Pregnant and low carbing

[busydiabeticmum]

Hi all... I am an extreme low carber... it us working/has worked I found myself last night in a new predicament... positive result .... has anyone else gone through pregnancy with low carbs? I know I will be put on insulin at some point... and as I swore I would never go back after the last baby (not in a bad way) I never thought I would find myself needing to go back... I am worried of the embarrassment of going back. I am putting off calling the gp and letting them know yet so any advice would be helpful... Bgl are still OK... so I am OK on that front.

Please no insults!

 

[azure]

@busydiabeticmum Why would anyone insult you? {{hug}} You've done nothing wrong Life works in strange and interesting ways sometimes

There are some low carb threads here - a couple of recent ones which I'll find for you.

They talk about a recent study that suggested going no lower than around 100g carbs a day during pregnancy.

When you talk about "going back", do you mean to the doctor or to insulin?

 

[azure]

Here's one link for you to,start

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/lchf-or-not-during-pregnancy.103668/

 

[busydiabeticmum]

@busydiabeticmum Why would anyone insult you? {{hug}} You've done nothing wrong Life works in strange and interesting ways sometimes

There are some low carb threads here - a couple of recent ones which I'll find for you.

They talk about a recent study that suggested going no lower than around 100g carbs a day during pregnancy.

When you talk about "going back", do you mean to the doctor or to insulin?

Doctor! The 100g a day would that be out of fear? I found that they were scared for anyone to go low-carb at all!

I had a bad consultant last time who constantly insulted me because of my religion and life choices (of having Children) he was sacked because of the comments he made as they were racist and xenophobic, but he was the gestational diabetes consultant!

Unfortunately people take offense at low carbers and see pregnant woman doing it as hurting the baby!

I will look into the 100g idea thanks

 

[busydiabeticmum]

Here's one link for you to,start

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/lchf-or-not-during-pregnancy.103668/

I had a look (I did do a search to see if there were any others in my predicament)

I am scared as last baby almost died because I didn't control Bgl very well. They just kept upping the insulin rather than looking at the diet. I was told to eat carbs with every meal and maybe even just carbs for the meal... the food they were telling me to eat would put me in the 20s for mmol/L so I'm guessing having a better diabetes team may be on the cards! I am allergic to metformin so go on insulin as soon as they find out I am pregnant... though after eating right now I am in the 4s...

 

[azure]

The 100g was recommended as a minimum after a study found that the foetuses of mice showed cognitive defects as they grew after birth.

So no, not a general low carb fear, more a concern for foetal development. There was an earlier study that suggested too few carbs was unwise too, but I can't find that one.

I sympathise with your "Doctor!!" comment. I can't say I'm at all keen to see mine unless I really have to! But to be insulted by your consultant is awful! Unbelievable! Good job he's gone if he was like that!

Remember you should be able to,swap consultants if you get a poor one. Although I'd hope you never had such rudeness again. I'm not sure what the process would be for you, but would you be able to speak to a diabetes nurse first? Or a midwife maybe? Someone you feel happier with.

 

[azure]

I had a look (I did do a search to see if there were any others in my predicament)

I am scared as last baby almost died because I didn't control Bgl very well. They just kept upping the insulin rather than looking at the diet. I was told to eat carbs with every meal and maybe even just carbs for the meal... the food they were telling me to eat would put me in the 20s for mmol/L so I'm guessing having a better diabetes team may be on the cards! I am allergic to metformin so go on insulin as soon as they find out I am pregnant... though after eating right now I am in the 4s...

Don't pre-judge this time by what happened last time. I have 3 children and my 2nd pregnancy was pretty **** due to poor treatment, but my 3rd was wonderful.

If you can get a good consultant, and a good DSN, you should be fine. I told them how bad my treatment was last time and I then got a top specialist! It's worth being a little pushy and firm sometimes.

 

[busydiabeticmum]

Don't pre-judge this time by what happened last time. I have 3 children and my 2nd pregnancy was pretty **** due to poor treatment, but my 3rd was wonderful.

If you can get a good consultant, and a good DSN, you should be fine. I told them how bad my treatment was last time and I then got a top specialist! It's worth being a little pushy and firm sometimes.

I have always had the same dns... don't be shocked but this is my 7th baby. Only 5 of the others were gestational this one is a little different. We don't have the option to get a good consultant... they only have the one! So I went for a lot of the last pregnancy without seeing a consultant and only saw the dn.

 

[azure]

I have always had the same dns... don't be shocked but this is my 7th baby. Only 5 of the others were gestational this one is a little different. We don't have the option to get a good consultant... they only have the one! So I went for a lot of the last pregnancy without seeing a consultant and only saw the dn.

I'm not shocked I'm impressed!

If you're only going to see the DSN, then that's not necessarily bad. As long as you're getting all the antenatal care too, then often DSNs are very good

Forewarned is forearmed. Try to think back to when your sugars started going higher, what meals worked, etc. I'm Type 1 but I spread my carbs over the day. I also had enough fat and protein to slow spikes. I tested very frequently and corrected when necessary. A diabetic pregnancy is a full-on job as you probably well know. If you can use your experience and the DSN's advice, I don't see why you shouldn't do fine. I would hope you and the DSN and dietician could find a regime that wored for,you.

And congratulations, by the way!

 

[Resurgam]

My personal experience was in the early 1980s - I ate the foods which are allowed on Atkins Induction, and the first rungs of ongoing weightloss but at maintenance levels - when I started I was careful to eat all I needed, but relaxed as the pregnancy went on and just ate as I felt the need - the birth was in September so I had all the summer berries and salads and fresh veges to pick from. The baby is now well over 6 ft tall, with 3 and 1/3rd offspring of his own. As a baby he was very strong and alert, weirded out the midwife who came to check him over by turning his head to look at her - apparently week olds do not do that. I recovered very fast after the birth, by the way, and he grew like a weed, never even dipped below his birthweight.
Fairly late in my second pregnancy I made the mistake of mentioning low carb to the doctor - big big mistake. I was ordered to eat the diet that was prescribed - in under a month I was dreadfully ill. I went back to low carb foods (but never admitted it to the doctor) and had a miraculous recovery - but I think it did affect the baby.
This was long before diagnosis - but low carb was already part of my life from the mid 70's, and I know now just how effective it is in masking the symptoms of diabetes and controlling blood sugar.

Be warned though - my low carb baby needed very little sleep, was extremely active, enquiring, into everything, always up to something, climbed like a monkey, needed constant diversion and was really pretty with blond curls so got a lot of attention from total strangers - quite exhausting.

 

[busydiabeticmum]

I'm not shocked I'm impressed!

If you're only going to see the DSN, then that's not necessarily bad. As long as you're getting all the antenatal care too, then often DSNs are very good

Forewarned is forearmed. Try to think back to when your sugars started going higher, what meals worked, etc. I'm Type 1 but I spread my carbs over the day. I also had enough fat and protein to slow spikes. I tested very frequently and corrected when necessary. A diabetic pregnancy is a full-on job as you probably well know. If you can use your experience and the DSN's advice, I don't see why you shouldn't do fine. I would hope you and the DSN and dietician could find a regime that wored for,you.

And congratulations, by the way!

Dn would only send me to dietitian... the diet given was breakfast: 2 slices wholemeal toast with butter, beans, cheese or egg, mushrooms!
Lunch: 2 slices of wholemeal toast with butter or beans or egg or cheese or mushrooms.
Dinner: 2 slices of wholemeal toast with either butter or eggs or beans or mushrooms or cheese!

I wasn't impressed.
Dn would tell me I was eating too big a portions it was my fault and needed to cut food out... possibly go back to dietitian to remind me of the diet!

I hate to say it but I became depressed and gave up.. eggs, beans and mushrooms by that time made me sick. I felt v hungry was hypo before meals and after meal spikes were huge! They still upped the insulin so was getting scared... I gave up and just ate what I wanted... I am wondering if I can change hospital as last time he had to be taken to a different one for treatment... had to get a taxi to get to the other hospital and ended up collapsing in the entrance hall! I don't want a repeat and maybe that hospital has a better dn!

 

[azure]

What on earth is all that toast about! I'd try porridge, rye bread - much more variety!

If there's a better hospital then definitely explore that possibility.

Remember there's lots of support here in the Pregnancy section and elsewhere too. X

 

[bulkbiker]

There is some info on the 2 ketodudes forum

https://www.ketogenicforums.com

but you have to join up as the health section is a private area and so I can't give you a link.

Well worth it as the people there are very helpful so should be full of useful info..Hope that helps a bit.

 

[busydiabeticmum]

What on earth is all that toast about! I'd try porridge, rye bread - much more variety!

If there's a better hospital then definitely explore that possibility.

Remember there's lots of support here in the Pregnancy section and elsewhere too. X

Porridge makes me go really high for some reason! The dn suggested it when I let rip one time so I ate it and she wouldn't let me eat it again after that! I will take a look at the pregnancy section. I didn't do low carbers in the other pregnancies because I only started it around April/may last year! Never heard of it before then. My Bgl go psycho when I am pregnant because of the hormones so most of the time I could eat nothing and if I didn't take insulin I would get to the 30s for mmol

 

[Snapsy]

Just wanted to say congratulations, @busydiabeticmum ! And how lovely to have a big brood!

Also - and do bear in mind I am child free with no plans - I would say that you know your body better than anyone, and if you did for any reason encounter any issues with the low carbing (not that I'm saying you will) or indeed any other aspect, you know what feels right and what doesn't.

Porridge is rocket fuel for me, too. Boiled eggs for breakfast for me!

All the best with the little 'uns,

Love Snapsy

 

[azure]

Porridge makes me go really high for some reason! The dn suggested it when I let rip one time so I ate it and she wouldn't let me eat it again after that! I will take a look at the pregnancy section. I didn't do low carbers in the other pregnancies because I only started it around April/may last year! Never heard of it before then. My Bgl go psycho when I am pregnant because of the hormones so most of the time I could eat nothing and if I didn't take insulin I would get to the 30s for mmol

I have a mix of high fat granola and bran cereal. I have it with full fat milk or Greek yoghurt. Just to show there's more than toast : D

Perhaps the dietician you saw wasn't very good at carb counting? : D There are plenty of options to have, depending on what suits you. Having said that, you may find nausea dictates your choice early on!

 

[M80]

Hi I have experience of going extremely low carb and being pregnant, but not at the same time. This is because for me I felt a lack of energy and my body seemed unable to repair on very low carb.(like cuts etc) Later I read on this forum that when you are on very little carb, you have to use protein as replacement energy for carb, leaving not much protein for repair. However, I am with you on being aware of your carbs, and I am using around 100 grams per day (my weight would be around 60 kg) Some times back in the day, I could have as little as 5 gram in one day.Yes, I did not need much insulin, however,it came at a cost. Minerals and vitamins, and also enzymes, are important and although I agree you do not need 5 fruits a day, I think I did not get enough vitamin c on LCHF.High fat though,is something I absolutely support because also too much protein is not good.It is slow to digest and makes me feel sluggish.
I had one really good nurse but I also got into an argument with one.Ironically about porridge. I find it keeps bs stable for a long time and really makes me feel full for a long time.I do need a solid insulin dose for it but once I know what dose and do that I see no issue with that.(I am type one). Totally understand the egg issue, I actually became intolerant to eggs because on the low carb I ate soon many of them. The porridge argument was her commenting why I had it for lunch.I was just so annoyed why not? Are there laws about porridge only being eaten at breakfast?
Anyway, keep us informed, and congratulations!!!

 

[busydiabeticmum]

Hi I have experience of going extremely low carb and being pregnant, but not at the same time. This is because for me I felt a lack of energy and my body seemed unable to repair on very low carb.(like cuts etc) Later I read on this forum that when you are on very little carb, you have to use protein as replacement energy for carb, leaving not much protein for repair. However, I am with you on being aware of your carbs, and I am using around 100 grams per day (my weight would be around 60 kg) Some times back in the day, I could have as little as 5 gram in one day.Yes, I did not need much insulin, however,it came at a cost. Minerals and vitamins, and also enzymes, are important and although I agree you do not need 5 fruits a day, I think I did not get enough vitamin c on LCHF.High fat though,is something I absolutely support because also too much protein is not good.It is slow to digest and makes me feel sluggish.
I had one really good nurse but I also got into an argument with one.Ironically about porridge. I find it keeps bs stable for a long time and really makes me feel full for a long time.I do need a solid insulin dose for it but once I know what dose and do that I see no issue with that.(I am type one). Totally understand the egg issue, I actually became intolerant to eggs because on the low carb I ate soon many of them. The porridge argument was her commenting why I had it for lunch.I was just so annoyed why not? Are there laws about porridge only being eaten at breakfast?
Anyway, keep us informed, and congratulations!!!

Thank-you and @Resurgam and @azure that is a lot of lovely support.

Resurgam... my babies are all huge and all lifted their heads at birth! Now though they are short but sporty (my short and hubbies sporty!) So I don't think its too unknown!

Obviously listening to the body is very important and allowing a few carbs when needed looks OK as long as I don't go over the top... I did eat some last night and had a strange result! I was a shaky 4.8 all day and so had a cup of tea and handful of nuts! Went to 6.0 was really hungry pacing the floor so had my husband left over curry! There was only a bit if rice left which is normally a killer for me but testing after I was 5.8! So guessing that sometimes I may need some carbs... but maybe not with every meal! I don't count carbs anymore I normally repeat what works like 2 egg omelette with cheese (maybe breakfast then lunch) dinner would be a salad which I include avocado (folio acid) sometimes asparagus and cucumber... loads of green and I don't limit the salad. I have had to stop drinking the vinegar... but that doesn't seem to have ever helped me!

Thanks to everyone who commented... I am feeling a lot more settled about it. X

 

[Resurgam]

It did help a lot that I already knew my carbohydrate requirement to maintain weight, which was where I started. I can eat quite a few carbs as long as they are from my list of foods - they are the ones which don't spike me. I suspect that we all have different tolerances, as I can see that there are people who can eat porridge without getting exclamation marks on their meters - I am really pleased that the Lidl protein rolls don't do the same - scarcely detectable. I went without bread entirely for years. Yes, absolutely some carbs, on 20gm I was almost collapsing, I needed 60gm to feel normal, and that was way before being pregnant.
One thing I did find that we had no trouble conceiving - I wanted at least 3 years between births and got 3 years 2 months, September 5th and November 9th. I think that I must have been eating up to 100gm of carb a day, evenly spread between meals, but I didn't count or control amounts, just ate what I had in the fridge or growing in the garden.
After the birth I recovered really fast - the nurses were looking for me thinking I had wandered off and fainted away - I was having dinner.

 

[busydiabeticmum]

I

It did help a lot that I already knew my carbohydrate requirement to maintain weight, which was where I started. I can eat quite a few carbs as long as they are from my list of foods - they are the ones which don't spike me. I suspect that we all have different tolerances, as I can see that there are people who can eat porridge without getting exclamation marks on their meters - I am really pleased that the Lidl protein rolls don't do the same - scarcely detectable. I went without bread entirely for years. Yes, absolutely some carbs, on 20gm I was almost collapsing, I needed 60gm to feel normal, and that was way before being pregnant.
One thing I did find that we had no trouble conceiving - I wanted at least 3 years between births and got 3 years 2 months, September 5th and November 9th. I think that I must have been eating up to 100gm of carb a day, evenly spread between meals, but I didn't count or control amounts, just ate what I had in the fridge or growing in the garden.
After the birth I recovered really fast - the nurses were looking for me thinking I had wandered off and fainted away - I was having dinner.

I am on 7gm a day at the moment... not losing weight! I seem to be sustained by the air sometimes. I seem to be built for famine!
Anyway I don't have time to be weak and puzzle the midwives as like to do my Sudoku during labour! When babies were well would be doing it between feeds too. Last one spent at least 20hrs a day next to the cot... didn't do me any good but couldn't leave him! I have too many to look after to be "out of service"... sounds like you had a very healthy lifestyle... I don't have that ability to eat from my garden... everyone is so different and it sounds like eat to the meter is and always will be the right way to go. I know I will be on insulin sooner or later in the pregnancy due to hormones, but I may be able to keep it to the minimum.

Thank you for your advice.