Artificial sweeteners?

I saw in one of the pregnancy books I bought that you shouldn't use artificial sweeteners. My question is this... Is Stevia fine? I use that ALL the time. And it's not artificial since it's not chemicals.

MY OB didn't have too much to say about it -I use it too. I know it is highly controversial though. I also use Splenda with the OB said was safe.

my doc also said to stick with splenda.... I asked about stevia and he said no. He said there is not enough research for him to say either way so he says no. He also said just because stevia is natural does not mean it is safe in pregnancy. I say stick to splenda... then again i havent given up my CAFFINATED iced tea.... i think the key is moderation with anything...

My doc wasn't too hot on any sweetners. I told I didn't really have a choice since I can't have a lot of sugar so she said just use as little as possible.

the American Pregnancy Association says that Asparatame and Splenda are ok during pregnancy, but not in HUGE amounts (just google the APA's website).  I think if  you use it once a day or don't consume it in  huge quantities daily, you are fine.  I was drinking Trop 50 (lower sugar OJ) for a few months in the first of my pregnancy and that is sweetned with Stevia, but stopped because it said on the APA site that Stevia is not safe during pregnancy, due to not enough research being done on it to see how it affects a fetus in utero.   I was drinking like one 8 oz glass of it a few times a week and  I'm sure my baby will be fine.  Like you said, it's all natural from a plant, but just not enough has been done to show if it affects an unborn baby. I have just stopped using the Stevia in the last few months and rarely eat/drink stuff with artificial sweetners in it right now.   I mostly use Splenda right now if I do use an artificial sweetner.

The info on that website is outdated. The last time it was updated was 2/07. Since then stevia has been approved by the FDA. I will be calling my OB since I can't have sweeteners. Only sugar and stevia.

I just re-read what I put. I didn't mean for it to sound *****ey. Sorry.

I use artificial sweeteners all the time.  I always have hated the taste of sugars in things like drinks.  I don't see how sugar is any better for you and no one really told me to avoid them, so I use them moderately.

I was just curious as to why you couldn't have Splenda.

I don't know about Stevia. I didn't like the taste of it so I just stick to Splenda. I think that there hasn't been enough studies on it for me to feel safe using (even though I don't like it). I think it's one of those things where you just ask your OB doc and see what they say. They'll probably say something like use it in moderation or something. I just don't know. I looked at a few websites about it and they also mention things about cardiovascular issues, lowering blood pressure, sometimes too low....yada yada but those were in higher doses. I don't know, just too many unknowns for me.

Really, just call your OB and see what they say. They will hopefully steer you right! I hope you get a clear answer. Let us know if your doc gives you any insight as to what is safe to do with it. Some other women on the board may be taking it or are TTC and are taking it.

Even tho it's "made from sugar" it is artificial and they give me migranes. It's been fun with the RNY.