Before You Get Started (Ready...)

Before you start trying to conceive (TTC), there are a few things you need to know. First, it is important to be followed by a clinic while you are trying to regulate your levels. Check our "Find a Clinic" page to locate the one nearest you or that serves your area. You must be on diet during pregnancy. Phrase it any way you like, but "on diet" during pregnancy means you are taking formula, following a low protein diet, regulated by a clinic and having blood levels taken on a regular basis, as recommended by your clinic. Of course, your level should be between 2 and 6 during pregnancy, and it is strongly recommended that your level be in that range pre-conception, usually for 3 to 6 months. That sounds very off-handed, but it IS hard. We know that. And that's why we're here.

Pre-Conception (Set...)

For most women, once they make up their mind that they want a baby, it's a matter of tossing their pills in the trash, buying a teddy, and taking folic acid. For PKU women, it is much different. Because the ideal is to have pregnancy-range levels for a time before you actually get pregnant, it can be a stressful, if not downright disappointing, time. This can be particularly difficult if you have gone off-diet and are getting back on FOR your pregnancy. We've been there. You're not alone. The important thing to remember, no matter how hard it seems, is that it can be done. However, because everyone's tolerance is different, and everyone's formula and calorie needs are different, finding what you need can be quite a process. If you're one of the lucky ones who knows their "magic number," you're halfway there! If you need to doing a little re-arranging in your diet to find what phe intake will bring your levels to where they need to be, don't despair! You'll find what works for you soon enough!

Trying to Conceive (Go!)

Next up, obviously, is the "fun part." Here's where you get to sit back and seduce! NOW, you toss the birth control, buy a teddy, and start drinking your OJ. While many women will say that TTC was somewhat stressful because they were trying to coordinate good levels with their ovulation, the fact of the matter is that if you have your "magic number," you CAN relax and enjoy the ride (no pun intended)! There is a correlation between stress and elevated levels, so really, you should treat yourself to anti-stress measures during this time. Get massages, check out baby clothes, do whatever you have to do to stay motivated and relaxed. Make sure to establish your cycle while trying to get your "magic number" during pre-conception, so that when you are ready to go, you know your prime days for ovulation! If you need help with this, there are many ovulation tools available, both online and off, and many women who are willing to offer advice on the best ways to increase your chances of conceiving, both in your life now, and on the maternal PKU listserv. 

There's a Bun in the Oven!

Congratulations! You've joined the ranks of women climbing the ladder of life into motherhood! You may feel great, energetic, and overjoyed, mixed with ill, nervous and terrified. Any or all of these emotions, with many more, are perfectly normal. Now begins the roller coaster of hormones, emotions and, of course, phe tolerance! During the first trimester, you can expect your "magic number," your phe intake, to remain pretty much the same. USUALLY. Some women experience an increase in phe tolerance before they even see that second line to the home pregnancy test. More likely, as you progress into your second, and especially your third trimester, you can expect an increase. Some women only see a moderate increase, while others experience a skyrocket in what they are allowed. It's like hitting a moving target at this point, so expect constant modification of your diet. As your baby begins to absorb some of the phe you are taking in, your level will drop, creating the need for you to take in more. And as your baby grows, she will be absorbing more and more of the phe, giving you more leeway in your diet. Some women absolutely love the freedom in this part of the pregnancy, while others find it difficult to keep up with the constantly growing allowance. Another thing to note is that your protein requirement will change during pregnancy. So, while you be taking 50g of protein from formula per day while trying to conceive, it may be an entirely different story once that baby's presence is confirmed. Some of us have had to increase to as much as 80g. Again, every pregnancy is different, and every clinic handles pregnancy differently, so let your dietician lead you, but make sure you ask questions if you have them.