She added that caffeine also increased the frequency of urination and caused reduction in the body fluid levels, which could lead to dehydration.
Inspector Arthur who made this known on the sidelines of a sensitisation programme on ‘alcohol intake during pregnancy’ at the Ghana Police Hospital, in Accra, on Tuesday, said any amount of caffeine in the system of an expectant woman could cause changes in the baby’s sleep pattern or normal movement pattern in the later stages of pregnancy.
The sensitisation programme, organised by the Accra Brewery Limited (ABL) in collaboration with the GIZ, a German development agency, was to commemorate Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASDs) Awareness Day, which is marked on September 9, each year.
Touching on the negative impact of alcohol intake during pregnancy, she added that excessive consumption of alcohol during pregnancy could permanently damage the cells of the growing foetus.
“All types of alcohol are equally harmful, including all alcoholic wines and beer. When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, so does her baby,” she said.
She, therefore, advised pregnant women who experienced uncomfortable feelings to abstain from alcohol and rather drink fruit juices and eat vegetables.
