Could LC eating decrease chances of conceiving?

[4galmom]

I have heard something about this from a friend but can't find any research to support it. Also, my physician husband has heard nothing to support this. Has anyone here had any experience with LCing while trying to conceive. We are hoping to have more children and I am considering re-Inducting (after a 3 month binge).

Thanks for any help,
Martha

[Lawbooks]

Martha,

Actually, the opposite is true!
I have been eating this way for over 2 years and I have talked to NUMEROUS women who actually conceived more easily while eating this way.
If you think about it, it makes sense.
Often, *infertility* or difficulty in conceiving is caused by irregular/out-of-whack hormone levels. Not always, but there appears to be an underlying connection in MANY cases. (I've read a LOT on this and my dh -- also a physician -- says that what I've read makes sense).
Whether a person is **diabetic** or not, they can have abnormal insulin spikes or insulin resistance and not even know it. This hormone, in turn, wreaks havoc with the other *female* hormones.
One thing that low-carbing does is stabilize blood glucose and insulin levels. Over time, this can stabilize/level out reproductive cycles and lead to easier conception.

Consider my story...
I have 2 children, but I have been *insulin resistant* for a number of years. 2.5 years ago, I was diagnosed as a full-fledged, type II diabetic. Additionally, I had begun having *female* problems (irregular cycles, increase in acne, severe cramping, etc.).
My endocrinologist diagnosed me with PCOS (Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome) and told me that I would likely not be able to have any more children (my hormone levels were so out of whack. )
I went on Atkins (STRICT) 2 years ago. I dropped 50 pounds, "reversed" my diabetes (cut my insulin levels in half), lowered my cholesterol and stabilized my blood sugars. My cycles returned to normal within 6-7 months and the acne was virutally GONE.
I'm happy to report that **EVEN THOUGH** I still have a long way to go in my weight-loss journey, I am now 27 weeks pregnant and doing fine. My endocrinologist is THRILLED and told me that he had other patients with similar success while eating low-carb. While he is still hesitant about "endorsing" low-carb eating, he readily admits that it DOES seem to work for many women!

I'm not making any promises here -- only offering you some hope. I was 100 pounds overweight and my case looked pretty hopeless.
If you are true to low-carbing and don't cheat regularly or eat a lot of *fake foods*, low-carbing will not hurt your chances of conceiving. And **hopefully** it will HELP them.
I wish you the very best of luck. Let me know if you have any more questions about my experience... I have become a real believer in this woe (way of eating)!

Summer


www.herstorygirl.com

[4galmom]

Thank you Summer. Your post was very reassuring! Good luck to you with #3.

Blessings,
Martha

[kmattson]

Martha,

My personal experience has proved the opposite as well! I've been low-carbing for about 4 months and have just found out I'm pregnant with my second child!

[sizzlingseven]

I've been low carbing for 2 years, and I was on the pill, but missed a few last month, thinking that I've been on birth control pills for 13 years.... guess what - when they say use another form of birth control if you miss more than one pill a month... they were right. I'm due in August.

Niki
165/165/190
Preggers since 11/10/03
Due 8/16/04
LCing since 10/21/03

[drummergirl]

Congratulations to all of you!! That is so exciting!!

Carpe Diem!!!
Atkins since 8/15/03
5'4
231/194/155
Fiesty Red-Head

[libaki]

Just thought I would add my 2 cents here. I had been low carbing (old CAD) for a couple of years when my husband I tried for our first child and I was pregnant the first month we tried. I was 36 at the time and had been on birth control pills for 17 years. Only went off the pill 3 months before trying to conceive.

[barb keith]

And we thought it was the "Working Woman's Syndrome" all along. I wonder how many women go through needless fertility therapy, when really what they need to do is just change their eating habits. Who'd a thunk it?

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!
www.iwsgroupinc.com - website design and development

Atkins-3/14/03
174/143.6/135 5'2"
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