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Insulin Needs Dropping In 3rd Trimester

sekv

Active Member
Messages
35
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hi all
I'm now 34 weeks plus 4, type 1 on injections.
My insulin needs have dropped significantly over the weekend. I've gone from taking 35 units of lantus to 20 which needs to be reduced further tonight to 18.
Typically over the weekend nobody in the hospital understood the severity that this indicates failing placenta so I've had a tough weekend but I'm finally getting the message across. I'm now visiting DAU every day to monitor baby. Managed to get a scan on Saturday to check placenta and have another one tomorrow. Placenta blood flow is still looking ok with baby moving well and having grown since last the last scan. An emergency appointment has been booked with my consultant for Wednesday to see where we go from here.
Has anyone else experienced drops in insulin towards the end? What was the plan of action? Did you end up being induced earlier then originally planned?
Thanks x
 
@sekv Can you not push to see the consultant before Wednesday? I had to phone triage because of a possible problem and I was seen immediately.

That's a big drop in insulin. Of course, it may be nothing, but you're quite right to treat it as a possible emergency. My OB stressed that to me a number of times.

Do you have the phone number of a pregnancy DSN you can talk to? Can you speak to yoyr consultant's secretary and get advice?

Don't panic - as I said, it could be a strange thing unique to you and nothing dangerous, but if it was me I'd be back at the hospital asking to see a consultant today.
 
Hi @sekv i had significantly reduced insulin when I was 33/34wks ended up I had pre eclampsia and my daughter had to be delivered prem this was a big warning sign. As @azure says please try get in touch even if it's just to speak to your consultant as that's a big drop. Just to mention something I was told scans are retrospective and can't really tell what the current position is (I had this especially with my twins) and you shouldn't ignore your insulin drop. Has your short acting ratios dropped too?
I hope everything is going to be ok and it's just a little blip but I would rather be there constantly!!xx
 
Hi ladies, thanks for your messages. I've been in every day since Friday with monitoring and have had 2 scans done. Saw consultants yesterday and they are happy it is not pre eclampsia and that whilst it is not common, it isn't unheard of for the insulin needs to drop and not be placenta issues. That said though, I have appointments twice a week to monitor baby's heart rate and growth and I will be induced at 36/37 weeks rather than the original planning of 38. Feeling very close now
giving birth is easy right?!?!?
 
Every woman is different... go in and just let it happen, done it 6 times now and may go again in the future! Dont stress... and just relax, walk loads as well as lubricate.

A sister in law had no pain or pushing (baby just slipped out) you know yourself so trust in what you know dont panic and you'll be fine.
 
@sekv It sounds like you have a good team looking after you Giving birth is empowering and totally amazing.
We women were designed to do it, so don't worry Mental attitude is everything. Read lots about birth and what may or may not happen so you're all prepared. I liked the Active Birth book and the Mindful Hypnobirthing one. Know you can cope with the pain, know you can adapt to whatever birth experience you have, and know you can do this

While you're waiting, double check your bag and get plenty of hypo treatments and snacks in there; make sure your birth plan is ready; eat well and rest lots; and enjoy the last few days of pregnancy
 
I find it addicting! As long as you go in with the right mentality you will be fine, some woman find watching those birthing programs good and some not so good... every labour and birth is different so just what you see isnt always what you get and sometimes it shows things which might be scary... for me just trusting the midwives to tell me what to do was enough and they are really good at keeping you at ease and helping you get what you want out of the experience... really exciting time... actually starting to be broody again so should probably try not to be on these pages... just to try to put off getting pregnant for a while longer!
 
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