Celiac and IUGR

[selectivefocus]

Does anyone have experience with Celiac during pregnancy?

This is my first pregnancy since being diagnosed in January 2017. I went for a growth scan at 28 weeks (10 days ago) and it looks like she has asymmetrical IUGR. This is my 4th baby. I have never had any issues like this. Her abdomen is measuring about 3 weeks behind.

I should add that I have been glutened a few times by accident. I'm now strictly eating at home only for this reason.

I have changed my diet since that scan and I'm really pushing clean protein (like chicken breast) and organic whole milk. I know my gut is doing ok because the milk is not bothering me at all. I have been avoiding dairy up until this point but after researching IUGR and nutrition changed my diet. I think I might not have been getting the nutrition I needed.

Please only respond if you have been pregnant with Celiac. Thanks.

[Scott Adams]

Ok, I've not been pregnant but still want to see how things are going, and did you find out anything new that you can share that might help others?

[selectivefocus]

6 hours ago, Scott Adams said:

Ok, I've not been pregnant but still want to see how things are going, and did you find out anything new that you can share that might help others?

IUGR is relatively common in Celiac pregnant women, although my doctor has been unconcerned about it. I'm an informed patient however.

After that appointment I stopped eating ALL grains, with the exception of simple kneads bread, which is a fermented sourdough but has no oats, rice, corn or eggs. (Sidebar: it's an excellent bread and I recommend it to everyone, you can order it online). I increased my protein to at least 80g a day, and I started drinking 4 16oz glasses of organic whole milk per day, as well as 3 organic bananas per day. I stopped eating any food that was not prepared in my house. I don't touch any processed gluten free foods. Not pasta, not waffles, nothing in a box.

At my 32 week appointment her growth had totally caught up. Her head and femur were measuring above average while her abdominal measurement was spot on at 32 weeks. So in 4 weeks, she went from measuring 25 weeks for abdominal circumference to measuring 32 weeks. That is a massive jump in growth. I'm still having weekly ultrasounds and biophysical profiles. I'm having a csection so as long as I can get her to 7lbs and 39 weeks we will be good.

Celiac is such a complicated disease, ESPECIALLY while pregnant. My doctor told me there was "not much I could do". I didn't believe that-- your baby gets nutrients from you. I didn't have any diagnosed placental issues, so I either wasn't eating the right foods or my absorption was compromised or both. I researched and researched and found the Dr. Brewer pregnancy diet (which most women should be educated on--similar to the Weston Price pregnancy and fertility diet). I tailored that to my specific needs and it has made a massive difference.

Whether you are pregnant or not, if you are still sick although you have adopted a "gluten free diet", eliminating all grains unless naturally fermented is highly recommended. Many celiacs stay sick because they keep eating oats or brown rice etc. (Or processed boxed "gluten free" items) and their proteins are extremely similar to gliadin. Many celiacs also have intolerances to soy, xanthan gum, tapioca, and starches like corn and arrowroot which they may not even realize. ALL celiacs should have an extensive food allergy panel done after they have been gluten free for a few months. Gluten is just the tip of the iceberg.

[HappyMama]

I’m pregnant with my third and my first two had IUGR.  Both times my placenta was “mature” and I had to go in for weekly Doppler tests on the umbilical cord, which had fallen below ideal ranges, and non stress tests. I had successful induced labors at 38 weeks for both. They both weighed 5lbs at birth but quickly caught up by 3mos to the 50th percentile. I’m a very careful gluten-free eater and have also been diagnosed with IBS, so I’m not sure if that has anything to do with it. I’m 20 weeks now so we’ll see if this baby shows up with IUGR in the coming weeks. 
My normal weight is considered underweight and usually struggle to put weight on but I thankfully gained 25-30lbs for each baby. 
I just learned that celiac might have something to do with the fetal growth issues! No one ever told me and honestly with so many people on gluten-free diets these days I just think of it as a lifestyle vs a disease and didn’t consider it being the culprit.

Some side notes: I also get terrible morning sickness, hyperemesis gravidarum status, through 17 wks. I think I read that can be an issue with celiac mothers and/or lead to placenta issues. I fed my babies with formula and could only provide little breastmilk through 5 weeks. So I clearly have other stuff going on but maybe this sheds some hope on someone looking for answers. My girls are as healthy as can be!