a can of Coke Zero every night at work until I was on some migraine medicine a few months ago that made soda taste AWFULLLLL. So I cut that out of my diet as well. So, as long as I can, I'm going to avoid caffeine. But if I'm falling asleep at work and can't take a break to nap, you bet I'm going to go for a can of coke or a cup of coffee. Baby needs mama to have a job more than not having caffeine.

[CoffeeOnIce]

I gave up coffee for the first trimester last pregnancy, and this time I'm trying to do the same. Ironically my midwife said to give it up third trimester since baby gets more from you at that point, but I was already back on the sauce. I used to have a tall iced latte daily. I'm mostly giving it up for how it makes me feel (jittery often like an addict, which I am) and the money. I don't feel like I should be spending $4 daily on Java since I often fail to make it at home. Plus, as PP's have said it can't hurt mine and babys health to take a break lol sure I'll be be back on the wagon in a few months. Off the wagon? I get it confused...

[lovebb09]

Last pregnancy I drank coffee 3 days a week when I worked. I would have an iced tea occasionally out at dinner. This pregnancy is a totally different story. I have my iced coffee every single day (usually a medium, 24 oz, from Dunkin because I'm addicted). I've cut out all other sources of caffeine though. I'm below the recommended limit of caffeine so I don't plan on giving it up. I truly don't think I could function without it. I was up for TWO hours with a teething baby last night before my husband came and took over. Must. Make. Coffee. Now.
Ps. Can someone please tell me what "TTMA" means?

[shellbell]

lovebb09 TTMA = talk to me about

[lovebb09]

Thanks shellbell!

[flyinghorses6]

I also quit drinking with DS, which was tough working nights but I also slept 8+ hours during the day. Now with motherhood I sleep 3-4 hours after work and can't make it through a shift without a cup. So I am sticking with 1 coffee a night. And trying not to drink it on nights off.

[oldbaylover1024]

ls2012 - A frappe is fine. Plus, I'm sweating my ass off these days (thanks, hormones), so a cold coffee would probably be deliciously satisfying.

Glad I'm not the only on one the Caffeine Train. It's just so delicious!

Andalso, I had migraines when I was PG with J and my OB said a cup of coffee would help (the caffeine and all). It sure did! I didn't drink it often - maybe 5-10 cups the whole PG - but it may help some you ladies with the migraines you're experiencing. Obviously I'm not your OBGYN though.

[notagoddess]

I feel like coffee tastes even better when I'm pregnant!

I used to drink a large, strong coffee every morning plus an occasional caffeinated drink in the afternoon. Now I've switched my morning drink to half caff, which works great. I haven't had the afternoon drink yet but I would if I really needed it.

[ls2012]

So, I got a grande mocha frappacino (sp?) from Starbucks and it was delicious! But, it didn't agree with my stomach. Cue digestive upset. Boo. Not a great re-introduction.

[cosmicav]

I've definitely tried to minimize since I found out I'm pregnant, but yeah.... 14 month old kid. Moderation is the name of the game. I hate to think what havoc it would wreak on my bowels if if I went completely cold turkey with no coffee. Lol

[CoffeeOnIce]

Jun 22, 2016 12:35:09 GMT -5 ls2012 said:

So, I got a grande mocha frappacino (sp?) from Starbucks and it was delicious! But, it didn't agree with my stomach. Cue digestive upset. Boo. Not a great re-introduction.

Yeah I love sugary goodness, but those are extra loaded and the combo with rich dairy and caffeine could be trouble! Hope you're feeling better soon.

[ls2012]

Jun 22, 2016 12:46:45 GMT -5 CoffeeOnIce said:

Jun 22, 2016 12:35:09 GMT -5 ls2012 said:

So, I got a grande mocha frappacino (sp?) from Starbucks and it was delicious! But, it didn't agree with my stomach. Cue digestive upset. Boo. Not a great re-introduction.

Yeah I love sugary goodness, but those are extra loaded and the combo with rich dairy and caffeine could be trouble! Hope you're feeling better soon.

I bought some chex mix while grocery shop and it's helping a bit. Definitely going to steer clear of the caffeine stuff. Makes me sad just thinking about it- so yummy!!

[nomnom]

ls2012 I'd be more concerned about the sugar than the caffeine in a frappe.

I'm avoiding caffeine if I can. Last pregnancy I only used it when I had a headache/migraine, which was very infrequent. This time I may need caffeine if my outside babies (or whatever else) don't allow me to sleep. I'll probably get it from tea, though. Last time coffee smelled like rotten meat.

[madam23]

Like many of you ladies, I quit cold turkey with DS. In 3rd tri, I did keep a container of instant espresso powder at my desk and would spike my tea/pudding/whatever I was ingesting with a sprinkle or two. It made me feel like I was getting a little boost.

This time around, I just can't quit. I'm finding though that I need the caffeine hit in the afternoon more so than in the morning, so my routine has been a half-caff k-cup in the morning, then a small iced coffee after lunch to get me through the rest of the day. It's working well! Small nonfat vanilla iced coffee from Starbucks is only 70mg of caffeine and does the trick for me.

[missi]

I immediately started making my coffee with half decaf, half caf.. I want to cut it out completely and only use it with tylenol when I get a migraine So hard though.. all I drink is coffee and water

[ImAPepper]

I've recently switched to tea bc the coffee was upsetting my stomach, but it's got caffeine. I have one cup in the morning and sometimes I'm really bad and have a Dr Pepper because well...I love it.

[shawnabm1320]

I drink 4 cups of tea a day, which should be about 2 cups of coffee, which my midwives said was fine last time.

[beachdreamer]

I went to decaf back when we started TTC last fall. With my aging ovaries I figured it would help to lay off the caffeine. I know it isn't 100% free but the trace amounts give me wiggle room to stay under the daily limit on those days I also have some iced tea or a Dr Pepper. Now with DS, I couldn't handle regular (decaf) coffee anyway....blech. The only thing I liked were the sweet lattes. That hasn't hit me so much yet this time.

[peanutbuttersugar]

With my O14 baby, I dropped the majority of my caffeine intake down to a super big (route 44 from Sonic) diet Dr Pepper first thing in the morning, and then I would get by on water or milk the rest of the day. That ended up being irrelevant though because I was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum and in the hospital 3 times due to dehydration and weight loss. At that point, it didn't matter what I consumed as long as it would stay down. With my O15 (born S15) baby, I didn't even worry about the caffeine; I just tried to drink more water than usual. Fortunately, I hate coffee (shun...I know), but on the flip side, I hate regular water too. This time my goal is to just be more conscious of choosing to drink water instead of always reaching for my diet Dr Pepper.