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11-29-2012 at 9:12 PM
tdelancy
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Pregnant and Vegan?

Hello all,

So I went Vegan about 8 months ago. I am just going to be 5 weeks tomorrow so it is very early. I have my first appointment on 12/17 at which time I am going to go into more detail with my OB about  diet but as we have been working with him  over the past 8 months to conceiveh e is aware that I am vegan and does not have concerns. My husband is not Vegan ( full on meat eater). He was very supprotive before getting pregnant but now worries the baby will not get the nutrition it needs. I initially went vegan to gelp conceive. I thought getting healthier might help and I have PCOS so weight loss can help regulate things . I lost 30 lbs so it certainly could have contributed  to getting pregnant. Now I just feel heathier and do not want to go back. I also want to do everything in my power to make this a good pregancy. Any thoughts?? Any vegans out there ? I drink orange juice for calcium, take prenatals, eat beans and nuts for protien, and I get  plenty of carbs with pastas and breads, potatos and rice. I drink almond milk  and eat soy protein and garden burgers. plenty of fruit and veggies also.

looking for some advice... thanks ladies

 
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11-29-2012 at 9:19 PM
Stizzle
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I'm not an expert, but it sounds like you're being very mindful to get the nutrients that your body needs.  I would say that the protein and calcium are the biggest things that the vegan diet might typically lack but it sounds like you're doing a great job of balancing everything!  As long as you talk to your doctor about it and get the green light you should be good!  Good luck!


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11-29-2012 at 9:21 PM
tokenhoser
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Iron would be the other thing to be aware of - pregnant women are prone to iron deficiency and anemia, and that's for women eating meat. Be sure to get plenty of plant-sourced iron.
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11-29-2012 at 9:32 PM
mystererae
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Vitamin B12.
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11-29-2012 at 9:51 PM
PrimRoseMa...
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Take a prenatal and you should be fine. Ask your OB about any other vitamins he feel you might be lacking, but really you should be ok.

One of my BFF is vegan and has 6 healthy kids. She gave me a copy of this book when I couldn't stomach meat, dairy or eggs last pregnancy for first or second trimester.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0972469060
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11-30-2012 at 3:58 AM
Dani428
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I totally understand what you're going through / I've been a vegetarian for 5 years. I went vegan for about a year and switched back to vegetarian about 6 months ago when we started trying to get prego. Now that im prego I really want to make sure I get enough calcium which I found hard being vegan. Also eggs are a great source of protein... I could only eat so many protein shakes and beans! I'd say see how you feel. There's certainly no need to go back to steaks but maybe just compromise on a few things to make hubby and baby happy.

Just my opinion though, I'm sure you could stay vegan and have a healthy and happy pregnancy. Congrats!
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11-30-2012 at 7:41 AM
knsh11
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Hi! I've been vegan for 5 years, and continued eating that way during my last pregnancy. As it seems you are, I'm very careful about getting all the nutrients I need. However, I did add a couple things once I became pregnant last time. I started taking a vegan DHA supplement along with my prenatal. Once I started having food aversions (most forms of protein and cooked veggies), I added a chocolate protein shake in the mornings and sometimes in the afternoon. Other than that, I just tried to eat as healthy as I could.
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11-30-2012 at 8:51 AM
mama&baby
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I was a vegetarian for 8 years (vegan for all of 3 months out of that... I love cheese too much) before I had LO but started eating meat before I became PG.

It sounds like you are going about this the right way... I would recommend seeing if your doctor could refer you to a nutritionist that specializes in dealing with pregnant women, if your insurance covers it. I don't know how strict of a vegan you are, but I would watch which vitamins you are taking because many of them are not truly considered "vegan". GL and H & H 9 months!
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11-30-2012 at 11:29 AM
Lis9783
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I went vegetarian about 6 months ago and try to stay fairly vegan. Since finding out I'm pg, I've been tracking what I eat on myfitnesspal to make sure I'm getting enough of everything. Turns out I've got some room for improvement. If you're worried, you may want to try that as well. Good luck and I'd love to hear any tips you have! I need more calcium and protein but don't really have much of an appetite. I'm stopping to get some fortified OK today!
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11-30-2012 at 2:47 PM
mgm84
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I am a proud vegan!  It sounds like you are doing everything right - and probably more contentious than most pregnant mothers about what you are putting into your body.  I tracked my food intake on Live Strong's My Plate website to make sure I am getting enough protein (0.4 grams per pound of weight, and once in your second trimester, add 25 grams and continue with this number until you give birth).  Turns out I do just fine with getting enough!

Vitamins - just make sure it is a vegan form of DHA and take whatever standard prenatal vitamins everyone should take.  I had my doctor get my B12 levels since I have been vegan for 5 years (much longer vegetarian) and have never taken ANY supplements.  Although my doctor didn't feel the need to, I wanted to know in case my MIL challenged me :)

 Also, just make sure your orange juice doesn't have D3 (vitamin D make from sheep).  I went to have some of my husband's Tropicana and then I realized it wasn't veg :(
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12-01-2012 at 1:06 PM
tdelancy
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thank you very much for your input. I am def on the fence about maybe switching to vegetarian. That actually was an easy transition.I never ate that much meat before so it was not hard to give up meat. I occasionally miss eggs,cheese and yougurt  though. I have found alternatives and substitutes that made the transition much easier but it was challenging initially. Now after 8 months I am not really  tempted. I just worry as this is my first child I want to make sure my baby gets the nutrients it needs and while it is not impossible at all it is more challenging as a vegan. I think I will ask my Dr on 12/17 for some instruction too.

Thanks and congrats to you as well!!!
 
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12-01-2012 at 1:14 PM
tdelancy
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mgm84:

I am a proud vegan!  It sounds like you are doing everything right - and probably more contentious than most pregnant mothers about what you are putting into your body.  I tracked my food intake on Live Strong's My Plate website to make sure I am getting enough protein (0.4 grams per pound of weight, and once in your second trimester, add 25 grams and continue with this number until you give birth).  Turns out I do just fine with getting enough!

Vitamins - just make sure it is a vegan form of DHA and take whatever standard prenatal vitamins everyone should take.  I had my doctor get my B12 levels since I have been vegan for 5 years (much longer vegetarian) and have never taken ANY supplements.  Although my doctor didn't feel the need to, I wanted to know in case my MIL challenged me :)

 Also, just make sure your orange juice doesn't have D3 (vitamin D make from sheep).  I went to have some of my husband's Tropicana and then I realized it wasn't veg :(

 

Congrats to you first of all! And thanks you so much that is very helpful information. I am def going to use that website! I actually found of a few months ago that all all capsules are not vegan related to the gelatin. I am not quite so strict as I am still fairly new to this. I just commit not to eating milk, eggs, dairy or meat and I am aware of animaly products on the label when I buy things but in all honesty I am sure in the 8 months I have had something that is manufactured where dairy prodcucts are made or had something with traces of dairy I just try not to do so contiously. And I made the changes for health reasons and with hopes of getting pregnat as a results so I am not as rigid about some things. I commend you for doing so much research! That is amazing Thank you so much for all that information.I will def check my orange juice too. That is good to know!!

 

Congrats and H&H 9 months to you !
 
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12-01-2012 at 1:39 PM
tdelancy
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Lis9783:
I went vegetarian about 6 months ago and try to stay fairly vegan. Since finding out I'm pg, I've been tracking what I eat on myfitnesspal to make sure I'm getting enough of everything. Turns out I've got some room for improvement. If you're worried, you may want to try that as well. Good luck and I'd love to hear any tips you have! I need more calcium and protein but don't really have much of an appetite. I'm stopping to get some fortified OK today!

 

Congrats on your pregnancy! It sounds like some very experienced vegans on this blog! They have some great tips. There was few websites posted on meal tracking I know I am gonna try them , you might wanna try to! I have not yet tracked my diet so I am sure I probably have room to grow to also . It was one thing when it was just me as a vegan if i did not always get all the nutrients I should, but would not want to deprive my baby. there are many high calicium oranges juices, I just have a few glasses a day. I am still working on protein. I mostly do beans but I may try some safe shakes. I also drink almond milk and I am not sure how accurate that isbut I have heard its a good source of calcium as well. Good luck to you a H&H 9 months to you!
 
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12-13-2012 at 8:27 PM
Bailieburg...
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I'm currently 24 weeks 3 days pregnant and started eating vegan about 3 years ago now.  I make sure to get at least 75 grams of protein a day by eating extra beans, tempeh/tofu/seitan, drinking plant based protein drinks (whole foods has a bunch with 20-30 grams in one serving), and nuts.  I also drink almond milk and calcium/vit d fortified oj.  I try to eat oatmeal every other day with a tablespoon of blackstrap molasses for added iron. I'm taking deva prenatals as well as their calcium supplement and omega-3 supplement.  So far, I have had no morning sickness, fatigue, or other health ailments.  I think as long as you are getting the nutrition you need from wholesome foods, then you should be fine.  I think you should continue eating how you want to as long as you feel fine and the doctor gives you the ok. If you haven't already, look up some of the nutrititional information on what you are eating so if anyone questions you, you can tell them how that portion of beans you just ate has more protein and iron in it than a slab of steak. Goodluck!!!!
 
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12-16-2012 at 2:01 PM
Cree123
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I'm also majority vegan in terms of my diet (I eat honey) and pregnant and can relate to your concerns! For me it's not just that I don't believe in eating meat and dairy but physically and in terms of palate it's just about impossible for me to stomach animal foods. I had a rough 1st trimester with morning sickness where I was pretty much trying to get in what I could when I was able. Salads seemed to be my saving grace during that time. I supplement with B12, iron, calcium and iodine based on what I felt my prenatal vitamin was lacking. Fortunately I'm doing much better in the 2nd trimester and getting a better balance. I just tuned into what I found to be a great talk about vegan pregnancy. It covers other issues relating to natural birth too but hearing from a mom who had 2 successful vegan pregnancies was priceless for me  http://vimeo.com/22264338. What I would love to find is a vegan menu plan that excludes soy as I'm not too into soy products in general. Vegan or not, wishing everyone the best in their pregnancies and with their bundles of joy! 
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