Pregnancy Guidelines:The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends limiting caffeine to 200mg daily during pregnancy. This is equivalent to about one 12-ounce cup of coffee. This guideline is based on multiple large-scale studies:

A 2020 systematic review analyzing data from 48 studies found no increased risk of miscarriage or growth restriction when caffeine intake stayed below 200mg daily. However, consumption above 300mg daily was associated with a 27% higher risk of pregnancy loss and a 38% higher risk of low birth weight.

IVF Treatment:Research specifically examining caffeine's impact on IVF outcomes has produced mixed results:

• A 2012 study published in Fertility and Sterility examining 619 IVF cycles found that women consuming >2 cups (>200mg) of coffee daily during their IVF treatment had a 27% lower chance of live birth compared to those who didn't drink coffee.
• However, a larger 2017 cohort study of 2,474 women undergoing IVF found no significant difference in success rates when caffeine consumption was under 200mg daily.

Male Partner Considerations:Research has shown that male partners' caffeine intake may also impact fertility:

• A 2021 study found that men consuming >300mg caffeine daily had a 21% reduction in sperm concentration compared to those consuming <100mg daily.

Quantified Guidelines:

Common caffeine content for reference:

• 8 oz brewed coffee: 80-100mg
• 8 oz black tea: 14-70mg
• 12 oz cola: 30-40mg
• 1 oz dark chocolate: 12mg

Recommendations:

• During pregnancy or IVF: Stay under 200mg caffeine daily
• Male partners trying to conceive: Consider limiting to 200mg daily
• Track all sources of caffeine, including hidden ones like chocolate and soft drinks
• Consider gradually reducing intake to minimize withdrawal symptoms

The safest approach is to discuss your specific situation with your fertility team or healthcare provider, as individual circumstances may warrant different recommendations.

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