Atkins and Conception/Pregnancy??

[JennyK]

Does anyone have any knowledge on LCing while trying to conceive? I have about 40 lbs. to lose, but would like to become pregnant in a few months. Does LCing have any health ramifications in this regard? (i.e. If one becomes preg. while on induction or very slightly higher levels of carbs.) Any info would be greatly appreciated! Jenny

[MamaSara6]

Hey Jenny,

I think I told you before that I've done Somersizing, which is food combining. With level 2, maintenance, you can add carbs to your protein and fat, but you still avoid what she calls "funky" foods (like all sugars, white flour, high glycemic veggies). That's what I did during my last pregnancy and I gained less weight than any other pregnancy.

The interesting thing that I noticed was that I didn't gain any weight at all unless I cheated. If I ate a bowl of ice cream I gained 2 lbs. the next day. If I ate anything funky I automatically gained 2 lbs. at least. So, while my weight gain was lower than usual, it was still too high for me because I ended up back on the sugar.

So I think the key is to make it through the morning sickness without giving in to the funky stuff. Eat whole grains with protein to keep your blood sugar stable. And then just make sure you eat good quality carbs instead of junk.

Good luck getting pregnant!

[JennyK]

Thanks Sara, we're not actively trying to get pregnant right now, but I'm kind of thinking ahead. I just didn't know if LCing would impede or enhance conception? Since I'm actually eating healthier than ever before, I wouldn't think it would negatively affect it, but I haven't seen any articles on the subject.

Thanks again for your reply, Jenny

[lcbaby]

hi i am new t the site. was veryhappy to discover this thread too!!

i have ben doing atkins for about a month now. i have been really good at sticking with the healthy eating plan ie: lots of real food and the atkins bars for snacks. i have been really happy with things although i seem to have stalled in the weight loss dept. and my ketostrips never registered any color !?

for varietys sake I was going to move to OWL soon. BUT !!!

this morning i found out that im pregnant!!! SOOO, needess to say i have to switch to maintanence. what foods are safe to introduce into my diet without immediate weight gain?

i would like to start eating fruits grains and yogurt specifically, but i am concerned about the atkins bars and malitol sweetened treats. i rely on those for convenience, are they harmful???
sorry to ramble so much but i'm very excited and confused at the moment.

i would really appreciate a reply from someone who might have been in my shoes.


:confused: :daze:

[LowCarb4Me]

Hi.

I was lowcarbing during my third pregnancy. I sure wish I would have been for the other two as well -- it was my easiest pregnancy.

I was in OWL when I got pregnant. Didn't have any trouble trying to conceive. I stayed low-carb througout my pregnancy. I added Wasa crackers which I hadn't been eating previously. I enjoyed a summer full of canteloupe, blueberries and strawberries. I stayed within the guidelines of the allowed foods, but I didn't count carbs at all.

Good luck to you!

Nancy in Iowa

[lcbaby]

thanks for your reply nancy!!!
:wave:

you mentioned that you " stayed within the guidelines of allowed foods, but didn't count carbs at all"

just to clarify - you ate as much fruits, veg, cheese etc.... as you felt like?? did you cut back on super high fat stuff ,like whipping cream, rich cheese , and my personal weakness,sugar free chocolate bars?? im not qiute sure how to strike a balance between staying low carb and giving the baby :baby: what it needs. i have added lowcarb high fiber cereals and rice cakes to my diet. but i have also been having cravings for salty carb snacks like popcorn and chips any sugggestions???
:yum:
hope you don't mind my picking your brain

im just kinda nervous about the whole thing cause i have already put on 5lbs in as many weeks!!!

thanks again for your advice
be well
ali

[squeak]

Just thought I'd let you know, we had been trying to concieve for about a year and a half before going LC. We've been LC since Late October and I got pregnant in April. I thought it would never happen.

I had consulted my doctor about simple fertility fixes and he told me insulin does have an impact on ability to concieve. A LC diet that is not extreme will help regulate these levels just like a diabetic diet does. So it can actually be a help.

My doc put me on glucophage to stabilize insulin levels after some testing. 2 cycles later I got pregnant. Think that really did the trick.

Good luck!

[squeak]

I've switched to a moderate LC diet now that I know I'm pregnant. I've added berries and a few bites of my son's pasta or bread with meals. I think it is best not to be in ketosis while pregnant. I'm still avoiding refined sugar completely. And eating very little of the flour products.

I truly dont see where eating a potato or noodle would add to the nutrition baby gets. But I will be asking doc for advice soon. I've been in twice for hormone level testing, but havent gotten to have a sit down talk w/ doc yet. I will get his advice next week, And try to remember to post it. I've had one miscarriage so I'm really nervous about anything that would have a bad effect. BTW I was not LCing during that pregnancy.

I would love to hear from others who have experience with LC during pregnancy.

[tink79]

I was on maintenance when I got pregnant (about 70 g of carbs per day)... I began low carbing to prevent any more ovarian cysts and to stop the pain... My doc praised me for my research and action taken and suggested that I continue to low carb throughout my pregnancy... For the first 3 months or so it was difficult because I could not hold anything down and the thought of meat was absolutely sickening, but now I'm back to maintenance style and am doing wonderfully at 23 weeks...

There are so many benefits to low carbing if you can get enough vitamins and minerals... Sometimes a supplement is needed, but if you are on maintenance, you should be able to get plenty of vits from fruit and veggies...

If you are planning on ttc, I'd suggest starting a prenatal vitamin and possibly some extra folate now... Couldn't hurt, but could quite possibly help...

Good luck!! :thup:

[LowCarb4Me]

Hi -- I haven't been in here in ages. I wanted to reply back to Ali.

I pretty much ate whatever I wanted during my pregnancy, as long as it fell within controlled carb guidelines. I avoided all the white stuff. I did have an occasionaly SF chocolate bar -- they are so darn gassy that I didn't think the baby would particularly enjoy them! (or maybe all that grumbling helped lull him to sleep).

If you keep eating your protein, veggies and fruits your baby will be getting lots of good stuff.

If you are still having cravings for the high carb stuff, cut back on the carbs that you are eating. The rice cakes are probably carb-y enough to send up your blood sugar. Stick to whole grain items.

Sorry for the delay in replying. I just got the e-mail notification that there was a post added to the thread. Let me know if I can help you.

Nancy

[HappyHome]

so... if i'm trying to conceive, is induction still ok?
when should i go off atkins if at all?
i'm still so confused :daze:

[LowCarb4Me]

I would say, yes, induction is fine while TTC. Remember to take your multi-vitamin (which is true whether low carbing or not!). I was in ketosis while TTC, but got out of ketosis as soon as I found out I was pregnant.

There is no need to quit low-carbing during pregnancy. Just keep your carb levels up where out of ketosis level.

Because a controlled carbohydrate diet is so much more healthful than the average american diet, I am sure your baby will be much better fed, and you will have a much lower risk of developing gestational diabetes, than if you return to a high carb diet.

Best of luck to you.

Nancy

[HappyHome]

Oh Good.

Could you tell me what the negative effects on a baby would be while the mother is in ketosis? Is this the case for lactating women as well?

thanks in advance! :wave:

[LowCarb4Me]

From my understanding, and you can check at the Atkins center, there hasn't been any studies on the effects of ketosis the unborn. Ketones do appear in breast milk. Again the effect is yet untested, so they recommend you stay out of ketosis during this time.

Search the Atkins web site under pregnancy and see what comes up. I think there is a place where you can ask specific questions. It has been a couple years since I have been pregnant, maybe things have changed.

Nancy

[LadyBelle]

I posted URLs for some articles in the Ketosis-Prengnant? thread. I don't want to cross post.

[JeannieF]

I'm pregnant too! I had no idea there were all these other pregnant LCers here.

I'm doing between 65 - 75 carbs a day (about) but am not really counting every day. I'm just trying to stick with the required foods.

I can't imagine why doing lo-carb would be a problem when trying to conceive. I also eat far better when following this WOE than when doing anything else. A better, well rounded WOE has to be better for the baby.

My baby is due Oct. 28th. Don't know if it's a boy or girl. Really praying for healthy, tho, as I'm a bit older (38 will be 39 when baby is born).

Best of luck to everyone else in here with your lo-carb journeys!

Jeannie

[HappyHome]

Congratulations on your pregnancy Jeannie!

It's not LCbing I'm worried about, it's ketosis. I've read the articles posted by another member, but they STILL don't tell me WHY a pregnant woman shouldn't be on ketosis... it doesn't list anything on WHY NOT. I'm still in the dark.

Good luck with your delivery... when are you due?

[JeannieF]

October 28th is the magical date this time around.

I had ketones in my urine on my last dr. visit and he said that wasn't a good thing. I'm not sure what it could do to the baby, but I don't plan to find out. I'm trying to up the carbs enough to make sure that doesn't happen.

My main goal is not to gain 50 lbs again with this pregnancy. I gained so much with my other three and it's just too darned hard to get off. My body just loooovvvvvveeees it's fat cells and refuses to allow them to shrink a bit without putting up a huge fight. :p What a screwy body I have.

I'm cravy sweets somethin' awful, though and don't know how good I'm going to do in the long run. My kingdom for a tootsie roll!!!

Jeannie

[LadyBelle]

When you are losing weight your body releases Keotenes and other toxins that were stored in fat cells. Normally these toxins are processed through urine, lungs, and natural means. When pregnent or nursing you can pass on these toxins to the child. While there may not of been to many studies done, I would not want to put into my child what my body has already rejected as a toxin. While nursing slow weight loss should be fine because not as much toxins are being released and they may not effect the milk. When a women is pregnent however they suggest you do gain some weight, and even extreamly heavy women they suggest to at least not lose any.

Some weight loss in the first trimester will happen occasionaly due to added caloriec needs (200/day), nausia (sp), and morning sickness. Pregnancy only lasts 9 months and is a special time. If a healthy weight and diet is maintaned during it, weight loss after shouldn't be as hard.

As for TTC, being a healthier weight and following a healthy diet can make it easier to concieve, and means a better start for your child. Women of child bearing years who may end up pregnent should take a multi vitamen with plenty of folic acid.

[SaturnStar]

Hi Jeanne-
Congrats on your pregnancy! From looking at your stats it looks like you’ve only gained 9 pounds so far….. gee by 5 months in to each of my pregnancies I had gained well over the recommended 35! I would like to become pregnant in the not so distant future so I’m trying to find out everything I can about pregnancy & low carbing - (I've been on Atkins since May). My 2 daughters were huge at birth my oldest was 10.2 lbs and my youngest was 9 (Dr. took 2nd one early). I would still like to have a big healthy baby, but I do not want the extra 80lbs that went with my previous pregnancies. Congrats again!
Saturn

[atiaran]

I've been doing Maintenance but at about 100 g carbs since finding out I was pregnant. I think it's a great way to stay healthy, and my doc approves of it.

[JeannieF]

I have actually gained 19 lbs at this point, which is far better than I have done in any other pregnancy.

I was hovering at about 155 when I got pregnant. The 166 in my profile was my starting weight before I went on low-carb in the first place.

I am currently at 27 weeks and, just like you, gained a ton in my other pregnancies. Low carbing during pregnancy has been a real life saver and has really, really made a difference in my hunger and cravings.

As a matter of fact, most of the weight I gained, I gained in my first 3 1/2 months when I was NOT low-carbing and I was hungry all the time (just like in my first three pregnancies.) I started doing a modified version of CAD, allowing myself some extra carbs at CM (like apricots, watermellon, cantelope...) and the weight gain came to a screeching halt! I was amazed. I stayed at 170 for almost 6 weeks and then slowly began to put on weight again.

I'm thrilled with how I feel, how I look and the reduced hunger levels.

I wish you good luck. This has certainly worked well for me.

Jeannie

[SaturnStar]

Jeannie!
You ARE doing great. That is inspiring to me to know that low-carbing is working so well during your pregnancy! I really want my baby #3, but just so worried about gaining 80 lbs! I ate all the time during my first 2 pregnancies and don't want to do that again, it was really hard on my body. Do you try to hit a certain # of carbs a day, like atiaran? or just stay away from the obvious high carb stuff?

[JeannieF]

I'm not aiming at a certain number, but instead am doing CAD with additional fruits or complex carbs at CMeals. This keeps me from going into ketosis (a no-no :nono: while pregnant) but keeps me from gaining a ton or weight all at the same time. What a great combination!

I estimate I'm at about 75 carbs a day most days but I don't really count. I know in my head what most foods are, and if I really have no idea, I look them up on fitday.com.

Jeannie

[MsBrisby]

Oh my!! Was I ever happy to stumble across this thread! I had no idea it was here. It's answered a lot of questions. We are TTC, it's been a year and we finally went in to get a bit of help. Our son will be 6 in a month and I don't know why we are having so much trouble this time around.

It is sooo reassuring to read that weight gain can be kept in check the second time around. I gained nearly 100 pounds with my first one, went from 125 to 225 the day he was born. My weight has been fluctuating around 180 (give or take 10 pounds) ever since. The first time, I had just given up being a vegetarian and then ended up with gestational diabetes. My body was a mess at the end of the pregnancy.

I wish you well! I will be peeking at this site frequently, I am sure! :roll:

~Hope~

[BelmontLil]

Glad I found this thread too. I just found out I am pregnant. I have been doing induction level of carbs (sometimes a bit over) since July 31. I got married June 21 and am approx 6 weeks pregnant. So apparently, being on induction doesnt hurt your chances of getting pregnant.

My doc is low carb friendly but warned me about being in ketosis. He said long term exposure to ketones can cause a baby to have neurological defects up to and include brain damage and retardation. (HOLY GOD!)

Since I dont know what my critical carb level is, I am simply going to add 2 fruits a day to my exisiting routine, which should be enough to keep me out of ketosis.

I am glad I started this WOE, because I am eating much better and learned to like veggies much much more, which will help the growing bud in my belly.

Any newly pregnant LC'ers here?
-Lil

[JeannieF]

Hi friends on this thread.

Wanted you to know I had my baby on October 30th. A healthy, beautiful, BIG girl. She weighed in a 9 lb 7 oz. (my biggest). :baby:

I had my most successful pregnancy yet when it came to weight gain. I gained exactly 35 lbs. In my other pregnancies I gained 50+. Considering I'm much older, I know I can contribute my success to the LC regemen I was on much of the pregnancy.

LIL: You may need to add more than 2 fruits a day to keep you out of ketosis. Please be careful about that. Get the ketone strips and test yourself. I had to eat quite a few carbs to keep out of ketosis because you must consider the amount of energy your body is using to create this baby. I ate about 75 carbs a day. This kept me out of ketosis and kept my cravings and weight gain in control.

Best of luck.

Oh, and btw, the weight I did gain is coming off far easier after this pregnancy. I'm already. I've already dropped 23 of the 35 pounds I gained. This never happened in other pregnancies.

Jeannie

[BelmontLil]

Thanks Jeannie, I will take your advise. I also added one more veggie for dinner!

I need to make an appointment with a nutritionist

[issa]

Just stumbled upon this board. Wot a joy to see!

I have just discovered I'm 5 weeks pregnant. I was happily losing weight on Atkins when this little surprise happened. I have kinda abandoned eating anything resembling a normal meal as I'm suffering with really bad all day sickness (I wouldn't exactly call it morning sickness)

The idea of cook or eating a meal fills me with dread. I have been eating dry toast for the last few day, and soup sometimes. I know I need to start eating better, but the way I feel its the very last thing I want to do.

I'm hoping that when the sickness passes (whenever that will be) I can resume with a maintenance eating plan, maybe even adding a few more good carbs. I want to increase my fruit and veg, have more milk and yoghurts, and to stay away from refined sugars and bad carbs. Seems an impossible task at the mo, as I have trouble keepin stuff down.

Trying not to let the sicky feeling get me down, but the thought of feeling like this for the next 5-7 weeks at least is a bit depressing!

[JeannieF]

Congrats on your pregnancy. If the sickness is really bad, be sure to mention it to your doctor. Even call when you don't have a regular appt. to see if there is anyway they can help. Later in the pregnancy you can worry more about keeping carbs low. Right now, worry about trying to get food into your system. Whatever food your body will accept!

Good luck! Feel free to come over and chat in my journal as I've just gone through this and it's fresh in my mind!

Jeannie

[Natkins]

Hi all,

I am newly pregnant, too (now at 9 weeks) and sticking with Atkins, albeit the maintenance level.

Wanted to put in my 2-cents worth on the trying to conceive part of the equation. My hubby and I started TTC about a year and a half ago. 8 months later, nothing had happened and we were not happy campers. Baby plans went on hold. In the meantime, I started Atkins and lost weight and started feeling great. We started TTC again in September and a month and a half later, conceived!!!
I noticed a difference in my monthly cycle while doing Atkins and that, combined with how quickly we succeeded this time, makes me believe that Atkins should mention increased fertility as a side effect of his diet plan!!! ;)

[LadyBelle]

Natkins - Is there any possibility you had PCOS or endometriosis, even mild cases? LC diets have been shown to improve both those problems.

It also helps just being at a healthier weight. You have less estrogen in your system and your body is healthier and ready to support the baby. The healthier your weight, the lower your chance of some complications as well. :)

Good luck and keep us posts, all you preggiers :) Remember too veggies and fruits are your friends right now. Berries have all kinds of antioxidents which help both you and baby, and the added fiber can help some problems that come around in the last trimester if you get my drift.

Both times I was pregnant I gained way too much weight, even thoguh the doctor kept insisting I was doing great. While I don't plan to get pregnant any time soon (gah not another child nonono) I am also looking forward to being pregnant and LC to see if the pregnancy is any different then my first two.

Also if the baby is any bigger. My two children were the exact same length and only 2 oz different in weight (the first one had the same exact stats I did when born). It will be interesting to see if the trend of bigger babies to LC women holds in this case :)

[ttc#2]

Hello All,

I have just joined the board today, and was very happy to find that so many of you had success TTC while on Atkins. DH and I have been TTC since May. Our first child was concieved on the first try so it has been quite disheartening. During that time I have been quite depressed and managed to put on about 15lbs.

Hubby went on Atkins in November for cholesterol and has had great results, good blood sugar, lowered cholesterol 75 points, and lost 25 pounds.

I have decided to stop the pity party and see if I can find a happy weight and hopefully have the side effect of successful conception. I have completed 6 weeks and have lost about 12 pounds. I would like to lose another 20 or so. This would put me at my wedding weight, a place I never dreamed I would see again unil I have witnessed DH transformation over the past few months.

I would of course be happy to put this 20 weight loss on hold if we are to be blessed with another child. We are in agreement at my home that sugar is poison, so I will definetly keep that part of Atkins regimen if I do become pg.


Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself. It is nice to find a place where people have had similar experiences. No one really wants to talk about trying to have babies and not succeeding. I'm also interested in the Ketosis and Pregancy discussion.

Valerie

[JeannieF]

Hi Valerie!

Welcome. Sorry it's taken me a few days to respond. I wish you every success in conceiving another child. They truly are a blessing. If you are successful, modified lo-carb is fine, just stay out of ketosis. This is important.

I'll keep an eye on your posts.

Jeannie

[swalston]

Hi,

I'm new to the thread, but glad to see a forum where people are talking about LCing and pregnancy!

I want to get back on Atkins as soon as the baby is born (due in June) and get all my weight off. I was 30lbs over where I wanted to be when I got pregnant and who knows what I'll weigh after the birth! LOL! I

Does anyone know anything about being in ketosis while nursing a newborn? Does it affect the breastmilk? Getting into ketosis is what kick-started the weight loss for me last summer -- before we conceived this blessing. If you don't get into ketosis, can you still lose weight? If I just ate more high glycemic fruits in order to stay out of ketosis, for example - would I still lose weight at a pretty decent rate? I don't mind losing 2-3lbs/week while I'm nursing, that would still be 8-12lbs/mo. And I estimate that I'll be about 45lbs over my weight goal after the birth. So that still gets me down to my pre-pregancy weight by Christmas.

I guess...what I am asking....is for advice! What have others done after they gave birth and wanted to breastfeed exclusively but also did not want to eat nonnutritive carbs. I want to stay away from even whole grain breads....they are so yummy it's hard for me to control myself!! LOL!

Thanks so much!
Sarah

[Elsah]

www.atkins.com has an article on breastfeeding/being pregnant while doing atkins. I would read it. You really need to be in the maint. phase of atkins if you are breastfeeding exclusively. Wait until after you have introduced foods into your babies diet before you do the induction. I am currently pregnant and doing atkins and you can at least get an idea of what a typical maint phase day is if you look at my journal. I update it daily. Also I am veggie, but you would of course just sub chicken, beef, pork where I have my soy stuff. Hope that helps some. :)

Jenn

*I also did atkins while nursing but I did wait until my son was a year old*

[jazzysmom]

Hello All,

I am new hear. I was so happy to see so many other woman with the same questions and concerns as I do.

My husband and I are just now starting to try to concieve again. I have one almost 5 year old daughter. I have waited this long for I was so over weight after that pregnancy, I vowed I would be at a healthy weight and know how to stick with it when I go through it again.

Now I am there, and am so nervous!! :) I have been doing the Atkins way of like for a 1 and 1/2 years now. I should feel confident, but I don't. I just have that fear of ballooning up again.

I want the baby to be healthy, but I don't want to gain anything unnessasary either. I have read that takes at least no less than 75 grams of carbs per day. That is scary, for I may break only 30 grams p/d now. Does anyone have any advice on how to start creeping into this? Should I wait to find out if I am positively pregnant before increasing my healthy carbs? And do I do this over night...like tomorrow I find out I'm pregnant and then the next day I am eating 75 grams of carbs, right from the begining? Help!! I am soooo scared!

[Elsah]

I pretty much went for the big jump... but I was also at about 50 to 60 carbs a day via OWL so it wasn't a terrible jump for me. I usually keep my daily net between 75 and 100 net carbs. I made sure I kept track on fitday for a while to make sure I was getting enough vitamins, etc too. I am sure it could be added a little slower but really I wouldn't try to hold out for too long. I mean the most important part is the very begining when the baby is forming all it's vital organs and such. I got a 5# gain right off that never went away but... I am almost 33 weeks now and have only gained a 15 lb total. Most of that time I will tell you that I have stayed right around 100 net carbs a day too. I actually have trouble gaining for the most part not the other way around.

If I were you I would start a journal to keep track so you can look back at what you are doing and where your weight gains happen and plus it's just a nice way to keep on track. There are many of us that are pregnant right now on the boards.... 5 or so that I can think of off the top of my head so don't feel like you are alone in this. ;) The foods I use the most to bump up my carbs are cottage cheese, yogurt, fruits like apples, nectarines, half a grapefruit, plums, cherries, watermelon, blueberries, nuts, LC breads and tortillas, dreamfields pasta, sometimes even whole wheat pita bread, legumes (usually chickpeas), barley and I even splurge for small amounts of potatoes and brown rice at times.

I have to say, it's really weird at first trying to get the numbers up after working so hard to keep them down but trust me.. it gets easier after the first few weeks. Best of luck to you!

Jenn

[fblush]

I am trying to conceive. I eat really healthy but am about 18-20pounds (+-9kgs) overweight. I have just started a diet where i eat lots of lean protien and lots of vegys, (quite a bit of fat free dairy), low carb and low fat. This way of eating feels really healthy. I estimate losing 1.5-2 pounds per week.

1. Is it OK to diet while trying to conceive? (This diet!)
2. I have read about toxin release from fat cells (Ketosis?)while dieting/losing weight. Does this ALWAYS happen?
3. If Ketosis always happens and is not good for the baby, is it also not good for a women's system prior to pregnancy/while ttc?
I hope someone can help me to put this all into prespective, there are so many views out there...it makes me sooo anxious! ...and thats not good is it? THANK YOU!
B

[fblush]

Hey Jenny, :help:
I am very very new to this. I am wondering whether you managed to get a clear answer to your question, as I am in a very similar position. Also doing a low carb diet I have the same concern...is it hindering me from conceiving?. Mine is not exactly atkins as its low fat too and some carbs, as in fat free cheeses etc. Would you mind letting me know what your conclusion was from the answers received? Thanks very much!
fB :wave:

[Jill33]

Hi everyone,
I am TTC also. And from what I have read and read and read throughtout this wonderful site is that it is very possible to conceive on Atkins but to get out of ketosis as soon as your pregnancy is confirmed. I would like to know however, if being on induction makes it harder to conceive. I have been on Atkins for 7 months and stayed at the induction level the entire time.
Thanks,
Jill

[Fireball]

I don't believe being on induction makes it more difficult to conceive. I have been LCing since January - following induction as well and I got pg on my 2nd cycle off the pill.


Good luck & baby dust!!:)

[Jill33]

Thats good to know Fireball. I am so impatient about getting pregnant !!! Not much I can do about though except to keep on trying !! I'm sure it will happen as the Dr. gave me a clean bill of health. Been slipping with my LC'ing these days... having a hard time keeping on track. It's so cold out now I think I'm in hibernating mode !!!

[Alopex]

Everything I've ever heard about LC and pregnancy (in HUMANS, not herbivorous mice! LOL) has been that LC improves fertility and egg quality. Tons of people have found a return of fertility while LC after long periods of infertility due to things like PCOS and such.

From my research (and I had to be THOROUGHLY convinced that it was safe before I was willing to THINK about it), there are ALWAYS ketones in the blood in absolutely tiny amounts, whether or not we are losing weight. They just happen. Women who have hyperemesis lose weight and are in ketosis most of the time and they go on to have very healthy babies (morning sickness in general is associated with a healthy pregnancy). Myself, I am reassured when I find that I am spilling ketones because it means that my body is producing energy, and not relying entirely on what I eat because at 7 weeks I am not ABLE to eat a lot of the time.

Now, by LC I don't mean Atkins induction (fine for TTC, but not a good idea for pregnancy), but general healthy eating: protein, plenty of healthy fats, and lots of fresh veggies with some fruit and nuts thrown in. If someone can find a well-implemented study that concludes that isn't a healthy diet, I'd like to see it! ;)

I am now a member of the Pregnant Atkids yahoo group, and it has been SO helpful to me to have other LC women available who have been TTC, pregnant, and breastfeeding.

I hope that helps!

[Jill33]

That gives me great hope Alopex...thank you. I would really like to see that atkins yahoo group you are talking about, however I don't seem to be able to send personal messages and/or receive them. Someone told me I have to have 25 posts first??? Please give me any more info as I am completely stressing out about TTC (which I know is not a good thing!!). Thanks again, Jill

[Alopex]

Hi Jill! Enjoy TTC! ;)

It's a Yahoo Group (http://groups.yahoo.com/) called PregnantAtkids (http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/PregnantAtkids). You will probably need a Yahoo ID in order to join, but I'm not sure. The ladies there are WONDERFUL and I adore them to pieces. :) But the thing that helped me most when I first joined was all the articles they have in the files section.

Also, for anyone who's concerned about ketosis and wants to remain outside the bounds of ketosis, fruit will do that better than anything else. That's because fructose preferentially refills liver glycogen, and it's the depletion of liver glycogen which induces ketosis. Just so you know. (A little tidbit I picked up when I was doing CKD.)

I have simply chosen not to worry about it. If I'm in ketosis, fine, if I'm not, that's fine too. Ketones aren't just made from stored fat, so just because you're in ketosis doesn't mean you're releasing body fat. If you're eating enough (hard to do when you feel sick, but eat what/when you can), the vast majority of those ketones will be dietary, so you need not worry about stored toxins/hormones being released (which happens regularly anyway in the birth/death of cells, you just don't want them to flood your system is all).

Anyway, I hope that was helpful and not just rambly!

[expecting2]

Im in the maintainence phase is yogurt okay. I am preganant now and would like some sample menus of what some of the pregnant women here did on list.
Thanks
Expecting2

[freedom4me]

Hi everyone MOMS to Be...............

I just conceived! I found out I am 3 1/2 weeks. I am so happy. Althgough I plan for it to happen after my goal of losing 45lbs. I was on a total Body cleansing juice/ water fast for a couple of weeks and was feeling a looking better, detoxified and cleanse from free radicals, impurities and posions, internal wastes etc,. I had no more digestive system problems or servere constipation. My skin cleared up from acne. I was doing great with my support forum buddies at curezone.com I told them after I would lose all my desired weight on this cleansing fast. I would not go back to my old eatting habits and run back into my health problems. My cousin yashma from Jersey was on Atkins for two years and she has lost 169lbs. And she has maintain it on Atkins. I want and need a lifestyle change and I did all the research and brought all the books and have a low carb planner. I am set. My old forum buddies just wished me the best of luck.


I had to stop. I have to admit I was more able to quickly conceive by my prayers and me cleansing my entire system, than when I tried before. I have three kids 12, 3 1/2,and 17months old. This will complete my family with this pregnancy. I am a Housewife 28 and 5'5".

On the juice/water fast I lost a good amount of weight and felt no bloat feeling and digestive symtoms. My doctor is proud of me but I did not lose all my desired weight. I need at least 25lbs. more.I don't want to gain weight just the baby or only the nessesary pounds from the umbilical cord, blood cells increase, baby, atomic fluid etc., I read a post from a lady that's on low carb and pregnant and only gain 5 pounds on a 30 count carb a day, the rest was all baby etc. and she delivbered a healthy full term 8lb. baby girl. So she is my biggest inspiration she also said she snapped right back into her figure at 5 weeks. (WOW) I love her! She mentioned that her 2 prevoius pregnancies couldn't compare, and she wasn't on the low carbs then. So stories like these keeps me happy! and motivated.

And know that all of your posts are great and very much needed.

Well I have my new set of plans now that I am pregnant. I love it now.

Question: Is their any one that's pregnant that is on Dr. Atkins have lost any bad fat(the white fat stored in the body) The brown fats are healthly and needed)????? The body fat can be checked on the scale that does the body fat percentage weight.

I am starting the Atkins now. I will start the 14 day introduction and then do the different phases but I am not going over 20-30 carbs a day. I have brought the Dr. Atkins cook books for more recipes, and some extra low carb exciting cook books from Nancy she has followed the Dr. Atkins.

On days when I get tired during my pregnancy and don't feel like putting a meal together I will buy Dr. Atkins meals ( fresh meals to order by phone or internet) and low carb bars and cereals and pancake mix wth syrups, muffins ,etc., You get the picture. Well this is my plan now and forever.

I will keep everyone inforumed of my body chemistry reaction and the results.

All those carbs in the past did my body wrong and dirty I refused to go back......................

May the Good Lord Bless everyone here (smile)

Keima (Freedom4me)

[PlaneCrazy]

I've been doing a lot of research on this as my wife is now just over 11 weeks pregnant and I'm the one in the house responsible for feeding her (and Hubner, as we've named the Alien :) ). The most important thing about eating while pregnant is getting the wide variety of micro and macro nutrients possible in the most reasonable amount of food. She's been having bad morning sickness even now so for her it's a matter of what food she can keep down. Fortunately, she's lost her taste for coffee and anything really sweet. She was not doing LC necessarily before conceiving, but our house was definitely lower-carb than most since I do all of the cooking. (she'd have a hunk of bread with dinner while I would not, but we'd both have meat and lots of veggies) This may well have helped with her lack of sweet cravings since getting pregnant, or it may not.

The important thing is to eat as nutriently-dense foods as possible. Folic acid is the most important nutrient, but everything is important. Lots of veggies, good fruits, nuts, good fat, protein, even good dairy for the calcium if you don't get enough in your veggies. Quality of food is important as well as types and quantities. One thing to remember is that fat is very important for the developing baby. Sometimes with morning sickness fat is difficult to take. I "hide" the fat when I can by putting butter on veggies, buying whole fat cottege cheese and cooking in my home-made lard. I also make meatloaf with fattier cuts of meat and extra eggs. My wife seems to be able to eat meatloaf really well even when she can't eat anything else.

Remember, your body is not your own while you're pregnant. It may be ok to experiment and do out-of-the-ordinary types of diets while you're all by yourself in your body, but once you have another one along for the ride, it's best to focus on quality food with as many nutrients as possible. Everyone is different in terms of what food is appealing and what is not, but when looking for that food that will stay down, look within the spectrum of nutrient-dense foods that really are the core of what Dr. Atkins and others talk about.

From what everything I've read seems to say, now is not the time to count carbs, but more the time to count nutrients, including fat, and ensure you get enough.

Good luck to all, and I wish you a happy and healthy pregnancy!

Plane Crazy

[Dagny72]

It's a Yahoo Group (http://groups.yahoo.com/) called PregnantAtkids (http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/PregnantAtkids). You will probably need a Yahoo ID in order to join, but I'm not sure. The ladies there are WONDERFUL and I adore them to pieces. :) But the thing that helped me most when I first joined was all the articles they have in the files section.
Thanks for recommending that group. I joined over the weekend and finding it an excellent resource! :thup:

[mgw]

I am TTC :baby:, and the fertility doctor said that in his 30 years' experience, the fertility treatments he had tried never worked on women over 300 pounds. I started close to 400, so I am following Atkins since last September, and nearly halfway there. I am taking folate and other vitamins, but I'm not pregnant yet.:( (Yes, my sweetie and I are "practicing" too.:hyper: )

[fblush]

This user is asking a question which I too have not had a lot of luck getting answered, as I too was told about how to eat on atkins while I am pregnant. IN fact, the issue is about wondering whether I shoudl still be low carbing, if I want to get pregnant. I am having a hard time TTC and am still wondering whether its my diet that is impeding this. If anyone can help with the answer here, thanks very much.

[fblush]

Would Freedom for me or any other user, please advise howone does this cleanse? What one eats, does not eat and for how long and whether there are any necesary supplements?
Thank you

[ARo]

My mother-in-law is a nurse mid-wife and we are currently trying to conceive. She told me that losing weight (by whatever diet I choose) while trying to conceive will increase your chances of getting pregnant because the estrogen stored in fat cells will be released .

[OyVey]

MGW there is a yahoo group called OASIS - Overweight And Seeking Infertility Support - there were plenty of women on it when I was in the high 300s or at least over 300.

Is your doctor currently treating you or just waiting till you hit 300 to start treatments?