Type 1 44, T1, complications, considering pregnancy via IVF

[Pollybaby]

Hi. I would just like to know your views
I am 44, single, a carer for my father. Would love a child. I have a big heart and have so much love to give.
I had bloods done a few weeks ago showing that I’m ovulating and all levels of hormones, thyroid etc were very positive. My GP sent me to a specialist to discuss the possibility and also risks of pregnancy. Btw I would be going the IVF route if any.
I have Diabetes, type 1, for 32 years. I have the usual complications.... retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy. I know I’ve left it very late to be investigating this now, at 44.

Various things, including the death of my mother 9 years ago have halted my progress in life. And because of my age and being single I have been embarrassed to approach anyone about it. A friend (the only one I have spoken openly to about wanting a child) encouraged me to go to my GP.
Sorry for the long winded introduction but I just wanted to explain my situation.

I wasn’t advised against it by the lovely specialist but obviously because of my age and complications it would be a very high risk pregnancy. He told me that it is possible but that I would need to go in with my eyes open due to the complications. He said I’d need to be prepared for a few stays in hospital during the pregnancy.
He also mentioned that the hormone injections for IVF would mess with my blood sugars.

I’m worried that I won’t be able to control my sugars before and during pregnancy if, of course, I am lucky enough to get pregnant.

I’m probably mostly worried about not having any support during what I know will be a difficult pregnancy. If I have hospital stays, I do have a brother also living at home with my dad but he has his own health troubles and I’m not sure how he or I myself would cope if I’m not in the house for my Dad.

Is the world just telling me that I’ve left it too late or should I take the gamble and hope for the best?

I’m just concerned for myself now that when all this ‘caring’ is over, am I going to look back in bitterness for not having even tried???

Are the risks too great???

 

[chalup]

I cannot speak to the risks but if you decide a pregnancy is not a good idea what about adopting a baby?

 

[catapillar]

@Pollybaby What is your hba1c and diabetic control like? Have you had a discussion with your diabetic team about pregnancy? Most clinics will do a pre conception clinic for type 1 ladies thinking about trying to conceive.

For type 1 ladies aiming for pregnancy they are advised to have a hba1c under 48. Then there are very tight blood sugar targets during pregnancy: under 5.3 fasting, under 7.8 1 hour after eating, under 6.4 2 hours after eating.

These targets are there because high blood sugars immediately before and during pregnancy significantly increase the risks of miscarriage and foetal abnormality.

Type 1 ladies trying to conceive are advised to take high dose folic acid.

And yes, hormones during IVF are likely to make blood sugar control difficult. I suppose if it made it very difficult you could have a gap between egg harvesting (when you'd be pumped full of hormones) to implantation (when hopefully you'd get pregnant) to give you a chance to get control of blood sugar once the hormones are out of your system, but that would require freezing & storing eggs or embryos, which can reduce the likelihood of a pregnancy

 

[Pollybaby]

I cannot speak to the risks but if you decide a pregnancy is not a good idea what about adopting a baby?

Hi @chalup. Yes adoption is an option but I’m informed that too may be difficult because of my age and also health issues. Apparently they look for a full health report

 

[Pollybaby]

@Pollybaby What is your hba1c and diabetic control like? Have you had a discussion with your diabetic team about pregnancy? Most clinics will do a pre conception clinic for type 1 ladies thinking about trying to conceive.

For type 1 ladies aiming for pregnancy they are advised to have a hba1c under 48. Then there are very tight blood sugar targets during pregnancy: under 5.3 fasting, under 7.8 1 hour after eating, under 6.4 2 hours after eating.

These targets are there because high blood sugars immediately before and during pregnancy significantly increase the risks of miscarriage and foetal abnormality.

Type 1 ladies trying to conceive are advised to take high dose folic acid.

And yes, hormones during IVF are likely to make blood sugar control difficult. I suppose if it made it very difficult you could have a gap between egg harvesting (when you'd be pumped full of hormones) to implantation (when hopefully you'd get pregnant) to give you a chance to get control of blood sugar once the hormones are out of your system, but that would require freezing & storing eggs or embryos, which can reduce the likelihood of a pregnancy

Hi Catapillar. Thanks so much for your time typing all that information. I know I need to get my sugars under better control. Scared I won’t be able to. Have always had difficulty.
The option of freezing eggs sounds good.
Lots to think about. I really appreciate your time.

I’d love to know if there are diabetics out there who have gone through IVF and have had difficulties throughout the pregnancy...with good or bad outcomes.

I just watched an episode of one born every minute. Crying my eyes out here. Scared out of my wits. Have an appointment with the eye hospital early December so I’ll see what they think too. I won’t be much use as a single mother if I go blind.

x