Celiac And Miscarriages

[KFinn36 0]

I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease six or seven years ago.  I've never followed the diet for more than week at a time.

I am now 25 years old and have been in a committed relationship for two years.

About 3 months ago I found out I was pregnant.  My boyfriend and I were shocked.  We weren't trying to get pregnant.  I was actually quite devastated.  Financially we were not ready for a baby.  But as time went on we began increasingly excited.

I went and had a "professional" pregnancy test done by my primary care physician, who was the one who diagnosed me with Celiac, and he never said one thing about sticking to the Gluten Free diet to have a successful, healthy pregnancy/baby.  He was also aware that I was not following the gluten-free diet.

On August 28th my boyfriend, mother and I went for my first OBGYN appointment and ultra sound.  The doctor had informed me that I had miscarried around the 6 week mark (I was supposed to be 10+ weeks at that point). I had even asked her if it was my fault that I had miscarried because of not following the gluten-free diet and she had said no.

A week or so ago I saw something on the web about woman with untreated Celiac's having a higher percentage of miscarriages or infertility.   

 

Has anyone else had problems with this?  I don't know why my doctor or the OBGYN wouldn't have said anything to me.  If I had known that the untreated Celiac could cause a miscarriage I would have stuck to the diet like it was my job.  If anyone could add some input that'd be great.  I've been driving myself crazy the last few weeks about this.

[kareng 2,265]

I'm sorry you lost the baby but I am going to blunt.

 

This applies to you as you are the "undiagnosed" Celiac.  In this case, they assume that a diagnosed Celiac would be following the gluten-free diet.

 

http://www.cureceliacdisease.org/archives/faq/will-exposure-to-gluten-during-pregnancy-cause-any-problems-with-the-baby

 

http://www.cureceliacdisease.org/archives/faq/why-does-celiac-disease-lead-to-fertility-problems-in-women-with-undiagnosed-celiac-disease

 

 

 

I am going to say that I think  you are not ready to have a baby.  Until you are able to take care of your basic health needs, how can you take care of another person's needs?  Educate yourself about your disease.  It has very real health risks going untreated. 

 

http://www.cureceliacdisease.org/archives/faq/what-do-people-with-celiac-disease-die-of-to-increase-the-mortality-rate

 

http://www.cureceliacdisease.org/archives/faq/what-are-some-of-the-symptoms-of-celiac-disease

[1desperateladysaved 95]

I have experienced a miscarriage.  Sorry, for your loss and I wish you and yours wellness in the future.

 

I have sent you a pm about it and would be willing to share experiences if you care to after that.

 

D

[SkyBlue4 7]

Yep, I've lost babies also.

I am so sorry for your loss. No matter how you might have felt when you first found out you were pregnant, it is clear by your post that that baby was already loved. Take care and be gentle on yourself now as you heal. 

[IrishHeart 1,641]

  I had to think about this post all afternoon before I answered you.

 

I am so very sorry you lost your baby. 

That is a tragedy and a sadness that is beyond description.

I know. I  lost 5 because of undiagnosed celiac.

 

But that was 20 years ago, when I did not know I had celiac.
You know you have celiac.

I was not DXEd until my 50's after I became so ill, so debilitated and stricken with

pain and suffering dozens of symptoms that I was dying. I was grateful to know what I had
and how to treat it so I could stay alive.
Really... a G F diet? that's it! wow.

 

You state you have been diagnosed with celiac for many years so, honestly, hon you should have been following the diet religiously all this time..
.

 I am just speechless, which is impossible for me (as many members on here will attest).

 

I do not know where to start, but I will try:

 

(1) you absolutely need to be G F every single day or suffer the myriad of consequences that accompany undiagnosed or untreated celiac. 

Lymphoma, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, anemia,  various autoimmune diseases. osteoporosis....

infertility and miscarriages. There are so many more--!!

please, READ the information that Karen has posted for you.

 

(2) you are telling us that the doctor who diagnosed you with Celiac you did not tell you to follow a strict G F diet?
This is strange and confusing ---as it is the only treatment for C D.

 

(3) you are the only one who can control the symptoms of celiac. Start educating yourself on the G F diet, what celiac disease
is and the  appropriate follow up care you should have.

 

(4) FIND A NEW DOCTOR WHO KNOWS

WHAT CELIAC IS. If what you say about your PCP and GYN is true, they are clueless.

 

(5)Read this book:

 

Real Life With Celiac Disease by Melinda Dennis and Daniel Leffler.

 

This disease is nothing to mess with.

 

You need to change your life right now, hon.

Here is the Newbie 101 thread for "newly" diagnosed celiacs. Get started ASAP

http://www.celiac.com/gluten-free/topic/91878-newbie-info-101/

 

I wish you all the best. Heal and be well.  Maybe you should wait a year or so to get your body straightened out

before getting pregnant again..

This will give you the best chance for healthy babies in the future.