Throughout pregnancy, women receive loads of dietary advice. The advice from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) is to stick to a maximum of two cups of coffee a day because caffeine intake can affect fetal growth. This is advice taken from Norwegian health authorities which is based on risk assessments in Norway. Think there is a low risk When a new study casts doubt on whether these coffee tips are relevant for pregnant women – The idea behind the study was to see if there was a causal relationship between drinking coffee and unfavorable health outcomes such as miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth or low birth weight. RESEARCHER: Gunn-Helen Moen believes the method used in this study is more reliable than other methods. Photo: Translational Research Institute (TRI). That’s what Gunn-Helen Moen says. She is a researcher at the clinical institute at the University of Oslo, and has led the study. The research was carried out by the researchers investigating risk factors by looking at the genes and whether it had a direct effect on how many cups of coffee someone drinks and the various outcomes. Genetics was used in order not to expose pregnant women to anything that could potentially be harmful. And the result is clear: – Considering the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth or premature birth, we cannot see that there is any negative risk, says Moen. She emphasizes that they have only looked at these outcomes, and that there are many aspects of the child’s development where the effect of caffeine has not been investigated. – We also found no evidence of a negative effect on the child’s birth weight, but we could not be completely sure that there could be no effect at all on the birth weight, says Moen. Drinking coffee with a clear conscience Mathilde Ellingsen Skjæveland (32) is a mother of small children who is also currently pregnant. PREGNANT: Mathilde Ellingsen Skjæveland is due in September and drinks iced coffee with a clear conscience. Photo: Privat She believes that the research is positive and that it can make first-time mothers a little safer in the situation. – You get peppered with good tips and dietary advice, says Skjæveland. Although she is not the most thirsty for coffee, she treats herself to iced coffee and what she describes as “gift coffee” in cafes. – And I actually drink it with a clear conscience. I’ll admit it. Interesting study In an email to news, senior researcher at FHI Anne Lise Brantsæter says that she finds it interesting that a new study that includes genetics in the analyzes does not find the same effect of caffeine intake on fetal growth as previous studies. Senior researcher at FHI, Anne Lise Brantsæter, thinks the study seems interesting, but it is too early to determine that coffee for pregnant women is safe. Photo: Norwegian Institute of Public Health Nevertheless, FHI retains the advice it has given. – The advice to pregnant women to be careful with caffeine intake is based on studies from many countries, and although the results showing that caffeine affects fetal growth are from observational studies, these are supported by animal studies and studies with biological markers. Furthermore, Brantsæter says that the current advice is based on the sum of scientific documentation in the field. – It is therefore too early to state that it is completely safe for pregnant women to drink coffee based on such a study, she concludes.
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– No risk of miscarriage or early birth – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
