Pregnancy Puts Women Off Coffee

Dr Christina C. Lawson of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in Cincinnati, Ohio and her colleagues found that the surge of hormones that comes with a healthy pregnancy may cause some women to lose their taste for coffee. "A healthy pregnancy will produce a surge of pregnancy hormones that in some women will result in a strong aversion to the smell or taste of coffee," Lawson told Reuters Health. "Conversely, unchanged coffee or caffeine consumption could be indicative of a vulnerable pregnancy that produces lower hormone levels." During the study, Lawson and her team followed 92 women during the beginning of their pregnancies, recording how much coffee they drank, including decaffeinated. All of the women drank coffee just before falling pregnant and most stopped or decreased the amount they consumed during the first trimester of pregnancy.

As to how coffee affects pregnancy, the current study shows that, in regard to that question, the jury is still out. "There have been no clear studies to date that show whether drinking moderate amounts of coffee during pregnancy has detrimental effects," Lawson said. "If a woman has a question about coffee consumption during pregnancy, she should consult with her healthcare professional."

SOURCE:

American Journal of Epidemiology 2002;156:428-437

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