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20 week scan coming up

courtenayjane

courtenayjane

Active Member
Messages
33
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello again ladies,
Have my 20 week scan next week and am starting to get really nervous. Over the last few weeks, I have definitely had a lot more highs (regularly having a 12+ each day and even the odd 16/18). What I don't understand is, at this point, are they doing real baby building damage or just making the baby too big? I have been travelling a lot due to my husband's work so have not seen a diabetes specialist for months. I did have email contact but lately they have been quite unresponsive so I am pretty much doing this on my own. X
 
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That time has gone quickly!

Are you able to phone your consultant if they're not good with emails? Its always best to be monitored closely during pregnancy just to make sure everything is going smoothly. Do you have a diabetes nurse you can speak to? Mine was fantastic during my pregnancy and had good advice and reassurance.

It's pretty much impossible to be in range all the time, but obviously the more time you're in range the better. Are you having your HbA1C checked?

I cant answer your question about baby development, but I do know that there can be additional risks if a woman has poor control not 'just' a large baby. That's why the pregnancy targets are so tight all the way through pregnancy.

Good luck with your scan. It's always nerve-wracking, but it's lovely to see baby too :)
 
My last HbA1C was 6.2 but I think my sugars are now running slightly higher. I have never had a DSN, I have pretty much always done it on my own!

We have been overseas for a few years with my husband's job but St Thomas' in London still oversee my care. They have been pretty hands off so far. I will be moving back to the UK for the birth and the last trimester.

I really want to get the scan over and done with it so that I can relax!
 
Have you written down your sugar levels so you can send them to the hospital? That way they may be able to give you some guidance as to what to adjust (e.g. Basal or bolus).

I'm not sure at which point high sugars cause problems or make the baby too big, but I just try to follow the recommendations/ targets given to me.

Try not to worry too much - stress is never good- but do try to get in contact with your consultant again and email through some BG results too.

Good luck!
 
I think we all have to do diabetes alone most of the time because it's a job 24/7. Do see if you can make contact with a DSN. A good one is worth their weight in gold. I don't know if St Thomas's has a Diabetes Centre? If it does, you could try phoning, saying what consultant you're under, and seeing if you can speak to a DSN for advice if you're concerned about rising levels. Many large hospitals have a DSN who specialises in pregnancy and they're usually very knowledgeable.

If you can spot any pattern to your highs and you're confident doing so, you could adjust your insulin cautiously. Always make sure there is actually a pattern of highs rather than one offs eg if you're always high after your evening meal it may be that the ratio for that meal needs adjusting. Even if you're happy to make adjustments yourself, it's always nice to chat to someone who has experience of diabetes in pregnancy as they can advise and put your mind at rest.

The blood sugar targets for pregnancy are very tight and it's not easy keeping in range, but do try to keep in the range as much as you possibly can. That may mean correction doses if you're ok doing those.

Let us know how your scan goes :)
 
Are you having your eyes screened? (Digital retinal photography at 10 weeks and 28 weeks, and an additional screen at 20 weeks if background retinopathy is found on the first screening.)
 
Update: had my Fetal cardiac and anomaly scans yesterday and all are absolutely normal! In fact, we had a lot of comments about what an active wee one we have.

Met with my specialist and she is very happy with my levels, especially given the amount of travel we have been doing. Still no diabetes nurse but I am moving back to the UK soon and have been assigned a midwife and a fortnightly T1 pregnancy clinic.

Phew!
 
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