Like most things these days, the verdict keeps going back and forward where coffee is concerned. The latest research now causes some concern for pregnant women or those contemplating pregnancy in the immediate future. According to a study published on Monday, November 3rd, in the British Medical Journal, even one cup of coffee can impact a fetus negatively.

It was revealed that caffeine, regardless of source is linked to smaller, low-birth weight babies. The researchers noted that caffeine from sources such as coffee, chocolate, tea and cola all have the same effect. This study confirms the long held belief by some medical practitioners that caffeine is not good for pregnant women.

Earlier this year researchers in the USA also found that pregnant women who drink two cups or more of coffee have an increased risk of suffering a miscarriage. In fact the researchers place the risk of miscarriage at twice that of non-coffee drinking women. Drinking between 100-199 milligrams (one to two cups) of coffee daily was also found to increase the risk of having a low birth weight baby by up to 20 percent. The researchers said that a miscarriage caused by caffeine intake would be most likely before the pregnancy was 20 weeks old. However, another recent study published in the journal, Epidemiology (January 2008) said there was no link between miscarriages and caffeine consumption.

Based on the new information it would seem that giving up caffeine in its various forms is necessary to ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby. This is especially important since babies that are born prematurely or who were smaller than normal at birth have increased health risks even later in life. These risks include heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Talk to your doctor on this issue if you have any doubts or concerns, but clearly it is best to err on the side of caution and try to avoid caffeine altogether. It is likely that your OBGYN would be aware of the results of the study, so don’t hesitate to ask.

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