I need support

[Rhianon]

Dear all,

I wrote a post before asking about Raw and pregnancy and got some good info but I feel as though Im at a point in my life where something is happening inside of me. I keep telling myself "after the baby is born then I will go Raw and get really healthy but meanwhile I feel terrible a lot of the time and Im in the second trimester where every body says you are supposed to feel better but I just feel tired, achy, old (and Im only 22), sick, depressed and all I want to do is eat raw now. The budgets been a little tight lately but it should be lightening up starting in December. Anyway I just feel like I need support. I feel like I need to hear others that have done this and what has happened. I just feel deep in my soul that God has been leading me to raw foods for the past two years and now Im at a point where I know that Raw is the answer but I just dont know what to do; especially being pregnant I hear all this stuff about milk and eggs, milk and eggs, and lots of protein and Im just getting more and more confused. Anyway...please if anybody feels moved to share your experiences or just know what to do or say please help. I just know that raw is the answer, I just need to know how to apply it.

Thank you ~ Rhianon (22 weeks and counting)

[tanishamarshall]

hi Rhianon,

I can't share about being pregnant but I can say follow your intiution, if it's telling you, raw is better I think you should seriously consider it.

There are several women who went through raw pregnancies and have felt great and they seem to bounce back quickly.

I wish you the best, please let me know if you need some questions answered regarding milk and protein, I would be happy to explain. You can email me by clicking on my username.

[SuBu]

I have not been in your situation, but I didn't want to leave you hanging. Perhaps you could begin transitioning while you are pregnant. Incorporate more raw fruits and veggies and back off some of the junk. Then commit to raw after the baby is here. My daughter is pregnant and we work together. I bring raw goodies for her almost daily. I know she's going to eat her way, but if I can slip in a little goodness along the way...! Remember that every good thing you put in your body will help your little one too. No need to wait until "after". But you are wise to follow your heart. Just take it slowly and sneak up on it. You'll be raw and radiant before you know it. Hoping the best for you and your family.

[DavidZaneMason]

I think Subu is exactly correct. You are young...of course. It is the course over a lifetime that will yield you to your dreams. If you project out your dreams over the course of a lifetime....you CAN make your changes slowly...and at a pace that is right for you.

My opinion is that your changes DURING pregnancy should be gradual and small - with major changes to take place after the PREGNANCY PROJECT is completed! LOL.

-Happiness and health to you and your family!

-David Z. Mason

[tanishamarshall]

Yes I agree as well with making a gradual process.

[maui_butterfly]

do it! if you are struggling with it and it feels forced, don't do it. but RELAX about it, because if its your path you can't help but walk it. "what is for you will not pass you by." we can't avoid our paths, we can experience them as struggle OR freedom.

but check out this family of raw foodists for many years, many pregnancies, healthy happy kids...

http://www.thegardendiet.com/

[StarFire]

DavidZaneMason - has some really great advice.... but also -- follow your intuition,

ISN'T THERE A SECTION here on RFT (down below some where on the main directory page) for raw and pregnancy - or raw mommies or raw with kids?? You might be able to get some answers from people that have been in (or are currently in your situation..)

perhaps you could also google Storm and Jinjee (not sure of their names) but they have gone thru raw pregnancies...

blessings on your journey!

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/ththliloandstitchhug.gif

[Banshee]

Hang in there!!
I'm 33 weeks pregnant, and it was well into my second trimester before I stopped feeling totally horrid. I was raw before the pregnancy, and around 6-8 weeks I "fell off the wagon" so to speak because I was so sick, and it wasn't until the past 4-5 weeks that I've been able to jump back on. Since I've been doing raw again I've noticed that when I slip and eat sad I feel crappy, so I stay away as much as possible...and I feel really really crappy if I eat animal products. I rely on spinach, kale and almonds for calcium....I'm not really worried about protein anymore because I know that what's "required" in the SAD diet is too high. I'm just trying to eat what i crave and what makes me feel good.

I felt crazy for awhile...tired...depressed...my hormones and mood have finally evened out...and I'm owing that to the increase in raw.

So don't beat yourself up...if you feel you're ready to do this now, go for it. You're doc/midwife is monitoring the baby's growth and if you're still on target you're doing great. Take it slow or jump right in, whatever you feel like.

You'll know what feels right.
Congratulations!!!

[EZ rider]

Science has shown that cooking kills many of the nutrients in food. I think fresh raw food has more nutrients and is healthier then cooked food. I think fresh raw food is healthier for everybody, young & old, big & small.

[klomasius]

Hi Rhianon,

I can't tell you about raw and pregnancy, but I can tell you about being vegan and being pregnant.

You don't need egg, milk, etc to have a healthy pregnancy, I and many others have proven again and again that this is completely untrue.

With raw, there are now many that are also disproving the theory that raw isn't healthy for pregnancy, Jinjee for instance who has had I think four raw pregnancies and looks fantastic and healthy.

Yep, agree with everyone about the gradual thing, and just relax, the last thing you need to be worried about is going raw and stressing about it. Take the pregnancy as an opportunity to rest up and relax if you can, once they come out it all gets a bit hectic!

All the best, and chin up! You will make it if you want to no matter how long it takes you!

Big smiles!

[tiggerbounce]

I agree with what everyone has said, just wanted to add:

You are growing another living being inside of you. You should be tired, etc. You MAY be less tired, etc during the second trimester but every pregnancy is different. Even for the same person. I have known people to have terrible morning sickness all day every day for the 9 months and actually lost weight during pregnancy. Your body is unique and will resond in its own way. The more healthy and fresh things you give your body the better it is for both you and the baby.

I craved fresh fruit and especially watermelon when pregnant. So I ate it whenever I wanted to.

Follow your intuition and you will do fine.

Take care!

[justinesmith]

Everyone has such great advice. As far as milk and eggs ~ those items are recommended because people don't know any better. Take all that pregnancy advice with a grain of salt ~ it's all based on cooked food people. Best of luck and CONGRATULATIONS on that little babe. :D