Examining Maternal Health Issues

HHG: Unit Two Summative:

Examining the Impacts of Maternal Health Issues

How does the mother’s use of the following topic impact the fetus or infant?

- Caffeine intake

Guiding Questions:

1. What is the illness/issue? Signs and symptoms? Causes?

Caffeine is a compound that is a stimulant and it’s in things like coffee, energy drinks,

tea, cola, and some other foods and drinks. It has an impact on the nervous system,

resulting in irritability, insomnia, and nervousness. “When pregnant women indulge in

over 200mg of caffeine in a day, the overconsumption may have serious consequences for

the unborn child. Pregnant women who drink more than eight cups of coffee a day are

more than twice as likely to have a stillbirth than women who do not drink coffee during

pregnancy, according to a new report.” (WebMD, 2003). Someone who is addicted or

reliant on caffeine before getting pregnant normally has a very hard time letting go of it

and going complete cold turkey. Noticeable signs would be someone who is constantly

consuming caffeine even though they are aware that they’re pregnant, or someone who

denies that they have a problem with consuming too much. Once a mother chooses to

ignore how important it is to reduce caffeine intake during pregnancy, it becomes an

issue. If they are consuming a very small amount or have no difficulty letting it go for 9

months, it shouldn’t be concerning.

2. What are the effects on the mother?

Caffeine may make you more sensitive to its regular side effects during pregnancy

because it takes longer for it to leave your body than it would if you weren't pregnant. On

a regular day with no pregnancy, it can increase heart rate, make us shaky, nervous, and a

bit flushed. Consuming caffeine while being pregnant can have more of an effect on you

and can also make you feel dizzy or nauseous throughout the days. Caffeine overdose can

cause moderate to serious headaches and migraines in some people. It also raises your

blood pressure and heart rate while increasing the amount of urine you produce.

Dehydration may occur as a result of this decrease in body fluid levels. Caffeine can

make you jittery, trigger indigestion, and make it difficult for you to fall asleep, which is

necessary for both mom and fetus.

3. What are the effects on the fetus / infant? (Consider brain development as well as

future cognitive, social, and physical development)

Your fetus/baby’s metabolism is still developing, so the fetus won't be able to completely

metabolise the caffeine. Caffeine enters the baby through the placenta. Your body may be

able to handle the caffeine you feed it, but your baby will not. In the later stages of

pregnancy, any amount of caffeine can cause changes in your baby's sleep or regular

movement pattern. You may have learned that too much caffeine can lead to miscarriage

(when a baby dies in the womb before the 20th week of pregnancy), preterm birth (when

a baby is born before the 37th week of pregnancy), or low birth weight (when your baby

is born weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces). Some reports support this, although

others do not. Complications in babies such as anotia/microtia, omphalocele, esophageal

atresia, craniosynostosis, diaphragmatic hernia, and gastroschisis have also been linked to

maternal caffeine intake. Caffeine has even been shown in several different animal

studies to cause birth defects, premature labour, preterm delivery, decreased fertility, and

also an increased risk of the baby having an extremely low birth weight. “According to

new studies, caffeine consumption during pregnancy can alter essential brain pathways,

potentially leading to behavioural issues later in life. Thousands of brain scans of nine

and ten-year-olds were studied, and differences in brain function were discovered in

children who were exposed to caffeine in utero.” (URMC, 2021)

4. What can be done to prevent and treat the issue, and what resources are currently

available?

The best course of action is to avoid caffeine as much as possible while you are pregnant.

If you really must have it, speak with your doctor to determine the healthiest option for

both you and your baby. Caffeine use should be kept to a minimum in advance, to prevent

withdrawal if you choose to conceive. Some experts believe that more than 150 mg of

caffeine per day during pregnancy is excessive, while others believe that more than 300

mg per day is excessive. You can change your coffee size to a small, and also substitute

coffees and espressos to herbal and fruit infused teas. If anyone is suffering from

withdrawal symptoms, they can drink teas or water, apply ice, massage their pressure

points, use peppermint oil, or take a nap to alleviate their symptoms.

References

Brain changed by caffeine in utero: New research finds caffeine consumed during

pregnancy can change important brain pathways in baby. (21–02-08).

ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 23, 2021, from

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210208125335.htm

Caffeine during pregnancy. (n.d.). Pregnancy Birth and Baby. Retrieved April 23,

2021, from

https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/caffeine-during-pregnancy#:%7E:

text=Consuming%20large%20amounts%20of%20caffeine,including%20c

offee%2C%20tea%20and%20cola.

Caffeine in pregnancy. (n.d.). Copyright 2021 March of Dimes Foundation. All

Rights Reserved. Retrieved April 23, 2021, from

https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/caffeine-in-pregnancy.aspx#:%

7E:text=If%20you’re%20pregnant%2C%20limit,12%2Dounce%20cup%2

0of%20coffee.

Caffeine Intake During Pregnancy. (2020, September 1). American Pregnancy

Association. Retrieved April 23, 2021, from

https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-welln

ess/caffeine-intake-during-pregnancy-946/

Stuart, A. (2008, August 8). Caffeine Myths and Facts. WebMD. Retrieved April

23, 2021, from

https://www.webmd.com/diet/caffeine-myths-and-facts

Too Much Coffee Risky During Pregnancy. (2003, February 20). WebMD.

Retrieved April 23, 2021, from

https://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20030220/too-much-coffee-risky-dur

ing-pregnancy#1

HHG: Unit Two Summative:

Examining the Impacts of Maternal Health Issues

K/U: /10 C: /10 A: /10

Knowledge and Understanding

The assignment is formatted via a poster, pamphlet or public service announcement.

A maternal health issue is the focus of the assignment.

The assignment has a clear, catchy title to draw the reader’s interest.

The assignment has at least one catchy image that directly relates to the topic.

Communication

The overall message of the assignment is clear and strong – the message has a purpose.

The assignment is free of all spelling errors

The assignment is free of all grammatical errors

At least three sources have been used to research this assignment

Application

The assignment is formatted in a way that is clear and easily readable.

The maternal health issue is adequately covered, highlighting the key questions:

Effects on the mother

Effects on the infant/fetus (cog., soc., phys. Development)

Prevention/Treatment options and resources available

Contact information is clearly evident for the reader to find further information.

A References page is provided using APA formatting.