Your Baby Today: Pregnancy: Expert Q&A: Diet & Nutrition: Caffeine

Linda G. Hsieh is a practicing registered dietitian with over six years experience in clinical practice. Focusing on prenatal and pediatric nutrition, she has worked as a nutrition educator for over nine years.

Q: I drink a cup of coffee in the morning and a diet soda in the afternoon. Can too much caffeine decrease my chances of becoming pregnant? And once I become pregnant, do I need to cut out caffeine altogether?

A: There hasn't been scientific confirmation that caffeine decreases your chances of becoming pregnant, or that it will harm your baby should you become pregnant. However, there is reason to be cautious. One study showed that drinking more than three cups of coffee a day during pregnancy was associated with inhibited absorption of iron and zinc. Another showed that moderate to heavy use of coffee and caffeine in pregnant women may result in smaller babies. More studies need to be conducted before a conclusion can be drawn about what the effects may be. In the meantime, to be on the more cautious side, try to avoid consuming caffeinated beverages. And don't overlook "hidden" sources of caffeine found in many sodas, including Mountain Dew, Root Beer, and Dr. Pepper.