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Pregnant - Need Help!

dionnek

By dionnek
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

dionnek Enthusiast
dionnek
Posted

I just found out I am pregnant (didn't think it was possible since we had such a hard time with our first, and I haven't had a period in 3 years!). I was dx with celiac 6 months ago and am gluten-free and pretty much dairy free (except for the occasional cheese and ice cream which doesn't seem to bother me like milk does) - how do I get enough calcium for my baby with this diet? I'm taking a prenatal vitamin now and a calcium pill w/D separately, and I try to eat broccoli 3-4 times/week and salmon about once a week, but I'm not sure what else I can do. Any insight on being pregnant and gluten-free? I'm very concerned as we did not plan on having another baby, and got lucky with the first one (she has the celiac gene but does not have celiac - yet anyway)!

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happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted

Congratulations! What an exciting time for you and your family :)

I don't have much to add to what you are doing, but I'm sure some of the mothers or recently pregnant mothers will chime in. There have been quite a few threads on here recently about pregnancy....what a happy thing!

I have two pieces of advice: the book mentioned in my signature, because he has a great chapter on pregnancy/fertility, plus its just has so much other great celiac info. second.....ENJOY :)

AmyTopolski Apprentice
AmyTopolski
Posted

Hi,

Last time I was pregnant I was not gluten free, but had a lot of trouble gaining weight. I ended up drinking 3 ensures a day to get the calories and nutrtion I needed for our baby. She was only in the 2% for weight and size while I was pregnant. I'm not positive on that being gluten or dairy free so you might want to check on that. It worked very well for me. Hope that helps.

Amy

dionnek Enthusiast
dionnek
Posted
  • Author
Congratulations! What an exciting time for you and your family :)

I don't have much to add to what you are doing, but I'm sure some of the mothers or recently pregnant mothers will chime in. There have been quite a few threads on here recently about pregnancy....what a happy thing!

I have two pieces of advice: the book mentioned in my signature, because he has a great chapter on pregnancy/fertility, plus its just has so much other great celiac info. second.....ENJOY :)

Thanks - I had actually been thinking about getting that book, so now I think I will. Just read Donna Korn's Wheat Free Worry Free and it was good for a beginner, but doesn't go into pregnancy issues (had some good recipes and shopping lists though, and good information in general). It is exciting if not a little scary with the celiac this time around!

happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted

You are welcome!

Please keep us updated. It is so good to hear of happy things happening to great Celiacs :)

twtums Newbie
twtums
Posted

Congratulations! Really dairy isn't your best source of calcium anyway, the other ingredients in it actually leach calcium out of your bone so not being able to do dairy really isn't a concern. Green leafy veggies are the best for calcium and a supplement (which I take as well). I'm not concerned about not doing dairy (although I do cheat once in awhile, it doesn't seem to bother me). I do make sure to take my supplement though and make sure it has Vit D in it too.

For the rest, I just eat like I normally do, just more. Lots of things made out of rice and corn, veggies, fruits etc. So far I am fine on the weight gain (I'm 21 weeks) and baby is measuring well. From everything I read it's so much more harmful not to be on the diet for baby so I don't worry about it. Most of the stuff I crave with gluten really isn't that great for me anyways (pizza, cake, cake, um more cake :lol:)

BTW, finding out I was gluten-intolerant is why I am pregnant so I'm loving it!

  • 2 weeks later...
Mia H Explorer
Mia H
Posted

Congratulations on baby.

I too am gluten free / dairy free and am 17 weeks along. My first two babies were big (for me)

8lb 10oz and 9lb 9oz. This will be my first preg gluten-free/cf and I am much smaller this time. I was even worried the baby wasn't growing but I went in and am measuring fine. Perhaps that baby will be smaller this time.

I wouldn't worry too much about the calcium, sounds like you are doing well. The baby will get what they need from your body and you are on a supplement. I was worried about Calcium too and my naturopath said people don't need as much as is recommended (1000-1200mg a day). He said this because most Calciums out there aren't absorbed well such as calcium carbonate. You barely absorb any.

I agree with the green leafy vegetables. Any time you can get it naturally the way God made us I think is the best bet.

Mia

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      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

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    • Jane02
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency.  I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently meet from my diet is vitamin D. Calcium is a hit and miss as I rely on vegetables, dark leafy greens as a major source, for my calcium intake. I'm able to meet it when I either eat or juice a bundle of kale or collard greens daily haha. My thiamine intake is roughly 120% of my needs, although I do recognize that I may not be absorbing all of these nutrients consistently with intermittent unintentional exposures to gluten.  My vitamin A intake is roughly 900% (~6400 mcg/d) of my needs as I eat a lot of sweet potato, although since it's plant-derived vitamin A (beta-carotene) apparently it's not likely to cause toxicity.  Thanks again! 
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      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

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      Contact them.
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