Pregnant and paranoid

[Tanmal]

I am hoping someone can set my mind at rest. I have been T1 for 16 years and on a pump for 3 .5 years. I between 5 and 6 weeks pregnant and questioning what the changes in my insulin requirements means. I had my first son at 32 yrs with few problems, my second son at 35 yrs with few problems and now I am 41 and pregnant after a miscarriage 7 months ago. Because of the miscarriage, and my age, I am completely paranoid!! My insulin requirements rose almost immediately - it was the reason I knew I was pregnant long before I could do the test, because I usually drop in the week prior to coming on. But 3 days ago I suddenly seemed to plummet. I'm worried it means that the foetus has died. In my miscarriage the foetus had died at about 7 or 8 weeks, but I only started bleeding at 11 weeks. And although I didn't know the foetus had died until I started to bleed, I guess some signs were there - including the fact that my levels regularised. What is normal and usual in the early stages of pregnancy? Should BG be high or low? I don't know how I am going to get though these early weeks as my miscarriage has me obsessing about everything. And that stress in itself can't be good!! Sorry for rambling, I've never been on here before and don't know how everything works.

 

[catherinecherub]

Hi Tanmal and welcome to the forum.

I feel for you and am bumping your post up in the hope that a Type1 will answer your fears.

It is usually quieter here at weekends and you may have to wait longer than usual. I hope not.

Take care.

CC.

 

[JessP]

Hi,
It is normal for your insulin requirements to fall in the first trimester and then rise afterwards, I.e. After 12 weeks. Have you contacted your healthcare team? They should be able to organise an early scan for you on the basis of you being diabetic. I would say try to relax but I know there's no point!
I've got my fingers crossed for you...
Jess


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

 

[Tanmal]

Thanks Jess. I am still waiting to hear back from diabetes specialist midwife. You're right, not worrying is impossible! I seem to be checking bg every hour or so... obsess much?! just desperate to make sure that I do everything that is within my control. Sigh. I just want to get safely to second trimester, then I may relax a bit!


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

 

[K8tie_x]

Congratulations in your pregnancy. I honestly wouldn't use your levels of any indication of what is going on pregnancy wise, just try your best to keep some good records so you can see how your needs are changing and try and stay within your targets between 4-5.9.

Do you know when your scan is xx

 

[Tanmal]

I've got an early viability scan on Tuesday, when I'll be just short of 7 weeks. Spoke to my diabetes specialist midwife on Thursday and she told me to stop watching levels so obsessively! My only concern with her is that she doesn't know anything about pumps, so refers me to the dsn who is the pump specialist. Think I would be happier having one person with ecpertise in both areas!

 

[JessP]

That would make more sense but not always possible, the DSN is more important than the midwife at this stage (don't tell the midwife I said that!) as it's your glucose control that is important. Good luck on Tuesday!



Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

 

[K8tie_x]

I agree the midwives are extremely clueless (in my experience anyway) of diabetes so take what they say with a pinch if salt. The main important points with diabetes and pregnancy are that you are taking a higher dose of folic acid from the start and that you are getting your bloods in target between 4-5.9. They switched me at 12 weeks from folic acid onto a 75mg dose of aspirin to prevent blood pressure problems. If there is anything I can help you with please get in touch, I'm extremely lucky to have an amazing team behind me but I know it's not always the case x

 

[fig]

Congratulations! Try not to worry, i'm sure everything will be ok. I found my bg gradually increased as my pregnancies progressed and i noticed the change from about week 6 of being pregnant. It was only very slightly to start with though and much more towards the end. In my 2nd pregnancy i knew what to expect and started eating less carbs (less in-between meal snacks!!!)as soon as i knew i was pregnant so i also felt like my insulin requirements decreased but it was because i was eating less, so possibly you are doing the same? I had a healthy little boy just slightly bigger than he should have been at at 9 lbs 13, 6 weeks early!

 

[K8tie_x]

Hope you don't mind me asking fig but did you go into labour yourself 6 weeks early if we're you induced? I had my first 3 weeks early due to her size but she was 7lb 10oz which was smaller than they'd thought she was from the growth scans x

 

[fig]

no of course i don't mind. I was induced early the first time due to decreased fluid and a suspected large baby, 6 lbs 13, so not very big after all but she ended up being born by an emergency c section as she got distressed during early labour and the 2nd time they wanted to induce me again due to a suspected big baby but i opted for a planned c section and baby was 9 lbs 13, 6 weeks early so i'm pleased i did haha. I am 33 and had type 1 for 26 years and am about to go onto an aviva combo pump so i may start asking you lots of questions about that if you don't mind ;-)

 

[K8tie_x]

Thank you for sharing your experiences, I find it really difficult as I don't know any other type 1 diabetics personally so I love hearing other type 1s stories so I feel abit more prepared for whatever this pregnancy may throw at me! I followed everything they said first time round to the word, but I'm definitely going to be more confident in what i want and expect this time, particularly with the pump! No I don't mind at all I check this forum regularly, not sure if there's an inbox option though but if there is feel free to inbox me id be happy to help if i can, I've found this forum invaluable for support and advice and there are lots of very experienced pump users. I'm on the same pump, been on it just over 3 weeks and its been a very positive life changing experience and I feel confident you will feel the same! X