Celiac disease is an auto-immune condition that can occur at anytime throughout life, spanning from childhood to adulthood. Typically thought of as a genetic disorder, celiac occurs when the body attacks the lining of the intestine after eating any food product containing wheat or gluten and can often be “triggered” later in life by a stressful situation placed upon the body. For many women, celiac disease can be triggered during pregnancy or can be discovered after years of infertility or conception issues.
Instructions
Have a Healthy Pregnancy
1. Get diagnosed: If celiac disease goes undiagnosed, unfortunately, ingesting gluten while pregnant can lead to a wide variety of problems and be a severe threat to both mother and fetus. It is a blessing to understand celiac disease before pregnancy because you will be better prepared to take care of your body properly. It is crucial to understand gluten-free eating and eat a completely gluten-free diet while pregnant in order to protect the health of your baby.
2. Eat properly: Nutrition is the next step to a healthy journey for both mother and child, after swearing to a lifelong gluten-free diet. Those who are newly diagnosed with celiac should try to wait for their body and intestines to heal before conceiving because celiac disease can often make proper nutrition difficult. After becoming pregnant, it is time to put focus on creating a healthy, caloric diet full of gluten-free foods.
3. Protect yourself and your baby by avoiding contact (or cross-contamination) with any food, object, surface or person who has been near gluten or wheat derivatives (without being sanitized first.) Next, start building your healthy pregnancy diet by choosing ingredients found in the outside aisles of a grocery store (produce, fresh dairy or lean meat) and avoiding any processed or packaged items that typically contain gluten.
4. Eat even though nauseated: If you are feeling sick or nauseous during pregnancy, it can be difficult not to reach for a trusty cracker or dry piece of bread (as many may suggest.) Try finding gluten-free alternatives like rice crackers, frozen bagels or wild berry waffles to create the same effect and ingest these carbohydrates with a small amount of protein. Simply adding a small tablespoon of peanut or sunflower butter or a freshly cooked egg atop your carb of choice will be tasty, nutritious and help ward of morning sickness.
5. Ensuring a healthy pregnancy with celiac disease is not just about diet or nutrition but it's also about awareness. Make sure to check with your pharmacist before taking any medications or prescriptions and check the labels on topical creams used during pregnancy, because both can contain hidden sources of gluten. Try to stay moderately active while expecting with 30 minutes of activity per day (such as taking a walk or a low-impact aerobics class) which additionally contributes to a healthier lifestyle for those suffering from celiac disease and will result in a better pregnancy.
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