Now A Mom

      Recently, I was at a BBQ with a friend in the ward and a few other people. While there, we all began discussing our differnt soda habits. She went on to say that she likes Diet soda’s, but tries to buy the caffeine free kinds, especially with the news of a new study done. Recent studies show that caffeine may boost risk of miscarriage. Something that I have never before heard. Of couse, you can read in some places not to consume more than somewhere around 8 cups of coffee worth a day, which of couse, for a majority of people is no problem. I was quite sick while I was pregnant and Dr. Pepper or Diet coke are two things that I rather enjoyed that would also help to calm my stomach. I was even told by my sister and a few other people, that their OBGYN’s had told them to drink these soda’s while pregnant if it was all they could keep down, as long as they were drinking something.

                 Now, with this new study, I think that I will do things differently the next time I’m pregnant. Perhaps I’ll actually listen to my husband when he tells me that if it’s not good for me, it’s got to be a lot worse for a baby. Of course, even this study shows that 2 cups or more of coffee a day is to much caffeine, and as I don’t even drink coffee, I’m sure an occasional soda won’t really do any harm, but why take the chance it will? Especially when most every soda is available in a caffeine free version that tastes virtually the same. It will still have the same effects on your stomach, as it is more the carbonation and not the caffeine that has that effect.

             The study went on to say that they have hopes that various organizations will begin to change the guidlines they currently state for caffeine intake while pregnant. I know that everyone is so very careful about what medications they take while pregnant, so sure to not consume anything that will be harmful to your unborn child; yet there are so many people with a dependancy on caffeinated drinks that they disregard the warnings thinking simply that they’ve seen someone drink way more then them while pregnant and their child was fine. If we had that outlook on all things, we’d be able to rationalize doing just about anything OBGYN’s advice against, things that can be harmful to our unborn children. Anything from working out to much, to drinking, to smoking, to taking medications.

           After hearing this study, I know that I will do things differently the next time I have a child. Although Mia is healthy and perfect, why take a chance that the next one might not. Nothing is worth taking that extra risk of hurting my baby, especially when there are so many alternatives to having a caffeinated drink.