Advice needed regarding trying for a baby

[Madelinelowery]

So my hba1c is in range and i have been on folic acid for ages, we were planning on trying for a baby at the beginning of the year, so we started but nothing happened and then come march the coronavirus hit and obviously we stopped as was worried.

Now services are resuming and things are slowly opening, schools going back and shops opening. But i am still being told to wait evan though fertility servies are restarting.

Is anyone in a similar situation? I know i am more at risk as this wont be my first pregnancy so i well aware of what to expect.

I feel really upset and want some advice.

 

[ArtemisBow]

Sorry to hear about your situation - I’m not in the same boat but it must be so hard when you’ve got everything ready to be told to wait. Pregnancy is emotionally charged enough without any additional factors. Have they given you any indication of when you can try again?

 

[Madelinelowery]

Sorry to hear about your situation - I’m not in the same boat but it must be so hard when you’ve got everything ready to be told to wait. Pregnancy is emotionally charged enough without any additional factors. Have they given you any indication of when you can try again?

Hi

Nope nothing - I said is this year a write off for TTC and she said she couldnt answer that.
My argument is there opening up clinic's slowly and other services and i have spoken to other diabetics who want to start trying and they've been given the go ahead. So I don't get why different clinics are saying different things x

 

[EllieM]

I can't believe I'm saying this but what happens if you accidentally get pregnant? I still remember that for my second child we stopped taking precautions about a week before the diabetic clinic review where I was going to ask if my levels were OK (I already knew they were and did get the go ahead) and then I had to go back a couple of weeks later and say "oops, I'm pregnant".

But they may be trying to keep the numbers down because of the coronavirus, and if you're only 27 you'll be reckoned to still have plenty of time to conceive? I'd hate to be pregnant and T1 in the midst of a COVID lockdown, and though the UK numbers are coming down, I'd not have much faith in the government's ability to cope with a second wave of cases....

Good luck, anyway.

 

[Madelinelowery]

I can't believe I'm saying this but what happens if you accidentally get pregnant? I still remember that for my second child we stopped taking precautions about a week before the diabetic clinic review where I was going to ask if my levels were OK (I already knew they were and did get the go ahead) and then I had to go back a couple of weeks later and say "oops, I'm pregnant".

But they may be trying to keep the numbers down because of the coronavirus, and if you're only 27 you'll be reckoned to still have plenty of time to conceive? I'd hate to be pregnant and T1 in the midst of a COVID lockdown, and though the UK numbers are coming down, I'd not have much faith in the government's ability to cope with a second wave of cases....

Good luck, anyway.

I guess if we accidentally fell then I would get looked after like I have done previously just with precautions.

I think what has annoyed me the most that all over the country diabetics are being told different things from there Clinics. I know some that have been given the go ahead and some who haven't. Surely it should be one rule.

I have also been told we may not find a vaccine so what does that mean for trying in the future. I am sure our whole family has had it but I have been told the virus could mutate so having it once doesn't matter. X

 

[Type1of25years+]

Hello. Just read your post. We’ve been TTC for 8 months and I happened to have a hospital appointment booked in when coronavirus kicked off so the hospital wrote to cancel it and the letter said “we strongly advise you not to try for a pregnancy at this time” and hubby and I were so devastated we couldn’t speak all night! We decided to keep trying anyway because of the effort of tightening sugars for a year now and I’m 35, he’s 43 so too scared not to keep trying in case it doesn’t happen but it’s all so stressful, especially with new lockdown rules as I just want to stay home and stay safe and he wants to go out and do more! What did you decide in the end? I honestly don’t know what’s the right thing to do and to be honest from speaking with a consultant I don’t think the hospitals do either!

 

[Type1of25years+]

Consultant I spoke with said the main concerns are that they wouldn’t know what services could be available at any point and secondly that coronavirus in late stage of pregnancy could be a big risk because of reduced lung capacity ‍

 

[Madelinelowery]

Hello. Just read your post. We’ve been TTC for 8 months and I happened to have a hospital appointment booked in when coronavirus kicked off so the hospital wrote to cancel it and the letter said “we strongly advise you not to try for a pregnancy at this time” and hubby and I were so devastated we couldn’t speak all night! We decided to keep trying anyway because of the effort of tightening sugars for a year now and I’m 35, he’s 43 so too scared not to keep trying in case it doesn’t happen but it’s all so stressful, especially with new lockdown rules as I just want to stay home and stay safe and he wants to go out and do more! What did you decide in the end? I honestly don’t know what’s the right thing to do and to be honest from speaking with a consultant I don’t think the hospitals do either!

Hi

I still haven't decided what to do if I am honest. I have read so many things, had advice of so many people and the only thing that is apparent is that this virus is not going anywhere, we have to learn to live with this, which is so worrying but something I have come to terms with. But that could mean not trying for a baby for years and years.
I am adamant our whole family has had the virus in march, and my son evan had all the symptoms of the Kawasaki disease that people are talking about.
I dont think there is a right or wrong decision in this, and I think everyone is doing what feels best for there family
I agree I dont think the hospital knows, I think they are airing on the side of caution and saying about a second wave. But we think this virus has been around since November and hundreds of thousands of people have had it, we knew so many people around Christmas who was ill with all the same symptoms.

X

 

[ArtemisBow]

I really feel for you both, it’s a horrible stress to endure at a time which should be about the joy of welcoming new life into the world. I have to say if this had happened 18 months ago when I was TTC I would have kept trying, age wasn’t on my side as it was so waiting for longer might have meant it just wouldn’t happen at all. It would be different if they could give you an end date ie start again in October etc, but this could be the situation for years - we just don’t know.

Not advising you either way, I just think we all have to weigh up our own risks for our situations and try to do the best thing x

 

[Dark Horse]

I can't comment on other services but I do know that the diabetic eye screening programme is prioritising the screening of women who are pregnant.

 

[Type1of25years+]

Thank you It’s just so hard not to feel anxious about it all.

I really feel for you both, it’s a horrible stress to endure at a time which should be about the joy of welcoming new life into the world. I have to say if this had happened 18 months ago when I was TTC I would have kept trying, age wasn’t on my side as it was so waiting for longer might have meant it just wouldn’t happen at all. It would be different if they could give you an end date ie start again in October etc, but this could be the situation for years - we just don’t know.

Not advising you either way, I just think we all have to weigh up our own risks for our situations and try to do the best thing x

 

[Type1of25years+]

I can't comment on other services but I do know that the diabetic eye screening programme is prioritising the screening of women who are pregnant.

Thank you.

 

[Type1of25years+]

Hi

I still haven't decided what to do if I am honest. I have read so many things, had advice of so many people and the only thing that is apparent is that this virus is not going anywhere, we have to learn to live with this, which is so worrying but something I have come to terms with. But that could mean not trying for a baby for years and years.
I am adamant our whole family has had the virus in march, and my son evan had all the symptoms of the Kawasaki disease that people are talking about.
I dont think there is a right or wrong decision in this, and I think everyone is doing what feels best for there family
I agree I dont think the hospital knows, I think they are airing on the side of caution and saying about a second wave. But we think this virus has been around since November and hundreds of thousands of people have had it, we knew so many people around Christmas who was ill with all the same symptoms.

X

I totally agree, it’s not going anywhere and we also just never know how long it could take ‍ Hopefully you have all had it so you’ll all be ok.
I’m trying to reassure myself that most people don’t suffer symptoms anyway and even if we did get it the hospital would help - it’s just the fear of managing sugars with it that scares me, not actually getting it. My mum had it for 5 weeks and couldn’t even eat for 2 of those weeks I feel the hospital would provide support but then I’ve never been through a diabetic pregnancy before so guess I’m naive about just how much you need!
Pretty sure the anxiety is a natural contraceptive anyway - it’s so annoying!!!

 

[Type1of25years+]

I totally agree, it’s not going anywhere and we also just never know how long it could take ‍ Hopefully you have all had it so you’ll all be ok.
I’m trying to reassure myself that most people don’t suffer symptoms anyway and even if we did get it the hospital would help - it’s just the fear of managing sugars with it that scares me, not actually getting it. My mum had it for 5 weeks and couldn’t even eat for 2 of those weeks I feel the hospital would provide support but then I’ve never been through a diabetic pregnancy before so guess I’m naive about just how much you need!
Pretty sure the anxiety is a natural contraceptive anyway - it’s so annoying!!!

Oops my emojis don’t work apparently, hence all the weird gaps!

 

[Madelinelowery]

I totally agree, it’s not going anywhere and we also just never know how long it could take ‍ Hopefully you have all had it so you’ll all be ok.
I’m trying to reassure myself that most people don’t suffer symptoms anyway and even if we did get it the hospital would help - it’s just the fear of managing sugars with it that scares me, not actually getting it. My mum had it for 5 weeks and couldn’t even eat for 2 of those weeks I feel the hospital would provide support but then I’ve never been through a diabetic pregnancy before so guess I’m naive about just how much you need!
Pretty sure the anxiety is a natural contraceptive anyway - it’s so annoying!!!

Yeah I worry about what it would do to my sugars but I am like 95% sure we have all had it I just think sometimes life it to short and who knows how long this will last, I am thinking all these measures will be in place for at least a year.
This will be my 3rd pregnancy, and my hba1c has never been better then when I am pregnant, I think because you are aware you need to make sure you test test test as they say.
Did your mum have it early on? Because there might be a chance you've already had it too. It is crazy how people dont show any symptoms.
Are you TTC?
Touch wood my last 2 pregnancys went as smooth as they could being diabetic, it's just more regular scans and talking to your consultant which can be done via phone. I have a libre sensor and pump so they can access all my data online which is handy X

 

[Electra Darling]

I am in the same boat and feel your pain! I managed to get my HbA1c down from 58 to 46 in just four months and was so excited to be able to start TTC. I was just waiting for an eye screening appointment and then coronavirus hit, and we decided not to try after all. Now I’m really struggling to maintain such tight control and don’t know how long I can keep it up for, but I know that services aren’t back up to normal yet.

When the pandemic started I was working as a surgeon, and the hospital director said “type 1 diabetes isn’t high risk, you can continue to work frontline” which was obviously rubbish (he’s a diabetes specialist as well). I did develop a cough and my sugars went insane, which I think may have been the virus, but as I never get tested I can’t be certain. Bear in mind though, there’s no evidence that having the virus actually confers any immunity. Even if you’ve already had it, there’s the chance that you could get it again, and many people have tested positive twice as two separate incidences. I only say this because I don’t want people to have a false sense of security and potentially put themselves at risk, thinking that they can’t catch it again!

 

[Madelinelowery]

I am in the same boat and feel your pain! I managed to get my HbA1c down from 58 to 46 in just four months and was so excited to be able to start TTC. I was just waiting for an eye screening appointment and then coronavirus hit, and we decided not to try after all. Now I’m really struggling to maintain such tight control and don’t know how long I can keep it up for, but I know that services aren’t back up to normal yet.

When the pandemic started I was working as a surgeon, and the hospital director said “type 1 diabetes isn’t high risk, you can continue to work frontline” which was obviously rubbish (he’s a diabetes specialist as well). I did develop a cough and my sugars went insane, which I think may have been the virus, but as I never get tested I can’t be certain. Bear in mind though, there’s no evidence that having the virus actually confers any immunity. Even if you’ve already had it, there’s the chance that you could get it again, and many people have tested positive twice as two separate incidences. I only say this because I don’t want people to have a false sense of security and potentially put themselves at risk, thinking that they can’t catch it again!

Hey, Its just such a ****** situation to be in.
Yeah I have heard you might not be immune evan if you have had the virus.
I dont think this will go away, I think it will be like the flu and always be about. Our bodies will just learn over time to fight it I think and eventually we will get a vaccine.
I think it will come back over winter just like the flu does I think the whole country will have to adapt there lives now and this be the new normal for a while. X

 

[Electra Darling]

Hey, Its just such a ****** situation to be in.
Yeah I have heard you might not be immune evan if you have had the virus.
I dont think this will go away, I think it will be like the flu and always be about. Our bodies will just learn over time to fight it I think and eventually we will get a vaccine.
I think it will come back over winter just like the flu does I think the whole country will have to adapt there lives now and this be the new normal for a while. X

I agree, it’s horrendously depressing.

I also think you may be right that it may become more like the flu; even if we do develop a vaccine, there’s the potential that it may mutate quickly like the flu does, and a new vaccine may have to be developed every winter!

Do you have a specific pre-conception consultant or clinic? Mine is wonderful and emails me regularly to check up on me. After my next HbA1c test in a month, I’ll see what she says about TTC despite the pandemic. Like you say, this could be the new normal for a while, and if it’s looking like I’ll have to wait for years then my husband and I have already said that we’d rather try adopting instead. If that’s the case, I’d rather start sooner rather than later!

 

[Madelinelowery]

I agree, it’s horrendously depressing.

I also think you may be right that it may become more like the flu; even if we do develop a vaccine, there’s the potential that it may mutate quickly like the flu does, and a new vaccine may have to be developed every winter!

Do you have a specific pre-conception consultant or clinic? Mine is wonderful and emails me regularly to check up on me. After my next HbA1c test in a month, I’ll see what she says about TTC despite the pandemic. Like you say, this could be the new normal for a while, and if it’s looking like I’ll have to wait for years then my husband and I have already said that we’d rather try adopting instead. If that’s the case, I’d rather start sooner rather than later!

It really is

Yeah I just think we will learn to live with it and it wont go away. I said to my husband we need to adapt our lives now and just be cautious in the future when all restrictions are lifted. Evan if someone had a cold we wouldn't see them for a week or so like next winter when it's likely to return.

Yeah my team are fantastic, I am so lucky I have a great support system. We wanted to start in January and did and then stopped. So it's been 6 months now.
I think it's one of them things where you just need to be sensible and careful. But it could be years before they say its 100% safe to start but when is it 100% safe to try anyway. There are always things that can effect pregnancy. Also you may start trying and take a few months to fall so I think everyone is different. I know were not out of the woods with it but it is definitely decreasing and around our area our hospitals don't have many cases so I am slowly gaining confidence x

 

[Electra Darling]

It really is

Yeah I just think we will learn to live with it and it wont go away. I said to my husband we need to adapt our lives now and just be cautious in the future when all restrictions are lifted. Evan if someone had a cold we wouldn't see them for a week or so like next winter when it's likely to return.

Yeah my team are fantastic, I am so lucky I have a great support system. We wanted to start in January and did and then stopped. So it's been 6 months now.
I think it's one of them things where you just need to be sensible and careful. But it could be years before they say its 100% safe to start but when is it 100% safe to try anyway. There are always things that can effect pregnancy. Also you may start trying and take a few months to fall so I think everyone is different. I know were not out of the woods with it but it is definitely decreasing and around our area our hospitals don't have many cases so I am slowly gaining confidence x

Thats great that you’ve got such support and you’re right that it’s never going to be 100% safe anyway, even for non-diabetics, so you’ve just got to weigh up the risks on all sides and work out what’s best for you.
Good luck, lovely!!