Cut the Caffeine
Anything that is consumed beyond limits can be potentially harmful for your body. The same golden rule applies for coffee too! Though there is no direct evidence, experts say that there’s reason enough to believe that too much caffeine can hamper a woman’s ability to conceive. Animal studies suggest that caffeine can prevent an egg from maturing properly. Since, the chances of a less mature egg getting fertilized are very slim, it may affect your chances of getting pregnant. Though these results don’t really apply to people, it might be wise to resist your coffee temptation and reduce your caffeine intake if you’re having trouble getting pregnant.
It’s Just Not Coffee That Contains Caffeine…
If you’ve resolved to cut back on your daily cuppa, you’re probably staying away from coffee, tea and the colas. But if you didn’t know, this culprit can pop up in the most unexpected places like chocolates, ice cream, herbal products and even over-the-counter drugs.
| Coffee | Amount | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee generic, brewed | 8 oz | 95-200 mg |
| Coffee, generic instant | 1 tsp granules | 31 mg |
| Coffee, generic decaffeinated | 8 oz | 2 mg |
| Espresso, generic | 1 oz (1 shot) | 64 mg |
| Tea | Amount | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|
| Black tea, brewed | 8 oz | 47 mg |
| Green tea, brewed | 8 oz | 25 mg |
| Black tea, decaffeinated | 8 oz | 2 mg |
| Instant tea, unsweetened | 1 tsp powder | 26 mg |
| Soft drinks | Amount | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|
| Coke | 12 oz | 35 mg |
| Diet Coke | 12 oz | 47 mg |
| Pepsi | 12 oz | 38 mg |
| Diet Pepsi | 12 oz | 36 mg |
| Mountain Dew | 12 oz | 54 mg |
| 7-Up | 12 oz | 0 mg |
| Sprite | 12 oz | 0 mg |
Giving Up May Not Be That Easy
It you’re a hardcore coffee addict, giving it up all at one go may not be a good idea as you could have to deal with withdrawal symptoms like headache and fatigue. The ideal way to go about it is to gradually reduce your consumption. Another alternative is to prepare weaker brews. For instance, soaking your tea bag for one minute instead of five reduces the caffeine by as much as half. If you must have your cuppa, restrict it to just one cup a day!
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Dieting during pregnancy can cause abnormalities and a low birth weight in your baby; therefore your ideal weight should be reached before pregnancy.
Taking folic acid in its natural form before pregnancy can prevent serious birth defects. You can find them in fruits and vegetables, fortified cereals, and enriched bread products. If you’re planning to conceive, you should consume at least 400 micrograms of folic acid a day.
If you are on contraceptive pills, it could take a few months before your periods are regular and you begin ovulating again. It usually is best to stop the pills at the end of a cycle to avoid mid-cycle bleeding.
Before buying a home pregnancy test kit, be sure to check the expiry date. For accurate results, take the test after one week after the missed period; testing very early, can give you negative results.
Green tea and orange pekoe (popularly known as 'regular') are considered to be excellent fertility enhancers. Research has shown that women who regularly drink tea, increase their chance of conception.
