Pregnancy and Low Carb lifestyles

[sizzlingseven]

hey everyone... how's everyone doing? going to have big big salad and chicken wings tonight for dinner. My weight is up to 185 - which is a 25 pound gain and I'm at wk 15. tummy, along with everything else, is getting bigger. Told my boss I was pregnant, and he made me feel guilty for not telling him sooner. I tore a strip off of him, saying its a private matter and my business, and my decision as to when I tell people that I'm pregnant. Plus, any responsible mother wouldn't say anything until the 3mth period is over, just in case. Plus, I told him before anyone in the firm, out of respect, and I've told him before some of my closest friends. Finally, there's never a good time to tell your boss. I'm not putting my notice in, I'm just letting you know there's a hiccup that's coming up in the next six months that we need to plan for. He just stared at me like a deer in the headlights, then gave me a hug. I was pissed and grossed out. It was like unethical abuse and sexual harrassment in one well swoop. Oh well, the guy is a weirdo, what can I say. All that matters is that I have him by the short and curlies and he can't do anything about it - he has to hold my job for a year, and he doesn't have a choice. Ha!

So, that was my week. My herniated disc has become aggitated again, so I've been in a lot of pain this week. I also quit my bartending job, so now I don't have to spend 10 hours on my feet on Saturdays. This is my first Saturday off in years, and I think I'm going to like it.

Still haven't slown down in the carb intake.... they just opened a Tim Hortons in my office building, so I've been having soup and sandwiches for lunch all week, plus either a muffin or a bagel with a decaf coffee in the mornings. Satisfying my mid-day hunger with fruit. Hopefully this week I'm going to create a food plan and stick to it. DH & I are off to Mexico in six weeks, so I'd like to try to keep my bootie from getting any bigger. Will need to buy some shorts, t-shirts, a new sarong and bathing suit in the next few weeks.

So that's the latest. Lawbooks - you have six weeks to go.... I'll be on a beach, and you'll be breastfeeding! Awesome.

Have a good one - keep in touch!

Niki
162/180/190
Preggers since 11/10/03
Due 8/16/04
LCing since 10/21/03

[jraudio]

My eating was not the greatest this weekend, but I am trying really hard to be good. I'm trying a lot harder than I did before I started tracking my food again. At the very least, I feel guilty now when I overindulge. And my weight has at least stayed somewhat steady for the past 2 weeks, which is good, since I have been told that at this point I can expect to gain 1/2 lb a week (yikes!)

I have heard that some women gain pregnancy weight differently - some put a lot on earlier in the pregnancy, but then they do not gain much toward the end. I hope that's the case with me!

I was also talking to a friend here at work who said she put on 40 lbs when she was pg with her daughter, but that the breastfeeding took it all off fast. And I have heard similar reports from other women, that breastfeeding really helped reduce their weight quick. I can live with that

Mostly, I am just so relieved that my glucose test came back normal. And the little guy has been kicking and punching up a storm lately, so I guess all is well

Oh, I wanted to add that the Dannon Carb Control yogurt is awesome, and I would highly recommend it as a low carb snack. I plan on stocking up on it this week, so I have enough when I get a sweet or dessert craving.

[EmilyAnne]

This is my first time to post so I hope I do this right! Thanks for this topic - it's the best I've found on many BBs. I love reading all your stories.

I have a serious question. My husband and I are trying to get pregnant. I have been doing Atkins for 7 weeks now (in Ongoing Weight Loss) and have been doing great! I LOVE LOW CARB! I've only lost 12 pounds, but the inches are melting away. I realize if I get pregnant I need to get out of ketosis and follow the Lifetime Maintenance plan. It could take a long time to get pregnant, though. So how dangerous do you think it would be to be in ketosis for about 2 weeks (from conception to when the pregnancy tests will show a postive result)?

[Lawbooks]

Welcome EmilyAnne!

Well, that's a hard question to answer because there really isn't an *absolute* answer.
For me, when my dh and I started *actively trying* to get pregnant, I went ahead and added enough fruit and veggies into my woe to stay out of ketosis.
I think that would be your safest bet.

In all likelihood, there is probably nothing wrong with continuing with this woe (way of eating) while you are trying to conceive, but you never know. And who wants to take chances with a baby at its most vulnerable stage (immediately following conception). Anyway, that's my .02
I wish you and your hubby the best of luck!

Summer

[EmilyAnne]

Hey Summer,
Thanks for taking the time to respond. Of course you're right! I knew in my heart I should up my carb level to 50g, but I'm looking so good now and am anxious to keep the weight loss up. Baby comes first, though. I should be happy I can eat berries, tomatoes and nuts now without guilt! My BMI is normal now, so I should just be happy where I am. (I did want to be skinnier for my 20th high school reunion this summer, though).

p.s. I've been to Baton Rouge hundreds of times! My grandmother and myriad aunts, uncles and cousins live there. Both my parents graduated from LSU.

Emily
157/145/135

[Lawbooks]

Emily, Don't get me wrong. I have kept my carbs VERY low this whole pregnancy (I am 34.5 weeks!). I have HAD to due to my pre-existing type II diabetes.
I did not want to go on oral meds or insulin while pregnant, so I have eaten JUST enough carbs to stay out of ketosis.
Read that as: a LOT of fruit (low-glycemic choices, of course) and a LOT of vegetables. Here and there I have allowed *some* grains that do not send my blood sugar soaring (popcorn -- go figure).
The best thing is that I have only gained ~27 pounds total and I feel REALLY GOOD.
Even though I am still a LONG way from my goal weight (ideally, I should have lost another 50 pounds before becoming pregnant), I feel better with this pregnancy than either of my previous two. I have almost NO SWELLING at all -- which, by this point, was pretty common with my previous two.
I think you are doing great!
You have done a wonderful thing by getting off the *junk carbs* before becoming pregnant and I think you will do just fine.
Keep posting and let us know how you progress!

PS: And I lived in Denver for 3.5 months!
I LOVED it there, but it was a little too cold for my blood.

Summer


www.herstorygirl.com

[EmilyAnne]

Thanks Summer -
What I need to do is go buy Ketostix tomorrow and experiment w/ what level of carbs kicks me out of ketosis. I have a feeling it will be pretty low because even being in OWL, I have to keep my carb level to 20-25g/day to avoid gaining. I keep a meticulous food diary!

I'm encouraged that your swelling went down with this pregnancy. I developed preeclampsia w/ my son (who just turned 3!) and had to be induced early. So hopefully w/ another pregnancy that won't happen.

What brand pre-natal vitamin are you taking? I'm taking NesTabs Prenatal. I just switched from Atkins Basic 3. I need to do some research on iron, though, because I'm afraid I'm overdosing on it. The 2 low-carb books I've read so far (Atkins New Diet Revolution and Laura Richard's Secret to Low Carb Success) recommend a multi-vitamin without iron, because you get so much of it naturally with this woe. But there's no such thing as a prenatal vitamin without iron!

Anyway, I will find out this weekend if I got pregnant this month! If not, we'll keep trying!

Emily
157/145/130

[sizzlingseven]

Hi EA - welcome! I'm at 16 wks with my first, and haven't been monitoring my carbs at all. Eating whatever I want, and I've gained 23 pounds so far. I'm the living example of what NOT to do. I don't practice what I preach, but I'm still full of ideas and advice.... (the "easier said than done" dilemma...)

They say that what you eat before you get preggers is just as important as once you are, even three months before you're pregnant. You don't want to let your body lack certain nutrients, because baby is going to start taking them from you as soon as that egg starts growing! If you're seriously trying, you may also want to seriously consider being proud of the 12 you've lost, and start practicing with the maintenance program. Maybe ask your doctor? Or like you said, stay out of ketosis but keep your intake to a point where your weight loss is much slower but your diet is nutritionally rich.

Another thing is that you don't want to be too thin when you get pregnant.... I've heard some women lose weight in the first tri because of severe morning sickness. Holding on to that 10 pounds may be a good thing.... ???

what do I know? I'm no doctor, just a first time mom, rapidly growing horizontally (that would be a good pseudo name... RGH...

Anyways, keep us in the loop!

Niki
162/185/190
Preggers since 11/10/03
Due 8/16/04
LCing since 10/21/03

[This message was edited by Niki In Toronto on 02-25-04 at 06:06 AM.]

[EmilyAnne]

Hey Niki, er RGV!
Thanks for your 2 cents. I've been out of ketosis for 2 days, and only eating 36-40g of carbs. All good carbs too. Eeeck! The thought of having to stay at 25-30g of carbs (absent pregnancy)to continue losing is depressing! I've gained 2 pounds in 2 days - which better be temporary. I know, I know, throw away the scale.

Thankfully I have a doctor who is supportive of low carb lifestyle. Hopefully she can recommend a good OB that will be supportive as well. I expected to be reprimanded when I went in for my pre-Atkins lipid profile. Surprisingly they were encouraging and even had a nurse stop by to talk to me that had been on Atkins for 18 months and lost 55 pounds!

Emily
157/145/130
5'4"

[DebbyH]

Ladies,

I just wanted to pop in here and let you all know that I am (and have been) keeping you in my prayers for safe and healthy pregnancies, safe and healthy deliveries, and healthy babies.

And... hopefully I'll be able to join in here sometime soon (God-willing).

Debby

206.5/159/140?130?
CALP 1/12-10/9/03 & 2/18/04 on
(Atkins 10/10-11/25/03)

[Lawbooks]

Thanks, Debby! Your prayers are appreciated.

I will return the favor in hopes that you will be joining us soon! Best of luck,

Summer

[sizzlingseven]

Hey everyone... thought I would touch base...

My OB looked at my ultrasound, and said my baby is bigger than schedule, so she thinks I didn't have my calendar right, and moved my due date up by a week, to August 8. So, that means I'm one week closer, and in my 18th week.

Weight continues to grow, hit 190 today which was a little depressing. I had made 190 my ultimate weight gain for the pregnancy, which would have been 30 pounds, and I've already attained it, 22 weeks early. So, I've readjusted my goal to add another 20 pounds and hopefully will not get higher than 210 by August. I meet with a nutritionist tomorrow, and hopefully she will give me some guidance as well. Its likely she won't tell me anything I don't already know, but it seems that, unless I have some accountability to someone, I can't stick to any plan.

Oh well, enough feeling sorry for me! I have noone or nothing to blame but me and the (excess) carbs! I'm going to the gym today after work (first time in a month, because of my back) and I'm going to do a pilates class. Should make me feel 100X better.

So, how is everyone else doing? Summer - 4 1/2 weeks to go? EXCITING! Hope you're feeling great! Make sure you post pictures of bebe once Li'l Miss#3 has arrived! I need to take pics of my growing belly - I should start tonight!

Hi DebbyH - thx for the prayers! Last week it took the nurse about 5 min to find the baby's heartbeat, which was a little nerving, so your prayer must have come through right then and there!

EmilyAnne - how's the weight loss going at 35-40g carbs? did you find out if you're pregnant yet?

JR - where are you? haven't heard from you in a while.... what's happening? has the weight gain steadied for you? Have you been able to stay at the 2000cal/100gcarb level? I seem to always make that a goal, and always go over. Still trying for today, and not doing too bad. I also read that pregnant women want to keep their fat intake to approx 60g, so I've added a ton of raw veggies to the meals throughout the day as filler.

Well, today is my DH's b-day, so I have to go get a gift and a card. Will check in again soon. Keep growing mommies/moms-to-be! Angels come in all shapes and sizes!

Niki
162/190/210
Preggers since 11/10/03
Due 8/16/04
LCing since 10/21/03

[DebbyH]

Thanks, Summer! Guess you'll have to keep those prayers up for a bit longer... TOM came yesterday.

Niki, glad to hear the prayers are doing some good. Will keep 'em coming.

Debby

206.5/158/140?130?
CALP 1/12-10/9/03 & 2/18/04 on
(Atkins 10/10-11/25/03)

[EmilyAnne]

Hey Niki,
Unfortunately, just like DebbyH, TOM came uninvited! (See the Not Pregnant thread).

DH and I are having fun still trying, though!

I'm curious as to what your nutritionist told you - please keep us posted.

Emily

Emily
157/145/130
5'4"

[sizzlingseven]

Hi Emily:

I said I've been on diets since I was 13, whether it was Weight Watchers, jenny craig, dr. Bernstein, SlimFast, Atkins.... but the moral of the story is that it works for me when I have a plan to stick to, and I need some sort of accountability to someone to keep me eating within certain restrictions. Because I'm pregnant, mentally I have no restrictions, so I'm eating freely. Nutritionist said she's not here to babysit me. She didn't give me a plan, but rather gave me the food pyramid, and said I should have 5-9 bread servings, 5-10 fruit & veggies, 2-3 protein servings (can't even imagine only having 2 servings of protein in a day), 3-4 milk, and trace servings of fats and sugars. Didn't give me a food list, food diary, calorie restriction, nothing.

In a way she's right, but it wasn't what I wanted to hear. She spoke like a true "nutritionist" and at times it felt like I knew more about the science of food than she did. Eat less, exercise more. So, that was the scoop.

I have been feeling better - it must be the energy that comes back with the start of the 2nd trimester, and have started going back to the gym. Even did a pilates and a spin class back to back - felt great, then went home and did some cleaning of the house. At least the extra activity will help maintain or gain slower.

Sorry to hear that the swimmers didn't make it to the finish line this month (same to you Debby) - hopefully March will be the lucky month! And, like you said, have fun trying! cuz the trying can slow down once the belly gets bigger!

Going to the nutritionist did make me more aware of my food choices, and I've added my yogurts back to my daily intake, which is a healthier snack than going to Tim Horton's for an apple fritter. I'm just becoming more aware of the quality of food I eat, and the nutritional weight.

Anyways, that's the latest. Hope everyone is well. Keep in touch...