Changing onto a pump while pregnant?

I recently found out I am pregnant. It wasn't exactly planned but I was getting healthier in order to get pregnant so I am happy, just shocked and anxious! I think I am at least 10 weeks but it's such new news I am waiting for an urgent scan.

I was on the waiting list for a pump but now I am pregnant my DSN is applying for funding urgently so I can start the pump as long as I'm 12 weeks+

I just wondered if anyone else has been in this position? How long should it take to get basal rates right etc? I've already noticed my insulin needs have increased. My last a1c was 6.9 so not bad but could be a lot better.

I have had 6+ weeks of extreme nausea and vomiting leading to two admissions, which has made it harder to control my levels. If I go hypo it can be impossible to keep anything down to bring it up. I'm hoping the pump will help.

Thank you @azure

I was hoping to start pumping before trying to conceive, but I know there's no point regretting that now. I am amazed I got pregnant without trying and extremely grateful as I always imagined I would have trouble conceiving.

That is good to know other people have been in a similar position. I also have quite bad retinopathy and some maculopathy and have noticed my visions been blurred for over a week. I have an extra eye screen next week and my dating scan is next week too, so I am anxious to get those done.

Thanks for the tip about glucose tabs. Luckily they are one of the things I haven't gone off, and on the days I am being sick every 30 mins I use them for lows.

My GP just prescribed omeprazole which is safe in pregnancy and that has definitely helped, along with ondansatron which I am only taking when the vomiting won't stop. I am really hoping it subsides as the pregnancy goes on.

Hopefully it shouldn't take long for funding. I think I am between 10-15 weeks but really have no idea. I'm hoping being on the pump will make doing small corrections easier as it's hard with such tight targets. At the mo if my bg is 8 and I do 1u I would go hypo.

Were you pumping during your pregnancy/s births?

The nausea and vomiting is awful but I am not that surprised as just taking the pill made me nauseous and vomit too, I am very sensitive to hormones. In a way it's a relief to know what is causing it. I thought it was severe gastroparesis before doing the pregnancy test and was waiting for a gastro referral! I haven't vomited in 2 days now which is great and I am hoping that means it is easing off

The nausea and vomiting has been replaced with frequent and severe hypos. I know part of that is because I am correcting with too much insulin. I am testing a lot and over correcting. Which I know I need to stop cos it isn't helping - it is just leading to yo-yoing. I seem to be more sensitive to insulin. I'm hoping that will settle down as atm I am really concerned I am harming my baby it will be a relief to have my first scan.

I would need to change from humalog to novorapid to get a half unit pen. But that is a good idea and would make things easier for now. I don't mind changing to novorapid if my dsn can organise it without it taking ages. I will send her an email now actually!

I would really like to avoid going on a sliding scale in labour and I hope the pump means that is possible.

Thanks for your help @azure it's great to hear from someone whose been through pregnacy etc on a pump. I'm sure I will have lots of questions once I get my pump get more pregnant!

Thanks so much @azure I'm a pharmacy technician and had never heard of that! I emailed my dsn asking her but found out she is on holiday, but have been given a diabetic clinic appointment next Tues.

@tigger thanks for sharing your experience I was using dexcom up until a month ago, self funded. But I have had hyperemisis gravidarum and have had the last 6 weeks off work and I just can't afford it now. I am going to see if the clinic will provide me with one sensor while I get basal rates sorted but know I will probably have to find the money from somewhere.

So I had my scan this week! And found out I am 16 weeks and having a baby boy so shocked I thought I was nowhere near 16 weeks. They did all the checks they will repeat at 20 weeks too, and everything looks perfect. I am so grateful!

Since then I have seen the diabetic midwife, had bloods etc. Been referred to a dietician, and have an appointment with the obs consultant who sees diabetics in 3 weeks.

They have also made me a diabetic clinic appointment for Tuesday. I am hoping there is some news on the pump because I am really really struggling. When people said diabetes is harder in pregnancy I didn't appreciate how hard, with the added anxiety that it may harm the baby. I had a severe hypo of 1.3 on Wednesday and nearly needed an ambulance. Happened in my sleep. 1u drops me too much and unless I eat (which is hard with this sickness) I can't safely correct unless I am 9mmol/l. Dexcom would make this so much easier!!

I also had my eye screening this week as I have quite bad retinopathy. And also given fragmin today which I am told I must injection daily until 6 weeks after baby comes.

I feel well looked after anyway!

Sorry to post again but I don't want to make a new thread so will update here. I am starting my pump on Wednesday!! Funding has come through

My hba1c is 48/6.6 which is better than I thought. Previous to that it was 6.9. Also had other blood results for liver and kidneys etc and they are all fine. I had the results from my retinopathy screening which shows maculopathy and severe pre-proliferative retinopathy but I already know I had both of them. My diabetes consultant has sent a letter to eye clinic asking for them to see me urgently. I feel very well cared for by the NHS since finding out I'm pregnant I can't fault them

Thanks Azure! I started my pump on Wednesday



It's been a difficult few days.. and my DSN went away on holiday on Friday for 10 days so not the best timing, I spoke to her on Thurs though.

I have been left to it to change basals although she did give me instructions. I feel more confident than I did on Thursday hah! At first I was on a fixed basal rate every hour, but I have increased it from 2am til 6am where I seem to go high. I'm going hypo every evening too so am reducing that 2 hours before I am going hypo to start tomorrow.

It has been a bit worrying to see my levels a bit all over the place. I'm testing every 2 hours though (got through 50 strips since Wednesday! )

Had a nightmare this morning where I woke up to find my kitten had chewed completely through the tubing and blood sugars were 20! Highest they have been since I got pregnant...need to get a pouch or something to hold it.

I'm not missing injections that is for sure I expect as soon as basal levels are sorted my insulin requirements will increase.... I am just over 18 weeks and have noticed my insulin carb ratio and correction factor have changed so I need more insulin. Guessing it will just keep rising now!