DH has issues with me being vegetarian while pregnant - AIBU?

[veggiemummyof4]

I'm pregnant with my first baby (my username refers to my 4 kitties). I've been vegetarian since I was 8 - I'm 26 now, that's 18 years. I'd like to make it clear that I've never lacked in protein (eat lots of beans, tofu, nuts, cheese, quorn) or iron etc - I have regular blood tests since I'm type 1 diabetic (diagnosed for 10 years) which confirms this and have never had to take any supplements, not that there's any shame in doing so. My periods also started at 14 and I haven't missed one since.

DH is not vegetarian and I really don't have a problem with this - it's his decision after all. I'm not preachy at all, and he can eat it in the house (as long as I don't cook it as I gave my brother such terrible food poisoning that he ended up in hospital when I tried to make him a spag bol once )

My baby will not be brought up eating meat unless they make the decision themselves not to. I will support them whatever.

DH is trying his best to persuade me to eat some meat / fish "for our baby's health" he is worried that I'm not getting enough nutrients for the baby to be healthy and grow properly. He is reading me horror stories of vegan babies who have died.

It's scaring me but why should it? Other than my diabetes which has fuck all to do with it, as confirmed by my consultant I have had no health problems in 18 years. I'm refusing to introduce meat / fish, AIBU?

I rang up my mum and all she had to say was "He's just concerned [redacted]. Be grateful, your dad wasn't even around"

Am I being a difficult bitch?

Identifying information edited by MNHQ

Fox, trust me, B12 deficiency is definitely a problem for pregnant vegetarians. I'm still disabled as a result of it 16 years later. As is DD

I was vegan during the time I was pregnant with all mine .they are all vegan and all over 6 foot and strapping now.

Also, everyone seems to be missing a very important point. The OP is diabetic, which makes her much more vulnerable to pernicious anaemia as they are linked.

Other vegetarians with high dairy & eg diets, or lots of fortified foods & supplements might well do fine, but that doesn't mean the OP is in the same group. There are 2 reasons why she's a higher risk for B12 deficiency & why I suggested private B12 injections early on in my replies

I would be more worried about iron and b12 than protein as it's fairly easy to get enough protein in your diet unless you do a ton of exercise. However if you are careful about this and check your bloods regularly then I wouldn't be concerned. It's perfectly possible to eat a nutritionally balanced diet and be vege. Pregnancy takes a lot out you iron wise so I would watch these levels particularly. It isn't unusual for pregnant women (incl meat eaters) to be low in iron. I was vege when pregnant and was anaemic towards the end which affected my milk supply so be wary of this.

If you have been a vegetarian for that long then your body won't be used to it and it will probably make you vomit a lot

What a load of crap! I was vegetarian for many years from about aged 14 to late twenties and the started eating meat and had no problems at all. I imagine some people might have issues but it certainly doesn't apply to everyone! I have more problems digesting fructans (so some grains, pulses, some fruits, garlic etc) than meat.

I've been veggie since childhood and was pleasantly surprised to learn - thanks to the blood test results received after one of the first scans - that my iron levels were higher than normal. So you could tell your OH to wait for the blood test results before considering whether it's actually a problem or not?