Re: scd and pregnancy?

[Guest guest]

Hi Becky

Congratulations for doing so well with the diet. I got pregnant (VERY

unexpectedly!) a year after my first flare and diagnosis (I started SCD at that

time), and had tapered off my first and only course of Prednisone (20mg) for

about 8 months, with no other medication. I had a fantastic pregnancy and

delivery (at home, no meds, just my poor husband being squeezed to death slowly

with each contraction), and a very healthy and happy baby. She is now over 2,

and I have had her on SCD too (with the occasional cheat - only for her, not me,

though she has no GI issues) - we've just had her routine 27 month check and she

is developing very well indeed. I too did not take any of the recommended

pre-prepared prenatal vitamins - I supplemented with SCD-legal liquid forms of

individual vitamins (I assumed they would be easier to absorb in liquid form).

You may need to do some research as to what range is considered beneficial

pre-conception and prenatally, then make up your own vitamin regime, remembering

that those with digestive issues may not absorb the nutrients as easily as those

without issues, and so may need a dose in the upper range. Of course, do be

sure to take your folic acid (400mg daily, I believe?).

Also, pregnancy suppresses the immune system somewhat, as you are essentially

hosting a foreign body! I believe Elaine wrote somewhere that she recommended

waiting about 6 months from your last flare before trying to conceive. Sorry -

I can't find the reference at the moment. I think the idea behind it was

allowing your body time to heal before it puts its energy into growing a baby.

BTW, I found the first trimester the hardest - exhaustion, nausea and not

wanting to eat, and the only thing to beat the nausea was - eating! But all I

desperately wanted to eat was super-junkfood - stuff I never actually have even

the tiniest desire to eat - Mcs, KFC, etc. It took a steely effort, but

I'm glad to say I managed never to succumb.

And strangely, after having my daughter, I seem to be unable to tolerate any

dairy. We'll see what happens in future.

May I suggest to you that if all works out for you, that you consider

breastfeeding your baby? We all know its best for them, but more specifically,

from the very beginning, the first milk (colostrum) coats the lining of the

intestines (which may still be developing), protecting them from the growing

number of bacteria starting to colonize them. Also, all the nutrients from

breastmilk are very easily absorbable, and are tailored to meet your baby's

needs not only day to day, but hour to hour. The American Society of Pediatrics

(and many other Pediatric societies around the world) recommend exclusive

breastfeeding for the first 6 months, then introducing food alongside

breastfeeding for at least 12 months

(http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;115/2/496). A

great resource for support in North America is La Leche League, a volunteer

organization (www.llli.org), and attending a couple of meetings before baby

arrives is the best possible start to meeting the leader of the group and other

moms. Another excellent resource is www.kellymom.com. (Yes, I am a

breastfeeding support volunteer!). I had no problems breastfeeding throughout a

flare last year, which I brought back under control by going back to the starter

diet.

You sound like you are trying to maintain a good, varied diet, are taking care

of yourself physically, and are quite aware of your health and current

condition. So, finally, relax and enjoy yourself - low stress is as important

as many other factors for a healthy pregnancy.

Good luck and sleep while you still can!

Licia

>

> does any one have any words of encouragement if I've been scd for 5.5 months

and want to get pregnant? I'm feeling great and not on any meds....I'm

tolerating raw fruit although have barely begun to to start with raw veggis and

am tolerating alot of cooked vegis as well as all proteins and nut

flours/butters.

>

> I am physically in shape and have only recently been diagnosed so have not had

this problem for more than a year.

>

> I'm so nervous about proper nutrition as well as getting a flare up. I've

manged to get no flare ups since I've started but hope pregnancy wont cause one.

any advice??

> Thankyou

>