Hi, I've had Type 1 diabetes since I was 12. I am now 40 and have 2 children ages 5 and 6. I've been on the Mirena coil ever since our son was born and the 5 years are up. We would absolutely love to have another baby but don't know whether its something we should risk and would love advice from anyone who's been in the same situation. My 2 pregnancies were great and I had much better control than when I wasn't pregnant. My sugar levels are good in general but I could have tighter control. My consultant advises against having another baby a. because of my age and b. because of the complications associated with diabetes in general. About 8 years ago it was discovered that I had advanced retinopathy in both eyes and had to have emergency laser surgery for about 7 months. After this I suffered from haemorrhaging in both eyes. It has since calmed down and my eyes have been fine in the last couple of years and I feel perfectly healthy. We have to make this decision in the next week because if I get the coil replaced that will really be the end of thinking about having another baby. Any advice would be really welcome as I feel time is running out.
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Pregnancy with T1 question
- Thread starter Melser
- Start Date
janabelle
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 816
- Location
- London
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- Lack of choice of insulin for newly diagnosed patients.
Dog owners who let their dogs poop in the street-a hazard for most, but worse if you're visually impaired!
Having RP
Hi,
I really feel for your predicament. That's such a tough decision.
There are risks associated with pregnancy over 40 with or without diabetes. Perhaps your consultant is basing his decision on the fact that you had retinopathy, a complication of poor control.
I guess it depends on how much you trust him and his judgement, and what evidence he's based his advice on. It's a huge, decision, and it has to be you that makes it, although the desire for a baby often feels beyond your control.
The one thing in your favour is that, as you mentioned, pregnancy gave you stable control; I experienced the same in my 3 pregnancies.
Doctors can't predict the future, and can make bad judgements. The fact that my eldest son celebrated his 18th birthday proves that. We were told when his cancer relapsed at aged 11, that there was no possible cure or further treatment for him. 2 consultants at Great Ormond Street told us to go home and enjoy the time we had left with him. We couldn't accept it, and after visiting more cancer specialists in London, persuaded his consultant to treat him with high-dose chemotherapy and a stem-cell transplant. They did not expect him to survive, let alone be cured, but he's still here 6 1/2 years later!
Is there anyway you can put off having your coil fitted? Sounds like you need more time to research into this before making your decision.
Hopefully you'll get some more helpful replies than mine, from someone who's been exactly where you are.
Very best of luck
Jus x
I really feel for your predicament. That's such a tough decision.
There are risks associated with pregnancy over 40 with or without diabetes. Perhaps your consultant is basing his decision on the fact that you had retinopathy, a complication of poor control.
I guess it depends on how much you trust him and his judgement, and what evidence he's based his advice on. It's a huge, decision, and it has to be you that makes it, although the desire for a baby often feels beyond your control.
The one thing in your favour is that, as you mentioned, pregnancy gave you stable control; I experienced the same in my 3 pregnancies.
Doctors can't predict the future, and can make bad judgements. The fact that my eldest son celebrated his 18th birthday proves that. We were told when his cancer relapsed at aged 11, that there was no possible cure or further treatment for him. 2 consultants at Great Ormond Street told us to go home and enjoy the time we had left with him. We couldn't accept it, and after visiting more cancer specialists in London, persuaded his consultant to treat him with high-dose chemotherapy and a stem-cell transplant. They did not expect him to survive, let alone be cured, but he's still here 6 1/2 years later!
Is there anyway you can put off having your coil fitted? Sounds like you need more time to research into this before making your decision.
Hopefully you'll get some more helpful replies than mine, from someone who's been exactly where you are.
Very best of luck
Jus x
Hi Jus
Thanks so much for your reply and thank God you researched more into your son's cancer treatment. I know we do have to rely on our own judgement a lot when it comes to consultants and if I'd listened to any of them i wouldn't have 2 gorgeous kids now. Do you mind me asking how old you were when you had your last child and if you experienced any complications? I'm sure the retinopathy hasn't helped with my consultants view but it gave me a good kick up the bum when it happened and ever since I've managed to get my BC control a lot tighter. I will certainly research this a lot more before making the final decision!
Thanks, M
Thanks so much for your reply and thank God you researched more into your son's cancer treatment. I know we do have to rely on our own judgement a lot when it comes to consultants and if I'd listened to any of them i wouldn't have 2 gorgeous kids now. Do you mind me asking how old you were when you had your last child and if you experienced any complications? I'm sure the retinopathy hasn't helped with my consultants view but it gave me a good kick up the bum when it happened and ever since I've managed to get my BC control a lot tighter. I will certainly research this a lot more before making the final decision!
Thanks, M
janabelle
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 816
- Location
- London
- Dislikes
- Lack of choice of insulin for newly diagnosed patients.
Dog owners who let their dogs poop in the street-a hazard for most, but worse if you're visually impaired!
Having RP
Hi again,
I was 32 when I had my eldest son. He's 8 now. I'd been type-1 for nearly 13 years then and I'd never had great control, except during my pregnancies. My control was always a bit brittle, got that sorted now by changing to pork insulin, and wish I'd been offered it back then. I'm amazed that I don't have any complications, especially after my dire 41/2 years on godawful Lantus. I was up & down like a yo yo on that-2-15 every day, and higher!
With my last 2 pregnancies I was referred to different consultant, who dealt with my diabetes during pregnancy. Is there any chance you can talk to someone like that at your hospital, someone who deals specifically with diabetes in pregnancy-it's good to get a second opinion.
I've decided not to have more children, partly because of my sight problems(not diabetes related),I' m registered blind now, but I met a couple at the weekend with much worse sight than me contemplating having a baby soon!
Best of luck in making your desicsion M
Jus x
I was 32 when I had my eldest son. He's 8 now. I'd been type-1 for nearly 13 years then and I'd never had great control, except during my pregnancies. My control was always a bit brittle, got that sorted now by changing to pork insulin, and wish I'd been offered it back then. I'm amazed that I don't have any complications, especially after my dire 41/2 years on godawful Lantus. I was up & down like a yo yo on that-2-15 every day, and higher!
With my last 2 pregnancies I was referred to different consultant, who dealt with my diabetes during pregnancy. Is there any chance you can talk to someone like that at your hospital, someone who deals specifically with diabetes in pregnancy-it's good to get a second opinion.
I've decided not to have more children, partly because of my sight problems(not diabetes related),I' m registered blind now, but I met a couple at the weekend with much worse sight than me contemplating having a baby soon!
Best of luck in making your desicsion M
Jus x
