Pregnant and LC?

[LovinLC]

Hi everyone! New here, but definately not new to the low carbing lifestyle. I have a two year old daughter and when I got pregnant with her, my doctor told me to stop low carbing. Now we are trying again and I would really like to continue the way I am eating. I do have whole grain breads, etc. about once a week, but some people think this is not enough.

Has anyone had any experience with low carbing and pregnancy? I also have hypoglycemia and low carbing has made it possible for me to get off my medication so I am definately not looking forward to adding back any starch!

Thanks!

[Jasmyn]

This question always fascinates me. What could POSSBILY be healthy about eating someting that forces you to take medications that WILL cross the placenta and go to your unborn child?

Eat fresh fruit. Lots of fresh veggies. Lots of healthy meat. Try to stay away from trans fats. Try to stay away from HFCS. But - you (nor anyone else) NEEDS processed bread, pasta, potatoes or white SUGAR - pregnant or not.

I wouldn't suggest that you try to LOSE weight - but what could anyone possibly have against you eating as healthy as possible?

[Jolinar]

A lot of us who are currently pregnant are *trying* to stay in the Maintenance Phase of Atkins while we're pregnant. I definitely agree with Jasmyn - we don't need that processed junk.

I eat pretty much the same as I did while I was on Induction, except that I have added fruit, more vegetables, and occasionally some wheat bread. I try to eat just enough carbs to keep myself out of ketosis.

Good luck to you!

Hi! Come visit us pregnant ladies over in The Maintain Lane! It's not good to be in ketosis when you're PG as your baby needs glucose, and it cannot convert it from your stored fat. It's OK to LC, but stop right after you think you conceived. Some say ketones can increase chances of miscarriage. We're all pretty much eating whatever we can. Some of us are better at keeping carbs under control than others. I try to stay away from junk "white" carbs, but I eat whole grains, tons of fruits, veggies if I can stomach it, and meat if I don't gag by just thinking about it. Also milk and V8 because I've been craving them.

I'm hypoglycemic as well (reactive). I noticed that after I added back the carbs, I can tolerate carbs better, probably because the baby's sucking it up. Weight gain hasn't been very much. I'm 15w, and I only gained about 5 lbs. I was in deep ketosis before PG, so of course, I gained a little when I added carbs, but the nausea and aversion kept my appetite under control (until recently ). Good luck, and come visit us!

[AttachedToFour]

Why does everyone think that bread, sugar, pasta and starchy veggies are so healthy for pregnancy? Obviously you are listening to your body and your body tells you that it's not good for you.
Don't tell anyone you're low-carbing, just say that you are eliminating sugars, breads and pastas from your diet and you may not get so much flack.
There is a pregnancy/breastfeeding challenge over on the Challenge Boards - hop over there to discover many, many other women who are eating LC and are either pregnant or nursing

[AttachedToFour]

Originally posted by KatieN
It's not good to be in ketosis when you're PG as your baby needs glucose, and it cannot convert it from your stored fat. It's OK to LC, but stop right after you think you conceived. Some say ketones can increase chances of miscarriage.

Hi Katie!
Can you tell me where you found this information? I've never come across it before. I've actually heard quite the opposite.
Thanks!!

I was wondering if I'd find any pregnant ladies on here!

I really wanted to do low carb while pregnant, but had severe morning sickess all the way through my 2nd trimester (I'm in my third now) and ended up sticking to foods that didn't made me throw up, which ended up being bland, carby foods & fruit. I fretted about it for a while, but realized that it was better for me to be eating & not throwing up, than to be restricting my diet and throwing up... I'm not the norm though, and I totally think LC'ing during pregnancy can be a grea thing.

I've eaten pretty healthy throughout, despite having carbs back in my diet, but am definitely looking forward to being non-pregnant again and back to low-carb.

Anyway - hugs and good luck!

Originally posted by AttachedToFour
Hi Katie!
Can you tell me where you found this information? I've never come across it before. I've actually heard quite the opposite.
Thanks!!

I honestly can't remember where I read this because I did so much research and tons of books. DANDR says maintenance is safe during PG. I'm not sure if it's because there hasn't been enough studies on ketosis and PG... Where did you hear your opposing story?

[AttachedToFour]

Originally posted by KatieN
I honestly can't remember where I read this because I did so much research and tons of books. DANDR says maintenance is safe during PG. I'm not sure if it's because there hasn't been enough studies on ketosis and PG... Where did you hear your opposing story?

Well, I've got lots of info from different sources after researching for the past 6 months. Too much info to relay here, LOL, but here's one tid bit I found interesting about glucose and pregnancy... (there are references at the bottom of the page)

http://www.second-opinions.co.uk/diet_for_children.html

The ideal diet during pregnancy is the one advocated here for weight loss: one that has a high nutrient density with foods such as meat, fish, milk, and dairy products, and fresh fruit and vegetables. Too much carbohydrate and your baby will be fat. Dietary carbohydrates raise insulin levels. Babies born to mothers who had high insulin levels while they were pregnant were markedly obese by the age of six, independent of their mother's weight. It is not thought that insulin itself crosses the placenta from mother to unborn child. However, insulin produces antibodies that do. Once in the foetus these increase glycogen and fat deposits resulting in an abnormally large baby.
Mother's size during pregnancy doesn't seem to matter. What matters is what a mother has eaten during pregnancy. Significantly, there is no difference between energy intakes of babies born to fat or thin mothers. This indicates that development of fatness comes before any increase in energy intake.
Foods to cut down on are those that are low in nutrients and high in starches and sugars: sugar, sweets, bread, pasta, cakes and biscuits, and alcohol.
During pregnancy there is an inevitable weight gain. This should be about 2-1 kg (1-2 lbs) in the first ten weeks, 3-5 kg (6-10 lbs) by week 20 with about ½ kg (1 lb) a week after that to the end of pregnancy: a total weight gain of about 13 kg (28 lbs) over the nine months.

As for ketosis in pregnancy, there are no studies done for benign dietary ketosis and pregnancy - only ketosis related to extrememe malnourishment (which when eating LC you are obviously not malnourished). Possibly those are the cases you may be referring to when you say that ketosis can lead to a higher instance of miscarriage?


HTH

[Annabelle2u]

Just some FYI:

I just finished a reprint of the 1972 (It had to be reprinted early 1990's as the front picture is copyright in '90) version of the diet which was even more stringent on the carbs. In this book Dr Atkin's said (page 288):


"I recommend this diet to all my pregnant patients; I certainly cannot recommend to them that they load up on carbohydrates. Most obstetricians do a good job, however, of preventing an undue weight gain during pregnancy."

I really think the warnings in DANDR have more to do with protecting themselves from lawsuit that anything else. Nothing is mentioned about nursing in the '72 book, most likely because it was not "in vogue" to breastfeed in the 70's.

Dr Atkins also stated in his Statement to the Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs in 1973 (also included in this edition) (page 311)
"Further, there exists not one shred of evidence that this diet causes any maternal or fetal complication."

I don't believe I have seen any studies in the recent past either that proved harm to the fetus by low-carb eating. He does also say earlier on the same page, though:

"This statement indicates (referring to the first statement I referenced) that I fully expect any pregnant reader to be under the care of her own physician and following this diet, It also indicates that the goal of dieting during pregnancy should be to prevent weight gain, which means that the maintenance version of this diet is to be used."

And now for my own addition, which I do not have a degree in endocrinology or any medical field. The baby would not need to get glucose out of your fat stores. Your body would do this for the baby. Your body would access those fat stores and convert them to glucose for the baby. The same way your body converts fat into blood sugar to keep your blood sugar levels stable while low-carbing. If you are underweight, you would not want to eat low-carbohydrate as there would be no stores for your body to convert, but I do not think that is the case for the majority of the women who will become pregnant from this message board.

Well there is my two cents, for what it is worth. Take note I am not pregnant and don't plan to be again, though I am still breastfeeding a toddler, and yes I am in ketosis! (Yeah! As I fell out of it last weekend accidentally and don't want to go there again! The low blood sugar symptoms were awful!)


Edited to fix some glaring typos!

I was not saying to load up on carbs while PG - that will only cause gestational diabetes. I was trying to say you can keep your carbs low glycemic as I've been doing, so the baby doesn't have to produce as much insulin to keep its blood sugar levels low. Yes, I have read in many books that too much sugar intake by a mother will lead to a big baby, and I do want to prevent that. I was just saying, it's very difficult to eat when you are nauseous all the time, let alone eat meat - a lot of people develop aversion to meat, and LCing is very very difficult during those times.

[Annabelle2u]

Katie,

I had forgotten all about that aversion to meat I had when I was pregnant with my first!!

I couldn't stand the thought, smell or look of meat in the mornings or evenings, but could stamach it ok in the afternoon. As it would happen I was at work when I was fine with meat, so poor DH was very "meat deprived" for quite sometime there. (since whenever we have meals together I couldn't stand meat being cooked! )

[AttachedToFour]

Originally posted by Annabelle2u
Katie,

I had forgotten all about that aversion to meat I had when I was pregnant with my first!!

LOL, I was just the opposite! I could've eaten chicken, steak and hamburger 24/7 with all 4 of my pregnancies I am counting on that if I ever get pregnant again so I can stay LC. I'll be devistated if I crave oatmeal and bread!

[desdemona]

There is an interesting support group for this at:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/PregnantAtkids/

Good luck!

[abbymommy]

I agree that there is NO evidence that ketosis or low carb levels even during early pregnancy is harmful in the least.

The same people who say "baby needs you to eat carbs" or "ketones cause miscarriage" also say things like "your brain can't function without carbs" and "this diet will kill you". I don't mean you think this, KatieN, obviously you heard this somewhere, just not an accurate source.

The only study done, as someone already mentioned, was not a study of low carbing pregnant women, most likely malnourished women or other issues that were not specified as to why they were in ketosis.

Even in that study here is the ONLY result reported: moms in moderate to heavy ketosis had kids with slightly lowered IQ levels at Kindergarten age. And like I said, those results are considered very questionable. No reported miscarriage risk.

Also, my understanding is the baby get's its blood glucose from YOUR blood glucose since you share a blood supply and glucose does cross the placenta (we still don't know if ketones even cross the placenta) .

As we all know, a low carb diet keeps our blood sugar NORMAL and STABLE, not low. This is why if your blood sugar is HIGH (like with Gestational Diabetes) baby needs to produce more insulin to bring its own blood sugar back to normal and THAT high level of insulin is what makes a fat and unhealthy baby. So a baby does not NEED you to eat glucose at all, your blood sugar will give the baby all it needs.

Annabelle and Attachedtofour, thanks so much for providing actual facts in your posts about these issues. I really wish more people would either back up what they say or not say it at all.

Personally I chose not to be in ketosis during pg but do limit carbs to around 70 to avoid gestational diabetes due to my history. I DO choose to be in ketosis while breastfeeding.

But I hate to think that some women finding out they are pregnant will freak out and worry that they are going to miscarry because they were in ketosis for a few weeks before they found out.

In fact, many women get pregnant while in ketosis because this WOE is so good for fertility that many reproductive endocrinologists recommend it!

[SnowymtnRN]

I'm pregnant with #3. I've been "low carbing" so to speak this entire pregnancy. i'm not trying to lose weight or anything, but before i was doing Atkins, i just simply can't stomach complex carbs anymore. I will say during the first trimester carbs are encouraged to ensure vital organ developments, but those are GOOD carbs. Fresh fruit, veggies, etc....I've done pretty well weight gain wise (only gained like 5, lost 10 tho, but am climbing back up), and feel MUCh better eating this way than i did with my other 2 boys. During my first trimester i CRAVED carbs, so i followed what my body wanted. I just ate good choices, which is something i've not always paid attention to in the past.

However, i did flunnk the Glucose test because i didn't read up on it. Did you know that prior to doing that stupid test you should carbo load? I didn't, and people who follow the lower carb lifestyle are glycogen depleted in their liver, so when you take the 50-75 gm dextrose drink, well you have no supplys to pull from since you have been fasting for 12 hours prior. So it makes sense that i failed it. Now i'm going to carbo load for the 3 hour stupid test, and we'll see how it goes.

But like someone said, how can eating healthy meat choices, good fruits and veggies, lower carbed breads, grains, etc...be UNHEALTHY? its not!!!!! And anyone who tells you otherwise is FOS!!!

[SnowymtnRN]

Originally posted by abbymommy

In fact, many women get pregnant while in ketosis because this WOE is so good for fertility that many reproductive endocrinologists recommend it!

Waving hand high! This was me (although NOT planned lol) and i didn't know for a few weeks, so far my baby is doing wonderful, i'm 31 weeks, all pieces and parts are accounted for and a super healthy growing child is in my belly!!!!!

[abbymommy]

Dawn, sorry you didn't know that about the glucose test

I didn't know until a few months ago, good thing too, because since i had GD with my first I had to go straight to the 3 hour GTT at 18 weeks

Talk about carbo loading! I read to eat anywhere from at least 150 per day to 250-300 per day, so I ate tons, but it was over Christmas too.

And I passed with flying colors! Now I have to get another 3 hour test in a few weeks, so I will do the same thing again.

You must carboload for an entire 3 days before the test - have fun!

[LUVMYGABBY]

Hi, just wanted to add my 2 cents. I got preggers last year when I was one induction. I found out I was pregnant when I was in my 7th week. I lost that baby and the only thing the dr could tell me was that I had too many ketones in my system that could had probally damaged the baby. At the time of induciton I did not know I was pregnant. I am not saying this to scare you, but I do have some experiance with this. I would suggest that you do the mantaince level of the program if you want to stay on atkins. I wish very good luck on your pregnancy!

[SnowymtnRN]

Originally posted by abbymommy
Dawn, sorry you didn't know that about the glucose test

I didn't know until a few months ago, good thing too, because since i had GD with my first I had to go straight to the 3 hour GTT at 18 weeks

Talk about carbo loading! I read to eat anywhere from at least 150 per day to 250-300 per day, so I ate tons, but it was over Christmas too.

And I passed with flying colors! Now I have to get another 3 hour test in a few weeks, so I will do the same thing again.

You must carboload for an entire 3 days before the test - have fun!

Thanks Abby. Its no-one's fault but my own for not completely researching it. lol So i need to carboload starting tomorrow. Any thoughts on what i should eat? Honestly, the thought of carbo loading makes me ILL. I always get a mondo headache if i eat something super high in carbs, but i'll gut it out i suppose. LOL

[SnowymtnRN]

Originally posted by LUVMYGABBY
Hi, just wanted to add my 2 cents. I got preggers last year when I was one induction. I found out I was pregnant when I was in my 7th week. I lost that baby and the only thing the dr could tell me was that I had too many ketones in my system that could had probally damaged the baby. At the time of induciton I did not know I was pregnant. I am not saying this to scare you, but I do have some experiance with this. I would suggest that you do the mantaince level of the program if you want to stay on atkins. I wish very good luck on your pregnancy!

I'm sorry about your loss. But did he check your ketones, or was he just guessing? i'm just curious, cuz usually there's just no clear answer as to why women miscarry. Again, i'm sorry for your precious angel loss!!!

[AngelHope]

Originally posted by AttachedToFour
I'll be devistated if I crave oatmeal and bread!

I am just now over my 1st trimester and BELIEVE me if you EVER had to deal with MS you will be happy just eating whatever your body will allow - I have not felt devistated that I have not been able to stay STRICT on plan. Like the others you add in HEALTHY carbs as you would on maintenance... whole grains, veggies, fruits (low glycemic), but if I am only able to eat say a bowl of oatmeal that morning or day I won't beat myself up over it. I have only gained 2# in 13wks, most I know is water weight and blood increase. Just b/c you are pregnant does not mean you don't have will power and can OVERCOME cravings - I believe everyone who is a carb-aholic has run-ins with "cravings" pregnant or not. You just DON'T give in. But there again "cravings" are completely different than keeping SOMETHING in your body during ms!

Also Abbymommy said "In fact, many women get pregnant while in ketosis because this WOE is so good for fertility that many reproductive endocrinologists recommend it!" - This is ME! I have PCOS and this WOL is the ONLY way I become pregnant. With all 3 of my pregnancies I was not aware I was pregnant until the 2nd month and WELL into ketosis(induction level carbs) all 3 times. My first 2 pregnancies I delivered 2 healthy children and this time I am planning a 3rd healthy baby. I also know b/c of my insulin resistance my dr RECOMMENDS me staying on lowcarb throughout my pregnancy and has done so with my previous pregnancies. They do recommend adding those healthy carbs I mentioned before (fruits, wholegrains).

If you are currently pregnant or are ttc please join us on the Maintain Lane as Katie said - there are tons of informative experienced ladies over there!!

[LUVMYGABBY]

My doc knew I was on atkins, and yes he had been checking my ketone levels every since I started this WOL. He was with me from the beginning of it all. So I tend to believe him over anyone else, since I had no history of any problems and all. I still go to him every 3 months because he wants to see how I do with atkins.

[SnowymtnRN]

Originally posted by LUVMYGABBY
My doc knew I was on atkins, and yes he had been checking my ketone levels every since I started this WOL. He was with me from the beginning of it all. So I tend to believe him over anyone else, since I had no history of any problems and all. I still go to him every 3 months because he wants to see how I do with atkins.

Thanks for sharing! I was genuinely curious. I know lots of people have differing opinions, but pregnancy is a WHOLE different ballgame isn't it?

Good luck to you!

[abbymommy]

Luvmygabby, I too am sorry to hear about your loss!

Unfortunately 1st trimester miscarriages are extremely common and most of the time there is no explanation for why they happen.

Many doctors are ages behind the research when it comes to nutrition, and many still believe that ketosis is dangerous, if not for adults then for unborn babies or breastfed infants. I am not surprised that your doctor blamed your miscarriage on being in ketosis, but I hope his speculations didn't make you feel guilty.

Unless your doctor has been doing his own standardized and peer-reviewed research studies, or is privy to information that has not been released to the rest of the medical community, he has no actual medical basis for making such a claim that ketones caused your miscarriage. That doesn't make him a bad doctor, though, and it sounds like he is following your care diligently.

There has been absolutely no evidence that ketones are even passed to the fetus, especially during the first trimester when the placenta is not fully developed. Just because your urine or blood tests positive for ketones doesn't mean they affect the baby at all.

Most women with significant morning sickness are certainly in heavy ketosis because they are not able to take in enough calories, so their bodies burn stored body fat for feul. This is very common early in pregnancy.

That being said I agree with you, luvmygabby, that ketosis is also not necessary during pg and adding some good carbs in moderation might be a healthier way to eat.

Here is another thing - ketone strips and tests only tell you that your body is burning fat, it does not tell you whether you are burning stored body fat or the fat that you are eating. Obviously during Induction people are eating proportionally, a lot of fat, and if your body is burning that fat you can test positive for ketones, it doesn't mean your body is burning stored body fat. That is why people can pee purple ketone strips and still not be losing weight if they are eating too much.

I am not saying you were eating too much fat or even a lot of fat, just that proportionally, on Induction many calories come from fat since carbs are so low and most protein sources contain some fat as well. It is also not uncommon for pregnant women to be in ketosis at some level regardless of their eating plan.

Dawn, I wish I had your problem of carbs making me ill, because the thought of carboloading is very enticing to me! I pigged out because it was Christmas during my three days.

But, you could certainly focus on foods like brown rice, beans, or higher carb fruits such as bananas or pineapple. All pretty high carb but natural and you don't have to eat a ton either. Honestly if I were you I'd aim for closer to 300 carbs per day than 150 to make sure you have enough glycogen, because that 3 hour test is a 100gram killer.

Trail mix that contains dried fruits is really good and has a nice balanace of carbs, protein and fat.

Let us know how it goes!