[Submitted Question]

We have a lot of allergies in my family. Are there any foods I can eat during this pregnancy (I am at 15 weeks) that may reduce the risk for my baby?

[WombToBloom]

As far as the unborn baby’s health is concerned, the pregnancy and treatment thereof can have profound impact on the fetus’s health and predisposition to allergy. We know that if the mother has allergies there is a 30% chance of her baby having an allergy.

If both parents have allergy, the baby’s risk increases to 60% and if both parents have the same allergy for example asthma, then the risk of allergy in the unborn baby reaches 80%.

Maternal smoking during pregnancy and the eating of allergy provoking foods in her diet in the last few months of pregnancy may encourage allergic diseases to develop in the baby. The evidence is still lacking that diet in pregnancy makes any difference.

A low allergen content diet may be more disadvantageous for possible maternal and fetal malnutrition than eventually advantageous for allergy prophylaxis. American and European guidelines thus recommend a normal diet without any exclusions during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

The fetus is exposed to circulating maternal antigens via amniotic fluid and the placenta. We know that unborn babies start to produce the allergy regulating IgE antibody from 20 weeks of pregnancy. Transplacental passage of common allergens such as cow's milk B-lactglobulin, egg ovalbumin and major birch pollen allergens occurs before 26 weeks of pregnancy.

Smoking in early pregnancy is a potent trigger for the development of allergies in the unborn baby and if the baby is born into a smoking household this risk increases. The month of birth is extremely important if in spring with subsequent pollen sensitization.

If a baby is born to allergic parents and the birth month coincides with the beginning of the pollen season, then there is an increased risk of nasal allergies and asthma. Caesarean section is a risk factor for infants developing allergies especially if mother is allergic. Saturated fat intake during breastfeeding is a risk factor for allergic sensitization. The maternal diet should thus be supplemented with plentiful Omega 3 and polyunsaturated fish oils (but not fish protein).

High maternal exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in smoke, new carpets and after recent home renovation may increase allergic diseases in their offspring.

[tariq456]

You should avoid the allergy provoking food and avoid drinking and smoking etc.Hope it will reduce your baby's chances of getting allergic.Good Luck!