New to all this... and pregnant!

[pasloma]

Hello!

All my life I've heard about the low-carb diets... and I've been always told it's not the best thing to do.. (or the healthiest) .... I know it helps people with diabetes and everything but at the same time I've been told about ketosis and that type of thing... so.. I've been always afraid...

Now, I am 7 months pregnant... and yesterday I was told that my sugar levels are a little bit high (so I will need a 2nd. test to make sure I don't have gestational diabetes) .... They mentioned I should watch the carbs I eat and make sure I eat more protein (that made me think about all of you who are here... -I had already visited this forums in several occasions in the past but I had never registered-)

So, as I said... I am pregnant - this is my first baby - (and I am planning to nurse too!) ... My weight now is 222 pounds (I am also scared because... I hadn't gained any weight the first 6 months of my pregnancy which was awesome... but this last month I gained 12 pounds all together!)

I am 29 years old... and I am really concerned about my sugar levels... I live in USA but I am a Mexican (so... you know about our corn tortillas and stuff like that)....

I want to be a healthier person... I want to lose weight once I have my baby... I've always been in other diets.... I've been size 2 in the past... and I've reached size 18 too! ... so I've never been successful staying in a healthy weight.

Oh! By the way... I am 5'6" ... And I will be happy to hear your suggestions! Where Should I start? Is Atkins diet for me?

Thanks!

[chinadoll]

Not til you deliver. In the meantime, eat only whole grains and no white flour or sugar. Keep to lots of lean proteins, dairy for calcium, vegetables (non-starchy kind - no corn, peas, limas, etc.) and lower sugar fruits like berries and cantaloupe and even apples. Your goal right now should still be proper nutrition until you deliver.

Before you have the baby, I suggest you pick up a copy of the 2002 book from the library or a bookstore and read it thoroughly. Then, you will be in a better position to decide if this Way Of Eating (WOE) is right for you. If you are nursing, you may want to discuss your diet after the birth with your doctor too. By the way, my doctor told me I would lose weight automatically while nursing. Not true in my case. Best wishes with your new baby.

[jsj0305]

Welcome and congratulations!!!

I agree, hold off with Induction until you deliver (and I am not 100% sure about breast feeding)...but in the meantime, pick up a copy of the book, Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution, the 2002 addition and get familiar with it now so when you start, you will be an expert.

I would recommend following more of Maintenance... whole grains, veggie and fruits, things like that. Watch the sugar, you know the drill. LOL

I did that when I was pregnant and it worked wonderfully for me. I was healthy for both me and my baby, I ate wonderfully delicious foods, and just really had a blast.

I too had the same issues with the tests when I was pregnant with both of mine, the fasting test is hard too! LOL. I hated following the list and then not eating! LOL. When I cut out the sodas, ond orange juice (always made me gain like 10 pounds in a MONTH!!!!!) and the snacks, not only was my DR happy, but so was I.

Please keep us updated and let us know how everything is!! Take Care!!

[snow4rt]

Hi there and welcome. I have a 2 year old now but had gestational diabetes with him. I had to take about 6-8 shots of insulin a day to keep in under control. I too was on a low carb diet. You should consult your physician about atkins since you are pregnant. With that said If you are wanting to do this for weight loss not a good idea being pregnant but i would not advise doing induction since you dont get alot of vegetables or fruit or milk which your bundle of joy needs. There is nothing wrong with doing a low carb diet while pregnant. You can also go on google and look up low carb eating for gestational diabetes....Welll hope that helps..good luck to you.

[pasloma]

Wow... thanks a lot for your comments and recommendations!

[IrishMom82]

Welcome and congrats on your first baby! That's awesome!

As stated by Dr. Atkins the only phase of Atkins that is appropriate for Pregnant women is the Maintenence level. In other words...don't do Induction or OWL, just stay away from sugar and white flour. Try to eat as healthy as you can.

Also, Dr. Atkins said that Induction is not appropriate for nursing women either. HOWEVER, there are members on here who were in Ketosis and did Induction while they nursed and didn't have a problem. I would check with your doctor and you little baby's pediatrician to get the go ahead before you start Atkins while nursing.

When in doubt ask the doctor...I know it doesn't rhyme but it's the best I could come up with. Congrats again!

[joee5]

I have no advice to offer a pregnant woman, when me wife was pregnant we frequented White Castle alot. However I'd just like to say congradulation on your soon to be new addition. God Bless, Joe

[jsj0305]

Hahahah!! Joe, I was JUST think about how much I would eat White Castle when I was pregnant and how aweful they must have been for me... but they certainly made me happy!!! ahahahah

[TWS]

I don't think I'd do anything other than eat as healthy as I could and read about this subject; changing your diet as you feel necessary.

Congratulations on your family. It'll change your life--I know it did mine.

TWS

<edit>http://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20040...or-babys-brain

[kellyf48]

I did try induction while nursing and thought i would just eat more veggies and i started to dry up and almost fainted in day 3 so NoT a good idea until after.