Stopped Being Gluten-free While Pregnant... Now Worried.

My sister and I have both been tested and both have celiac. We BOTH ate gluten during our pregnancies and our babies are happy and healthy...and not early! I was so sick during my pregnancy, I had to eat whatever I wasn't puking that day. Some days, that was only bread or some crackers. I felt kind of yucky, because of the gluten...but I HAD to eat something. I was fine, my baby was fine. My son in 16 months and never been sick!. Celiac has only begun to be diagnosed frequently. Think of all the thousands of woman who got diagnosed later in life (or have never been diagnosed) and had healthy babies. I really think your baby is fine! If you are very concerned, ask your Dr. I'm sure they will tell you the same thing. Good luck!!

OK, think of it this way: The reason you started eating gluten again for a short time is that you were having trouble eating ANYTHING due to the nausea. So the baby wasn't getting enough nutrients because you couldn't keep anything down. So you started eating gluten to at least give your baby SOMETHING. I'd say that you actually did the RIGHT thing by starting to eat gluten again when nothing else would stay down. I think the information she found was meant to show that if you are gluten-intolerant and subsist on a lot of gluten during pregnancy, you aren't getting the nutrients you need and therefore neither is the baby. But it sounds like your intolerance to gluten is not very severe and so I would not worry about it at all. And now that you are back to gluten-free, hopefully you are feeling better.

My guess is that she didn't intend to accuse you of being a bad mother (or at least I hope not!) but she should have been more sensitive when telling you about the information she'd heard.

Before worrying about it too much, ask her where she got her scientific information about a gluten sensitive woman eating gluten and it causing a lack of nutrients for the baby. This is not common knowledge, but before insisting that she's crazy, find out if there is any scientific evidence to back it up. Obviously this information would be helpful for future pregnancies as you cannot fix what's happened already. Also talk to your OB/GYN just to double check.

Now, from the surface it would seem like it would be the opposite of what she claims. That skipping gluten would be more of an issue then adding it. Gluten is a protein, but I'm sure you're getting plenty from other sources, so I would not worry about not eating it if you're sensitive to it. You need to do what's best for your body.

When your in your first trimester you tend to eat only what's appealing, and that might just be canned peaches for a few weeks (as in my case). Obviously that's not a great diet, but for a few weeks it didn't cause huge problems with my daughter. Many women eat wild and crazy foods during the first trimester, its normal. I honestly would not worry too much about all of this. I'm sure due to your previous miscarriage you're very worried about it happening again and this was a trigger. You're a good mom and know how to take care of your body and your baby. Eating gluten, even if it made your body upset, was better then not eating during those first few weeks.

Sorry some friends are a bit pushy, especially when they don't feel like you're doing what THEY would choose to do in a particular situation. You might need to have a chat with your friend about appropriate boundaries in this relationship. Like not giving advise unless asked for.

Hope you can put this nagging fear behind you, and it you can't, then pursue finding the research to determine if this is a myth or not. And even if its true what she says, you're past it and you'll know better for the next time, and you're baby is still there and fine as far as you know. Be thankful for the blessings of right now.

talk to your doctor, but I'm sure he/she will say that it was best for you to keep something down, even if it had gluten, than to not eat at all.

Oh my! You poor dear - as if you don't have enough to worry about! I can't imagine this has hurt your baby. Babies take from you whatever they need and, unless you're severely malnourished they're going to do fine. Eat the best you can and don't worry. Move on and take others' advice with a grain of salt. Parents need to learn to do that anyway. You know your body and your baby best!

I have celiac and was misdiagnosed 20 years ago. I ate gluten not knowing I had celiac during both of my pregnacy and both of children are fine. Neither of my children have celiac. When you have celiac your intestines becomes damage and your body is not able to absorb all the nutrients needed. Many women who have undiagnosed celiac are anemic. During both my pregnancies I took 2 prenatal vitamins and an iron supplement. This is most likely what your friend is referring to. As far as I know gluten sensitivity does not keep you from getting all the nutrients. If you are concerned talk to your doctor and put your mind to rest.

I think your friend should've been a little more gentle. I am also recently gluten-free (well, 90% free I'd say). I don't have celiac either, but have a couple symptoms if I eat it. She might mean that if someone is truly gluten intolerant, they may not be absorbing all the nutrients from food. If you are not absorbing all the nutrients from food....then you cannot pass them onto your baby. I'm assuming this is what she means...though I'm no expert & could be wrong. You should talk to your obgyn. If I were you, I would not get gluten (b/c of the headaches primarily) and find alternatives. I found a great gluten free bread (Udi's) and enjoy gluten-free pasta (corn rotelli or quinoa). Can you stomach these while pregnant? Just think of all the people who have celiac & don't know it & get pregnant. They are eating gluten & I'd venture a guess that the vast, vast majority have healthy pregnancies & healthy babies! However, since you know it causes you problems, don't eat the gluten. Hopefully the food aversions are temporary...they should be.

Dear Linz, You are already a great momma. I am not a doctor, but your baby is fine. You will be OK. and just remember, some mommas can't even keep any food down the first trimester and actually lose weight, so you are doing fine.

If your dr. recommends, I would consider taking a pre natal vitamin and a vitamin with Omega 3. also, if you go gluten free, please ask your dr. if you should take any other supplement.

when i was pregnant, i also went to a dietician at 3 months to check my diet. I took flax seed supplements and ate a great deal of pecans, dried figs for iron, dried apricots, chicken and rice ... she built me a menu to ensure balance. Can you check it out.

gotta run to bath my lo.
jilly

Please relax and try not to worry. I DON'T believe you did anything to hurt your child or increase your rate of miscarriage or having a stillbirth. Where she came up with that is beyond me. You did exactly what you needed to do while being sick and your baby was able to get everything they needed. If you have concerns, please contact your doctor directly and see what he or she has to say about the situation. They are the most qualified to help you. God Bless you and your child!

I have to think that anything that bothers YOUR system isn't good for baby. If you feel better being gluten-free, I think that is a huge red flag that you shouldn't be eating any gluten. ANY nutrients in food that HAS gluten, certainly can be found in other foods...lots of people do not eat gluten containing foods. I have read that people who are sensitive to gluten do not ABSORB other nutrients that are crucial to good nutrition, it acts like an allergy, your sypmtom might be the headaches. Have you talked with a nutritionist? I think that would be your best bet. I don't think your friend meant to imply you are a bad mom, just trying to give you info that could be helpful. Plus, regular doctors...internists or your OB/GYN might not be well read in this department. I don't know where Grandville, MI is, but there is a group in Grosse Pointe who are chiropractor/clinical nutritionists who specialize in these things. Go to www.ahccenter.com
If you don't live close it would be well worth the trip. Good luck and congrats on your little one!

You can still eat eat gluten free and get the nutrients a baby needs. If you are gluten sensitive and eat gluten there could be health risks to you, but I don't know about the baby. However, some nutrition is better than no nutrition! Folic acid is extremely important especially for fetal development. If you are eating protein, plenty of fruits and vegetables and taking a pre natal vitamin, you should have your bases covered. Omega 3's from fish oil and iron are important as well. Further concerns can be discussed with your Dr, but you are doing great and don't let her bring you down.

I always try and remind myself when pregnant (as I am now) that if we really knew what caused miscarriages in any form there would be no need for abortion providers. I know that sounds a little dark, but it's true, if there was a tried and true way of ending a pregnancy don't you think every woman would know about it? Just try to ignore what your friend said because obviously you can't change the past!