Gluten free diet question

[diapers4fun]

I am planning do a gluten test through enterolab. I really suspect that I have a gluten intolerance.
I am currently pregnant. Is a gluten free diet healthy when pregnant?
I know that wheat has a lot of B vitamins and folic acid in it. Do I need to take any special supplements besides a prenatal?
Will doing a gluten free diet during pregnancy cause deficiencies?

[thepeach80]

There are lots of people who do this diet, many while pg I'm sure. If you're worried you could do some supplement like Carnation Instant breakfast or whatever else is out there. Boost? I just found something the other day on Amazon called Angel Milk. It's free of all top allergens and rice based, vegan etc and for pg and nursing moms as a supplement.

[tallanvor]

Well, there has to be a way to do it and stay healthy, as I know there are ladies with Celiac's that still have healthy babies. Try talking with a dietician or your doctor and see what they suggest.

[JaneSmith1010]

I have been GF since before my pregnancy and I had the healthiest birth and baby I know. If you do have gluten intolerance the deficiencies I would be the most worried about would be the ones caused by Celiac Disease if that is the kind of intolerance you have...these would probably be helped by a GF diet not hurt by it. However, you should take folic acid foods or supplements on top of a good food based prenatal supplment. Dr. Gowri Motha...or is it Mowri Gotha has a book in which she says that GF diets lead to faster, easier births alot of times because grains like wheat cause tissue congestion that could make it harder for baby to get out. I personally was and am strict GF and had my first birth start to finish in 3 1/2 hours. I have NEVER gotten correct or helpful information about this issue out of a doctor or dietician...there is too little info in their training to deal with this issue....but good luck with that. your best bet is a midwife with experience with this as they tend to stay up to date on research and lifestyle-health interactions through things like dietary modification. This is one of the pages I referenced when I was pregnant...read it all http://www.moondragon.org/health/disorders/celiac.html

[mtn.mama]

Thanks for mentioning that, about the wheat causing tissue congestion. I have felt in my soul that this is what happened to us, but your words are the first I have heard confirming an actual basis for it. Thank you (and hoping that my next baby comes out on its own). My pregnancy brought out a latent wheat allergy that I was not aware of until 6 weeks pp.

[JaneSmith1010]

Originally Posted by mtn.mama

Thanks for mentioning that, about the wheat causing tissue congestion. I have felt in my soul that this is what happened to us, but your words are the first I have heard confirming an actual basis for it. Thank you (and hoping that my next baby comes out on its own). My pregnancy brought out a latent wheat allergy that I was not aware of until 6 weeks pp.

yikes! I have not relied on doctors much after finding out on my own about my 20 years of undiagnosed CD...and then having doctors give me so much wrong information about it after diagnosis. Good luck with the next baby, we had such a lovely water birth and my baby has been so far ahead in development.

[mtn.mama]

Thanks. We were having a wonderful home waterbirth but she got stuck just before crowning and 7 hours of pushing + endless positioning didn't move her. But she is happy and strong and smart, if it weren't for the allergies...

[tbmitwww]

I did it. Kept on my prenatals, calcium, etc. but I was gluten-free and dairy-free for all of my pregnancy, and cut out the allergies which popped up during an SPT when she was a month old - soy, tree nuts, and eggs.

[Pilgrim]

I've been GF for about 3 years now, and pregnant w/ #2. So yes, you can definitely be GF and have a healthy pregnancy. In fact, if your results show a gluten sensitivity, then what you actually have going on is malabsorption *right now*, unless and until you get gluten out of your diet, and then you also have to wait for your gut to heal.

I don't mean to say that to freak you out or anything, because nobody has a crystal ball. But I do say that to let you know to be serious about being strict on your GF diet if that's what your results say.

One problem is that many, many vitamins have gluten in them, so you will have to look specifically for good vitamins that don't have gluten. Or, you can do it with foods too.

celiac.com is a very good resource to find lists of safe/unsafe foods and hidden sources of gluten.

[jayell79]

Originally Posted by jhow32000

Dr. Gowri Motha...or is it Mowri Gotha has a book in which she says that GF diets lead to faster, easier births alot of times because grains like wheat cause tissue congestion that could make it harder for baby to get out. I personally was and am strict GF and had my first birth start to finish in 3 1/2 hours.

Wow, that is good to know! I've never heard of tissue congestion before. I don't have CD, but I am severely allergic to every grain except barley and oats so I eat pretty much GF anyways. I will ask my OB if he knows anything about this and BE PREPAIRED for a short labor! If he doesn't know anything about this, do you have any sources where I could find more information?

[JaneSmith1010]

Originally Posted by jayell79

Wow, that is good to know! I've never heard of tissue congestion before. I don't have CD, but I am severely allergic to every grain except barley and oats so I eat pretty much GF anyways. I will ask my OB if he knows anything about this and BE PREPAIRED for a short labor! If he doesn't know anything about this, do you have any sources where I could find more information?

"The Jeyarani (meaning 'triumphant queen') antenatal preparation programme is fairly rigorous, with regular bodywork treatments and a restrictive diet that limits sugar, wheat and gluten, which congests the body's tissues and lead to bigger babies, which can get stuck in the final stages of childbirth."
http://www.gentlebirthmethod.com/pre...indred_sp.html

Go to the link to see the whole page. I don't have time to look up specific research. I wouldn't be too hopeful that anyone other than a spectacular OB will know whether this is true or not and I have found that most will respond in the negative if THEY have never read such research. Midwives will be more open to such information and inquiries.

[Ruthla]

I'd think it's a lot healthier to stay GF while pg than it is to eat foods that cause health problems and reduce nutrient absorption by damaging your gut.

You don't need any grains for adequate nutrient intake. Organ meats, especially liver, are really high in B vitamins and minerals.