Help! Need Feedback!

[veganwritermom]

Hello Veg Mamas! I'm hoping to get a bit of input here. Let's say you were going to buy a book all about vegan pregnancy. What sorts of things would you want to get out of said book? What topics would you hope to see covered?

As well, for those of you who have had successful veg pregnancies, what important things did you learn that you'd want to pass along to other veg mamas-to-be. Any mistakes to avoid? Awesome tips? Issues that should be addressed?

I'm looking for all perspectives, from general concepts to the nitty gritty specifics. Your thoughts are appreciated SO much!

Thank you!!!

[veganwritermom]

Really? Y'all got nuthin' for me?

[red and lulu]

I'll think of more, but off the top of my head:
I was given a really great book called Macrobiotic Pregnancy and Care of the Newborn (by Aveline Kushi) which included a great section on cravings, like "if you're suddenly craving cheese eat this delicious vegan whole foods dish instead."

[academama]

I'm not vegan but I would definitely think you'd want to include a section on handling morning sickness--since mainstream pregnancy books are all about pushing protein to manage MS and the recommendations are usually "have a piece of cheese or a turkey sandwich." I don't know about other mamas, but I couldn't handle the sight, smell, or thought of any nut or nut butter when I was pregnant--so other easy-to-eat ideas would be helpful.

Again, I think. I'm not a vegan so take that with a grain of salt.

[germin8]

Oh, I've got some things to say... I'm vegan!

I went through the Bradley Method and the recommended diet was non-vegetarian. I would want to know vegan equivalents... and because I have a low milk supply I would like to know which foods are good alternatives not just in the nutrition they provide. For example, egg yolk & chicken are good for progesterone and thus glandular tissue in the first trimester... what would be a vegan equivalent. I know, it's not gonna be easy... but that's what I'm looking for (as a health nut). So, basically... nutrition, but not just nutrition!

Take any recommended diet... get a vegan equivalent. May require a lot of research!!!

Cravings. I never had any cravings, but it's common. Cravings are usually due to lack of minerals.

Calcium, calcium, calcium...even after pregnancy. Vegan foods that are high in calcium. Tahini is a good one, but the store-bought canned kind (at least the brand I've seen) does not have any calcium! *shocking*

Folic Acid is not the same as folate! One is natural, the other is not.

You can actually get VEGAN B12 & DHA.

Info on vegan prenatals - New Chapter, Vitamin Code.

Those are the first things off the top of my head...

[smallmama]

I was thinking of the cravings thing too. Just a list of foods that fall under common craving headings: "Sweet and Creamy," "Crunchy and salty," "Stick with you comfort foods"

• Definitely analyzing prenatal vitamins for vegan-ness.
• A recommended daily meal plan for each trimester.
• What about a section on freezer-ready vegan meals to stock the freezer for after the baby comes?
• A discussion about what to do if you feel you just cannot maintain a vegan diet for part of a pregnancy
• Many reassurances that veganism is safe during pregnancy, including phrases to say to a doctor who questions this
  

[katroshka]

I will just add that there should be a section about dealing with others' questions and judgments. During my first pregnancy everyone was so worried I was making a huge mistake, and even my wonderful midwife was somewhat concerned. My fantastic blood test results finally soothed them, and my very healthy, normal weight baby convinced them. This pregnancy, 10 years later and in CA people are a lot more accepting, but I know a lot of people still get crap from relatives, doctors, etc.