Nutrition and pregnancy#Caffeine

As with most diets, there are chances of over-supplementing. However, as general advice, both state and medical recommendations are that mothers follow instructions listed on particular vitamin packaging as to the correct or recommended daily allowance (RDA). Daily prenatal use of iron substantially improves birth weight, potentially reducing the risk of low birth weight.{{cite journal | vauthors = Haider BA, Olofin I, Wang M, Spiegelman D, Ezzati M, Fawzi WW | title = Anaemia, prenatal iron use, and risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis | journal = BMJ | volume = 346 | page = f3443 | date = June 2013 | pmid = 23794316 | pmc = 3689887 | doi = 10.1136/bmj.f3443 }}

• Folic acid supplementation is recommended prior to conception, to prevent development of spina bifida and other neural tube defects. It should be taken as at least 0.4 mg/day throughout the first trimester of pregnancy, 0.6 mg/day through the pregnancy, and 0.5 mg/day while breastfeeding in addition to eating foods rich in folic acid such as green leafy vegetables.{{Cite book|title = Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation: Handbook of Prescription Drugs and Comparative Risk Assessment|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=CE569saGK70C&q=folic+acid+pregnancy&pg=PA95|publisher = Gulf Professional Publishing|date = 2001|access-date = 2015-05-13|isbn = 9780444507631| vauthors = Schaefer C }}
• Iodine levels are frequently too low in pregnant women, and iodine is necessary for normal thyroid function and mental development of the fetus, even cretinism. Pregnant women should take prenatal vitamins containing iodine.{{Cite book|title = Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=S5oCjZZZ1ggC&q=iodine+levels+pregnancy&pg=PA303|publisher = Lippincott Williams & Wilkins|date = 2006|access-date = 2015-05-13|isbn = 9780781741330| vauthors = Shils ME, Shike M }}
• Vitamin D levels vary with exposure to sunlight. While it was assumed that supplementation was necessary only in areas of high latitudes, recent studies of Vitamin D levels throughout the United States and many other countries have shown a large number of women with low levels. For this reason, there is a growing movement to recommend supplementation with 1000 IU of Vitamin D daily throughout pregnancy.{{cite journal | vauthors = Aghajafari F, Nagulesapillai T, Ronksley PE, Tough SC, O'Beirne M, Rabi DM | title = Association between maternal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and pregnancy and neonatal outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies | journal = BMJ | volume = 346 | pages = f1169 | date = March 2013 | pmid = 23533188 | doi = 10.1136/bmj.f1169 | s2cid = 2425364 | doi-access = free }}
• A large number of pregnant women have been found to have low levels of vitamin B12, but supplementation has not yet been shown to improve pregnancy outcome or the health of the newborn.{{Cite book|title = Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=OIgTE4aynrMC&q=vitamin+b12+pregnancy&pg=PA1573|publisher = Lippincott Williams & Wilkins|date = 2011|access-date = 2015-05-13|isbn = 9781608317080| vauthors = Briggs GG, Freeman RK, Yaffe SJ }}
• Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, specifically docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), are beneficial for fetal development. Several studies have shown lower risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight in mothers with higher intakes.{{cite journal | vauthors = Imhoff-Kunsch B, Briggs V, Goldenberg T, Ramakrishnan U | title = Effect of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid intake during pregnancy on maternal, infant, and child health outcomes: a systematic review | journal = Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology | volume = 26 | issue = Suppl 1 | pages = 91–107 | date = July 2012 | pmid = 22742604 | doi = 10.1111/j.1365-3016.2012.01292.x | doi-access = free }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Jensen CL | title = Effects of n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation | journal = The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition | volume = 83 | issue = 6 Suppl | pages = 1452S–1457S | date = June 2006 | pmid = 16841854 | doi = 10.1093/ajcn/83.6.1452S | doi-access = free }}
• Iron is needed for the healthy growth of the fetus and placenta, especially during the second and third trimesters. It is recommended that the first and third trimester retain concentrations greater than 11 grams/deciliter and that the second trimester has levels above 10.5 grams per deciliter.{{cite journal | vauthors = Rahmati S, Azami M, Badfar G, Parizad N, Sayehmiri K | title = The relationship between maternal anemia during pregnancy with preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis | journal = The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine | volume = 33 | issue = 15 | pages = 2679–2689 | date = August 2020 | pmid = 30522368 | doi = 10.1080/14767058.2018.1555811 | s2cid = 54489672 }} It is also essential before pregnancy for the production of hemoglobin. There is no evidence that a hemoglobin level of 7 grams/100 ml or higher is detrimental to pregnancy, but it must be acknowledged that maternal hemorrhage is a major source of maternal mortality worldwide, and a reserve capacity to carry oxygen is desirable. According to the Cochrane review conclusions iron supplementation reduces the risk of maternal anaemia and iron deficiency in pregnancy but the positive effect on other maternal and infant outcomes is less clear.{{cite journal | vauthors = Peña-Rosas JP, De-Regil LM, Garcia-Casal MN, Dowswell T | title = Daily oral iron supplementation during pregnancy | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 2015 | issue = 7 | pages = CD004736 | date = July 2015 | pmid = 26198451 | pmc = | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD004736.pub5 }}{{Update inline|reason=Updated version https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39145520|date = October 2024}}

The United States and the European Union have established vitamin and mineral recommendations during pregnancy and lactation. The amounts in the table below are the higher of the two. The citations separately list recommendations for pregnancy and lactation. Recommendations (RDAs = Recommended Dietary Allowances and PRIs = Population Reference Intakes) are set higher than what has been determined to be average requirements so as to address women who have above average needs. For some nutrients there is not enough information to set a recommendation, so the term Adequate Intake (AI) is used based on what appears to be sufficient.

*Adequate Intake

†Not established. EU has not identified an AI for sodium or chloride, and does not consider chromium to be an essential mineral nutrient.

Multiple micronutrient supplements taken with iron and folic acid may improve birth outcomes for women in low income countries.{{cite journal | vauthors = Keats EC, Haider BA, Tam E, Bhutta ZA | title = Multiple-micronutrient supplementation for women during pregnancy | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 3 | pages = CD004905 | date = March 2019 | issue = 3 | pmid = 30873598 | pmc = 6418471 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD004905.pub6 }} These supplements reduce numbers of low birth weight babies, small for gestational age babies and stillbirths in women who may not have many micronutrients in their usual diets. Undernourished women can benefit from having dietary education sessions and, balanced energy and protein supplements.{{cite journal | vauthors = Ota E, Hori H, Mori R, Tobe-Gai R, Farrar D | title = Antenatal dietary education and supplementation to increase energy and protein intake | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 2015 | issue = 6 | pages = CD000032 | date = June 2015 | pmid = 26031211 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD000032.pub3 }} A review showed that dietary education increased the mother's protein intake and helped the baby grow more inside the womb. The balanced protein and energy supplement lowered risk of stillbirth in small babies and increased weight gain for both the mother and baby. Although more research is needed into the longer term effects on the mothers' and infants' health, the short term effects look promising. A review conducted in 2018 found that there was a slight benefit for lipid-based nutritional supplements (LNS) for newborn birth weight, length, small for gestational age and stunting when compared with iron-folic acid (IFA). In the same study IFA and multiple micro-nutrients (MMN) reduced maternal anemia better than LNS but care is advised in interpreting and applying the results due to review limitations.{{cite journal | vauthors = Das JK, Hoodbhoy Z, Salam RA, Bhutta AZ, Valenzuela-Rubio NG, Weise Prinzo Z, Bhutta ZA | title = Lipid-based nutrient supplements for maternal, birth, and infant developmental outcomes | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 2018 | issue = 8 | pages = CD012610 | date = August 2018 | pmid = 30168868 | pmc = 6513224 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD012610.pub2 }}

Prenatal vitamins typically contain increased amounts of folic acid, iodine, iron, vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc, and calcium over the amounts found in standard multi-vitamins. Currently there is insufficient evidence that zinc supplements during pregnancy result in improved neonatal or maternal outcomes.{{cite journal | vauthors = Carducci B, Keats EC, Bhutta ZA | title = Zinc supplementation for improving pregnancy and infant outcome | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 2021 | issue = 3 | pages = CD000230 | date = March 2021 | pmid = 33724446 | pmc = 8094617 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD000230.pub6 }} The World Health Organization does not routinely recommend zinc supplementation for all pregnant women.{{cite web |title=Zinc supplementation during pregnancy |url=https://www.who.int/elena/titles/zinc_pregnancy/en/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331101108/http://www.who.int/elena/titles/zinc_pregnancy/en/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 31, 2014 |publisher=World Health Organization |access-date=22 April 2016}}

Approximately {{convert|30|g}} of calcium is accumulated during pregnancy, almost all of it in the fetal skeleton (25 g).{{Cite book| vauthors = Krause MV, Raymond JL |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fgadSQAACAAJ|title=Krause's Food & Nutrition Therapy|date=2008|publisher=Saunders/Elsevier|isbn=978-1-4160-3401-8|language=en}} For women with low calcium diets, there is low quality evidence to suggest that calcium supplementation during pregnancy may reduce the risk of preeclampsia.{{cite journal | vauthors = Hofmeyr GJ, Lawrie TA, Atallah ÁN, Torloni MR | title = Calcium supplementation during pregnancy for preventing hypertensive disorders and related problems | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 2018 | issue = 10 | pages = CD001059 | date = October 2018 | pmid = 30277579 | pmc = 6517256 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD001059.pub5 }} Low-quality evidence also suggests that calcium supplementation may reduce the risk of the mother having the baby before 37th week of pregnancy (preterm birth).{{Cite journal |last=Kongwattanakul |first=Kiattisak |last2=Duangkum |first2=Chatuporn |last3=Ngamjarus |first3=Chetta |last4=Lumbiganon |first4=Pisake |last5=Cuthbert |first5=Anna |last6=Weeks |first6=Jo |last7=Sothornwit |first7=Jen |date=2024-11-19 |title=Calcium supplementation (other than for preventing or treating hypertension) for improving pregnancy and infant outcomes |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39560075 |journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |volume=11 |issue=11 |pages=CD007079 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD007079.pub4 |issn=1469-493X |pmc=11574946 |pmid=39560075}}

A mother's nutritional intake during pregnancy is believed to influence and possibly offer protective effects against the development of allergenic diseases and asthma in children.{{cite journal | vauthors = Beckhaus AA, Garcia-Marcos L, Forno E, Pacheco-Gonzalez RM, Celedón JC, Castro-Rodriguez JA | title = Maternal nutrition during pregnancy and risk of asthma, wheeze, and atopic diseases during childhood: a systematic review and meta-analysis | journal = Allergy | volume = 70 | issue = 12 | pages = 1588–1604 | date = December 2015 | pmid = 26296633 | doi = 10.1111/all.12729 | s2cid = 2473787 }} Maternal intake of vitamin D, vitamin E, and zinc have all been associated with a lower likelihood of wheezing in childhood, suggesting a protective effect. Additionally, maternal intake of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFAs) has been associated with a reduced risk of development of eczema in childhood and reduced likelihood for infants to exhibit sensitivity to foods in the first year of life.{{cite journal | vauthors = Best KP, Gold M, Kennedy D, Martin J, Makrides M | title = Omega-3 long-chain PUFA intake during pregnancy and allergic disease outcomes in the offspring: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies and randomized controlled trials | journal = The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition | volume = 103 | issue = 1 | pages = 128–143 | date = January 2016 | pmid = 26675770 | doi = 10.3945/ajcn.115.111104 | doi-access = free | author-link5 = Maria Makrides }}

Folic acid, which is the synthetic form of the vitamin folate, is critical both in pre- and peri-conception. Deficiencies in folic acid may cause neural tube defects (NTDs). Women who had 0.4 mg of folic acid in their systems due to supplementing 3 months before childbirth significantly reduced the risk of NTDs.{{Cite web|title = Recommendations {{!}} Folic Acid {{!}} NCBDDD {{!}} CDC|url = https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/recommendations.html|website = www.cdc.gov|access-date = 2015-05-13}} More than 80 countries use fortification of certain foods with folic acid as a measure to decrease the rate of NTDs.{{cite journal | vauthors = Wald NJ, Morris JK, Blakemore C | title = Public health failure in the prevention of neural tube defects: time to abandon the tolerable upper intake level of folate | journal = Public Health Reviews | volume = 39 | pages = 2 | date = 2018 | pmid = 29450103 | pmc = 5809909 | doi = 10.1186/s40985-018-0079-6 | doi-access = free }}

The combination of vitamin E and vitamin C supplemented to pregnant women does not appear to be efficacious for reducing risk of stillbirth, neonatal death, preterm birth, preeclampsia or any other maternal or infant outcomes, either in healthy women or those considered at risk for pregnancy complications. Antioxidant vitamins as dietary supplements had been proposed as having benefits if consumed during pregnancy. For the combination of vitamin E with vitamin C supplemented to pregnant women, a Cochrane review of 21 clinical trials concluded that the data do not support vitamin E supplementation – majority of trials alpha-tocopherol at 400 IU/day plus vitamin C at 1000 mg/day – as being efficacious for reducing risk of stillbirth, neonatal death, preterm birth, preeclampsia or any other maternal or infant outcomes, either in healthy women or those considered at risk for pregnancy complications.{{cite journal | vauthors = Rumbold A, Ota E, Hori H, Miyazaki C, Crowther CA | title = Vitamin E supplementation in pregnancy | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 2016 | issue = 9 | pages = CD004069 | date = September 2015 | pmid = 26343254 | pmc = 8406700 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD004069.pub3 }} The review identified only three small trials in which vitamin E was supplemented without co-supplementation with vitamin C. None of these trials reported any clinically meaningful information. A second Cochrane review of 29 trials, published same year, reported on the same combination trials but added analysis of trials with vitamin C alone. The conclusion was that the data do not support routine vitamin C supplementation alone or in combination with other supplements for the prevention of fetal or neonatal death, poor fetal growth, preterm birth or preeclampsia.{{cite journal | vauthors = Rumbold A, Ota E, Nagata C, Shahrook S, Crowther CA | title = Vitamin C supplementation in pregnancy | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | issue = 9 | pages = CD004072 | date = September 2015 | volume = 2016 | pmid = 26415762 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD004072.pub3 | pmc = 9039972 }}

For vitamin B12, the U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for pregnancy is 2.6 μg/day, for lactation 2.8 μg/day. Determination of these values was based on a RDA of 2.4 μg/day for non-pregnant women plus what will be transferred to the fetus during pregnancy and what will be delivered in breast milk.{{cite book |last1 = Institute of Medicine |title = Dietary Reference Intakes for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B₆, Folate, Vitamin B₁₂, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline |chapter = Vitamin B₁₂ |publisher = The National Academies Press |year = 1998 |location = Washington, DC |pages = 306–356 |chapter-url = http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=6015&page=306 | access-date = February 7, 2012 |isbn = 978-0-309-06554-2|author1-link = Institute of Medicine }} However, looking at the same scientific evidence, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) sets adequate intake (AI) at 4.5{{nbsp}}μg/day for pregnancy and 5.0 μg/day for lactation.{{cite web | title = Overview on Dietary Reference Values for the EU population as derived by the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies| year = 2017| url = https://www.efsa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/assets/DRV_Summary_tables_jan_17.pdf}} Low maternal vitamin B₁₂, defined as serum concentration less than 148 pmol/L, increases the risk of miscarriage, newborn low birth weight and preterm birth.{{cite journal | vauthors = Rogne T, Tielemans MJ, Chong MF, Yajnik CS, Krishnaveni GV, Poston L, Jaddoe VW, Steegers EA, Joshi S, Chong YS, Godfrey KM, Yap F, Yahyaoui R, Thomas T, Hay G, Hogeveen M, Demir A, Saravanan P, Skovlund E, Martinussen MP, Jacobsen GW, Franco OH, Bracken MB, Risnes KR | display-authors = 6 | title = Associations of Maternal Vitamin B12 Concentration in Pregnancy With the Risks of Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Individual Participant Data | journal = American Journal of Epidemiology | volume = 185 | issue = 3 | pages = 212–223 | date = February 2017 | pmid = 28108470 | pmc = 5390862 | doi = 10.1093/aje/kww212 }} During pregnancy the placenta concentrates B₁₂, so that newborn infants have a higher serum concentration than their mothers. What the mother-to-be consumes during the pregnancy is more important than her liver tissue stores, as it is recently absorbed vitamin content that more effectively reaches the placenta.{{cite journal | vauthors = Sebastiani G, Herranz Barbero A, Borrás-Novell C, Alsina Casanova M, Aldecoa-Bilbao V, Andreu-Fernández V, Pascual Tutusaus M, Ferrero Martínez S, Gómez Roig MD, García-Algar O | display-authors = 6 | title = The Effects of Vegetarian and Vegan Diet during Pregnancy on the Health of Mothers and Offspring | journal = Nutrients | volume = 11 | issue = 3 | pages = 557 | date = March 2019 | pmid = 30845641 | pmc = 6470702 | doi = 10.3390/nu11030557 | doi-access = free }} Women who consume a small percentage of their diet from animal-sourced foods or who by choice consume a vegetarian or vegan diet are at higher risk than those consuming higher amounts of animal-sourced foods of becoming vitamin depleted during pregnancy, which can lead to anemia, and also an increased risk that their breastfed infants become vitamin deficient.{{cite journal | vauthors = Obeid R, Murphy M, Solé-Navais P, Yajnik C | title = Cobalamin Status from Pregnancy to Early Childhood: Lessons from Global Experience | journal = Advances in Nutrition | volume = 8 | issue = 6 | pages = 971–979 | date = November 2017 | pmid = 29141978 | pmc = 5683008 | doi = 10.3945/an.117.015628 }}

Pregnant women are advised to pay attention to the foods they eat during pregnancy in order to reduce the risk of exposure to substances or bacteria that may be harmful to the developing fetus. This can include potentially harmful pathogens such as listeria, toxoplasmosis, and salmonella.{{cite journal| vauthors = Williamson CS|title = Nutrition in pregnancy|journal = British Nutrition Foundation|volume = 31|pages = 28–59|year = 2006|doi=10.1111/j.1467-3010.2006.00541.x}} Intake of large amounts of retinol has been linked to birth defects and abnormalities.{{cite web | url=http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/vitamin-a/safety/hrb-20060201 | title=Vitamin A (retinol) | publisher=Mayo Clinic | work=Drugs and Supplements | date=November 1, 2013 | access-date=May 17, 2015}}

During pregnancy, a woman's mass increases by about 12 kg (26 lb).[https://www.nap.edu/read/10925/chapter/6 Water] Institute of Medicine Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate. Washington, DC: National Academies Press (2004). The European Food Safety Authority recommends an increase of 300 mL per day compared to the normal intake for non-pregnant women, taking the total adequate water intake (from food and fluids) to 2,300 mL, or approximately 1,850 mL/ day from fluids alone.{{cite journal | vauthors = ((EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition, and Allergies (NDA) )) | year = 2010 | title = Scientific Opinion on Dietary reference values for water | journal = EFSA Journal | volume = 8 | issue = 3| pages = 1459–1507 | doi = 10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1459 | doi-access = free }}

Caffeine consumption during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of pregnancy loss{{cite journal | vauthors = Chen LW, Wu Y, Neelakantan N, Chong MF, Pan A, van Dam RM | title = Maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy and risk of pregnancy loss: a categorical and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies | journal = Public Health Nutrition | volume = 19 | issue = 7 | pages = 1233–1244 | date = May 2016 | pmid = 26329421 | doi = 10.1017/S1368980015002463 | pmc = 10271029 | doi-access = free }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Li J, Zhao H, Song JM, Zhang J, Tang YL, Xin CM | title = A meta-analysis of risk of pregnancy loss and caffeine and coffee consumption during pregnancy | journal = International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics | volume = 130 | issue = 2 | pages = 116–122 | date = August 2015 | pmid = 26026343 | doi = 10.1016/j.ijgo.2015.03.033 | s2cid = 20819774 }} and increased risk of low birth weight, defined as below 2500 grams (5.5 pounds).{{cite journal | vauthors = Rhee J, Kim R, Kim Y, Tam M, Lai Y, Keum N, Oldenburg CE | title = Maternal Caffeine Consumption during Pregnancy and Risk of Low Birth Weight: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies | journal = PLOS ONE | volume = 10 | issue = 7 | pages = e0132334 | year = 2015 | pmid = 26193706 | pmc = 4507998 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0132334 | doi-access = free | bibcode = 2015PLoSO..1032334R }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Chen LW, Wu Y, Neelakantan N, Chong MF, Pan A, van Dam RM | title = Maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy is associated with risk of low birth weight: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis | journal = BMC Medicine | volume = 12 | pages = 174 | date = September 2014 | pmid = 25238871 | pmc = 4198801 | doi = 10.1186/s12916-014-0174-6 | doi-access = free }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Soltani S, Salari-Moghaddam A, Saneei P, Askari M, Larijani B, Azadbakht L, Esmaillzadeh A | title = Maternal caffeine consumption during pregnancy and risk of low birth weight: a dose-response meta-analysis of cohort studies | journal = Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition | volume = 63| issue = 2| pages = 224–233 | date = July 2021 | pmid = 34224282 | doi = 10.1080/10408398.2021.1945532 | s2cid = 235744429 }} The European Food Safety Authority and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists concur that habitual caffeine consumption up to 200 mg per day by pregnant women does not give rise to safety concerns for the fetus.{{Cite journal |last=EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) |date=2015 |title=Scientific Opinion on the safety of caffeine |url=http://doi.wiley.com/10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4102 |journal=EFSA Journal |volume=13 |issue=5 |doi=10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4102}}{{cite journal | author = American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists | title = ACOG CommitteeOpinion No. 462: Moderate caffeine consumption during pregnancy | journal = Obstetrics and Gynecology | volume = 116 | issue = 2 Pt 1 | pages = 467–468 | date = August 2010 | pmid = 20664420 | doi = 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181eeb2a1 }} The United Kingdom Food Standards Agency had recommended that pregnant women should limit their caffeine intake to less than 300 mg of caffeine a day, but in 2009 revised that downward to less than 200 mg of caffeine a day.{{cite web|url=http://www.food.gov.uk/news/pressreleases/2008/nov/caffeineadvice|title=Food Standards Agency publishes new caffeine advice for pregnant women|access-date=3 August 2009}}

High doses of caffeine intake during pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage{{cite journal | vauthors = Signorello LB, McLaughlin JK | title = Caffeine and miscarriage: case closed? | language = English | journal = American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology | volume = 199 | issue = 5 | pages = e14–e15 | date = November 2008 | pmid = 18667179 | doi = 10.1016/j.ajog.2008.05.033 | doi-access = free }} and some major negative pregnancy outcomes, such as stillbirth or low birth weight.{{cite journal | vauthors = James JE | title = Maternal caffeine consumption and pregnancy outcomes: a narrative review with implications for advice to mothers and mothers-to-be | journal = BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine | volume = 26 | issue = 3 | pages = 114–115 | date = June 2021 | pmid = 32843532 | pmc = 8165152 | doi = 10.1136/bmjebm-2020-111432 }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Morgan S, Koren G, Bozzo P | title = Is caffeine consumption safe during pregnancy? | journal = Canadian Family Physician | volume = 59 | issue = 4 | pages = 361–362 | date = April 2013 | pmid = 23585600 | pmc = 3625078 }}

A 2020 review called into question the safe levels proposed by the European Food Safety Authority, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the National Health Service, and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. It found that the current scientific evidence does not support moderate caffeine consumption during pregnancy as safe, and advised pregnant women and women contemplating pregnancy to avoid caffeine.

{{main|Alcohol and pregnancy}}

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are a group of conditions that can occur in a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. The most severe form of the condition is known as fetal alcohol syndrome. Problems may include an abnormal appearance, short height, low body weight, small head size, poor coordination, low intelligence, behavior problems, hearing loss and vision problems.{{cite web|title=Facts about FASDs|url=https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/facts.html|access-date=10 June 2015|date=April 16, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523194618/http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/facts.html|archive-date=23 May 2015|df=dmy-all}} Those affected are more likely to have trouble in school, legal problems, participate in high-risk behaviors, and have trouble with alcohol and recreational drug use.{{cite journal | vauthors = Coriale G, Fiorentino D, Di Lauro F, Marchitelli R, Scalese B, Fiore M, Maviglia M, Ceccanti M | display-authors = 6 | title = Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): neurobehavioral profile, indications for diagnosis and treatment | journal = Rivista di Psichiatria | volume = 48 | issue = 5 | pages = 359–369 | date = 2013 | pmid = 24326748 | doi = 10.1708/1356.15062 }} Fetal alcohol syndrome usually occurs when a pregnant woman has more than four drinks per day. Milder symptoms have been found with two drinks per day during the early part of pregnancy.{{cite book| vauthors = Yaffe SJ |title=Drugs in pregnancy and lactation : a reference guide to fetal and neonatal risk |date=2011 |publisher= Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |location=Philadelphia |isbn=9781608317080 |page=527 |edition=9th|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OIgTE4aynrMC&pg=PA527|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910233951/https://books.google.com/books?id=OIgTE4aynrMC&pg=PA527|archive-date=10 September 2017|df=dmy-all}}{{cite journal | vauthors = | title = Pregnancy and alcohol: occasional, light drinking may be safe | journal = Prescrire International | volume = 21 | issue = 124 | pages = 44–50 | date = February 2012 | pmid = 22413723 }} Evidence of harm from less than two drinks per day or 10 drinks per week is not clear.{{cite journal | vauthors = Henderson J, Gray R, Brocklehurst P | title = Systematic review of effects of low-moderate prenatal alcohol exposure on pregnancy outcome | journal = BJOG | volume = 114 | issue = 3 | pages = 243–252 | date = March 2007 | pmid = 17233797 | doi = 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2006.01163.x | s2cid = 45034780 }}

The American Academy of Pediatrics established a conservative set of recommendations in 2015: "During pregnancy:no amount of alcohol intake should be considered safe; there is no safe trimester to drink alcohol; all forms of alcohol, such as beer, wine, and liquor, pose similar risk; and binge drinking poses dose-related risk to the developing fetus."{{cite journal | vauthors = Williams JF, Smith VC | title = Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders | journal = Pediatrics | volume = 136 | issue = 5 | pages = e1395–e1406 | date = November 2015 | pmid = 26482673 | doi = 10.1542/peds.2015-3113 | s2cid = 23752340 | doi-access = free }} The World Health Organization recommends that alcohol should be avoided entirely during pregnancy, given the relatively unknown effects of even small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy.{{cite web |url=http://www.euro.who.int/document/e88335.pdf |publisher=World Health Organisation |title=Framework for alcohol policy in the WHO European Region }}

Fish consumption during pregnancy is encouraged by European,{{cite journal|last=EFSA Dietetic Products|first=Nutrition, and Allergies (NDA)|date=2014-07-01|title=Scientific Opinion on health benefits of seafood (fish and shellfish) consumption in relation to health risks associated with exposure to methylmercury |journal=EFSA Journal|language=en|volume=12|issue=7|page=3761|doi=10.2903/j.efsa.2014.3761|issn=1831-4732|doi-access=free|hdl=2434/257885|hdl-access=free}} Australian,{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/guidelines-publications/n55|title=Australian Dietary Guidelines (2013) {{!}} National Health and Medical Research Council | author = National Health and Medical Research Council |date=2013-02-07|access-date=2018-01-22}} and American guidelines.{{Cite web|url=https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/|title=2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines - health.gov|website=health.gov|language=en|access-date=2018-01-22}} The reason given is that fat-containing fish such as salmon and tuna contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These are termed long chain, omega-3, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and are considered important for fetal neurodevelopment.{{cite journal | vauthors = Starling P, Charlton K, McMahon AT, Lucas C | title = Fish intake during pregnancy and foetal neurodevelopment--a systematic review of the evidence | journal = Nutrients | volume = 7 | issue = 3 | pages = 2001–2014 | date = March 2015 | pmid = 25793632 | pmc = 4377896 | doi = 10.3390/nu7032001 | doi-access = free }} Additionally, fish are good sources of vitamins A, D, and B12, as well as the mineral iodine.

Due to risks of heavy-metal toxicity on fetal neurodevelopment, many mothers are concerned about eating fish during pregnancy. Overall, current research favors the notion that the benefits of fish consumption during pregnancy outweigh the risks; however, the type of fish is important. Current research suggests that 2-3 servings of low-methylmercury containing fish per week in pregnancy is both safe and beneficial. Mercury accumulates in fish through their own diet (bioaccumulation). A general rule of thumb is that fish higher up on the food chain, and with longer life spans will contain higher levels of mercury. Fish lower on the food chain and with shorter life spans will have lower metal content. However, it is important to note that the bioaccumulation of metals in fish is also dependent on geographical location, so it is hard to make global recommendations on specific fish species.{{cite journal | vauthors = Bosch AC, O'Neill B, Sigge GO, Kerwath SE, Hoffman LC | title = Heavy metals in marine fish meat and consumer health: a review | journal = Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture | volume = 96 | issue = 1 | pages = 32–48 | date = January 2016 | pmid = 26238481 | doi = 10.1002/jsfa.7360 | bibcode = 2016JSFA...96...32B }} An alternative to consuming fish is to use fish oil dietary supplements containing both EPA and DHA, or algae-derived DHA-only oils. The New York Times reported on a laboratory evaluation of 30 popular fish oil supplements. Some of those had less than the label claimed amounts of DHA. As for safety, "All of the products tested contained only very low levels of mercury, ranging from one to six parts per billion per serving. That range is far below the upper safety limit of 100 parts per billion set by the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s, an industry trade group."{{cite web |url=https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/22/whats-in-your-fish-oil-supplements/ |title=What's in Your Fish Oil Supplements? | vauthors = Conner A |date=22 January 2014 |website=The New York Times |access-date=7 November 2018}}

Proper nutrition is important after delivery to help the mother recover, and to provide enough food energy and nutrients for a woman to breastfeed her child. Women having serum ferritin less than 70 μg/L may need iron supplements to prevent iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy and postpartum.{{cite journal | vauthors = Milman N, Byg KE, Bergholt T, Eriksen L, Hvas AM | title = Body iron and individual iron prophylaxis in pregnancy--should the iron dose be adjusted according to serum ferritin? | journal = Annals of Hematology | volume = 85 | issue = 9 | pages = 567–573 | date = September 2006 | pmid = 16733739 | doi = 10.1007/s00277-006-0141-1 | s2cid = 32804405 }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Sethi V, Kapil U | title = Iodine deficiency and development of brain | journal = Indian Journal of Pediatrics | volume = 71 | issue = 4 | pages = 325–329 | date = April 2004 | pmid = 15107513 | doi = 10.1007/BF02724099 | s2cid = 33360639 }}

During lactation, water intake may need to be increased. Human milk is made of 88% water, and the IOM recommends that breastfeeding women increase their water intake by about 300 mL/day to a total volume of 3000 mL/day (from food and drink), approximately 2,400 mL/day from fluids.

• Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
• Prenatal nutrition
• Smoking and pregnancy

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite web |url=http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/pubs/bibs/topics/pregnancy/pregcon.pdf |title=Nutrition During Pregnancy Resource List for Consumers |publisher=USDA NAL Food and Nutrition Information Center |access-date=2007-10-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714082416/http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/pubs/bibs/topics/pregnancy/pregcon.pdf |archive-date=2007-07-14 |url-status=dead }}
• Health Education Authority (1996) Folic acid - what all women should know (leaflet) London:HEA

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Category:Nutrition

Category:Health issues in pregnancy