PG on low carb......

colleen44 · 06-23-2005, 10:10 AM

Hello - does anyone have any suggestions, thoughts or concerns about getting pregnant while in ketosis? Im not yet, just wondering about trying while in ketosis, is it ok? Do I have to stop when I do become PG and go to maintenance?

THANKS!
Colleen

Trailboss · 06-23-2005, 10:24 AM

Hi Colleen,

There are varied views on the issue. I was not comfortable with the idea of being in ketosis when I conceived. But I have also heard many people who get pregnant while on induction and have healthy pregnancies and babies. You have to do what you think is best. I firmly believe that it is not wise to stay in ketosis after you have found out you are pregnant.

Please join us on the Pregnancy Thread. There are several women there TTC.

Best of Luck,
Jackie

colleen44 · 06-23-2005, 10:28 AM

will do Jackie - thanks.

Friendship · 06-23-2005, 01:35 PM

Colleen- I was in ketosis when I got preggers with Hunter and he is fine...but went out of ketosis as soon as I found out.

Kaillean · 06-23-2005, 01:35 PM

Colleen, I was in ketosis when I conceived. My doc said not to worry as the fertilized egg does not implant until right around the time when most women find out they are pregnant anyway. And then it takes awhile for the placenta to become fully functional. So in the beginning, babies are rather self-contained. She also pointed out that many women who have morning sickness - LC or not - are in and out of ketosis all the time.

There is no solid evidence either way that ketones hurt baby or don't hurt baby, but to be safe Atkins and most medical people recommend that you move to maintenance once you know you are pregnant. That is what I did, and have been able to stay relatively low carb, though I do give in to the occasional craving.

I aim not to exceed 75 or 80 g of carbs daily, and that keeps me out of ketosis and gives me a good variety of nutrients for baby, but keeps my weight gain under control. At least so far - fingers crossed.

You do need to keep your carbs up there, you'll probably find that you go into ketosis much easier when you're pregnant than not, so you need to pay attention.

colleen44 · 06-23-2005, 01:44 PM

thanks for the responses -

Kaillean - so you are about 3 months..have you gained much weight. I hope you dont mind me asking, Im just curious about doing maintenance...
Thanks.

Kaillean · 06-23-2005, 02:45 PM

I'm 4 months today (16 weeks). I put on about 3-4 lbs instantly which I attribute to water weight from upping my carbs to get out of ketosis.

In the 3.5 months since, I have gained an additional 6-7 lbs, so I'm up about 10 total. I gained quicker at first, but now it's leveled off and I've been up and down the same 3 or 4 lbs in the last month.

It is hard seeing the scale going up again, after working hard to get the lbs off. But it helps me a lot to stay on plan as much as possible. That way at least I know I'm only gaining what baby needs, and it's not just fat. When I've given into cravings, I feel cruddy and feel blue -- baby does not need sugar or french fries!

That's when I start feeling more fat than pregnant.

To get my carbs up, I have added more low glycemic fruits like apricots, plums and apples (I was already eating berries regularly), as well as WASA crackers, good quality sprouted grain bread, nuts and sunflower seeds, and the occasional glass of milk or bowl of popcorn.

I've also given in to ice cream cravings here and there, but try to make that a very occasional treat.

I was very lucky though and did not have much morning sickness. I know some of the other girls had it more severe and carbs were the only thing that did the trick - like mashed potatoes and stuff.

My doc actually said it's the protein that will help keep morning sickness at bay, because you digest it slower. So I ate a lot of protein (I did not get meat aversions). I don't know whether that worked for me, or I just got lucky. But keeping your blood sugar stable is very important. You will probably find you get VERY hungry, VERY fast and too many carbs only makes those swings worse. Try to eat frequently. I need to snack now, where before I was pregnant, I basically stuck to my 3 meals a day.

My biggest problem is that I am not active enough right now. I really slacked off on my exercise, and need to get back to riding my bike and walking. I want to keep my weight gain under control for the rest of my pregnancy. Then hopefully I will be able to lose it quickly once baby comes.

Anyway, enough blathering. Good luck TTC!

colleen44 · 06-23-2005, 02:49 PM

Thanks so much for the sharing and for the advice.....GOOD LUCK TO YOU!
Colleen

06-23-2005, 10:10 AM	#1
colleen44 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 2,072 Gallery: colleen44 Stats: 157/141/125 WOE: Atkins	PG on low carb...... Hello - does anyone have any suggestions, thoughts or concerns about getting pregnant while in ketosis? Im not yet, just wondering about trying while in ketosis, is it ok? Do I have to stop when I do become PG and go to maintenance? THANKS! Colleen

06-23-2005, 01:35 PM	#5
Kaillean MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,400 Gallery: Kaillean Stats: 215/155/155 WOE: Atkins Maintenance Start Date: March 2003	Colleen, I was in ketosis when I conceived. My doc said not to worry as the fertilized egg does not implant until right around the time when most women find out they are pregnant anyway. And then it takes awhile for the placenta to become fully functional. So in the beginning, babies are rather self-contained. She also pointed out that many women who have morning sickness - LC or not - are in and out of ketosis all the time. There is no solid evidence either way that ketones hurt baby or don't hurt baby, but to be safe Atkins and most medical people recommend that you move to maintenance once you know you are pregnant. That is what I did, and have been able to stay relatively low carb, though I do give in to the occasional craving. I aim not to exceed 75 or 80 g of carbs daily, and that keeps me out of ketosis and gives me a good variety of nutrients for baby, but keeps my weight gain under control. At least so far - fingers crossed. You do need to keep your carbs up there, you'll probably find that you go into ketosis much easier when you're pregnant than not, so you need to pay attention. Last edited by Kaillean : 06-23-2005 at 01:38 PM.

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06-23-2005, 10:24 AM	#2
Trailboss Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Rocky Mountains, CO Posts: 195 Gallery: Trailboss Stats: 306/216-pregnant/170 WOE: Atkins Maintenance Start Date: Feb 2003	Hi Colleen, There are varied views on the issue. I was not comfortable with the idea of being in ketosis when I conceived. But I have also heard many people who get pregnant while on induction and have healthy pregnancies and babies. You have to do what you think is best. I firmly believe that it is not wise to stay in ketosis after you have found out you are pregnant. Please join us on the Pregnancy Thread. There are several women there TTC. Best of Luck, Jackie

06-23-2005, 10:28 AM	#3
colleen44 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 2,072 Gallery: colleen44 Stats: 157/141/125 WOE: Atkins	will do Jackie - thanks.

06-23-2005, 01:35 PM	#4
Friendship Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 3,878 Gallery: Friendship	Colleen- I was in ketosis when I got preggers with Hunter and he is fine...but went out of ketosis as soon as I found out.

06-23-2005, 01:44 PM	#6
colleen44 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 2,072 Gallery: colleen44 Stats: 157/141/125 WOE: Atkins	thanks for the responses - Kaillean - so you are about 3 months..have you gained much weight. I hope you dont mind me asking, Im just curious about doing maintenance... Thanks.

06-23-2005, 02:45 PM	#7
Kaillean MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,400 Gallery: Kaillean Stats: 215/155/155 WOE: Atkins Maintenance Start Date: March 2003	I'm 4 months today (16 weeks). I put on about 3-4 lbs instantly which I attribute to water weight from upping my carbs to get out of ketosis. In the 3.5 months since, I have gained an additional 6-7 lbs, so I'm up about 10 total. I gained quicker at first, but now it's leveled off and I've been up and down the same 3 or 4 lbs in the last month. It is hard seeing the scale going up again, after working hard to get the lbs off. But it helps me a lot to stay on plan as much as possible. That way at least I know I'm only gaining what baby needs, and it's not just fat. When I've given into cravings, I feel cruddy and feel blue -- baby does not need sugar or french fries! That's when I start feeling more fat than pregnant. To get my carbs up, I have added more low glycemic fruits like apricots, plums and apples (I was already eating berries regularly), as well as WASA crackers, good quality sprouted grain bread, nuts and sunflower seeds, and the occasional glass of milk or bowl of popcorn. I've also given in to ice cream cravings here and there, but try to make that a very occasional treat. I was very lucky though and did not have much morning sickness. I know some of the other girls had it more severe and carbs were the only thing that did the trick - like mashed potatoes and stuff. My doc actually said it's the protein that will help keep morning sickness at bay, because you digest it slower. So I ate a lot of protein (I did not get meat aversions). I don't know whether that worked for me, or I just got lucky. But keeping your blood sugar stable is very important. You will probably find you get VERY hungry, VERY fast and too many carbs only makes those swings worse. Try to eat frequently. I need to snack now, where before I was pregnant, I basically stuck to my 3 meals a day. My biggest problem is that I am not active enough right now. I really slacked off on my exercise, and need to get back to riding my bike and walking. I want to keep my weight gain under control for the rest of my pregnancy. Then hopefully I will be able to lose it quickly once baby comes. Anyway, enough blathering. Good luck TTC!

06-23-2005, 02:49 PM	#8
colleen44 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 2,072 Gallery: colleen44 Stats: 157/141/125 WOE: Atkins	Thanks so much for the sharing and for the advice.....GOOD LUCK TO YOU! Colleen