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Peanuts Allergies and Pregnancy
from: Maxx Family LifeParent who have a child who's allegeric to peanuts know how difficult their life becomes. Food shopping often takes a few hours because every food label must be carefully checked and studied to make sure there are no traces of peanuts. Arrangements for peanut free foods must be made with the child's school ahead of time and other children's birthdays parties can be a parent's worse nightmare. Peanut allergies, although common, can be one of the most fatal allergies a child can have.
Some children are so sensitive to their peanut allergy that if they come into contact with peanuts simply from someone else's skin, their life could be at risk. Peanut allergies can lead to anaphylactic shock, which is a sever allergic reaction that can be fatal.
Peanut allergies are usually not diagnosed until a child reaches the age of 2 - 3 years old. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that parents who have a peanut allergy in the family should wait until their child is at least three years old before giving them peanuts or anything containing peanuts.
There are even some conservative OBGYNs who advise their pregnant patients not to eat peanuts, especially when they're in their third trimester, regardless of whether there's a history of peanut allergy in the family or not.
Tis is because in order for a peanut allergy to develop, the child has to come into contact with small traces of a peanut. This contact sensitizes the child so they later have a severe allergic reaction. Some experts believe this first sensitization can occur during pregnancy.
It's believed that a tiny amount of peanut protein can cross the placenta. In fact, a study showed that if a women ate peanuts or peanut butter while pregnant their baby could be four times more likely to develop a peanut allergy than a child whose mother didn't eat any peanuts during her pregnancy.
However, if you have no history of nut allergies it doesn't mean you should avoid peanuts at all cost. In fact, peanuts and peanut butter are very beneficial to you and your baby. Peanuts are a useful source of folic acid and protein, both of which are very important to you and your growing baby. Peanuts and peanut butter helps some women get through the first trimester morning sickness.
However, remember that there have been some cases of women with no history of peanut allegeries in their family who ate an overwhelming amount of peanuts or even peanut butter through out their pregnancies and had children with a peanut allergy.
Before you decide to throw out all your peanuts and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, talk to your doctor. Give him/her a detailed family history and whether there are any peanut allergies in your family. With your doctor's help you should be able to create a healthy peanut eating plan for your pregnancy.
If you don't feel comfortable eating peanuts due to the risk, don't let anyone change your mind. It's your body and your child and you have the right to make that decision.
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