I am in my 17th week of pregnancy with my second child and I have really been struggling with being sick. I had 2 really bad colds and a sinus infection in my 1st trimester. Also, within the last month, I have had 2 really bad stomach viruses. I have not gained any weight, but actually lost weight from being so sick this month. I never let myself get dehydrated and I am still feeling the baby move. I eat what I consider to be a good diet and I have been on my prenatal vitamins for over 3 years now because I am still nursing my 2 year old. My first pregnancy was a dream with no problems or sicknesses. I did have my gall bladder removed 9 weeks postpartum. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions for getting my immune system in better shape? Should I wean my son? My doula suggested I drink the raspberry pregnancy tea, but I was wondering if the group had any ideas to add. Thanks.

Hey Shawn--

I'm sort of in the same boat, 15 weeks--still nursing. I think that is tough on our bodies and with all the allergens out now, it is harder than normal. I have been struggling with bad all day morning sickness and a long bout with a stomach virus, so I havent gained any weight yet either (not that I dont have plenty of reserves, haha).

I think the raspberry tea is a great idea. Things I have been doing is sleeping an extra hour a day, drinking Kefir milk, eating lots of fruit and veggies like spinach, oral probiotics, taking Vit C with tincture echinacae when I am feeling like I might be getting sick, drinking Red Rasp Leaf Tea occasionally and drinking Emergen-C regularly.

Nursing while being pregnant is tough if you ask me. I was nursing Lucie while pregnant with Lila (until about 4 months or so), I 'encouraged' less nursing and she weaned pretty happily (she was 24 months). I sort of regret that now. So, Lila is 19 months and still nursing while I am pregnant and it is hard too. i am not making much milk which is frustrating to her and me. She has started eating and drinking more during the day out of necessity and on her own (like bringing me her cup). So, she has not nursed at night two nights the past week which was amazing, b/c the night has been rough with little milk. Lila would cry and hit my boobs and yell at them. It would have been funny if I was exhausted.

Hope it gets easier. Good Luck

What brand of pre-natals are you taking? Look on the botttle, see if it's a whole food-based supplement; those are best. I take Juice Plus www.leyerlejuiceplus.com. Source Naturals is a good brand and Rainbow Light is also a good brand.

Consider what Nicki said; Vit C every hour when sick or feel like sickness is coming on. ALSO make sure to get enough protein from healthy fat sources like whole milk, nuts and seeds, lean meats like grass-fed beef and free range chickens and turkeys, etc.

RRL is high in calcium, which is really good for you and for baby, too. Try and add in some leafy greens, or take a supplement with leafy greens to boost anti-oxidants and sustaining energy.

Finally, I know it sounds crazy, try some form of exercise 4 or 5 times /week. Preg pilates, walking, or water aerobics are all pretty easy on the body. Will increase the feel good chemicals in the body and help you sleep better.

GOOD JOB HANGING IN THERE!!!!! Nursing can be difficult, and sticking with it has rewards :)))

Taking too much Vitamin C during pregnancy can result in an infant that needs higher level of vitamin C than normal. If that's not a problem for you then Vitamin C is a great idea. Have you considered mushroom supplements? Certain mushroom supplements are good for immune health. Also, be cautious if you're taking echinacea, you shouldn't take it longer than 2 weeks. Goldenseal is another herb that's good for infection. It's a natural antibiotic. Often echnicacea and goldenseal are sold in combo tinctures or capsules. I work at the vitamin shoppe in Slidell, so that's where I get most of my information from. And exercise is definitely always a good idea.

how about taking VitD supplements? I take 3000iu's a day to keep the bugs away. My three year old gets 1000iu's in addition to what her regular vitamins have in them.

Taking too much Vitamin C during pregnancy can result in an infant that needs higher level of vitamin C than normal. If that's not a problem for you then Vitamin C is a great idea. Have you considered mushroom supplements? Certain mushroom supplements are good for immune health. Also, be cautious if you're taking echinacea, you shouldn't take it longer than 2 weeks. Goldenseal is another herb that's good for infection. It's a natural antibiotic. Often echnicacea and goldenseal are sold in combo tinctures or capsules. I work at the vitamin shoppe in Slidell, so that's where I get most of my information from. And exercise is definitely always a good idea.

Actually, Goldenseal is not recommend during pregnancy or lactation. :(

Echanacea is recommended as an immune booster and should be taken for 10 days straight then a 3 or 4 day break.

A good book with reliable information is Prescription for Nutritional Healing OR Shonda Parker's Naturally Healthy Pregnancy.

I second the vit D, exercise, and rest. I also nursed my toddler through my pregnancy with my second. I got really sick with bronchitis twice - it is not fun being sick pregnant! Especially coughing since stomach muscles are not the same!
I really got faithful with walking every day and doing prenatal pilates more near the end of my pg, the difference was night and day! I did not know about vit D and the immune boosting effects then, unfortunately. I have also recently heard that MSM (sulfur) is the fourth (?) most prevalent mineral in the body, and is crucial for healing and immune system.

Taking too much Vitamin C during pregnancy can result in an infant that needs higher level of vitamin C than normal. If that's not a problem for you then Vitamin C is a great idea. Have you considered mushroom supplements? Certain mushroom supplements are good for immune health. Also, be cautious if you're taking echinacea, you shouldn't take it longer than 2 weeks. Goldenseal is another herb that's good for infection. It's a natural antibiotic. Often echnicacea and goldenseal are sold in combo tinctures or capsules. I work at the vitamin shoppe in Slidell, so that's where I get most of my information from. And exercise is definitely always a good idea.

Actually, Goldenseal is not recommend during pregnancy or lactation. :(

Echanacea is recommended as an immune booster and should be taken for 10 days straight then a 3 or 4 day break.

A good book with reliable information is Prescription for Nutritional Healing OR Shonda Parker's Naturally Healthy Pregnancy.

Soooo good to know, I just researched it. I just started at the Vitamin Shoppe a few months ago and there is so much to learn. I'm usually pretty careful about looking things up before I start suggesting supplements during pregnancy. I'll be extra careful now. Thank you so much for clearing that up :)

Lots and lots of fresh fruit and veggies. Its the best thing I know!

Be careful with echinacea -- technically, it's a ragweed, so if some of your problems are based on the fact that it's allergy season, it can hurt more than help.

Vitamins C and D are very important, but don't forget the B vitamins! They're little energy-boosting powerhouses that are very important! Do you like nutritional yeast? It's the best food source of B vitamins; when I'm really dragging, my "cure" is a couple of eggs sprinkled with nutritional yeast and dried dill. Also, for your stomach viruses, maybe consider either eating some real yogurt for a few days straight (not the store-brand pre-flavored -- get something with live cultures, Stonyfield's is really good) or taking acidophilus supplements. They regulate your intestinal flora and keep things in fighting mode in there, so you're less likely to get stomach bugs and whatnot.