pregnant - should I avoid all poss. food allergyns?

I am also in this situation. I have not eaten nuts since my son was diagnosed (over a year ago) and am currently pregnant, due in December. I will try to limit my milk, egg and wheat intake while breastfeeding, but have been eating a lot of wheat and milk currently.

I am curious to see what the others responses to this post are as well.

I am due in January and my dd's allergist said very precisely, "Avoid peanuts, tree nuts and shellfish for the last trimester and duration of breastfeeding and until the child is five." My dd has egg allergy and he made no mention of avoiding eggs. I cannot avoid everything anyway!

Gosh, between the listeria scare and not being allowed deli meats, and softe cheeses, no fish with mercury, no nuts, no shellfish and I try to avoid cholesterol in beef, it sure does not leave much! Honestly, though, the hardest for me to give up is a good cold cut sandwich more than the allergens. But I crave eggs when pg! They have iron and I am anemic. becca

Raised same topic under main discussions from when I asked awhile back. HTH. becca

I so want to do everything I can to avoid my next child having food allergies and I'm just in the first trimester. So I'm thinking enjoying eggs now won't hurt but come last trimester when you're really sharing food I think I'll do my best to give up everything. I sure wish they had more medical advice on this - my allergist and ob are so wishy washy, do whatever you think best type of attitude.

Here's what I found when looking into the issue:

Preventing Allergies through mother

I am pregnant with my third child and was told by our allergist to avoid pn/tn, egg, dairy, and fish during my last trimester and while breastfeeding, so I am doing this. I did this also with my second child, though, and he is egg and dairy allergic (don't know about pn yet). The doctor says he must have been exposed at some point, but I don't know where. I am doing it again even though I am obviously not convinced of the benefits. As long as I get my nutrition without those foods, I feel I have to at least try it. I would rather avoid those foods now than have my child avoid them.

[This message has been edited by nopeanuts (edited October 22, 2003).]

Quote:Originally posted by becca:
[b]I am due in January and my dd's allergist said very precisely, "Avoid peanuts, tree nuts and shellfish for the last trimester and duration of breastfeeding and until the child is five." My dd has egg allergy and he made no mention of avoiding eggs. I cannot avoid everything anyway!

Gosh, between the listeria scare and not being allowed deli meats, and softe cheeses, no fish with mercury, no nuts, no shellfish and I try to avoid cholesterol in beef, it sure does not leave much! Honestly, though, the hardest for me to give up is a good cold cut sandwich more than the allergens. But I crave eggs when pg! They have iron and I am anemic. becca[/b]

This ticks me off a bit. Only bc I would think that Ob/gyns should be informing their patients of this. Even after I have mentioned to my Ob/gyn that my son is PA, I was never told to avoid shellfish. He told me to stay away from peanuts during breastfeeding only. Although I have eaten shrimp on more than one occasion during this last trimester, I am going to avoid it now.

Not sure if this is the right place for this post but here goes.

NO One told me not to eat certain things when I was preg. or breastfeeding. Seems like the things I eat are the things my son has an allergy to.

I was very upset when I found out my son was PA because I had all the pamphlets from the public health nurses (Canada & US) and NO WHERE did it comment on PEANUTS. Better yet WIC & candaian food banks give out PB to expecting mothers????? HELLO

I broke down one day when the Public Nutritionist was over & should her all this crap the countys give out. My point was if you are not giving the best & 100% of important info don't give any, then we would do more reseach.

Anyway the last time she was here she told me that they were re printing the pamphlets & she fought hard to have the Peanut warning added. She said it was quite the fight as some people didn't want it in there because PB is full of protein & cheap & they would rather have people eat it then nothing!!!

Anyway she got it added. Thanks God (hope it safes some families from every experiencing this allergy)

She also gave me a list of food from each food group. This list was in order of the most allergic & less common allergens. She suggested if I were to try for another child to start eating the foods at the bottom of the list.

Perhaps your local public health dept. could get you something like this.

sorry for the long post

Yes, OBs shold be more aware of this food allergy issue. Interestingly, my neighbor has the same doctor as I, and *was* told to avoid PN to some degree, and there is no allergic history in her family! I am pg now, due exactly 1 year after her, and never said a word to me, and I am sure I have mentioned my dd's allergies. I actually know what to do and was seeing if it would come up.

In fact, when I was complaining about food choices due to other restrictions/convenience, etc... in a light hearted way, the assistant suggested I eat nuts as a health ysnack and part of more frequent light meals! I told her of dd's allergies and she sort of shrugged it off like, "never mind." But this should be advice for at least those with a history across the board.

I am thinking i will prepare a packet of articles and info for them and just pass it along as something they might consider more seriously.

I should add that I had a serious genetic concern at the outset of my pregnancy that may have side tracked them from the usual advice and routine. Having been(now "retired") a medical practiioner, I do realize how short time can be with patients due to insurance driven restrictions and reimbursements. becca

thanks Momjd for the great helpful links!

I was never told to avoid peanutbutter when pregnant and nursing and do get angry about that too. With all the press PA has receved recently and the AAP changing their recommendation of no nuts till 3 or 5 yr old for those with history of allergy, I'm hoping OB's and pedis will come around very soon.