Here's something else women may need to keep in mind if they're interested in having children. British researchers said they'll want to cut out caffeine completely, or significantly reduce its consumption. A local doc said to limit your intake, but not cut it out all together.
A new study in the BMJ, formerly called the British Medical Journal, examined more than 2,500 women who gave birth at British hospitals between 2003 and 2006. They discovered beverages including coffee, tea, and soft drinks seemed to affect fetal growth. Women who drank decaffeinated beverages seemed to have babies smaller than expected.
Researchers admitted more study is needed, but most doctors allow some caffeine consumption.
"I think one eye-opener is OK, whether it's in the afternoon or the morning," said Dr. Karianne Silverman, an OB/GYN with St. Francis Hospital in Hartford. "Pregnant women can have one decaffeinated tea or one cola per day, but beyond that, my preference is water."
The findings don't prove that caffeine was to blame for slowing fetal growth. Researchers said the culprit may be one of it's compounds.
