Hi Betsy. Wow 5 kids plus a new one on the way!!! I have such new found respect for moms with lots of kids now that I have two under 3. So with both my pregnancies I had gestational diabetes and was on LC diets. I can say for sure that the less processed foods you eat the better for weight gain and recovery. My first pregnancy I did "the best I could" with my diet and no exercise and gained 50-60 lbs! I learned my lesson as I had to use insulin to control my blood sugars and ended up with a c-section. If you watch the movie "the business of being born" you will see pretty much what happened to me and why I ended up with a non emergency c-section. The next time around I was determined to have a natural birth out of the hospital, which required I stay off insulin. This time I lifted weights and was very good with my diet and controlled my sugars much better. I only gained 35 lbs. Afterwards, I lost almost all the weight by 2 months postpartum then got a cold for 3 weeks and ate whatever and my weight started to go up! 4 lbs up! Not good. I got serious and began the Atkins Induction for the first time. I eat no processed food for the most part but do not calorie count and eat when hungry. I have lost 10 lbs and am doing very well. Milk supply is fine too. I would say from my experience I could have been more restrictive with my carbs but probably not induction levels during pregnancy. Perhaps 40-60g a day instead and eliminated flour and sugar. Good luck - I know how hard it is to lose a bunch of pregnancy weight. I am happy to say I am below my start weight but need to go down another 15-20 so have a road ahead. I feel great on induction and only have one more day but plan on staying restrictive till the new year or my goal is reached, which ever comes first. Probably going to keep away from flour and sugar going forward. They are just trouble if you tend to gain weight. Good luck in what ever you decide to do. I am sure you will do what is right for you and baby!