Exhausted by my fluctuations in glucose levels

bugs87uk

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 2
So I am now 11 weeks pregnant today. This is my third pregnancy but will hopefully be my first child.
When I conceived my average glucose levels were between 5.5/7 pre meal and 7/10 post meal. I was changed from humulin I as my background to levemer. I now take this morning and night. My levels are now 3.0/5.7 pre meal and less than 7.8 post meal. Now to my diabetes nurse this is great, however, I take between 16-60 units per meal now of Novorapid. My post meals are only just in range an hour after eating then two hours later, bam, hypo. I don't feel like I can eat anything. As soon as I found out I was pregnant I stopped even sniffing at cakes, chocolate etc. However today I gad a birthday party, but while I was at work and hour before I was 3.1 so I treated either glucose tablets and went back to work without retesting. I then left work half an hour later and ate two bags if crisps. When I got to the party I was 3.5!! So I took my insulin for what I was about to eat (burger in a bun and a small slice of cake. 30units) 1 hour after 7.5, great, a further 1 hour after 8.6? So I took 6 units. I further hour later 9.1??? So I took a further 10 units. Two hours later 9.8??!!?? What the hell so I took a further 10. Now I'm in bed hoping I don't hypo but don't get why over 4 hours after eating and not touching anything else, I am still going up? I don't feel ill. Due to previous Miscarriages and other hormonal problems I have I'm terrified that if I go to high even if its once or twice I'll cause my baby to die. I know it's far out there but I'm so scared. Doctors tell me I'm doing great and I should be proud of myself for achieving such great, tight results, but then I have a high result and I just go into panic mode.

Sorry for such a long post I just needed to get it off my chest. I'm so worried.
 

CherryAA

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,171
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi there,

I can understand your worry. We have other members here who have become pregnant, so I am sure they will be along to offer support

Perhaps you could look into the low carb lifestyle? If you look here
https://www.dietdoctor.com/member/interviews/fox-2
there are various interviews regarding foods whilst pregnant .
That website dietdoctor.com, is one that many of us subscribe to as we have found its advice to be very good for us.


Obviously when pregnant one is not looking to lose weight, however getting the right nutrition is key. Nutrient dense foods - meat, fish, eggs,nuts, seeds, and a great varietyof vegetables then to be much more nutrient dense foods than the processed wheat, flour sugar foods in the general diet. As such if you focus on eating good quality " real" foods , you will be providing a great environment for your pregnancy.

Good luck and welcome !
 

bugs87uk

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 2
I have considered this plan in the past. I do try and eat well. I have meals that consist of mainly veg with a bit of meat and some small carb on the side. When I found out I was pregnant I was actually due to start a new job three days later, however due to the extreme stress and having to be away from home for twenty weeks, therefore missing vital appointments, we agreed I couldn't start the job so I was then unemployed. I now only work 6 hours a week and am going through stress of trying to sort out housing benefit but have got a hundred people chasing me for bills bills bills. I can't afford to buy food at the moment so I'm literally making a meal for six people and eating that every day. I live of toast for breakfast because it's cheap and I don't usually eat Lunch because I can't afford to. I might nibble on some cheese or a yogurt (munch bunch low sugar) or even a piece of fruit but that's all I can do :( my partner works part time and he is expected to pay for everything on his pathetic wage and he already has three children from a previous relationship that he provides for. Mind you they are all grown up now but he still likes to treat them. Just feel so helpless and feel like no one wants to or can help me. My next antenatal is Tuesday and my consultant is going to help me apply for healthy start vouchers but we can't even get working tax credits because my partner works less than 30hours. Grrrrr it seems like they just want to help those who are better off or don't want to work not those who actually need the help. Sorry I'm ranting.
 

saruhbeau

Well-Known Member
Messages
73
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Firstly congratulations on your pregnancy!

I am type 1 but as you're on insulin I am guessing your treatment is similar.

Just a few questions. Do you carb count and know your insulin to carb ratio? Do you use an insulin correction factor? (So if you're above target, you take 1 unit of insulin to drop your bg level by x amount?) Just wanted to check as when you said you injected 10 units etc when your bg wouldn't come down, I wondered if you're using a correction factor or just injecting what you think should work.

Insulin requirements usually increase in pregnancy but I am not sure they would have already at 11 weeks. I think that happens in 2nd trimester but it's worth asking your dsn.

I wouldn't worry yourself with cutting out carbs etc during your pregnancy. Moderation is fine but carbs are also important for growing baby. I think what is more important is that you make sure to bolus with novorapid 30-45 mins before eating carbs unless you are hypo. That will help the post meal spike.

And I would ask your dsn for some help with checking your insulin carb ratio and your correction factor. Have you ever been on a dafne course? That could help too.

Any novorapid you inject continues to lower your blood glucose for around 4 hours. So that is something to bare in mind when you notice a post meal rise and want to give more insulin. Ask yourself how long it was since you injected. And resist the urge to give more if it has only been a couple of hours unless your dsn has advised you do.

I hope you can get further support from your dsn/specialist midwife. I empathise it is not easy being pregnant with diabetes. You are doing your best so try not to get stressed. I know that can be hard, but your blood sugars could be much much worse. You are doing a good job! Just keep testing :) it will be worth it when your little one arrives. That's what I keep telling myself haha!
 

Resurgam

Expert
Messages
9,850
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
Perhaps it is time to have a talk with your partner about finances.
You need to eat properly - if his children are adult they do not need to be given treats whilst you are struggling to pay the bills and buy food. I think that you deserve 100percent support in your situation, and as little stress as possible. I hope that all goes well for you.