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Expert Q&A

	By Allison Gamble Nutritionist/Diet Technician Highland Park Hospital, Illinois

As soon as you decide you are going to try to get pregnant, your best bet is to not drink any beverages that contain caffeine or alcohol."

Caffeine:

An article by Brenda Eskenazi in the Journal of the American Medical Association, "Caffeine During Pregnancy: Grounds for Concern?" states, "Advising women considering pregnancy is important given that caffeine consumption may affect fertility. Exposures even prior to pregnancy may increase the risk for SAB (spontaneous abortion)."

I can tell you your caffeine intake should definitely be lower than 300 mg (approximately two to three 5 oz cups of coffee per day). Caffeinated pop (colas, Mountain Dew and others) has about 30 to 46 mg per 12 ounce can, but 7-up, Slice, Sprite and Hires Root Beer don't have any caffeine! If you must have pop, maybe you should try one of those carbonated beverages. Don't forget about other healthy alternatives like juices and sparkling water.

Alcohol:

Alcohol should also be avoided when you are planning a pregnancy. There are just too many side effects as a result of consuming alcohol.

During the entire pregnancy women should be very aware of the foods they consume, however, most women don't know they are pregnant until they are half-way through or at the end of the first trimester. The placenta forms during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and so during this time, alcohol can passes easily through to the tissues of the embryo and can cause damage, as the fetal blood alcohol rises until it becomes equal to the mother's blood alcohol level.

Even though you may not feel drunk or any effects of the alcohol, a fetus, smaller than the palm of your hand, might have alcohol poisoning. Since the fetus' organs are still developing, it is very hard for it to detoxify the alcohol from its body. Even after the alcohol has vanished from the mother's blood stream, it may still be in the fetus's bloodstream.

Many spontaneous abortions occur within the first trimester, and alcohol may contribute to that. So if you are planning on pregnancy, skip alcohol altogether - it's not worth risking your child's health.

Remember, your baby deserves the healthiest environment possible. Take care!

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