Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    GliadinX



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):
    GliadinX


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Anyone Ttc?


Anya78

Recommended Posts

Anya78 Explorer

I'm wondering if any of my fellow Celiacs out there are trying to conceive or recently became pregnant? We should follow along with each other's experiences.

My husband and I plan to TTC this fall. I can't help but wonder if my body is fully healed (been gluten-free since December 2004 diagnosis), even though I have been feeling really great for 6 months. Also, everytime I have a reaction from accidental gluten ingestion, I think about how bad it would be to be "glutened" like that while pregnant.

Share your story/experiences. :D


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Lakefront Brewery
Tierra Farm



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):
Holidaily Brewing Co.


Merika Contributor

Well, we've been thinking about it, but are not up to it yet. FWIW, I was not gluten-free during my pregnancy 4 yrs ago and was very celiac (can one be "very" celiac?). Oddly, I instinctively went off grains the first 3 months, ate erratically the middle 3, and felt better than I had in YEARS. Don't ask me about the last 3 months of preg, they were filled with chocolate cake :P

I would like to wait also til my body is more healed before ttc. But then, I've done it once before, and it all worked out, so.....who knows.

Good luck and have fun :D

Merika

KayJay Enthusiast

Anya,

We started ttc after I was gluten-free for 6 months. It took us another 7 months to get pg and now the baby is due in 3 weeks. Here is what I have learned so far.

Get used to eating gluten-free crackers and bread. I never ate any and then I had really bad morning sickness for the first 20 wks. I ate gluten-free bread and crackers but I think they made me sick just because I wasn't used to eating them at all. I couldn't tolerate fruit or veggies so that was a hard time.

Let your doctor know ahead of time. They will give you some vitamins and all of that. My GI doctor said that I was at more of a risk of having a baby with neuro tubal defects because of Celiac so taking folic acid and my vitimins were especially important. Start now on those.

I was also told not to eat any of the hospital food which I don't understand I figure if Mcdonalds can offer me something that surely a hospital could but that might just be our hospital. I was also told not to eat out so that I didn't eat any gluten by accident. I started out doing okay but lately I have been eating out more. I would guess during the first trimester that would be good advice and after the baby is bigger and stronger eating out would be okay. I still am careful on what I eat but anytime you eat out there is a risk.

My doctor also ordered an extra ultrasound at around 27 wks to make sure the baby was growing properly and her organs were forming okay.

My doctor didn't know too much about celiac so she sent me to a GI they told me that I really needed to see a nutriounist (sp?) but I haven't gone yet. I am guessing I should because I will be breastfeeding too. But she did seem to take extra caution with me. I think partly because of celiac and partly because I was so sick at first. That made me feel better so find a doctor that you really get along with. You will be seeing them a lot.

I hope that helps and good luck TTC!

Merika Contributor

KayJay,

oooh, how exciting, you're about to have a baby, lalalala.... :D Bummer about the morning sickness

Recent studies have shown that there is no extra risk for babies of celiac moms. None, zero, nada, zip. There MAY be an increased risk of EARLY miscarriage among non gluten-free celiac moms. But once past that, the baby will be fine.

You're right about the hospital - it's notorious for feeding gluten-free moms gluten. Stupid hospitals, they should know better!

Merika

Anya78 Explorer

Thanks for posting your experiences! It's helpful to hear how things have gone for other Celiac moms and moms-to-be. I hope we get a few more ladies in on this topic!

KayJay, thanks for the tipcs. Good luck and keep us posted when you have news of your baby's arrival.

I'll have been gluten-free for 10-11 mos. when we plan to start TTC. One reason (there are others) we're waiting until this fall is because I feel like I'm still getting a handle on the gluten-free way of life. Sometimes I feel neurotic with all of my label reading and question-asking at friends' houses, but I know it's a necessary part of maintaining my health. And when I'm not diligent about label-reading, I often pay a price the next day...I'm learning my lesson.

I've also heard that it's mostly non-gluten-free celiacs that have shown any fertility or pregnancy problems, so I shouldn't have much cause for my concern. But I can't help worrying, especially since I've read that it varies from person to person on how long it can take the body to repair itself after going gluten-free. Since there aren't exact, official figures, I'm guessing that a year on the gluten-free diet would give my body plenty of recovery time.

Anya

Roxyk Newbie

After being gluten-free for exactly one year I got a positive pregnancy test. I am now 7 weeks. My RE really didn't know anything about it, but the ob does.

I do know that another group - Gluten Intolerance Group - has a hospital packet you can order before you go to deliver.

It was a very long road for us - I basically had gotten to the point where I didn't have a period anymore. With acupuncture & a gluten-free diet I'm happily expecting! (and injectable fertility drugs ;) )

KayJay Enthusiast

Roxyk- What is in that packet?


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Little Northern Bakehouse
Holidaily Brewing Co.



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):
Little Northern Bakehouse


Roxyk Newbie

KayJay - I don't actually know what is in the packet - I am just sending in my order now. I will post as soon as I get it to let you all know if it is worth it!

  • 2 weeks later...
cgilsing Enthusiast

Anya-

Good luck TTC! My husband and I are going to start trying next month as well. We have been working up the nerve to try for quite a while now, but after an inconclusive test last month we were both surprisingly disappointed to find out I wasn't pregnant. So we decided that now is the time! :D I've been gluten free for about a year and feel pretty well healed. I wanted to let you know...when you start TTC be sure to take your Folic Acid! Folic Acid reduces the chance of neural defects by 70% if present at the time of conception and in the first two weeks of pregnancy and since women with celiac disease don't absorb as well it is especially important to make sure you are getting enough. The body gets rid of excess Folic Acid in urine so it is recomended women with celiac disease take 200% of the daily recomended.

Anya78 Explorer

cgilsing,

Good luck with your quest to TTC! I definitely hear you on the folic acid topic. I've been taking prenatal vitamins for a few weeks now, even though we aren't going to try until probably early November. I figured it couldn't hurt to prepare my body far in advance, plus these vitamins have some calcium (my regular multi didn't) and I know I probably don't get enough of that in general.

Keep us posted when you're pg! :)

Jen H Contributor

Hi everyone!

Thanks for all the great info! My husband and I were TTC, but after my recent diagnosis with celiac disease we have abandoned the mission for now. From all your info, I gather that I should wait until I am feeling significantly better.

As for folic acid and pre-natal vitamins, what kind do you take? I heard that certain medicines and vitamins can contain gluten. Who should I talk to about this? A nutritionist? My GI or GYN doctor?

:) Jen

Merika Contributor
My husband and I were TTC, but after my recent diagnosis with celiac disease we have abandoned the mission for now.  From all your info, I gather that I should wait until I am feeling significantly better. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh, phooh, it's whatever you feel like are up to. If you feel geared up for preg, go for it. If you are tired and exhausted and can't imagine carrying an extra 30 pounds and having weird dietary cravings, then wait :)

Folic acid is recommended to all women ttc, because it's effect is greatest between 0-4 months of preg, and once you've realized you're preg, you've missed a big part of that window. Just make sure the one you get is gluten-free (read the label and call the company).

Good luck and have fun! :D

Merika

  • 2 weeks later...
lyoung2 Rookie

Hi Ladies,

I'm glad I found your posts. I have been TTC for 5 years, with 1 very early m/c. I did not know I was celiac disease until last year, and have now been gluten-free since August 04 and have noticed a difference in my cycles. Unfortunately I can't say for sure if celiac disease played a role in my infertility or not, but my age is going to definately be a factor now (I'm 42).

Good luck to everyone.

LauraY

  • 10 years later...
DandelionH Apprentice

Oh wow, I'm so glad this thread exists. I'm terrified of figuring out pregnancy and such as is without the Celiac complications and then with them added...

That's IF we can get pregnant. AND my GP advised avoiding soy because I'm small and it lengthens my cycles by about 20 days (but is otherwise great and delicious. Sigh.) and it's in EVERYTHING gluten-free.

This thread is from 2005 but is anybody else currently TTC?

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):
    Little Northern Bakehouse



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      130,232
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    NAA
    Newest Member
    NAA
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
    Holidaily Brewing Co.


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):
    GliadinX




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):
    Lakefront Brewery



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      That’s a really insightful observation about antibody testing and the gluten challenge! You’re absolutely right that antibody levels can remain elevated for months or even years after going gluten-free, especially if there’s ongoing cross-contamination or occasional slip-ups. The immune system doesn’t reset overnight—it can take time for antibodies like tTG-IgA to normalize, which is why many doctors recommend waiting at least 6–12 months of strict gluten-free eating before retesting. For someone who’s been gluten-free for less than two years or hasn’t been meticulous about avoiding cross-contact, there’s absolutely a chance they’d still test positive, since even small amounts of gluten can keep antibodies elevated. This is partly why the gluten challenge (where you eat gluten before testing) exists—it’s designed to provoke a measurable immune response in people who’ve been gluten-free long enough for antibodies to drop. But you raise a great point: the challenge isn’t perfect, and false negatives can happen if the timing or amount of gluten isn’t sufficient to trigger a strong antibody response. This is why diagnosis often combines antibody tests with other tools like genetic testing or endoscopy. Your question highlights just how nuanced celiac testing can be! For people with celiac disease hidden gluten in their diets is the main cause of elevated Tissue Transglutaminase IgA Antibodies (tTG-IgA), but there are other conditions, including cow's milk/casein intolerance, that can also cause this, and here is an article about the other possible causes:      
    • Betsy Crum
      Thank you for your response! I have considered starting a food diary in the past, I suppose this is as good a time as any to start.  
    • Betsy Crum
      I don't have health insurance so I have never had any testing done. I always thought if I stay away from gluten Ill be fine but I suppose that isn't enough anymore. I will look into getting an allergy test. Thank you for your input! 
    • trents
      I remember reading an article summarizing testing done by Gluten Free Watchdog on several brands of dried lentils. They were all heavily cross contaminated with wheat and the commentary was to the effect that dried lentils in general were the most heavily cross contaminated product category in their testing data base. So, I would definitely not use any dried lentil product that was not tested to be Gluten Free (<20ppm of gluten) or Certified Gluten Free (<10ppm of gluten).
    • Scott Adams
      While spices, lentils, beans and chickpeas are naturally gluten-free, the main concern with any brand is cross-contamination during processing and packaging. Since Suraj doesn't appear to certify their products as gluten-free or use dedicated gluten-free facilities, there is some risk of trace gluten exposure, especially with their corn flour which could be milled on shared equipment with gluten-containing grains. For absolute safety, I'd recommend looking for brands that are certified gluten-free by organizations like GFCO - good options include McCormick for spices, TruRoots or Bob's Red Mill for lentils and beans, and Anthony's for corn flour. That said, if you need to use Suraj products, be sure to carefully check labels for any wheat warnings, thoroughly rinse lentils and beans before cooking, and consider contacting the manufacturer directly to ask about their gluten testing protocols. Many in our community have found that investing in certified gluten-free brands gives them greater peace of mind and helps avoid accidental gluten exposure, especially for higher-risk items like flours.
×
×
  • Create New...