Question

[Guest guest]

this is the defintion at the PETA site:

Gelatin. Gel.

Protein obtained by boiling skin, tendons,

ligaments, and/or bones with water. From

cows and pigs. Used in shampoos, face masks, and

other cosmetics. Used as a

thickener for fruit gelatins and puddings (e.g.,

" Jello " ). In candies, marshmallows,

cakes, ice cream, yogurts. On photographic film and

in vitamins as a coating and

as capsules. Sometimes used to assist in " clearing "

wines. Alternatives: carrageen

(carrageenan, Irish moss), seaweeds (algin,

agar-agar, kelp--used in jellies,

plastics, medicine), pectin from fruits, dextrins,

locust bean gum, cotton gum, silica

gel. Marshmallows were originally made from the root

of the marsh mallow plant.

Vegetarian capsules are now available from several

companies. Digital cameras

don't use film.

 

 

 

 

 

Doberlady [Doberlady]

Wednesday, June 23, 1999 10:41 AM

Veg-Recipes

question

 

 

Doberlady

 

 

I have a question regarding gelatin, what exactly is in it?? thanks

 

debbie

 

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[Guest guest]

Debbie:

When I answered this question on another list not too long ago, it

started a big huge " debate " . It wasn't a vegetarian list, so, hopefully,

that won't be a problem on this list. ha ha!

To answer your question -- gelatin is a product that is made by boiling

animal parts such as horns, hooves, bones, and even entire cow heads until

all the gelatinous substance comes out, then it is dried and called gelatin.

Yuck, yuck, yuck.

I've heard that they also use parts from horses, but I don't know if

it's true or not. Like it or not, slaughter houses in the U.S. do " process "

horses to sell the meat to other countries and possibly for dog food in the

U.S.

 

Karen

 

 

>Doberlady

>

>

>I have a question regarding gelatin, what exactly is in it?? thanks

>

>debbie

>

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>

>Having difficulty getting " in synch " with list members?

>

>Try ONElist's Shared Calendar to organize events, meetings and more!

>

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>To post to list: " Veg-Recipes "

>To contact List Owner: " Veg-Recipes-owner "

>Subscribe or Un through ONElist site:

>

>

[Guest guest]

Any thing of that ilk will be fine, Kitty. Don't mind stuff being forwarded on to this group, as long as there's no disturbing pictures.

- P.

[Guest guest]

Dolly,

 

I am not sure about an answer for your question regarding the

substitution of tofu FOR the 'cream cheese'. The best vegan cheesecake I

have made required both. I posted the recipe for it on this list, so

should be in the archives under Tofu Cheesecake, if you are interested.

(you can make plain or chocolate--my personal fav).

 

~Raye~

From the sublime to the ridiculous is but a step.

 

 

On Sun, 07 Jan 2001 19:00:22 " Dunno Nuttin " <peacedabear

writes:

> Hi,

>

> I am ashamed to admit that I made a cheesecake (with cream cheese)

> for my

> in-laws for xmas (they requested it). Anyhoooooo.... I used a recipe

> that

> I'd found some time back, and everyone and I do mean everyone raved

> about

> how good it was. Now my question is this; I know I can use the

> tofutti (or

> equivalent brand) " cream cheese " but can tofu be used as a

> substitute for

> the cream cheese? It is a cheesecake you bake for about an hour....

> will it

> taste ok or do I need to use the cream cheese sub?

>

> Thanks :-)

> Dolly

>

>

>

>

> _______________

> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

>

>

>

>

 

______________

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Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit:

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[Guest guest]

Kelly,

This could be due to your transition. It's hard to tell.

Make sure you are drinking plenty of water. You may be detoxing a little

fast. Keep going and things will get better.

Try to keep track of anything you are craving. Eat plenty of veggies,

especially greens to help your body stay a bit more alkaline.

You can email me privately if you have any specific concerns.

Laura

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Kelly, I think It could have to do with your not feeling to well...

Meat takes at least double the time to digest, So think about it, All that

rotting flesh in your system messing up the harmony that the veggie's bring

inside... Ha Ha just wanted to add a little humor... When I was pregnant I

got these meat cravings and I would eat a little here and there and I used to

get really bad gas pains for about 2 days till all the meat was out of my

system (I know, a little too much info) but I definitely think that it is

affecting you... ..... Mia

[Guest guest]

Hi,

My main reason for becoming Veggie was due to hormone problems. The DOCTOR ...

Actually told me that hormones in meat products and milk could mess up your

balance. I am a true believer now because I am almost totally without the

problems I had...frequent periods, bad mood swings and of course the mother of

all the PMS. I also found that increasing the soy intake and calcium at those

times helps so much!

I know that I don't ever want those problems again after suffering for the last

2 years and know that meat was my evil product!

Hope you're having better days now,

Rhonda

 

 

 

-

mantha

Tuesday, April 17, 2001 8:47 AM

 

question

 

 

 

I have a question. I have been slowly converting to a vegetarian

diet. I've not had meat for a while until Saturday and Sunday.

Today I am very moody and irritable (not PMS, ruled that out

already). My question is could meat be causing this moodiness and

irritability?

Thanks,

Kelly

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Amen to that!

I had the EXACT same problems. Getting off of meat has helped me

incredibly. If I consume too many dairy products I show definite effects.

There is truth to this!

 

Good Luck and Many Blessings!

Renee

-

" Rhonda Tuck " <herbalgirl

" _yah "

Tuesday, April 17, 2001 3:36 PM

Re: question

 

 

> Hi,

> My main reason for becoming Veggie was due to hormone problems. The

DOCTOR ... Actually told me that hormones in meat products and milk could

mess up your balance. I am a true believer now because I am almost totally

without the problems I had...frequent periods, bad mood swings and of course

the mother of all the PMS. I also found that increasing the soy intake and

calcium at those times helps so much!

> I know that I don't ever want those problems again after suffering for the

last 2 years and know that meat was my evil product!

> Hope you're having better days now,

> Rhonda

>

>

>

> -

> mantha

> Tuesday, April 17, 2001 8:47 AM

>

> question

>

>

>

> I have a question. I have been slowly converting to a vegetarian

> diet. I've not had meat for a while until Saturday and Sunday.

> Today I am very moody and irritable (not PMS, ruled that out

> already). My question is could meat be causing this moodiness and

> irritability?

> Thanks,

> Kelly

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for all the input! It sounds like this may very well be my problem. I

am finally feeling somewhat normal today - I'm not as irritable and the headache

and stomach ache are gone.

I think that I have approached this all wrong though. Does anyone have any

info, webpage, etc that would be helpful for a beginner? Any good detox

programs to start out with? I have read the Diamonds books (Harvey & Marilyn).

I like what they say and would love to be so disciplined but it's just too much

to start out with.

Thanks again.

Kelly

P.S. I bought some milk (dairy) the other day and my son would not touch

it!!!!! (he has always been a REAL milk drinker!!!!) Progress -

yippee!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

-

Renee Jean

Wednesday, April 18, 2001 9:18 AM

Re: question

 

 

Amen to that!

I had the EXACT same problems. Getting off of meat has helped me

incredibly. If I consume too many dairy products I show definite effects.

There is truth to this!

 

Good Luck and Many Blessings!

Renee

-

" Rhonda Tuck " <herbalgirl

" _yah "

Tuesday, April 17, 2001 3:36 PM

Re: question

 

 

> Hi,

> My main reason for becoming Veggie was due to hormone problems. The

DOCTOR ... Actually told me that hormones in meat products and milk could

mess up your balance. I am a true believer now because I am almost totally

without the problems I had...frequent periods, bad mood swings and of course

the mother of all the PMS. I also found that increasing the soy intake and

calcium at those times helps so much!

> I know that I don't ever want those problems again after suffering for the

last 2 years and know that meat was my evil product!

> Hope you're having better days now,

> Rhonda

>

>

>

> -

> mantha

> Tuesday, April 17, 2001 8:47 AM

>

> question

>

>

>

> I have a question. I have been slowly converting to a vegetarian

> diet. I've not had meat for a while until Saturday and Sunday.

> Today I am very moody and irritable (not PMS, ruled that out

> already). My question is could meat be causing this moodiness and

> irritability?

> Thanks,

> Kelly

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

If in doubt, don't consume

 

Graham

 

-

" Sergio Baca " <vegan

<vegan-network >

Wednesday, May 30, 2001 00:33

question

 

 

> There is a question on forum:

>

> " Hi, I am a strict vegan and when something says only natural flavours

> I don't eat it. I am curious to know if the natural flavours, natural

> strawberry flavour, natural chocolate flavour..etc.that are in Soy

> Delicious and Rice Dream ice creams are vegan. Also, besides the fake

> cheese slices, are all Yves products vegan? Such as the faux ground

> round, faux sausages and faux back bacon. Thank you "

>

> Can anybody answer it on this URL:

> http://www.vegtalk.org/viewtopic.php?topic=11 & forum=6 & 0

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

vegan-network, bevlongsden@e... wrote:

> Does anyone know of Vegan groups in the Wolverhampton/West Midlands

> area?

 

I don't know the area, but you could look if there is a local Vegan

Society contact near you, if anyone has a group, or knows of other

groups in the area, they will

http://www.vegansociety.com/lc/lcmids.html

 

Lesley

[Guest guest]

vegan-network, bevlongsden@e... wrote:

> Does anyone know of Vegan groups in the Wolverhampton/West Midlands

> area?

 

Another listing of groups in your area. I noticed there was a vegan

group listed.

 

http://www.veggies.org.uk/acd/europe/uk/england/countyw.htm#WMid

 

Lesley

[Guest guest]

Hi,

 

I've been a spectator on this list for a while now. I really appreciate all

your input. I'm a " to be " vegetarian parent so that's why I signed up...to

start learning ahead of time. I'm now pregnant and I'm due in 6 months with

my first child. I'm vegan and intend to raise my child vegan or atleast

near-vegan. My question to all of you is a little off topic, but here it

goes. I would like to here from those who were pregnant while being vegan.

My gynacologist says I have to gain 30-35 pounds because I'm a thin person.

I'm going to shoot for it, but every story I read about where the mother is

vegan, the weight gain is only about 20 pounds. I'm past the first trimester

(no weight gain) and am still experiencing nausea which really interferes

with my appetite. I don't eat junk food and don't put weight on very easily

(even when I wasn't vegan/vegetarian). I'm worried that if weight gain is

slow, they'll start questioning my diet and I reeeeaaallly don't want to go

through all that. Any suggestions? What was your weight gain like? How

much did you gain and was it slow? What did you do to help with weight gain

and doctors?

 

Any experience you could share with me would be soooooo helpful. I can't

just have a home delivery because there's a very good chance that I must

have a C-section since my mother and my older sister had to have all of

their babies c-section because their pelvis was too small (genetics). I'm

suffering alot of anxiety over this right now. Please Help!!!!

Thanks!

 

Shelly

[Guest guest]

I was not on a vegetarian diet when I was pregnant, though I did not really eat

a lot of meat, mostly veggies (do French fries count? LOL), fruits and yogurt. I

gained nearly 50 pounds. OK, I assimilate even the air I breathe. But still...

first of all, I noticed that I started gaining weight when I got rid of all the

stress in my life (I was underweight when I got pregnant.), so my first

suggestion is RELAX. Don't start worrying now for the chance that you might have

to get a C section. In any case, when the C section is planned it's much easier

on the baby than a long/difficult labor.

 

Then, just try to make sure you do get the calories you need during the day. I

noticed that it's very hard on a vegetarian diet to get up to the amount of

calories you even tend to surpass on an omnivorous diet. Make sure your diet is

balanced and don't put too much effort on it, the body tends to have digestion

and metab problems when one has negative feelings. My mom is an omnivorous and

she only gained 19 pounds when she was pregnant with me, and I am extremely

healthy.

 

Hugs,

 

" My darling girl, when are you going to understand

that being normal isn't necessarily a virtue.

It rather denotes a lack of courage! "

 

Aunt Frances in Practical Magic

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Shelly;

My first recommendation would be to find a midwife. Cases of true pelvic

disporportion are very rare and it sounds as if your doctor is already set on a

c-section (it's much easier for him/her that way). A midwife would make every

effort to help you deliver vaginally--much better for you and baby. I was not

vegan when I was pregnant, just eating a healthy diet, but never gained any

weight in my first trimester with any of my four babies. My babies weighed 8

lbs, 1oz, 11 pounds, 10 lbs, 1 oz. and 8lbs, 6oz. I read a study once that

linked babies weight to middle trimester weight gain -- which was indeed when I

always gained my weight. It is very possible to have an 8 pound baby with only a

20 pound weight gain, if that weight gain comes from highly nutritous foods.

Women who put on 50 pounds eating ho hos are not doing themselves or their

babies any favors. You should concentrate on the quality of your food rather

than the quantity. If you're having trouble gaining any weight at all, have a

soy milk smoothie before bed. If naseau is a problem try grazing all the time

rather than trying to put away larger meals. You'll probably find that the

naseau will end very soon and your appetite will increase.

 

Pregnancy is such a sacred time, I hate to hear stories of women panicked by

their doctors. I had a wonderful midwife with my last two babies who was like a

sister to me. She respected all of my desires and I had beautiful, peaceful

homebirths.

 

Deborah

 

 

-

Shelly Eades

Wednesday, September 05, 2001 7:41 PM

RE: question

 

 

 

 

Hi,

 

I've been a spectator on this list for a while now. I really appreciate all

your input. I'm a " to be " vegetarian parent so that's why I signed up...to

start learning ahead of time. I'm now pregnant and I'm due in 6 months with

my first child. I'm vegan and intend to raise my child vegan or atleast

near-vegan. My question to all of you is a little off topic, but here it

goes. I would like to here from those who were pregnant while being vegan.

My gynacologist says I have to gain 30-35 pounds because I'm a thin person.

I'm going to shoot for it, but every story I read about where the mother is

vegan, the weight gain is only about 20 pounds. I'm past the first trimester

(no weight gain) and am still experiencing nausea which really interferes

with my appetite. I don't eat junk food and don't put weight on very easily

(even when I wasn't vegan/vegetarian). I'm worried that if weight gain is

slow, they'll start questioning my diet and I reeeeaaallly don't want to go

through all that. Any suggestions? What was your weight gain like? How

much did you gain and was it slow? What did you do to help with weight gain

and doctors?

 

Any experience you could share with me would be soooooo helpful. I can't

just have a home delivery because there's a very good chance that I must

have a C-section since my mother and my older sister had to have all of

their babies c-section because their pelvis was too small (genetics). I'm

suffering alot of anxiety over this right now. Please Help!!!!

Thanks!

 

Shelly

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

You know Shelly, it's funny you would say that, because I have always been one

of those vegans that has NO trouble whatsoever with maintaining and gaining

weight. In fact, I

could stand to lose another 20 pounds! I'm not really overweight, I've just

always tended to gain, and had trouble losing. This was true when I was a meat

eater, a lacto-ovo

veg, and now a vegan (for about 6 years). I gained 35 pounds with my pregnancy,

at a typical speed. I actually lost 8 lbs in the first trimester, due to nasty

nausea, and then

made that up and gained an additional 35 pounds by the end. I am 6 months

postpartum now, and only have 3 lbs to go to get to prepreg weight (did that

only by being hungry a

lot, and not allowing any snacking. The breastfeeding helps a lot too.) If

you're worried about not gaining enough, I would just advise you to eat as much

GOOD food as you

can. I had a few too many frozen rice dream treats in the second trimester. )

Arm yourself with lots of sound nutrition info on vegan preg, so that your docs

can't jump all

over you. Eat higher fat/protein foods, like nut butters, olive oil, avocado,

walnuts, soy foods, insure a good omega 3 source like walnuts or flax. Check

out Becoming Vegan by

Davis and Melina - it has a good section on vegan preg. I know women who only

gained 20 or so pounds, and were thin to begin with, and I don't think it's a

bad thing, but maybe

try counting calories for a week, and see if you can't get a good 2300 in with

50-60 grams of protein per day. If you're still nauseated, that might not

happen, just make sure

to take a good prenatal supplement for now, and eat what you can. I literally

didn't eat for 4 weeks, and no one cared. My diet before hand had been good, so

I wasn't too

worried. The best advice I would give you to deal with the docs is read every

vegan nutrition book you can about pregnancy. Furthermore, if it doesn't come

up, you don't have

to discuss your veganism. For example, at one point, my midwives told me to eat

more protein in the morning, to help with some problems I was having. They

suggested some yogurt

or an egg. I just nodded, and made an effort to have some toast with nutbutter

in the morning, or some soy bacon or sausage (which my husband and I love.) You

can take their

nutritional advice to heart, but just realize that there's NOTHING in an animal

food you can't get in better form from a plant food. You just need to make

appropriate

substitutions, and you don't need to tell the doc, if it will save you a

headache.

Leena

--

" Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the child as it

is to the caterpillar. "

Bradley Miller

 

All beings tremble before violence.

All love life.

All fear death.

See yourself in others.

Then whom can you hurt?

What harm can you do?

-The Buddha

[Guest guest]

Shelly,

If you are eating a healthy diet and are making sure you are getting all your

vitamins and minerals from whole plant sources, then regardless of whether or

not you gain weight your baby will be fine. Nausea is very common, I had little

to no weight gain in my first trimesters with both of my children, and ended up

with only about a 15 pound weight gain total, although I was lacto ovo at the

time. I remember eating a lot of potatoes (LOL).

Your ob has no right telling you that you " should " gain a certain amount of

weight, nor does she have any right telling you that because of genetics you

will need a cesarean. My first ob told me that my pelvis was too small and gave

me a cesarean, then with my second daughter I had a wonderful midwife assist me

with another 9+ pound baby vaginal delivery and told me there was " plenty of

room " for a bigger baby. I knew it was BS about the reasons for the cesarean.

You give birth to a baby you are able to deliver, unless you marry a man whose

entire family is huge and you are from a tiny family.

Having done extensive research in this area and hearing what your ob has already

told you, in my opinion you should look for another ob. Cesareans should never

be taken lightly as a birth option.

Good luck and feel free to email me personally anytime!

Bonnie

 

-

Shelly Eades

Wednesday, September 05, 2001 5:41 PM

RE: question

 

 

 

 

Hi,

 

I've been a spectator on this list for a while now. I really appreciate all

your input. I'm a " to be " vegetarian parent so that's why I signed up...to

start learning ahead of time. I'm now pregnant and I'm due in 6 months with

my first child. I'm vegan and intend to raise my child vegan or atleast

near-vegan. My question to all of you is a little off topic, but here it

goes. I would like to here from those who were pregnant while being vegan.

My gynacologist says I have to gain 30-35 pounds because I'm a thin person.

I'm going to shoot for it, but every story I read about where the mother is

vegan, the weight gain is only about 20 pounds. I'm past the first trimester

(no weight gain) and am still experiencing nausea which really interferes

with my appetite. I don't eat junk food and don't put weight on very easily

(even when I wasn't vegan/vegetarian). I'm worried that if weight gain is

slow, they'll start questioning my diet and I reeeeaaallly don't want to go

through all that. Any suggestions? What was your weight gain like? How

much did you gain and was it slow? What did you do to help with weight gain

and doctors?

 

Any experience you could share with me would be soooooo helpful. I can't

just have a home delivery because there's a very good chance that I must

have a C-section since my mother and my older sister had to have all of

their babies c-section because their pelvis was too small (genetics). I'm

suffering alot of anxiety over this right now. Please Help!!!!

Thanks!

 

Shelly

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I had a baby 10 months ago and I am vegan. I gained 40lbs and I am not sure how

I gained that much, but I did. I am still trying to lose some of it. I had no

problems being vegan while being pregnant. My doctor was supportive, he had no

problem with me being vegan. When I was in the labor and delivery ward at the

hospital the nurses couldn't believe I was vegan b/c I gained so much weight. I

was induced b/c my daughter stopped gaining weight (which had nothing to do with

me being vegan). She was just about one month early. When people look at her

now they can't believe she was a month early. When my husband and I got to take

her home she was only 4lbs. We were very surprised that they let us take her

home. She was born on Wednesday and we went home on that Friday. She'll be 10

months tomorrow and she weights over 20lbs. I am amazed at how wonderful she

turned out. Anyway, sorry I got a little off track. Do you eat a lot of soy

foods? What is a typical food day for you? If I hear a little about what you

eat I can tell you what I ate/still eat.

 

Dana

 

>>> Shelly Eades<sgeades 09/05/01 08:41PM >>>

 

 

Hi,

 

I've been a spectator on this list for a while now. I really appreciate all

your input. I'm a " to be " vegetarian parent so that's why I signed up...to

start learning ahead of time. I'm now pregnant and I'm due in 6 months with

my first child. I'm vegan and intend to raise my child vegan or atleast

near-vegan. My question to all of you is a little off topic, but here it

goes. I would like to here from those who were pregnant while being vegan.

My gynacologist says I have to gain 30-35 pounds because I'm a thin person.

I'm going to shoot for it, but every story I read about where the mother is

vegan, the weight gain is only about 20 pounds. I'm past the first trimester

(no weight gain) and am still experiencing nausea which really interferes

with my appetite. I don't eat junk food and don't put weight on very easily

(even when I wasn't vegan/vegetarian). I'm worried that if weight gain is

slow, they'll start questioning my diet and I reeeeaaallly don't want to go

through all that. Any suggestions? What was your weight gain like? How

much did you gain and was it slow? What did you do to help with weight gain

and doctors?

 

Any experience you could share with me would be soooooo helpful. I can't

just have a home delivery because there's a very good chance that I must

have a C-section since my mother and my older sister had to have all of

their babies c-section because their pelvis was too small (genetics). I'm

suffering alot of anxiety over this right now. Please Help!!!!

Thanks!

 

Shelly

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/7/01 6:11:24 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

sgeades writes:

 

 

> . I can't

> just have a home delivery because there's a very good chance that I must

> have a C-section since my mother and my older sister had to have all of

> their babies c-section because their pelvis was too small (genetics)

 

my friend these things and the weight gains are not true, Please go see a

midwife that does home deliveries. This does not mean that you have to have

your baby at home but I am sure that she will help you with all of these

worries. Please go to a large book store and get some of the good books that

help you work out fears and birth fears that you have picked up from your

mother. Sweetie you will not need to have a c, it is by no means easier than

doing the hard work of birthing your own baby. Stop reading all of those

trash books and mags written for people that have not yet learned to trust

themselves and think that it is easier to just turn themselves over to a Dr.

..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-

¸.·´ .·´¨¨))

((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Felice-:¦:-

-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*

 

" My darling girl, when are you going to understand

that being normal isn't necessarily a virtue.

It rather denotes a lack of courage! "

Aunt Frances in Practical Magic

 

" Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the child as

it is to the caterpillar. "

Bradley Miller

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Shelly,

 

1) I agree with the other list members who suggest you get a second

opinion, whether from another doctor or a midwife, on both counts

(weight gain & C-section).

 

2) During my first (successful) pregnancy, I had 9 months of nausea.

One of the few things I could keep down was peanuts. Now, that didn't

turn out so well because my daughter was born allergic to peanuts

(life-threatening allergy), but fortunately the sensitivity disappeared

by the age of 3. Still, I would caution you from eating *too* much

peanut butter. (Studies are inconclusive at this point as to whether or

not fetal exposure to peanuts can trigger the allergy.) My point is

this: peanuts are one of only two things that automatically put on

weight for me (the other is beer, not an option I choose while

pregnant). You might also have something like this. Perhaps avocados?

Something with a lot of fat (duh).

 

3) Any doctor who says you " must " gain a certain weight has not done

much in the way of recent research. If anything, the concern is not to

gain too much (but hey, in my family we all gain at least 50 pounds

every time, with no health consequences to either ourselves or our

babies, so even that is suspect in my mind). The way to tell if you're

gaining the " right " amount is if the baby is developing normally.

That's it. There's no magic number on the scale.

 

3) Common wisdom (fact?) is that the height & weight charts for infants

are based on formula-fed babies of the 1950's. As a result, breast-fed

babies have a tendency to score low. It doesn't mean they aren't

healthy, just that they haven't put on so much fat. Perhaps the

weight-gain assumption made by your doctor is also based on a false

premise: that every expectant mother eats meat, which translates into

more fat gain.

 

4) Current medical assumptions in obstetrics are not what they were

when your mother had children. Maybe your big sister also assumed what

you are assuming, or had an out-of-date doctor. And even if they were

correctly diagnosed as being " too small " to deliver vaginally, it

doesn't necessarily have any bearing on your condition.

 

5) If your baby is smaller because you don't gain " enough " weight, then

won't that make giving birth easier with your supposedly small pelvis?

Just a thought!

 

Liz

[Guest guest]

I'm 12 weeks into my second vegan pregnancy. During

my first pregnancy I had extreme nausea and heartburn,

but still gained 28 pounds and had a 7lb 12 oz. baby.

I've been nauseous to a lesser extent during this

pregnancy, but for some reason eating a lot seems to

make my stomach feel better. I've already gained

about 10 pounds, and I believe this is too much. I

need to try to slow it down.

 

If you are eating a healthy vegan diet, your baby will

be fine regardless of what your scale registers.

Consider yourself lucky if you are one of those women

who doesn't gain a lot of weight during pregnancy.

 

I know that some of us are a little paranoid about

what the medical profession thinks of our diet.

(sometimes for good reason) Many tolerate our diet

for an adult, but when it comes to pregnancy or

children think we are being reckless. I live in the

un-enlightened Midwest (Ohio) and overall have found

the medical profession very supportive. The only

person who seemed a little alarmed that I was vegan

was an old nurse who worked in the doctor's office.

Even she was very nice, and she brought me in some

information on soy protein. (I already knew this

information, but I was nice and thanked her anyway.)

I had to see a registered dietician at the end of my

pregnancy because I had gestational diabetes, and even

she was supportive. I told her what I ate, and she

added up all the numbers and said I was getting plenty

of all nutrients. The only non-supportive comments I

got during my pregnancy were from family members.

 

I really think that being vegan during pregnancy is a

non-issue as long as you are eating healthy. Good

luck and let us know how it goes.

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Deborah wrote:

 

> My first recommendation would be to find a midwife. Cases of

> true pelvic disporportion are very rare and it sounds as if

> your doctor is already set on a c-section (it's much easier

> for him/her that way). A midwife would make every effort to

> help you deliver vaginally--much better for you and baby.

 

Thanks for your thoughts. I should have explained that the c-section thing

was my own thoughts. The doctor hasn't mentioned anything like that. My

sister and mother all had small babies and tried to push them out vaginally

but the babies (6 in all) wouldn't fit throught their pelvis (we are all

very petite) I guess I've just accepted that there is a good possibility

that I'll have to follow their example and have a c-section too. But I'm

definetely going to try vaginally just as they did.

 

I'll definetely continue to eat healthy (I already sent by typical daily

menu) and hope for the best. I just fear that my gyn. will ask what I'm

eating if I don't gain weight like she expects.

 

Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your thoughts Leena!

 

> Furthermore, if it doesn't come up, you don't have to discuss your

veganism. For example, at one point, my

> midwives told me to eat more protein in the morning, to help

> with some problems I was having. They suggested some yogurt

> or an egg. I just nodded, and made an effort to have some

> toast with nutbutter in the morning, or some soy bacon or

> sausage (which my husband and I love.) You can take their

> nutritional advice to heart, but just realize that there's

> NOTHING in an animal food you can't get in better form from a

> plant food. You just need to make appropriate

> substitutions, and you don't need to tell the doc, if it will

> save you a headache.

> Leena

> --

> " Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable

> to the child as it is to the caterpillar. "

> Bradley Miller

>

> All beings tremble before violence.

> All love life.

> All fear death.

> See yourself in others.

> Then whom can you hurt?

> What harm can you do?

> -The Buddha

[Guest guest]

Bonnie wrote:

 

> I had little

> to no weight gain in my first trimesters with both of my

> children, and ended up with only about a 15 pound weight gain

> total, although I was lacto ovo at the time. I remember

> eating a lot of potatoes (LOL).

 

Can you tell me how much your baby weighed? I seem to love potatoes too

The problem is that they are so filling that it's hard to eat much of

anything else.

 

> Your ob has no right telling you that you " should " gain a

> certain amount of weight, nor does she have any right telling

> you that because of genetics you will need a cesarean. My

> first ob told me that my pelvis was too small and gave me a

> cesarean, then with my second daughter I had a wonderful

> midwife assist me with another 9+ pound baby vaginal delivery

> and told me there was " plenty of room " for a bigger baby. I

> knew it was BS about the reasons for the cesarean.

 

My doctor hasn't actually said anything about a c-section, I just drew my

own conclusions because of what my mother and sister went through. Those

are interesting thoughts and very encouraging. I will look into getting a

midwife.

 

> You give

> birth to a baby you are able to deliver, unless you marry a

> man whose entire family is huge and you are from a tiny family.

 

Uh oh! My husband's family is pretty big (6 feet and taller with big

bones), my family runs about 5-5'8 ft or so and on the petite side. My

husband is only 5'6 and that's because they believe that his growth was

stunted by giving him ritalin when he was younger.

 

Do you know if having an epidural has an effect on delivering naturally? My

sister and mother, all had epidurals when they tried the vaginal route.

Perhaps it messes things up?

 

Thanks for your comments!

[Guest guest]

I was vegan during my pregnancy some odd 4 years ago. I gained 60 pounds.

By the time I found out I was pregnant I had already gained 2-3 pounds. I

lived primarily on spinach, kale, brown rice and smoothies while pregnant.

My last week of pregnancy I gained 5 lbs. My daughter weighed 8.5 lbs. I

was underweight but not emaciated at all, just naturally skinny. Losing

that weight was very difficult, I still have 5 pounds or so, but having

everything in shape again is more important.

 

Contact a midwife if possible.

 

Anyway congratulations,

 

Natalie

 

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