Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Anyone Ttc?


Anya78

Recommended Posts

Anya78 Explorer

I'm wondering if any of my fellow Celiacs out there are trying to conceive or recently became pregnant? We should follow along with each other's experiences.

My husband and I plan to TTC this fall. I can't help but wonder if my body is fully healed (been gluten-free since December 2004 diagnosis), even though I have been feeling really great for 6 months. Also, everytime I have a reaction from accidental gluten ingestion, I think about how bad it would be to be "glutened" like that while pregnant.

Share your story/experiences. :D


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Merika Contributor

Well, we've been thinking about it, but are not up to it yet. FWIW, I was not gluten-free during my pregnancy 4 yrs ago and was very celiac (can one be "very" celiac?). Oddly, I instinctively went off grains the first 3 months, ate erratically the middle 3, and felt better than I had in YEARS. Don't ask me about the last 3 months of preg, they were filled with chocolate cake :P

I would like to wait also til my body is more healed before ttc. But then, I've done it once before, and it all worked out, so.....who knows.

Good luck and have fun :D

Merika

KayJay Enthusiast

Anya,

We started ttc after I was gluten-free for 6 months. It took us another 7 months to get pg and now the baby is due in 3 weeks. Here is what I have learned so far.

Get used to eating gluten-free crackers and bread. I never ate any and then I had really bad morning sickness for the first 20 wks. I ate gluten-free bread and crackers but I think they made me sick just because I wasn't used to eating them at all. I couldn't tolerate fruit or veggies so that was a hard time.

Let your doctor know ahead of time. They will give you some vitamins and all of that. My GI doctor said that I was at more of a risk of having a baby with neuro tubal defects because of Celiac so taking folic acid and my vitimins were especially important. Start now on those.

I was also told not to eat any of the hospital food which I don't understand I figure if Mcdonalds can offer me something that surely a hospital could but that might just be our hospital. I was also told not to eat out so that I didn't eat any gluten by accident. I started out doing okay but lately I have been eating out more. I would guess during the first trimester that would be good advice and after the baby is bigger and stronger eating out would be okay. I still am careful on what I eat but anytime you eat out there is a risk.

My doctor also ordered an extra ultrasound at around 27 wks to make sure the baby was growing properly and her organs were forming okay.

My doctor didn't know too much about celiac so she sent me to a GI they told me that I really needed to see a nutriounist (sp?) but I haven't gone yet. I am guessing I should because I will be breastfeeding too. But she did seem to take extra caution with me. I think partly because of celiac and partly because I was so sick at first. That made me feel better so find a doctor that you really get along with. You will be seeing them a lot.

I hope that helps and good luck TTC!

Merika Contributor

KayJay,

oooh, how exciting, you're about to have a baby, lalalala.... :D Bummer about the morning sickness

Recent studies have shown that there is no extra risk for babies of celiac moms. None, zero, nada, zip. There MAY be an increased risk of EARLY miscarriage among non gluten-free celiac moms. But once past that, the baby will be fine.

You're right about the hospital - it's notorious for feeding gluten-free moms gluten. Stupid hospitals, they should know better!

Merika

Anya78 Explorer

Thanks for posting your experiences! It's helpful to hear how things have gone for other Celiac moms and moms-to-be. I hope we get a few more ladies in on this topic!

KayJay, thanks for the tipcs. Good luck and keep us posted when you have news of your baby's arrival.

I'll have been gluten-free for 10-11 mos. when we plan to start TTC. One reason (there are others) we're waiting until this fall is because I feel like I'm still getting a handle on the gluten-free way of life. Sometimes I feel neurotic with all of my label reading and question-asking at friends' houses, but I know it's a necessary part of maintaining my health. And when I'm not diligent about label-reading, I often pay a price the next day...I'm learning my lesson.

I've also heard that it's mostly non-gluten-free celiacs that have shown any fertility or pregnancy problems, so I shouldn't have much cause for my concern. But I can't help worrying, especially since I've read that it varies from person to person on how long it can take the body to repair itself after going gluten-free. Since there aren't exact, official figures, I'm guessing that a year on the gluten-free diet would give my body plenty of recovery time.

Anya

Roxyk Newbie

After being gluten-free for exactly one year I got a positive pregnancy test. I am now 7 weeks. My RE really didn't know anything about it, but the ob does.

I do know that another group - Gluten Intolerance Group - has a hospital packet you can order before you go to deliver.

It was a very long road for us - I basically had gotten to the point where I didn't have a period anymore. With acupuncture & a gluten-free diet I'm happily expecting! (and injectable fertility drugs ;) )

KayJay Enthusiast

Roxyk- What is in that packet?


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Roxyk Newbie

KayJay - I don't actually know what is in the packet - I am just sending in my order now. I will post as soon as I get it to let you all know if it is worth it!

  • 2 weeks later...
cgilsing Enthusiast

Anya-

Good luck TTC! My husband and I are going to start trying next month as well. We have been working up the nerve to try for quite a while now, but after an inconclusive test last month we were both surprisingly disappointed to find out I wasn't pregnant. So we decided that now is the time! :D I've been gluten free for about a year and feel pretty well healed. I wanted to let you know...when you start TTC be sure to take your Folic Acid! Folic Acid reduces the chance of neural defects by 70% if present at the time of conception and in the first two weeks of pregnancy and since women with celiac disease don't absorb as well it is especially important to make sure you are getting enough. The body gets rid of excess Folic Acid in urine so it is recomended women with celiac disease take 200% of the daily recomended.

Anya78 Explorer

cgilsing,

Good luck with your quest to TTC! I definitely hear you on the folic acid topic. I've been taking prenatal vitamins for a few weeks now, even though we aren't going to try until probably early November. I figured it couldn't hurt to prepare my body far in advance, plus these vitamins have some calcium (my regular multi didn't) and I know I probably don't get enough of that in general.

Keep us posted when you're pg! :)

Jen H Contributor

Hi everyone!

Thanks for all the great info! My husband and I were TTC, but after my recent diagnosis with celiac disease we have abandoned the mission for now. From all your info, I gather that I should wait until I am feeling significantly better.

As for folic acid and pre-natal vitamins, what kind do you take? I heard that certain medicines and vitamins can contain gluten. Who should I talk to about this? A nutritionist? My GI or GYN doctor?

:) Jen

Merika Contributor
My husband and I were TTC, but after my recent diagnosis with celiac disease we have abandoned the mission for now.  From all your info, I gather that I should wait until I am feeling significantly better. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh, phooh, it's whatever you feel like are up to. If you feel geared up for preg, go for it. If you are tired and exhausted and can't imagine carrying an extra 30 pounds and having weird dietary cravings, then wait :)

Folic acid is recommended to all women ttc, because it's effect is greatest between 0-4 months of preg, and once you've realized you're preg, you've missed a big part of that window. Just make sure the one you get is gluten-free (read the label and call the company).

Good luck and have fun! :D

Merika

  • 2 weeks later...
lyoung2 Rookie

Hi Ladies,

I'm glad I found your posts. I have been TTC for 5 years, with 1 very early m/c. I did not know I was celiac disease until last year, and have now been gluten-free since August 04 and have noticed a difference in my cycles. Unfortunately I can't say for sure if celiac disease played a role in my infertility or not, but my age is going to definately be a factor now (I'm 42).

Good luck to everyone.

LauraY

  • 10 years later...
DandelionH Apprentice

Oh wow, I'm so glad this thread exists. I'm terrified of figuring out pregnancy and such as is without the Celiac complications and then with them added...

That's IF we can get pregnant. AND my GP advised avoiding soy because I'm small and it lengthens my cycles by about 20 days (but is otherwise great and delicious. Sigh.) and it's in EVERYTHING gluten-free.

This thread is from 2005 but is anybody else currently TTC?

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      127,878
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Dcecilio
    Newest Member
    Dcecilio
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121k
    • Total Posts
      70.5k

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      @Mynx, how long have you been gluten-free? I ask because many newly diagnosed celiacs react to many things, and often think their reactions are caused by gluten, when in fact, they are really caused by a combination of a sensitive gut due to damage, as well as additional food intolerance/leaky gut issues to other foods which may be temporary until their villi heal.
    • Scott Adams
      Many major brands of distilled vinegar in the USA, including Heinz white vinegar, are typically made from corn. In the United States, corn is a common and cost-effective raw material used in the production of distilled white vinegar. The process involves fermenting the sugars derived from corn into alcohol, which is then further fermented into acetic acid to produce vinegar. Distillation follows, which purifies the liquid and removes impurities, including any residual proteins or allergens. While the source of the vinegar (e.g., corn) is not always explicitly stated on the label, corn-derived vinegar is widely used in the food industry due to its neutral flavor and affordability. For individuals with gluten intolerance or celiac disease, distilled vinegar made from corn is generally considered safe, as the distillation process effectively removes gluten proteins. However, if you have concerns about cross-contamination or specific sensitivities, it’s always a good idea to contact the manufacturer directly to confirm the sourcing and production practices. Heinz, for example, has stated that their distilled white vinegar is gluten-free and safe for those with celiac disease, but verifying this information can provide additional peace of mind. The belief that distilled vinegar is gluten-free is rooted in the scientific understanding that gluten proteins, which are large and complex molecules, are generally too big to pass through the distillation process. Distillation involves heating a liquid to create vapor, which is then condensed back into a liquid form, leaving behind larger molecules like gluten proteins. However, the concern about cross-contamination arises from the possibility that gluten-containing ingredients may have been present in the liquid prior to distillation. While the distillation process itself is highly effective at removing gluten, the equipment used in production could potentially introduce trace amounts of gluten if not thoroughly cleaned between batches. For most individuals with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, distilled vinegar is considered safe because the gluten content, if any, is typically below the threshold that would trigger a reaction. However, for those with extreme gluten intolerance or celiac disease, even trace amounts can cause adverse effects. This is why some individuals, like yourself, may choose to avoid commercially produced distilled vinegar and opt for alternatives like apple cider vinegar, which can be verified as gluten-free. The meticulous process of researching ingredients and preparing homemade products, such as ketchup, is indeed challenging but crucial for maintaining health and avoiding gluten exposure. It’s important to note that regulatory standards for gluten-free labeling vary by region, and in many places, products labeled "gluten-free" must contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten, which is considered safe for the vast majority of people with celiac disease. Nonetheless, individual sensitivity levels can vary, and your approach highlights the importance of personalized dietary management for those with severe gluten intolerance.
    • Bebee
      I have been diagnosed with Microscopic Colitis (LC) for quite a few years, so I have been gluten-free and DF.  I would like to get tested for Celiac Disease because of the possibility of cross contamination and colon cancer.  And if you were hospitalized and didn't have a celiac diagnosis you could not get gluten-free food, I don't know if that is true or not.  Also because there is chance of colon cancer so I want to know if I have Celiac Disease and need to be on very restrictive diet.  The only testing I did was a sigmoid scope and Enter Lab but no gene testing.  I know I can go back to eating gluten for a few months, but I would worry you would have to stay home for the few months while getting gluten.  What other options do I have?  Should I do the gene testing?  Maybe through Entero Lab?  Any other tests?  How important is it to have Celiac diagnosed? Thank you! Barb
    • trents
      Take it easy! I was just prompting you for some clarification.  In the distillation process, the liquid is boiled and the vapor descends up a tube and condenses into another container as it cools. What people are saying is that the gluten molecules are too large and heavy to travel up with the vapor and so get left behind in the original liquid solution. Therefore, the condensate should be free of gluten, no matter if there was gluten in the original solution. The explanation contained in the second sentence I quoted from your post would not seem to square with the physics of the distillation process. Unless, that is, I misunderstood what you were trying to explain.
    • Mynx
      No they do not contradict each other. Just like frying oil can be cross contaminated even though the oil doesn't contain the luten protein. The same is the same for a distilled vinegar or spirit which originally came from a gluten source. Just because you don't understand, doesn't mean you can tell me that my sentences contradict each other. Do you have a PhD in biochemistry or friends that do and access to a lab?  If not, saying you don't understand is one thing anything else can be dangerous to others. 
×
×
  • Create New...