The Shameless Blog has previously touched on “ladies beware of everything,” so here’s a new one - “Too much caffeine during pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage, a new study says, and the authors suggest that pregnant women may want to reduce their intake or cut it out entirely.”
Feministe had this to say:
Translation: a poorly-designed study riddled with major methodological problems focusing on women who’ve already miscarried comes to the unsupported conclusion that *the* deciding factor might could possibly have been caffeine, so no more coffee for you, Walking Womb. Thoughts?
Digg
Facebook
del.icio.us
16 comments
I think caffeine isn't good for you no matter your reproductive state. Just like alcohol, tobacco and junk food!
I think these are things everyone should minimize or cut out of their diets but I wouldn't fault anyone for enjoying them either, pregnant or not.
That said, I don't like the way these things are marketed as "scorn pregnant women who consume xyz!"
Posted by Tiana
January 22, 2008, 9:05 AM
I'm trying to conceive right now, and so have been trying to follow all the "ladies beware" rules. Since I'm a research-a-holic (and there's no shortage of "studies" on this stuff), I've discovered a long list of things that you're not supposed to consume if pregnant.
It seems to me like there's a level of "scorn-worthiness" that doesn't necessarily correlate to risk to the fetus. Everyone knows that "bad" women drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes-so that's at the top of the scorn-o-meter. Junk food and caffeine are somewhere in the middle. Sushi? Unpasteurized cheese? cold cuts? improperly washed bean sprouts? How bad are these things compared to alcohol? It's hard to say because all the value judgments get in the way of the science.
Posted by H
January 22, 2008, 11:10 AM
Hm, not sure what I think of this. Like Tiana says caffeine is never good for you, and I do know several pregnant women who cut caffeine out of their diets - in the same way that you would alcohol - when they got preggers.
Posted by Thea
January 22, 2008, 11:12 AM
Having a university degree in nutrition, I can tell you that dietitians have considered caffeine during pregnancy to be a no-no for a long, long time now.
Posted by John
January 22, 2008, 11:22 AM
I think all too often pregnant women are constantly shamed into behaviour changes without sufficient evidence to support them. I also think that the medical community does not place enough (or any) trust in a woman and her body to make the best decisions during her pregnancy and birth. The value judgments certainly do get in the way of the truth - the occasional glass of wine during a pregnancy is harmless (some women commonly have red wine cravings,) but no pregnant woman would ever risk drinking in front of other people thanks to the shame factor.
If you read the NYT article it really feels as if the correlation between caffeine and miscarriages is a bit quick out of the gate (read the part about morning sickness.) Like really - no chocolate, ever? I prefer Tiana's logic of putting good things in your body and not blaming yourself if you slip. I imagine the stress of feeling like a failure is worse than the caffeine itself.
My fave quote from the article?
“Moderation in all things is still an excellent rule,” Dr. Westhoff said. “I think we tend to go overboard on saying expose your body to zero anything when pregnant. The human race wouldn’t have succeeded if the early pregnancy was so vulnerable to a little bit of anything. We’re more robust than that.”
Posted by Stacey May
January 22, 2008, 11:42 AM
My friend had a baby last year, and she talked about this sort of stuff a lot. While she was really careful - she cut out all caffeine, including chocolate - she was also really critical of the hysteria (haha, pun, get it?) peddled to pregnant women. She told me about online message forums where women were having total panic attacks because they may or may not have ingested a quarter of a teaspoon of goat's cheese. And I've read at least three articles in the past month with major organisations flip flopping on the fish issue (oh another pun. i love it).
So I agree with you SMF that sure, pregnant women should be really careful (and it's good for their communities to support them in that, and not dismiss worries about supposed risky foods), but also have a lot of ire for messaging that makes women feel like failed parents if there are a few slip-ups before their babies are even born.
I think we could write a whole month of posts on mothering pressure and the intense anxiety women experience over needing to appear perfect mothers.
Posted by Thea
January 22, 2008, 12:11 PM
I think it is an unfair burden on mothers, but for the reason that it is a burden we should all share. I think there are a lot of chemicals in our food and environment that we take for granted as safe, but that really aren't doing us any good.
When there is an innocent, unborn bebe at risk from a certain chemical, we panic and focus on the fetus instead of asking if it is safe for anyone. People can choose to smoke, take caffeine or drink a big bottle of juicy pesticides if they want... but is that really a great move toward wellness?
When companies warn that their product is not safe for pregnant women, I think we should ask ourselves if it is really the healthiest choice for anyone.
Posted by Erin
January 22, 2008, 2:42 PM
Have you seen those posters, required by law in Ontario to be posted in every bar, that warn women of the risks of drinking alcohol during pregnancy?
Men and boys, tell me: is there a corresponding poster in the men's washroom that warns men that drinking impairs their judgement and health and that being "under the influence" is not a worthwhile excuse for physical and emotional abuse of your pregnant partner? Pregnant women do experience higher levels of abuse from their partners. Abuse often intensifies at the time of pregnancy.
I firmly believe that women's bodies are often the sites of our collective panic attacks about health and safety. Concerns about women's health have always disguised the moral regulation of women - ie. if you didn't do "this" and "this" to prevent sickness or pregnancy or abuse, my dear, you must have brought your misfortune upon yourself!
Posted by piKe
January 25, 2008, 8:45 AM
I've always wondered why it was the government's business to tell me, while I'm in a bar, not to drink during my pregnancy?
Does anyone know if the same signs exist in other provinces? In the US?
Posted by Stacey May
January 25, 2008, 9:06 AM
Pike - Thank you. You make a great point about the absence of messages that hold men responsible for their actions. I think this would make a big difference in our world.
Right now in the subway there are very graphic ads depicting domestic abuse. In one there is a pregnant woman covered with bruises. It shows statistics and tells women how to get help. I think women need to know where they can get help and be encouraged to speak up --
BUT
Where are the ads that encourage men to get help to control their tempers, deal with their emotions, watch their drinking and on and on and on? Those posters will show up the day we quit thinking "it's just a few psychos" who abuse their wives and children and realize it is a systemic problem we could actually work to control.
Posted by Erin
January 25, 2008, 9:25 AM
Erin and Pike, I couldn't agree more about the lack of posters that address the way in which men can either change personally or confront violence against women socially and politically. I've never seen posters about women drinking during pregnancy in any other provinces in Canada.
For the record, there are posters geared towards men but they sit in offices because the organizations that created them can't afford to pay for their mass distribution.
Check out: https://www.whiteribbon.ca/secure/lvi...
www.whynotask.org
http://www.genderjustice.org.za/onema...
Posted by Tuval
January 25, 2008, 10:28 AM
And then, the sad truth for me, is that once those words, posters and powerful speeches that address men actually gets out there, they fall on deaf ears. (I am having a cynical day. Sorry, all.)
Posted by piKe
January 25, 2008, 1:08 PM
What upsets me about the subway ads that Erin mentioned is that 89% of women who are sexually assaulted have no visible injuries (http://www.womenssupportnetwork.ca/pg...) .
I don't have the stats for what percentage of women who experience violence have visible injuries, but I'm sure it's similar. The posters in this sense are pretty damn misleading, and tend to make us equate violence against women with visible injuries, and vice versa, make us not suspect or sometimes even believe that violence is happening - and is as pervasive in our country as it is - if a woman doesn't have a black eye and a fat lip.
I may be alone in this, but with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders being what they are, I don't think it's a bad use of government money to put warnings in bar bathrooms. I think there should be more public education campaigns - but done in a smart way, and targeting the communities that need help.
For example, the community of men and boys. I'm really greatful for how many resources, books, magazines, communities, rock bands...there are now supporting women's self-esteem and empowerment, and I wish so much that there was more of that stuff for men. Maybe someone should start a magazine for teenage boys...oh wait someone already has one in the works (ahem, Tuval)!
Posted by Thea
January 25, 2008, 2:56 PM
Bah. I said "deaf ears" before and now I can't figure out how to edit my comments. I would reword it to say that the messages simply aren't taken in by those who most need to acknowledge them.
(There's no need to use language that presumes that people with disabilities, i.e. those who are deaf, are ignorant!)
Posted by piKe
January 25, 2008, 4:07 PM
Thea, you aren't alone. The warnings don't offend me on their own – it’s all of these contextual issues that get me.
Pregnancy is treated like a medical crisis in our culture, rather than something normal and natural.
Imagine pregnant women were treated as if they were doing an amazing but basic thing. Imagine the message was that giving birth was an opportunity to be healthy and give health to another being.
However, I do think that we are mixed up about health and wellness these days. Pike mentioned the "collective panic attack." I wonder if this panic happens in part because pregnancy focuses and intensifies just how unsustainable and irresponsible some of our health habits really are. When the stakes are high (like when a new life is created), we wake up a little.
Posted by Erin
January 25, 2008, 4:34 PM
Tuval,
I went to a White Ribbon concert a few years ago. All of the men were given ribbons to wear, but the women weren't. At first I was angry that we couldn't all symbolically stand together, but then I realized how unique it was to be surrounded by men who were "denouncing violence" (even symbolically) while the women didn't have to “do” anything (even symbolically). I stood there in a room where I didn't have to insist or fight or speak out, because we were all on "the same page."
To be clear, I didn't feel silenced or disempowered. It wasn't that "the men were taking care of things," but that a pressure had been lifted.
I realized then how much difference men can make and how defensive I feel on a regular basis.
When I win the lottery, I’m finding homes for those posters.
Posted by Erin
January 25, 2008, 4:40 PM
Leave a comment
This blog post is older than 90 days old. All comments submitted regarding this post will be automatically held for review by the editors before posting. Your comment will not appear on the site until it has been approved.