Nearly seven months into my pregnancy, an evening meal turned into a moment of introspection. Alone with my **homemade string beans and roasted potatoes**, I felt a creeping itch—a whisper from my body signaling something wasn’t right. Instinct kicked in, and my hand reached for the **epinephrine auto-injector**, a companion of mine during my food allergy journey. Yet questions flooded my mind: Would using this lifesaving medication harm my unborn child? Was I overreacting?
To gather my thoughts, I turned to a grounding meditation. Soon, my heartbeat steadied, and the itch subsided. This experience sparked a broader reflection on food allergies during pregnancy—a topic riddled with misconceptions and **fear**. As I navigated this delicate journey, I discovered four prevalent myths that I felt compelled to unravel.
Myth 1: Concern Over Epinephrine During Pregnancy
Many pregnant women with food allergies hesitate to use their **epinephrine auto-injectors**, fearing potential harm to their unborn child. However, Dr. Scott Sicherer, a leading allergist at the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute, challenges this notion. He states, “*Anaphylaxis would be dangerous for the fetus, so making yourself better would be a good thing.*”
In fact, **epinephrine is critical** during severe allergic reactions. Dr. Sicherer emphasizes the importance of timely intervention: “*The ‘wait and see’ approach can be dangerous.*” Your baby benefits from a healthy mother, unburdened by life-threatening reactions.
Myth 2: Dairy Allergies and Breast Milk
During my adolescent years, a group of peers suggested that I might be allergic to my own breast milk, given my milk allergy. This sparked anxiety about breastfeeding, which I later learned was unfounded. According to Dr. Sicherer, human **breast milk is not comparable** to cow’s milk or goat’s milk.
In fact, the composition of breast milk is unique and versatile. It changes constantly to meet the evolving needs of the newborn. Therefore, nursing mothers with dairy allergies can safely breastfeed without experiencing anaphylaxis.
However, once your little one reaches six months, introducing diverse nutritional sources alongside breastfeeding becomes essential. Nutritional expert Marion Groetch, RDN, notes that children with dairy allergies typically exhibit no specific nutritional risks due to their mothers’ diets.
Myth 3: Your Baby’s Nutrition
It’s a common concern: *Will my baby be deprived nutritionally due to my food allergies?* Research suggests that pregnant women can influence their child’s risk of developing food allergies through their own diet. A study led by Dr. Carina Venter found that women consuming diverse, healthy diets while pregnant had children with fewer food allergies.
As your baby approaches six months, integrating safe iron, zinc, and protein sources—like **soy-based yogurt**—is crucial for adequate nutrition. If a baby requires a dairy-free diet, enriched alternatives can meet their nutritional needs effectively.
Myth 4: Pregnancy as a ‘Cure’ for Food Allergies
Finally, let’s tackle the most **perplexing myth**: the idea that pregnancy will cure your food allergies. This notion is not only magical thinking but also detrimental. Anecdotal evidence suggests that neither I nor my fellow allergic mothers experienced any curative effects from pregnancy.
A recent study indicates changes in immune response during pregnancy but reveals no link to an alleviation of food allergies. Expecting mothers face enough challenges without the added weight of assumptions about outgrowing allergies.
A Call for Understanding and Support
In a world filled with adversities and uncertainties, the last thing pregnant women need is unnecessary pressure regarding food allergies. Instead of perpetuating myths, let’s focus on *credible information* and practical steps to support allergic mothers and their babies.
For more insightful articles on this important subject, explore my **‘Food Allergic and Having a Baby’** series, offering invaluable guidance for managing this journey here.
Amanda Orlando is a cookbook author, food allergy advocate at Everyday Allergen Free, and founder of the non-profit organization Free To Be Me Society.
