Some coffee, cola ok during pregnancy

MELBOURNE - Here’s some good news for mums-to-be: experts state that pregnant woman can drink up to three cups of instant coffee or four cans of cola each day.

But if turning to nearby coffee shop, then they should limit themselves to one espresso, cappucino or latte per day, Food Standards Australia New Zealand states in its new guidelines for women planning pregnancy or already pregnant.

“While having large amounts of caffeine does not appear to cause birth defects, drinking high amounts of caffeine may make it more difficult to become pregnant and may increase the risk of miscarriage or having a baby with low birth weight,” the guideline states.

Giving her opinion, expectant mother Juliet Potter said: “Given this new information I would love to go back to one a day or a weak one occasionally,” the Vaucluse mum said. “I think it is important to have guidelines as there is lots of misinformation on what you should and shouldn’t eat or drink.”

The authority also recommended that woman trying to fall pregnant or who are pregnant take folic acid and iodine, reports The Daily Telegraph.

“Health professionals recommend taking a supplement of at least 400 micrograms every day one month before and three months after conception to reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida,” it stated. (ANI)