What are the risks of Ketosis while pregnant exactly?

[Babyphat11]

Hi everyone. Some of you might remember me from a couple years back, but if not, basically I hit my original goal weight of 150lbs 2 yrs ago. And now After trying to do maintenance, and also going off and on low carb for a few months, I had gone up to 180lbs as of January. Well at that time I decided no more screwing around and went back on induction 100% for a good 4 days when I found out I was pregnant. Im not going to beat around the bush or lie for myself, Iate whatever I could hold down because I was so sick. Meat disgusted me, veggies too. The only things I could eat and not get sick from were starches And I had originally started out trying to do maintenace. I just seriously could eat things like potatoes, plain rice, etc... Well after the first 3 months that went away, but still meat was gross to me. So my low carb was out the window. Im now at 205lbs... (oh btw I also am Hypothyroid...great! lol) So Im panicking now. Im 22 weeks and I restarted Atkins this morning. But here's the thing...when I was on Atkins for years, the max carbs I could eat without gaining was only 45 carbs. Im afraid that if I only eat 45 I'll be in ketosis and risk the baby's health, but I WANT to do low carb. I don't wanna gain anymore than I need to from this point on. So can someone tell me what are the actual risks of ketosis while pregnant? I can't seem to find anything except that it may cause a lower IQ...that cant be all there is to it. So I turn to my well educated friends here... Thanks!

[lowcarbing4ever]

Sweetie, I know you want to do low carb but what is more important a healthy baby or maybe gaining a few pounds? You can follow maintenance and still not gain much weight, many women here have done. Remember, you know that Dr. A says that dooing low carb during pregnancy is a NO-NO. You can put your baby's life in serious danger, you can in fact severly cause birth poblems or maybe even defects. Ketosis dumps toxins/poisions (i think; I cant remember but i know it is not good for a fetus) from your body into your urine and kidneys to be to be excreted by the body but whatever afects you affects baby, too. A fetus cannot fight the effects of ketosis. Try to eat more veggies, fruit and remember to eat enough protein for you and the baby. You may need a bit more than before. You will absolutely need to eat some grains, just make sure they are a low or non sugar as possible and as whole wheat as you can get it. Also, remember, Dr. A says if you eat grains, make sure you eat it after protein, that way it will absorb slower into the bloodstream and will limit or slow a rise in blood sugar. Don't be afraid, a little bread never hurt anyone! I just found out I was pregnant last week and while it is hard and scary to eat breads and fruits because everything we have learned steers us off them, you can learn to incorporate them in a way to not drive you crazy or off plan completely. The bottom line is you need the carbs for fetal development so don't avoid them to not gain weight. Most women, like it or not, will gain weight during pregnancy because that is just the nature of it but you CAN control how much you gain and you have one up on them because if you do it the maintenance way, you will lose what you gain, right after the baby is born. Many women here will tell you that! I also have to be careful not to gain any weight at all because I am not at goal at all; so I am still very much overweight. When I realized that I have to eat breads, I panicked. But I know now there is a smart way and a carboholic way to do it. I choose the smart way! Please for the saake of your baby and health do NOT go back on Atkins w/induction. You will be putting your baby's life at risk.Whats a few pounds? I know it is fearful but you will not gain as much as you think. Just concentrate on lots and lots of veggies. fruit, plenty of protein, and some starches, carefully chosen. Don't any white starches: rice, white breads, refined starches and you will be fine! Don't worry about a few starches or pounds from being happy and enjoying your pregnancy!

[maribelle]

Hi BabyPhat! Congrats on your pregnancy! I also had concerns when I found out I was pregnant last November. I am very carb sensitive and put on weight very easily. I found that while pregnant, my body could handle alot more carbs. I did 100 carbs maintenance during the first trimester and a half, and only gained 10 pounds. Then some complications that had nothing to do with Atkins happened, but I am convinced that even they turned out better than my first pregnancy because of how long I ate so healthy. I used fitday.com to plan out my menus, and make sure I got enough carbs and calories. I ate whole grain breads and pastas w/ my meals, berries and other lo glycemic fruits, milk and SF yogurt...things like that. I would occasionly show light ketosis on my stix, but baby is healthy and fine, and even though born extremely early, has taken off like crazy and is about to come home 5 weeks ahead of schedule. He was bigger than my first son too, despite the exact same illness. Please don't let your understandable fears push you into doing something that might harm your baby. Just go ahead and experiment a little and find out how your pregnant body handles more carbs properly balanced! Looking forward to hearing about your progress!

[Babyphat11]

Thanks ladies. I know the baby's health is more important than my weight, but I can't let my weight get out of control or MY health won'tbe good either. So I guess I'll have to test it out to determine how many carbs keep me outta ketosis then. But I was just curious because I see a whole lotta "its bad for the fetus" but no actual reasons why or what affects it has? So I just wanted to know what those risks are exactly. Im not trying to determine if its "worth the risk" or anything like that, its for my own knowledge being that Im taking the chance of going into ketosis while Im trying to figure out my carb limit.

[meena-beena]

There is a ton of info about this topic but the problem is--none of it AGREES and it's all soooo confusing. lol. Some people say that ketosis is fine during pregnancy. Some people say that ketosis is dangerous during preganacy. There is no actual scientific proof that I am aware of that says ketosis is dangerous during pregnancy. Studies SUGGEST that ketosis is harmful during pregnancy because the ketones are poorly used by the FETAL brain, and can possibly slow the brain development.

What is more important to remember though is that pregnancy is not the time to go on a diet. If you can't keep down meat/veggies and can eat starches then why not opt for low carb ones? I'm sure you can find low carb versions in a health food store or the health food section in your local market. Mine even has low carb pastas--yum. I am seriously addicted to sugar and white flour (have a high sensitivity) and the low carb versions are a good alternative for me. Nowadays you can find EVERYTHING low carb--you just have to look for it. I tend to find most of my goodies in the diabetic aisle. Remember, once you subtract the fiber and the sugar alcohols you get the actual carb count and you'd be suprised how small that number is in some of the products out there.

While I was pregnant this last time I started out on rung 6 or 7--I can't remember. I accidentally ate something that caused me out of control cravings and wound up going off program. Instead of going back on induction like I would have if I weren't pregnant, I just ate low carb versions of whatever I wanted, chocolate included. I ended up gaining 50 pounds total and lost 20 of them within the first 2 weeks after delivery. I'm now trying to lose the rest--plus what I didn't get the chance to lose the first time around.

I know gaining the weight is a terrible feeling, but that baby deserves the best you can offer for the best start in life. I also wouldn't stress out too much about any of this. Pregnancy and childbirth and stressful enough without the added burden of worrying about whether or not you are harming your baby. Odds are you'll both be just fine. ;-)

[Babyphat11]

Meena-
Are there low carb options for rice and instant potatoes? lol And the candy? **** no! I ate that one time in the beginning of my pregnancy and it killed my stomach. Oh well. But i did find a low carb bread and low carb soft tortillas and Im gonna try those out I guess.

I just wish there was more info on this woe and pregnancy. I never thought Id need it, once I dropped my 110lbs I thought Id never get pregnant again, but here I am... And I dont wanna lose any weight right now, i just dont wanna gain anymore than I need to from this point on.

[Sherri]

Babyphat11, Hey girl, It's been twelve years since I was pregnant with my daughter. My pregnancy was high risk. My weight was a factor,365, high blood pressure and acquired gestational diabetes during my pregnancy. My doctor put me on a diebetic diet during my pregnancy and gained only 19 lbs. throughout my pregnancy. Of course consult your physician before starting any diet, especially being pregnant. Best of life to you and your baby!

[*Emma*]

Cant answer your questions, just wanted to say Hi - LTNS and congrats on the pregnancy!

[meena-beena]

Originally Posted by Babyphat11

Meena-
Are there low carb options for rice and instant potatoes? lol And the candy? **** no! I ate that one time in the beginning of my pregnancy and it killed my stomach. Oh well. But i did find a low carb bread and low carb soft tortillas and Im gonna try those out I guess.

Well, I know you said veggies were out but in all honesty cauliflower is the best substitute for both. Have you ever tried mock mashed potatos?? Talk about yummy.

Take a look at this site:

http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/side_dish_recipes.html

and you won't be disappointed--I promise. Maybe, if the actual cooking is a problem and what is making you sick, you could ask someone else to prepare the dishes for you and freeze them until you are ready to eat? That helped me in the beginning of my first pregnancy when everything made me sick.

[lowcarbing4ever]

I agree with meena; I wouldn't stress out too much about it either. I certainly am not. I'm actually quite happy because now I can eat my favorite food--bagels! LOL! well, not too much but I can at least indulge when I feel the need. I am basically eating lots of vegetables, fruit, and getting in extra protein (not too much, but a little bit more) and seeing how that goes. Babyphatt, I know that you would not let weight be an issue over your baby's health, I can totally relate to your anxiety about gaining weigh. Since I am still hugely overweight, it is a major concern for me as well. I know already that I will be facing GD and pre-eclampsia and I don't want either one.