Earlier studies have also suggested the risk of caffeine consumption during pregnancy. However the exact quantity was always a doubt. The new study finds that pregnant women who drank over 200 milligrams of the substance had twice the risk of suffering miscarriage as compared to women who shunned coffee.

The study involved 1,063 women in the early stages of pregnancy. Scientists at the Kaiser Permanente Research Division quizzed these women about their daily caffeine intake during the first 20 months of pregnancy.

Women whose caffeine intake was 200 milligrams or more everyday had twice the risk of suffering miscarriage as compared to their non-caffeine drinking counterparts. This is equivalent to about two or more coffee cups every day.

On the other hand women who drank less than 200 milligrams of coffee had a 40 percent decreased risk of miscarrying during the first few months.

Miscarriages are normally attributed to chromosomal abnormalities, but a body of solid research has linked it some miscarriages to increased caffeine intake. The above study, in the January issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, only reinforces that premise.

Caffeine is not only found in coffee, substantial amounts are also present in tea, soda and chocolate as well. According to the American Pregnancy Association caffeine may also cause preterm labor and low-birth weight babies.

"The less caffeine you consume, the better. Some experts say more than 150 mg of caffeine a day is too much, while others say more than 300 mg a day is too much. Avoiding caffeine as much as possible is your safest course of action," the APA advises pregnant women.

The Kaiser study found 200 milligrams to be too much for a pregnant women. Some researchers suggest that caffeine is fine during late pregnancy, however if you are pregnant it is best to avoid it altogether.
 

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