BF while pregnant: how do the nutrients get distributed?

[LROM]

[X-posted in "I'm Pregnant"]

Hi mommas, I'm so tired and a bit stressed out, I'm not even sure if I've asked this question already but I know I haven't seen any responses (and I don't think I did ask).

I'm still BF my 19 mo old, as well as being about 9 weeks pregnant with #2. I am VERY VERY nauseous this pregnancy (including throwing up but mostly just feeling really crappy all the time) and eating and drinking regular, healthy foods and amounts is proving a REAL challenge. I can't even take all my prenatal vitamins every day consistently (though I do my best).

I'm really concerned that maybe I'm depriving my fetus of some key vitamins and nutrients (and definitely water!) because of whatever is going out to DD in breastmilk? Is it really possible to eat maybe 1 decent meal a day (sometimes not that) and not drink nearly enough liquids (usually about 10 or 15 oz of liquid TOTAL in a day) and still be getting enough to your fetus?

Re: the nauseau, I'm on zofran but my nauseau seems to be much worse this time and the zofran seems to be less effective this time. I spend a huge amount of the day just feeling like crap and not wanting to eat or drink anything (and often throwing up because I'm not eating, though I try).

Any advice/thoughts/miracle cures? Soooo appreciated if you do!

[AislinCarys]

This is just my experience, and I didn't actually vomit all the time (nor did I have a breastfeeding baby at the time!), I just had huge problems eating anything at all, and keeping down liquids (and prenatal vitamins). So I ate and drank VERY little. Despite that, I was tested repeatedly and had great iron and B12! I suspect, with nutrients you are fine. My midwife told me (unborn) baby gets it first (and then breastfeeding baby, apparently), mum gets it last.

What did happen, and I think it may have been caused by me drinking much too little, was that DD had to be induced a week early, when my uterus seemed to collapse, due to lack of fetal water.

I'd say try to eat anything, healthy isn't as important as getting energy, and also try to eat things that contain a lot of water! (Although I do know how hopelessly difficult it is!)

[Quinalla]

Yeah, it will go to your unborn baby first, then breastfeeding, then you, though if you get too low, your body will cut off breastfeeding if it has to. Just do whatever you can to get food/drink into your body until you get some relief from the nausea and throwing up I'm sure you are already trying this, but have lots of things you can grab quickly and eat immediately and try to snack often, that may help instead of trying to eat full meals to keep your tummy from being empty but not close to full, and keep some of your favorite drink nearby and try to take sips often.

[LROM]

Thanks wise mommas! It helps tremendously to know fetus gets nutrients first, than breastfed toddler, then me.

I've gotten some good reminders as well about what else to try to drink and eat (thanks PP, I know I have to work hard to try to stay hydrated for just the reasons you describe), so I'll try those and see if they help.

And honestly, I haven't been creative enough abotu what foods to keep around, although almost anything I eat I stretch out over quite a span of time and keep picking at it slowly. But I can be more creative too.

Thanks all!