I really want a baby!

MelissaC

Well-Known Member
Messages
106
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi all!

So as the title of this thread suggests...I'd really like a baby! My hubby and I have always talked about having kids but we are now at that stage where we really want a family and it's all I can think about.

I know being Diabetic that you've got to be really careful when trying for a baby, hence why we haven't actually started trying yet.

Went to the doctors today and my recent hba1c was 66, which I'm told is not ideal when trying to get pregnant. I've been put on folic acid which I'm going to start taking straight away.

I suppose I just wanted to post something here as I'm really scared about it all and find it daunting! I'm really worried that I won't be able to bring my sugars down enough :/ Has anyone got any tips/advice please?

Thank you x
 

azure

Expert
Messages
9,780
Type of diabetes
Type 1
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Pump
Hi @MelissaClayton :)

It's great you've got the folic acid already. My tips for getting your HBA1C down is to test lots and lots, especially after meals. I presume you're carb counting?

Testing two hours after the start of meals allows you to correct if necessary.

I'd also do a basal test to make sure your basal dose is right. Then I'd go through meal by meal, checking that each meal ratio is correct too, and making any adjustments you need (with the help of your team, if necessary, of course)

It sounds hard work, I know, but if you think of getting and keeping tight control as a kind of mission, then you can focus on it and make it almost like a job - a job with a wonderful reward at the end :)

Don't be nervous. Just focus on each day and improving your control. It's good practice for pregnancy. I also did the important things like eating well, reducing stress, and getting enough sleep. They still count even though we have to have diabetes at the front of our minds too.

Good luck :)
 
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Pilzy-89

Well-Known Member
Messages
53
Type of diabetes
Type 1
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Insulin
Hello @MelissaClayton

I was in the same boat a year ago - although wth a my HbA1c was a lot worse, it was around 98... I started with just getting testing at the right times down to a t (I was really poor with my diabetes for a long time, so totally back to basics for me!). So testing breakfast, mid morning, lunch, mid afternoon, dinner and before bed.

Then started properly weighing my meals, carb counting, as I was told to cut down as if I was pregnant then it wouldn't be such a shock when I find I can't handle so much food/carbs. I am limited to ~150g of carbs a day. I found keeping a written food diary (with my sugars written in too) a massive help for keeping track of how many carbs I was having and how certain foods affected my sugars.

Then started testing an hour or two after meals, doing ~10 tests a day at the mo. (I am on a pump, are you injections or pump?)

I found it all very daunting, as I said, I really wasn't in a good place for many years with my diabetes control, but I knew I had to get strict if I wanted to start a family. I have brought my HbA1c right down to 46 and have been given the go ahead to start trying for a baby

Do you attend a pre-pregnancy clinic or anything, the wealth of knowledge and experience from DN's has been amazing and I couldn't have got myself where I am now without their help (and tips and things from women on here too!)

If you wanted to chat at all feel free to message me
 
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Pilzy-89

Well-Known Member
Messages
53
Type of diabetes
Type 1
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Insulin
Hi @eeb123

I had an HbA1c in about December 2015 that was awful (about 98 or maybe even higher), I brought it down to 55 in February/March. This wasn't advised, it's actually not good to bring it down so quickly, as you probably already know - because of the pressure it can put your eyes under. Luckily it was all ok but I was told it should be a very gradual thing, I was just a little too eager! Had a little relapse and it went back up to 69 before coming down again to 46. I have another appointment next week where I will have another HbA1c and hope it's within target again x
 

eeb123

Active Member
Messages
41
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Well done @Pilzy-89 that's great!
Mine was 60 last time, so I'm hoping mine doesn't spring back up....it's such hard work.
46 is amazing though, I've got my fingers crossed for you x
 

MelissaC

Well-Known Member
Messages
106
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi @MelissaClayton :)

It's great you've got the folic acid already. My tips for getting your HBA1C down is to test lots and lots, especially after meals. I presume you're carb counting?

Testing two hours after the start of meals allows you to correct if necessary.

I'd also do a basal test to make sure your basal dose is right. Then I'd go through meal by meal, checking that each meal ratio is correct too, and making any adjustments you need (with the help of your team, if necessary, of course)

It sounds hard work, I know, but if you think of getting and keeping tight control as a kind of mission, then you can focus on it and make it almost like a job - a job with a wonderful reward at the end :)

Don't be nervous. Just focus on each day and improving your control. It's good practice for pregnancy. I also did the important things like eating well, reducing stress, and getting enough sleep. They still count even though we have to have diabetes at the front of our minds too.

Good luck :)

Hi! Thanks for your reply. Yes I am carb counting. I'm not a complete expert at it but I'm trying :)

I am not in the habit of testing two hours after meals so perhaps that is something I'll start doing as it may save my sugars from creeping up too much in case I haven't given the correct dose etc.

Could you tell me what a basal test is exactly please? I've been diabetic for nearly ten years and I've heard a few people mention this recently but never been told anything by my nurse! Sorry if I sound dumb.

Thank you for all of your advice

Melissa x
 

MelissaC

Well-Known Member
Messages
106
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello @MelissaClayton

I was in the same boat a year ago - although wth a my HbA1c was a lot worse, it was around 98... I started with just getting testing at the right times down to a t (I was really poor with my diabetes for a long time, so totally back to basics for me!). So testing breakfast, mid morning, lunch, mid afternoon, dinner and before bed.

Then started properly weighing my meals, carb counting, as I was told to cut down as if I was pregnant then it wouldn't be such a shock when I find I can't handle so much food/carbs. I am limited to ~150g of carbs a day. I found keeping a written food diary (with my sugars written in too) a massive help for keeping track of how many carbs I was having and how certain foods affected my sugars.

Then started testing an hour or two after meals, doing ~10 tests a day at the mo. (I am on a pump, are you injections or pump?)

I found it all very daunting, as I said, I really wasn't in a good place for many years with my diabetes control, but I knew I had to get strict if I wanted to start a family. I have brought my HbA1c right down to 46 and have been given the go ahead to start trying for a baby

Do you attend a pre-pregnancy clinic or anything, the wealth of knowledge and experience from DN's has been amazing and I couldn't have got myself where I am now without their help (and tips and things from women on here too!)

If you wanted to chat at all feel free to message me

Hi there!

Over the past few days I've tried to make sure I'm testing more than usual as I think this sounds like it will be key to managing my overall sugars better.

I must admit I'm a sucker for carbs, which isn't exactly great as a diabetic!! So perhaps I'll need to cut down on them a bit. Do you find 150g of carbs enough or do you crave more?

I'm on injections. Do you find a pump better than injecting? I've wondered whether it would be better for me to go on a pump to gain better control but I sort of feel like I prefer the freedom that injections give (in the sense of inject then that's that!).

Ahhh 46 is amazing! Well done to you for bringing it down and congrats on being given the go ahead to start trying for a baby! I'm very pleased for you :D

The nurse I spoke to the other day has asked for me to be referred to a pre-pregnancy clinic so hopefully I will get an appointment through for that soon - I can't wait!!

Thanks for your help :)

Melissa x
 

MelissaC

Well-Known Member
Messages
106
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi @eeb123

I had an HbA1c in about December 2015 that was awful (about 98 or maybe even higher), I brought it down to 55 in February/March. This wasn't advised, it's actually not good to bring it down so quickly, as you probably already know - because of the pressure it can put your eyes under. Luckily it was all ok but I was told it should be a very gradual thing, I was just a little too eager! Had a little relapse and it went back up to 69 before coming down again to 46. I have another appointment next week where I will have another HbA1c and hope it's within target again x

Hi again - was just wondering, do you know what the advised timescale is for bringing down your sugars? I feel like it's gonna be forever before we can start trying for a baby! :( But I know the planning etc will be worth it x
 

Pilzy-89

Well-Known Member
Messages
53
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello again @MelissaClayton (sorry have been moving house over the past week!)

Testing regularly is definitely key, personally I went from testing maybe once a week (on a good week!) to 10 times a day, once you get into a routine it's much easier. Although you sound much better with it all at this stage than I was!

Honestly, as I have said over and over, I was at a complete denial stage with my diabetes before all this, even though I have been diabetic for 15 years I was just at my wits end with it all and gave up for a while. I was eating whatever the hell I wanted. I too am a carb lover, pizza, chips, crisps, pasta, donuts!! Ahh making my mouth water... I found just cutting down easier to begin with - sticking to portion sizes as stated by the packets, before cutting out the really bad things, like pasta and rice and bread. There are some amazing substitutes for rice/pasta that are carb free so I can have quite a large portion of that!

I stopped injecting about 10 years ago now but honestly I have found this whole process very easy using a pump. I don't know what it would be like injecting. If you can get a pump I certainly believe it's easier to gain better control with it, just through personal experience. I don't find that I notice I have the pump on me at all and sometimes forget about it being there.

That's great! Pre-preg is very helpful. Hope it all goes well for you

I don't know the timescale, or if there is a set timescale, but I think it's over about 6 months (2 HbA1c tests). I only say this because in my first pre-preg in December 2015 my nurses said about me being ready around June/July 2016 as I had originally stated my ideal time to begin trying would be August. I think this was only because mine was so horrendous, if it's lower you might be able to tighten control quicker and therefore lower it sooner - this will all be discussed in your pre-pregs though

Rachel x
 

MelissaC

Well-Known Member
Messages
106
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello again @MelissaClayton (sorry have been moving house over the past week!)

Testing regularly is definitely key, personally I went from testing maybe once a week (on a good week!) to 10 times a day, once you get into a routine it's much easier. Although you sound much better with it all at this stage than I was!

Honestly, as I have said over and over, I was at a complete denial stage with my diabetes before all this, even though I have been diabetic for 15 years I was just at my wits end with it all and gave up for a while. I was eating whatever the hell I wanted. I too am a carb lover, pizza, chips, crisps, pasta, donuts!! Ahh making my mouth water... I found just cutting down easier to begin with - sticking to portion sizes as stated by the packets, before cutting out the really bad things, like pasta and rice and bread. There are some amazing substitutes for rice/pasta that are carb free so I can have quite a large portion of that!

I stopped injecting about 10 years ago now but honestly I have found this whole process very easy using a pump. I don't know what it would be like injecting. If you can get a pump I certainly believe it's easier to gain better control with it, just through personal experience. I don't find that I notice I have the pump on me at all and sometimes forget about it being there.

That's great! Pre-preg is very helpful. Hope it all goes well for you

I don't know the timescale, or if there is a set timescale, but I think it's over about 6 months (2 HbA1c tests). I only say this because in my first pre-preg in December 2015 my nurses said about me being ready around June/July 2016 as I had originally stated my ideal time to begin trying would be August. I think this was only because mine was so horrendous, if it's lower you might be able to tighten control quicker and therefore lower it sooner - this will all be discussed in your pre-pregs though

Rachel x

Hi @Pilzy-89

I'm trying to get into the habit of testing more, so hopefully I'll see a difference with that. I always test before meals and before bed anyway, so now I need to up this. I've been told testing 2 hours after eating is a good idea.

I really couldn't cut out carbs all together (don't know how some people do it!) but perhaps reducing my portions would help. I'm one of those people where if it's on my plate then I will try and eat it all until I'm stuffed! Stupid, I know, but my weight is good so not completely stupid haha.

I really don't know whether to try out a pump or not, but then I hear so many good things about it helping people gain better control so maybe it's worth it.

I haven't received an appointment for pre-preg yet, so will have to chase that up! When I go to that appointment I'll ask them how quick/slow I should reduce my sugars. I'm just an eager beaver you see! Haha.

Melissa x
 
M

mist

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Someone's broody :D

I wanted kids too, but cancer had other ideas..:p

You sound like you have a solid plan of action. Best of luck to you..;)
 
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MelissaC

Well-Known Member
Messages
106
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Someone's broody :D

I wanted kids too, but cancer had other ideas..:p

You sound like you have a solid plan of action. Best of luck to you..;)

Haha, just a little bit! :D Not just me though, the other half is too!

Oh, so sorry to hear that :( You sound like a really fun guy so good on you for being positive!

Melissa x
 
M

mist

Guest
Hahahaha! I would love to, but 1) my sugars aren't good enough yet and 2) I'm at work!!

:p

1: Making a baby is exercise, that will lower your sugars! :D

2: Would make an interesting conversation in years to come..:wacky:

Your excuses are invalid..;)
 

MelissaC

Well-Known Member
Messages
106
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
1: Making a baby is exercise, that will lower your sugars! :D

2: Would make an interesting conversation in years to come..:wacky:

Your excuses are invalid..;)

Hmmm, I can't really defend myself so I suppose in that case I'll be heading home then! Toodles! *waves*
 

hboyt

Well-Known Member
Messages
98
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Good luck Melissa:happy: I'm newish to the forum and noticed this post and rings very close to the same situation i'm in. Been trying hard to get my hba1c down to under 7.0%. I've had diabetes for 20 years and have only been at 7% once.
Been at pre-preg clinic for over a year, was on injections and got a pump 5 months ago. Been improving very very slowly and the last hba1c was 7.8% (62 mol). If it takes longer than expected to get to target on in injections i would inquire about a pump as in my case my basal insulin wasnt working for me and a pump was the next option :)
 

wannabemammy

Well-Known Member
Messages
177
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hboyt im in the same situation it's very frustrating! My pre pregnancy clinic advised me not to start on a pump though to keep going with injections!