Sept 30, 2014
Craving for certain foods during pregnancy is a well known phenomenon. I was also hoping that when I got pregnant I could eat all the food I wanted without the slightest botheration about gaining weight because I would be expected to gain weight anyway. Then during the days of OHSS I developed an aversion for most foods and the bloating of stomach made sure that I could not eat much. Later on, I also developed a liking for raw mangoes and some raw fruits like jambu (champakka/wax apple). During the initial months I had severe morning thickness which lasted till the afternoon, vomiting bitter yellow liquid 3-4 times every morning. It was a horrible time, yet it was very comforting. It assured me that everything was fine, I was still producing beta hcG and all was well inside. On a rare morning when I felt no sickness it scared the hell out of me. But the nausea attacked with a vengeance later in the day. Those days I had the same pre-pregnancy diet.
Craving for certain foods during pregnancy is a well known phenomenon. I was also hoping that when I got pregnant I could eat all the food I wanted without the slightest botheration about gaining weight because I would be expected to gain weight anyway. Then during the days of OHSS I developed an aversion for most foods and the bloating of stomach made sure that I could not eat much. Later on, I also developed a liking for raw mangoes and some raw fruits like jambu (champakka/wax apple). During the initial months I had severe morning thickness which lasted till the afternoon, vomiting bitter yellow liquid 3-4 times every morning. It was a horrible time, yet it was very comforting. It assured me that everything was fine, I was still producing beta hcG and all was well inside. On a rare morning when I felt no sickness it scared the hell out of me. But the nausea attacked with a vengeance later in the day. Those days I had the same pre-pregnancy diet.
There were various medical tests and procedures, some of which I have mentioned in another post. After a few months I was admitted at the hospital, because everyone-me, my family and the doctors- felt that that would be safer and better. My parents also shifted to a house belonging to a friend (more like a sister) which she very generously let us use during those months. So every morning my husband would leave for work, my dad would come to the room at around 8AM with my breakfast which was idli or dosa with kadala curry (a spicy kerala dish made of Bengal gram) along with a large glass of milk. I was supposed to take full bed rest meaning I was supposed to eat lying down. But that was impossible for me. As such I had no hunger and my stomach became full with a tiny intake, probably because there was not enough space in the stomach after the uterus grew in size with my threesome. So it was difficult to eat anything at all, yet I had to gain weight. So I ate while sitting up, and if by chance the doc dropped in for a quick rounds precisely at that time, I was sure to get a scolding for sitting up instead of lying down. After breakfast there was an assortment of vitamin and calcium tablets. Iron tablets and tonic had to be taken, but if iron is taken with calcium, iron will not be absorbed it seems, so I took iron at night. After the tablets and the regular visit by nurses to check vitals, I used to lie down while dad sat on the balcony and read. At 11.30 AM I had another course consisting of two boiled eggs and two oranges. Now when I think of all that my mouth waters, but those days it was a horror to eat all these food. However I crammed it down. By noon dad would leave and mother would come with the lunch she cooked. Rice, lot of vegetables especially leafy ones, and lime juice. After lunch we would sit(she would sit while I lay on bed) and chat or read something or watch a movie. By 4PM dad would return with a block of cheddar cheese (approximately 30 gms) and a handful of sprouted green grams and sprouted urad. I hated both, but forced them down anyway, followed by another large cup of milk. then the three of would watch TV, the regular Bhakthi serials. We all knew about the damage of TV, mobile phones etc. but it was difficult not to use them. During the evening I would also eat a large spoonful of peanut butter and sometimes a banana. By 7 PM my husband would return from work and my parents would leave. Then both of us would have dinner together, mine consisting of the leftover veggies and rice or chapathis. Then the iron and other vitamin tablets along with orange juice to facilitate iron absorption. We used to sleep by around 11PM.
This was more or less my regular diet. I could not eat lots, so whatever small quantity that I ate had to ensure enough nutrition and weight gain. The idli/dosa, rice/chapathi/banana gave enough carbohydrates. Milk and cheddar cheese ensured Calcium (processed cheese does not have any nutrition. Cheddar or any other type with good Calcium content is a good food during and after pregnancy), and were supplemented with the tablets. The leafy veggies and oranges were for Iron and vitamins supplemented by tablets and tonic, while the sprouts and peanut butter contained lots of protein. This was all I could force myself to eat. Never a chip or chocolate cake or anything. I read online that fish contained Mercury and bacteria which were harmful, so although I liked fish I did not eat it. Once I had a craving for fish, so I chose anchovies (kozhuva), which is among the safer fish varieties, having very less Mercury. Besides I love Kozhuva fry. So that was the only non vegetarian food during pregnancy. Red meat is excellent it seems, to eat during pregnancy (beef etc), but I never liked it. White meat (chicken) was okay with me, but it contained no relevant nutrition. Horse radish leaves is very good. And there are certain foods which should be eaten from the last trimester to ensure good breast milk (which I have noted in another page), a fact which I did not know then.
I am sure this is not an exhaustive list of options, but this worked well for me. I gained just enough weight (83 kg at 36 weeks, my original weight being in the range of 58-62 kg). The babies, once they started eating solids, showed a peculiar taste for foods- Baby A, who is a very fussy eater, likes peanut butter! Baby B likes fruits, veggies etc, and Baby C loves cheddar cheese! They all like kadala curry! And only Baby A has a liking for sweets. I hope the information will be useful for at least some of you.
