Getting pregnant on the Paleo diet

robinandjessica

Hi guys,

First time poster here Bit of a background on me: DF and I started TTC last September-December. During that time, I was taking OTs and they were all coming back negative. I, of course, blamed it on the tests and not myself. We stopped trying from January-April because we are planning around my DF's layoff during the winter. We started doing the Paleo diet in January (also known as the Caveman diet) and I have lost over 20lbs. We started TTC again in April. I finally was able to get a positive OT and DF and I baby danced when we could during that time. From what I have heard, the Paleo diet is very good for getting pregnant and I am wondering if anyone has any experience with this. I am now in the 2 week wait and have sore, swollen breasts and extremely gassy and bloated, so we will see. Thank you all in advance

robinandjessica

Have you tried eating paleo? I appreciate the response, and I understand that I asked a question, but there seems to be an underlying tone of a condescending nature in your response. I really do feel better, have more energy and my periods seem to getting more regular by cutting out the wheat and the processed crap. I also didn't say that it WAS like the cavemen ate, I was simply using another term that is used to describe it. I know that I am not psychic, but I feel like this is a lifestyle change. 

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robinandjessica

I definitely haven't jumped in blind. I have went to a doctor for blood work to find out if I am low in anything and everything came back normal. Normally, I would be a bit low in iron but even that came back normal. To each their own, right?

sandrabrooke

My sister got pregnant on paleo.  It took her six months to conceive which is pretty normal.  Then she gave the diet up because she couldn't stand it anymore.  

Jennicap

I also follow the paleo lifestyle since August 2013, 48lbs down and still more to go but I feel so much healthier than I did a year ago! It took 7 cycles to get pregnant with #1 and we are in our 5th cycle for #2, if I don't get pregnant this cycle or next we'll start talking to my midwife since I'm 37 and DH is almost 41. I haven't noticed any changes yet as far as fertility goes, but we shall see!

CaveWmnInBrit

Been "paleo" for 3+ years now... and yes sometimes I cheat (and totally don't have guilt in the AM- sometimes intestinal regret)...

Being celiac, IBS and a thyroid disorder I know that I feel, sleep and am in a better mood when I am eating clean (not processed and stay away from potential gluten contaminates).  I do a lot of my own research as a nutritionist and have experimented and added things back in when they seem to work (like raw dairy).  However, I was never someone who had a sweet tooth or would ever eat sandwiches etc so the whole "giving up" thing was not a huge issue (and my co-workers are always interested in my lunches I bring!)  And when it comes to it I sometimes have a blow out weekend and yes I do suffer for it afterwards- but part about being human is also enjoying life and some things are worth an upset stomach!

I will send a warning that you need to be sure you are not stressing your body by being too low carb or low fat (intentionally or unintentionally)... and that you are getting plenty of calories.  I actually have days where I struggle to eat enough to maintain my BMR + exercise expenditure and right now I am eyeing up some recipes for cinnamon baked apples to get another few hundred in after a particularly brutal workout.  It may be worth tracking for a week or so just to make sure you are getting adequate amounts of macros and that there are no obvious nutrient imbalances.  Anything you do that puts your body under long term stress diet or otherwise is not going to be good for fertility as your body will default a preservation mode instead of a baby making mode.

However- healthfully losing a bit of weight can be huge in helping fertility as it is all controlled by hormones which your body can only make so much of.  If you are carrying out a lot of extra mass the hormones have a larger area to circulate around and will not be in the right concentrations. There is also better prognosis for a healthier and more comfortable pregnancy when you are at a healthy weight and if you are planning on using anesthesia there can be many complications in overweight patients with dosage.  

Just my two cents.

alysonmh

I eat the exact opposite of the paleo diet and I get pregnant if my husband looks at me. So no, I don't think it's going to make a significant difference in you getting pregnant.

CaveWmnInBrit

WhoCanItBeNow said:

CaveWmnInBrit said:

However- healthfully losing a bit of weight can be huge in helping fertility as it is all controlled by hormones which your body can only make so much of.  If you are carrying out a lot of extra mass the hormones have a larger area to circulate around and will not be in the right concentrations. There is also better prognosis for a healthier and more comfortable pregnancy when you are at a healthy weight and if you are planning on using anesthesia there can be many complications in overweight patients with dosage.  

Just my two cents.

Dead ass fucking wrong. They can be off. Or they can be absolutely perfect. 

Many healthy women have complications during pregnancy and are uncomfortable as hell. Many horrible overweight women have no problems at all. If your doctors can't get your meds right, they shouldn't be practicing medicine.

I like you... but...

From a medical point of view- yes, if are severely overweight and your hormones are at the correct level brilliant but in order to sustain them you are exhausting the gland/organ in question... and some organs will produce home hormones over another (all of which are essential)... I am not saying that everyone should be skinny (even I am not) but to be in a weight that is comfortable is far healthier metabolically in the short and long run

And as far as medical literature goes for healthy pregnancies for a mother at a healthy weight pre-pregnancy who continues to eat a nutrient rich diet during pregnancy experience a better prognosis for mother and baby- it is documented... as well as the clinical aspect of the complications of anesthesia in patients who are overweight.  Dosage is a factor of both metabolism and the dispersion of the drug.  I can quote papers but its past 5pm my time.... 

I still like you though... I also like science