Caffeine and Substance Use

Research suggests that moderate caffeine consumption or less than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day (or equal to one 12-ounze cup of coffee) is shown to not cause preterm birth or miscarriage. Please remember that caffeine is also found in herbal tea, chocolate, energy drinks, soft drinks, and more. Please check your product labels for caffeine. Another affect caffeine can have on pregnancy is increasing your need to urine which can lead to dehydration.

Caffeine can also disrupt your sleep and add to feeling light-headedness and nauseousness. This is just a recommendation based on research. Talking to your health care provider is the best way to understand how much caffeine is safe during your pregnancy.

Caffeine use after pregnancy:

Continue drinking caffeine in moderation (200 milliliters per day or less) drinking caffeine or eating food with caffeine in it will most likely not effect your newborn baby. However consuming caffeine may disrupt your sleep.

Resources: How much coffee can I drink while I’m pregnant, (2022). The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology.

https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and- stories/ask-acog/how-much-coffee-can-i-drink-while-pregnant

No amount of alcohol is safe for your unborn child. Drinking alcohol can contribute to many lifelong developmental issues for your child. The worst being fetal alcohol syndrome. Symptoms of this syndrome include growth problems, mental disabilities, behavioral problems, and abnormal facial features.

If you are struggling with an alcohol addiction, know you are not alone. It is okay to ask your provider for more resources to help you quit drinking during your pregnancy.

Alcohol Use after Pregnancy:

If you choose to breastfeed, and you want to have an occasional drink. Wait at least 2 hours before breastfeeding. Alcohol will leave your milk, the same as it does your blood stream.

Marijuana (THC) Use During Pregnancy:

Marijuana is not safe for your unborn child. Many studies have shown that there is an increase in stillbirth with marijuana use. There is also a great risk that your child will be much smaller than babies who are not exposed to marijuana during pregnancy. Babies who are exposed to marijuana during pregnancy are at a greater risk for attention and behavioral issues as they grow older. If you are prescribed medical marijuana, you should stop using this before you become pregnant.

If you are struggling with addiction to marijuana, please reach out to your primary care provider or county worker for resources.

Tobacco Use During Pregnancy:

When babies are exposed to tobacco products (including smokeless tobacco products) during pregnancy, research has shown they are at an increased risk of being born early and small. Tobacco products may also cause your unborn child to be considerable smaller. Your child may also be born with different types of health problems. Your child could be born with cerebral palsy or other lifelong health conditions. Other health problems such as learning disabilities may appear later in childhood or even in adulthood.

South County Health Alliance offers an EX-program to help you quit smoking. Please reach out to member services at 1-866-567-7242 for more information on this program. You can also ask your primary care clinic or county worker for information to help you quit tobacco use.