Hi.
I found out today that I am pregnant. I am amazed because I was on a fertility drug(clomid) when I got pregnant with my daughter and we were told that the chance of getting pregnant naturally was very slim. Anyway, here we are and very pleasantly surprised.
I have been on the pill since I stopped nursing my daughter 4 1/2 years ago(just in case). We have not been ready to have another and didn't want a surprise even though we knew the chances were remote. Anyway, in the summer we decided that we were ready and to let nature take its course. My 5 year old has some medical challenges so it has taken us this long to be even close to ready. When we went off the pill we decided that if it was meant to be it would happen and if it wasn't meant to it wouldn't. Even though I was off the pill I really wasn't paying much attention as I really didn't expect that I would conceive naturally. Wow, I'm still amazed and it is amazing. Anyway, what I want to know is:
Are there some prenatal vitamins that are better than others? Is there anything in particular to watch for or watch out for?
I would really appreciate any advice on this and any other pregnancy issues. Thanks..Jen

Jen, I am no expert on vitamins but would just like to congratulate you on your happy news. It seems as though all is coming together for your family after years of trials. Happy and healthy preganancy.

Hi Jen,

This is really wonderful news, congratulations! Perhaps you're more ready than you ever thought you'd be!

All I can advise is go to www.price-pottenger.org for some information on healthy nutrition--what's great to eat, what's good to avoid, that kind of thing. Unless there is something specific that has you worried, there's nothing to really concern yourself about--if you eat a balanced diet (and it sounds like you do) then you are getting what you need to support a growing fetus. It would be a great idea to ask your naturopath what she thinks, too.

Don't worry, I won't ask you to name her/him after me, though someone on this BB's already offered!

Divina

Hi Guys. Thanks and thanks for understanding Divina (about the name thing), but don't take it personally
Another thing that I am wondering about is milk. Breanne (my 5 year old) is very intolerant to milk. Should or shouldn't I drink milk during pregnancy? Does it effect the babies future tolerance?
I don't generally drink milk. I did when I was pregnant with Breanne. I can drink it but don't particularly like it. Skim is ok with lots of ice. Is there a philosophy on milk during pregnancy and future tolerance or intolerance?
Thanks, I'll keep you posted.

Jen,

I've been watching Breanne's case with interest and am delighted for you and your family regarding the wonderful news. Please take it easy and get plenty of rest. I know this is difficult under the best of circumstances with a 5 year old running about, let alone a child who suffers from health problems but it is important. You can get plenty of calcium from other sources besides milk. Dark green veggies are great. Take care and again congratulations!
Barb

Hi Jen,

I truly would not worry about the milk. I think we generally stay away from stuff we hate to consume for a reason--and milk is quite problematic for many, many people. I'd say about half of the people I see have all kinds of ailments resulting from drinking/eating milk products--and its a sucky source of calcium, anyway.

Good sources are ones like Barb suggests, above--dark, leafy veggies like chards, kale, dandelion leaves which are fresh and young, etc. Sesame seeds are the richest source available, too: so a good tahini that you can buy from the health food store--preferably organic, of course, will carry you through just fine. Tahini is good on sandwiches, in salad dressings, and also on rice dishes--particularly lebanese dishes or dishes from the mediterranean using rice, dried fruits, sweet and sour seasonings. You can get lots of calcium through sesame seeds.

Oh, yes, one more thing--I laughed out loud when you mentioned that skim milk is okay, as long as its got lots of ice!! How topical and timely is that? Milk with ice is a odd combo, so, um, do you find you need to crunch or suck on the ice at all when having the skim milk? If so, perhaps an iron supplement might be a good thing for you. As someone else noted on the BB, anemia was an issue for her during her pregnancy--addressing it, if its there for you, will make the whole thing go a lot more smoothly.

I'm going to go get a tea and mope over the name thing...

Divina

Hi.
Divina, try adding a spoon full of sugar to your tea because I hear "A SPOON FULL OF SUGAR HELPS THE NAME THING GO DOWN"
Anyway, seeds and nuts bother my stomach but I do like green leafy veggies. Should I take a calcium supplement too. If I do have milk (the odd time I do), do you think it has anything to do with baby's future tolerance or intolerance?
No, I do not suck or chew on ice. Mainly because I choked on ice when I was a child.
Could you give me an idea on what I can take for headaches, muscle pain, colds etc. when I am pregnant. Thanks. This will be only one of the many questions that I will ask during my pregnancy because even Breanne's mom is going to try going the Homeopathic Route:
Before I was just worried about Bre but now I have to worry about me and peanut (the name we are calling baby while in utero).
Thanks, talk soon. Jen

Jen,

I want to add my congratulations to your great news! Things work out in surprising ways don't they? I am glad to see that your daughter is improving. As a mom of a special child, I know how full your hands are right now. It's mentally and emotionally exhausting as well as physically. Be sure to take good care of yourself. Easier said than done - us moms have a tendency to put everyone first but ourselves. Hang in there and best of luck with everything!

Kim

Tee hee!

Okay, I'm over the name thing!

Glad to hear you're going to be going the homeopathic route!! Consider working with your naturopath to find a good midwife, too--then if you go on homeopathics, you'll have this wonderful support team. Basically, the right rem will take care of those recurring complaints of headache and whatever else you've faced in the past, and help you with nutrient absorption too. But it has the added benefit of ensuring the baby's stability and growth and SHORTENING LABOUR!!
And that, as Martha Stewart would mumble, "is a good thing."

Happy Peanut!
Divina

Hi.
Lisa, thanks for the suggestions for names. Keep them coming.
Presently I am on blood pressure medication, losec (for acid in mouth and throat rather than actual heart burn),a low dose of anti-depressant(I find it stabalizes my emotions- I have been off and on one for many years but on higher doses for depression. For the last few years I have been on this low dose. Off of it, I am not depressed but find my emotions are more extreme than I want them ex. when sad, very sad- when mad- very mad- when happy, very happy. On the low dose I find I float along at a pretty even state. I get headaches, mainly stemming from my neck(from car accidents) and sometimes muscle spasms and pain mainly in my back and arm(from accident).
Skin is quite clear. Nails are fine. I have a sensitive stomach. I still eat (too much) but have pain,gas and cramping. Most of my pain is in upper left side (they say in large intestine). I have an anti-spasmodic drug for when it gets really bad.
I'm hoping to get off all of my drugs and have an alternative if I need it.
Any suggestions?????