planning pregnancy

Hi Agnieszka

I am also hoping to start trying for a baby soon. My diabetes care team have told me I need to do the following:

- Take Folic Acid supplements every day
- Get my HBA1C into the 6% (as a minimum) range AND KEEP IT THERE!!! Apparently the risk of complications is higher for every part/percentage over this you are.
- Test regularly!!! Keep a diary of my results, food eaten etc so I can act on problems immediately

I am hoping to go on a pump around September time when we can start trying. I need to make sure I have the best possible control as they have also said that most of the genetic 'damage' caused by poor control happens in the really early stages before you even know you're pregnant. For me, this means that as soon as we decide to start 'trying', I will try to keep the tightest reign I can on my sugar levels and diet.

There's a member on here called Wiflib - she's a midwife (and diabetic herself) and has also given me some great advice (and more importantly, reassurance) in this area.

As for the weight issue, my BMI is about 27.5 at the moment and I am trying to get this down with exercise (which should also help throughout any pregnancy) - My (non-diabetic) friend was a gym nut (4 times a week) and gave birth to her daughter on Sat in 2 hours!!!! Now, there's an incentive to get my trainers on !!! Seriously though, I want to get as much as I can to 'ideal' levels before I get pregnant to allow me some margin for error (if necessary!) when it happens. Also, as I understand it in the final trimester our bodies can require 3 or 4 times the usual insulin so I want my requirements to be as minimal (and level) as possible so I can be prepared for this when it happens!

Most important though is I think you need to make your doctors aware that you are trying to get pregnant in the near future. They have a duty of care towards you and should give you all the advice and support you need!!! Don't be fobbed off - this is your body and your future child and you want them both to be as healthy as they can be!!!

All the best

ma5on