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Pregnant - help!

jessie

jessie

Well-Known Member
Messages
275
Location
Gloucestershire
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello,

I'm 7 weeks pregnant and scared stiff. I saw my doctor when I found out I was pregnant 2 weeks ago and am waiting for midwife / DN appointments to come through. I feel completely in the dark, my insulin requirements have gone up (Lantus by 2 units and NovoRapid has doubled), I have had some pretty high readings (10 - 12) but I think I've got it under control now. I have no idea what I should / shouldn't be eating or doing. Normally, when possible, I avoid the main carbs as I can't eat them without spiking afterwards. Anyway, I have had some bleeding and discomfort the past 2 days and called my surgery who've booked me in for a scan on Saturday morning... I am fearing the worst. I feel like had I known more about diabetes and pregnancy this could've been avoided. Any tips appreciated.

Thanks, Jessie. x
 
Sorry I can't help re: diabetes and pregnancy but just wanted to say good luck x
 
Hi Jessie,

Congratulations - and Good Luck for Saturday.

Really hope things go well for you... and that someone who knows a bit more about these things can help you out soon.

Sam.
 
Hey,

I was diagnosed type 1 diabetic during my pregnancy which was a bit of a shock but I had a lot of helpful doctors and nurses guide me through it (although cant say I'm impressed with the support since having my daughter -sigh ). Anyways, I panicked like hell thinking I pretty much couldn't eat! They told me to eat like normal, and as my body desired, if I wanted carbs, have carbs, if I craved chocolate, eat chocolate (obv within moderation lol) and adjust insulin accordingly. You'll get a diabetic nurse who specialises in pregnancy and they should give you lots of help adjusting insulin levels if need be.

You'll find as you go through your pregnancy that your insulin requirements will get higher and higher but apparently thats perfectly normal. You do need to keep your sugar levels in control though as if theyre high it'll make the baby need more water too so the baby bloats as well!

Can't think of anything else they told me now, but good luck with everything :)
 
Hi Jessie,

best of luck for Saturday. I am t1 and have 2 children...so know only too well how difficult it can be, combining pregnancy with diabetes.

I didn't want to read and run...but wanted to say, bleeding at this stage is normal, try not to panic. Youa re doing everything humanly possible to look after you baby...OK, so you are not staying at non diabetic levels, but that is almost impossible, especially in those early days of pregnancy.

Heavens forbid, but if you do get bad news on Saturday, it id not your fault! Please try not to feel guilty. Unfortunaetly, these things happen, but it is not your fault, or even your diabetic bodies fault...if you know what I mean!

I had the same thing....I think about 9 weeks, and went for a scan. what I git was that thing where they listen for a heartbeat...and they found it! I was walking on air, but came away even more determined to do everything Ipossibly could for the baby. I am still doing that...and today I am taking her swimming as she is 4 years old.

Diabetic pregnancy...hard work, absolutely, but do not feel guilty about things...and you sound like you are doing a great job so far. get all teh help you can, and stock up on test strips, as you need to test as often as possible!
 
Hello, unfortunately it was bad news on Saturday. I'm sure my time to be a mummy will come again one day so thank you for all the helpful replies. I'm on the look out for a decent book about pregnancy with diabetes so I can learn all there is to know.

Jessie.x
 
So sorry to hear that :( I wish you better luck next time.
 
So sorry to hear your sad news but I like your positive attitude. I was diagnosed when I was ten - 5i years ago - I miscarried twice but had three healthy children. Pregnancy is hard work for diabetics but there was lots of support for me (all those years ago!) Insulin levels do increase - it's not permanent. The main thing is to try to keep readings normal but not to get into a state when they inexplicably bounce around - I used to go for a brisk walk if they went too high rather than have extra insulin but as we know every diabetic reacts and responds differently. Good luck and when the time is right enjoy your pregnancy. :)
 
Jessie,

so sorry to hear that.

I didn't find a good book on the suject, but there are some supportive websites out there. This site is great...but doesn't have a big T1 pregnacy board. I found an american site really useful 4 years agi, and a UK one about 3 years agi. Alas, can't remember what they were called.

All the very best
 
Thanks again all,

It's good to read your positive stories. I suppose the difficult bit is that we're all different and pregnancy - and diabetes itself - are a huge learning curve. I have picked up a few tips though, including taking 5mg (rather than the standard 400µg) of folic acid every day for 3 months before you conceive and then up to week 12 of pregnancy, which I didn't know about. A family friend gives me her old Balance magazines and I have dug out a pregnancy special, which has some great advice. An area on this site for existing diabetes and pregnancy would be great, if there is a need for it.

Jessie.x
 
i have had three babies, and i have been diabetic since i was fifteen. try not to get yourself so worked up! you just have to take a bit more care of your diabetes. my insulin requirements went right up during each pregnancy, and i tested tested tested, and worked around it accordingly.
i have had three healthy (albeit slightly bigger than average) children. the first two were four weeks early, and the last was two weeks early, and the smallest of the three, because by that time i really had a decent team around me, and it was by far the healthiest pregnancy for me. all three were by c-section. i dont know if they will do this with you, but it was just decided it was best for me at the time. i think the doctor at the time just did that straight away, no matter what, for diabetic mothers, but i wasnt in any mood to argue the case, and i dont suppose it mattered in the great scheme of things.
just take care of yourself, ask questions at your appointments, take the appropriate advice, test your sugar regularly, and yes, you will almost definitely have to up your insulin intake. this should only last throughout the pregnancy though.
congratulations!! enjoy being pregnant. it can be difficult and stressful, but its also wonderful in so many ways.
 
does your hosp do a joint clinic as with mine i was type one but got scanned weekly and checked insulin does go up in the first trimester but should come down in 2nd but should see midwife at hosp dont cut out carbs as your baby needs them id love another but have lost 2 in this year fingers crossed good luck asap
 
Daisypuppy

This thread is from November 2010. A pregnancy is 9 months ...
 
Hi

First congratulations! I have T1 and have two kids. The more you worry the more your BS will shoot up. Important is that through your pregnancy youll get help from a special hospital team that deals with diabetes and pregancy. Do not go to a midwive! Things will settle for you. I carried both children to end of term and there were no issues during birth but i was monitored very closely during pregancy and had multiple ultrasounds to follow the development of the children.

Keep smiling!
 
Hi guys,

I have to say I've been very well looked after by my midwife, antenatal and diabetes teams. Like Maria says, there are lots of scans and appointments which although tedious are so reassuring, and necessary. I'm approaching week 39 and will be induced this Sunday, my sugar levels and insulin requirements have dropped to pre-pregnancy or lower so I'm enjoying spending my maternity leave eating biscuits! Scans show my baby is on the smaller side of average, possibly due to tight control.

Daisy I'm sorry for your losses, and I hope you have some good luck very soon. Remember you can only do your best when it comes to controlling your diabetes.

Jessie x
 
Jessie

Good luck for Sunday! Very exciting!

I'm T2 but had two pregnancies and births on insulin. Both very different and my youngest is 8 so I'm sure things have progressed even in that short time.

Just think, three more days to being a mummy! Hope you enjoy every minute!

Best of luck!

Jayne xx
 
OOOOOhhhhhh good luck for the weekend!!! :) I was told when i was pregnant it was a myth that Diabetic mothers have larger babies ;) or it is for type 1's anyway :) when I had both my c-sections there were a few women in there with diabetes and non of them had a larger than average sized baby :) and both mine were on the smaller side of the average :)
 
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