How much is my diet harming my baby?

[mommysharkdodo]

I keep reading posts on apps about how important a healthy diet is to have a healthy baby and it's got me a little worried.

Before finding out I was pregnant I had a healthy diet, only drinking water or diluted juice, nicely balanced meals but since finding out that has completely gone out the window!

I now crave fizzy drinks as water makes me gag (I am trying to drink milk instead) I am eating so much bread because my nausea is so bad the only thing I feel I can handle is toast. I feel like I could eat pizza every day of the week (I'm not though honest!) I haven't done the slightest bit of exercise since finding out I'm pregnant, I work 40+ hours a week so whenever I have any time to myself I am sleeping as I am just sooo tired!

My OH works up to 60 hours a week so neither of us are preparing any meals and we are also in the middle of moving house so a lot going on at the moment!

I'd just like a bit of advice on keeping a healthy diet im so scared of putting on loads of weight during pregnancy!

Just eat what you can. The first few months can be rubbish, and make you feel like rubbish, and the only thing that has ever got me through those is mainlining carbs, particularly crisps, and macdonald's chips. I have two healthy boys, and this pregnancy is looking pretty healthy too!

Take you pregnancy vits, the baby will take all it needs from you. When you're feeling a bit better you can eat a bit better. For now, just eat whatever keeps the nausea at bay.

It isn’t harming them at all.

I had two pregnancies with hyperemesis, where I ate virtually nothing, what I did eat was sugary junk because it was all I could keep down.

Two healthy, strong, smart babies who while not huge were not tiny either.

Take your vitamins, but don’t fret. They take what they need from you.,

And if all you can manage is pizza, eat pizza. If you top your own it’s not that bad.

Honestly I lived off apples and coke for a month ;)

Ditto the above- I have had such nausea over the last few days. Eat little and often and whatever your body fancies (fruit and veg is yuk!)

It’s about making sure that you are hydrated and eating. We can all approach healthy eating after the sickness stops...

All I ate was chocolate cake. That’s all I can remember, I ate a large chocolate cake every single day (I’m talking one of those 8 servings ones from M&S). Only thing I would say is I wish I hadn’t because I put so much weight on and found it soooo hard to lose afterwards! Dd is here and absolutely fine!

I could have written this post word for word!
Carbs on carbs, with a side of extra white food was all I was interested in eating for the first 4 months.
If you want pizza go right ahead, maybe try and stick a mushroom or two on it to compensate ;)
My desire for healthy food came back one day out of the blue and I imagine I'm 'losing' weight as in the last few weeks and babys growing away but Im not putting any on so make of that what you will.

The daggers my boss gave me when I had to break into a can of coke every day. She was seething (despite never having had children of her own), I enjoyed watching the look on her face

This is so comforting - I'm so worried I'm putting on weight as I can't face exercise and cheese and bread is the only thing I fancy right now (mm mini nan breads with mango chutney and cheddar). Sadly the pregnancy vitamin pills seem to make me feel sick? Anybody tried the drops?

It's fine! I had the same worries when I was pregnant and most of the same issues! I drank squash in my water which helped. I craved full fat coke, chocolate, crisps! Just eat what you can and try and squeeze in some fruit and veg where possible! If you are worried, speak with your midwife but mine said not to worry!

I'm only 5 wks along, but the lovely nutrient dense salads and fruit based desserts that were my prepregnancy staples have been replaced with bread and cheese. I bear to eat a vegetable unless it's in cheese sauce, and the thought of fruit just turns me.

I was like this with my previous pregnancies though and I think lot a of symptoms can only be a good sign! Bring on the cheesy carbs!

Taking a multi vitamin is a great idea, that’s what I would do if you’re worried. But I ate shit throughout most of my pregnancy because it’s the one time in my life that I haven’t looked fat and felt guilty. Ironic I know. I put on almost 4 stone while pregnant I’m still trying to lose it all now nearly 3 years on (although only been trying to diet since around April this year).

All I drink is full fat Coke and I was never bothered about it before!

My DM lived off fish and chips and full fat coke when she was pregnant with me, she doesn’t usually like either! I am perfectly fine and not particular lover of either of those things...

I haven’t had the best diet ever during this pregnancy because I’ve often felt like shit, work FT and have three primary aged DC. Baby seems to be doing just fine. Honestly, your body is pretty smart and will zap any nutrients it can for the baby hence why anaemia is so much more common in pregnant women.

Omg thank you so much everyone for your replies I feel so much better now! I can stop punishing myself for wanting to eat rubbish now and then, think il celebrate with a pizza tonight haha!

@Noodella18 I haven't taken folic acid for the past few days as it has been making me feel very sick! I feel so much better after not taking it but I know my baby needs it! Does anyone have any advice on what other vitamins I can take instead or do I just need to bare it?

Folic acid is the only thing that doctors recommend you take. It is really important for the baby and you can’t really eat enough by eating foods that contain it naturally. I know it’s horrible OP but please take that one to prevent your baby having any serious health conditions.

Folic acid is the only must
Vitamin D is good if you can

Everything else is optional

I lived on the following for almost my entire pregnancy with ds. Findus crispy pancakes, marmite on toast, scampi fries (bleurgh!) and biscuits.
Ds was 9lbs and born 100% healthy!

I guess il just have to cope with the extra nausea and get back on the folic acid! I have no idea why it makes me feel so sick ☹️

It will be fine, I've had hyperemesis in all my pregnancies and lived on thin air and a shit load of medication for weeks on end. Both my boys were over 9.5 lbs!!

How far along are you? Folic acid is most important in first 12 weeks. After that, if it's making you feel unwell, then you can cut down. But if you're pre 12 weeks then it's really important to keep at it.

Pregncare vitamins are great if you think you are missing out on fruit/ veggies- even better if you head to a large Asda & get their own branded (exactly the same vitamins/ minerals inside) for half the cost & double the tablets! £3.50 for 60 days is worth it IMO 😊👍🏻

I second a good pregnancy vitamin. That way I know my body has everything my baby needs and I can be more relaxed about my diet.

I can't tolerate pregnancy vitamins, they make me sick and have upset stomach. Instead I take floradix which also helps with energy levels thanks to the iron, and is safe for pregnancy, plus the folic acid. I'm with you though that the folic acid makes me feel rotten.

I’m the same. 24 weeks now and still struggling with veg though can tolerate fruit a little.

Pregnacare made me horribly nauseous, I switched to floradix and it’s much better.

Pregnancy is basically the body sustaining a parasite. The baby will take what it needs out of your bones if it has to. Don't worry about that.

Don't worry about your diet for now, pregnancy is hard enough. Eat what you fancy, little and often if you can. Use a straw with your fizzy drinks... I wrecked my teeth during my last pregnancy. Fizzy drinks can be a sign your bodies craving calcium. Maybe have a look at calcium rich foods while you're on.

@mommysharkdodo I take the folic acid right before bed and sleep through any nauseous side effects!