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Pregnant, type 1 and freaking out!

L

Lottie1993

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi I am about 9 weeks pregnant now and although it was unexpected, my parter and I have decided to go ahead with it. My blood sugars have never been very tightly controlled and I have developed nerve damage in my legs and retinopothy in my eyes due to this. My last hba1c was around 9 and the one before that was 11. I am currently on insulin injections of novo rapid which I carb count 2:10 and levemir, 16u in the morning and 26u at night. I am stressing out about the health of my baby and worrying lots about the risks of Down syndrome and other birth defects, has anyone on here had a child while having intermittent highs throughout their pregnancy? And was your baby ok? I'm trying very hard to control blood sugars but am struggling at night and seem to either be low or high, never a happy medium. I have extreme hunger and I am struggling to cope with this whilst managing my Bm's. Someone please help! Thanks
 
Hi @Lottie1993 and welcome to the forum.

I will bump your post up so that other posters can let you know how they got/are getting on with their pregnancies.

Take care, ((((hugs)))).
 
Hi lottie,

Have you made your diabetes team aware that you are pregnant, they are the best people to ask for help and guidance throughout your pregnancy, I strongly suggest you get in touch with them if you haven't done so already.
 
Yes my team knows and ive had an antenatal appointment as well as tests on my eyes and stuff, just feel like the only answer on here is to see my team but they are quite clinical and don't make me feel any better as they just throw risks at me. Id like to speak to someone who has gone through this or something similar and could give me a few helpful pointers or things they found useful x
 
Hi Lottie
I had my daughter at nearly 43 yrs old, and I'm type 1 and she us noiw a teenager. The best thing to do is to try and not worry or get stressed out, this isn't going to do your BS any good. My readings were not to bad, but different trimesters can have a big affect on your insulin intake. at one point I was taking a lot more and another, a lot less, just 1 to 3 units.
If we worried about everything, honestly, none of us would have babies, I know it's a little scary, it's all if's, what's and maybe's. I know you only want to do your best for your unborn baby, but keeping calm and with a positivie outlook will go along way. And with a good healthy diet and exercise, walking is good out in the fresh air.
Are you taking Folic acid?
Wishing you all the best for a happy and healthy pregnancy. I know there are a few pregnant ladies on the forum, so hopefully someone will be along with some ongoing/updated advice and help.

Good luck RRB:)
 
Thanks for the reply, yes I am on folic acid as well as aspirin to reduce chances of preeclampsia and a vitamin supplement too x
 
I had insulin controlled gestational diabetes with 3 (on 4th at the moment) and starts extremely early so they think i am developing type 2 diabetes though all non pregnancy tests come back ok. I have an intolerance to metformin so put straight onto the nova mix.

You are always in a constant battle with blood sugars as you are actually battling your hormones rather than food and can be really depressing when you crave something but know you will be told off if you do. They have sent me to the dietician but a complete waste of time as she told me i can have whole meal toast. Plain or with beans, cheese, egg or mushrooms 3 times a day. and in early pregnancy you really dont want to be told what to eat especially if a couple of those things make you puke.

I always have high bloods tbh. I have had hypos but seem to get them with higher blood sugars (they say my body is used to high bloods now so hypos happen when my bloods are apparently normal) the only thing i ever suffered with a little is big babies (biggest so far (2 the same weight) is 4250g or 9lbs7) but never a problem as i have big birthing hips. The other is loads of fluid and get quite big (about the size of someone with twins or multiples).

I am happy to say ALL my kids were born healthy happy diabetic free without any complications. You will be induced at 38 weeks (which is actually quite nice rather than wait until 42 weeks and then be induced which if like me you are impatient is a big pain in the neck) baby will get bloods done every 3 hrs for first 24hrs to make sure baby has settled the insulin and not getting hypos due to it producing insulin to break down your bloods. Mine never had a problem either with this. I would suggest breast feeding and topping up after with formula to make sure if you are worried. Dont stress until you get there as may be big stress over nothing. Pregnancy bloods do take time to get hang of so keep at it.
 
Thanks so much, this has made me feel much better to know you've had 3 babies and they've all been fine! I have been noticing that I'm swelling up a bit and my tummy seems to look like I'm a good few more months than I am so thank you for settling my mind :)
 
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Hi
don't worry I got pregnant and my hba1c was 11 it did slowly go down to 8 but as soon as I reached 15 weeks my body went hay wire I could not lower my sugar levels I had to take enough insulin for 3 people I was having 20+ units on novarapid with each meal and atleast 100 units of levimir in the morning and again at night the doctors were completely astonished and confused but the hospital keep very close checks and you have a scan every other week to make sure there is no problems
the only problem I had was I was 35 weeks pregnant and I went for my scan and they found that the baby was in distress so they asked me to come back the following day to be induced so when I returned I thought I would be in hospital for atleast a week with them trying all different things but they sent me straight down to surgery and out she came 2 hours later! due to my sugar levels being so high as soon as she was born she did drop into an immediate hypo but the doctors quickly sorted that and she was perfectly fine - granted she was massive due to feeding off pretty much pure sugar but perfectly fine she is now a healthy and happy 3 year old little madam but I always worry she will develop diabetes so I check her blood if she ever cuts her finger or anything - she runs a mile if she spots my finger pricker so I don't do that 2 her anymore.

but I feel like I had the best pregnancy I just got quite tired towards the end think it was a mixture of everything really high sugar levels and being third trimester but like I say the hospital keep really close checks on you and if they spot any abnormalities they act really quickly

good luck and don't worry xxxx
 
[QUOTE="kellyb8511, post: 767498, member: 94852"

Lol am on 22-19 novamix and 24 wks it increases steadily. My bloods are always really high but never had a problem. Normally have really regular scans call diabetes team every monday and friday and in hospital every other week.

They will keep on top of it so not a problem really. I know many type 1s who were in hospital being induced with me and we always chat etc. Their kids were all fine.

They check babies weight (ac and hc) and the water after 20 week scan. There are a lot of things that can happen but just try to not think about it (unless it helps you to control your eating :-) like i do) if you are stable in your food get that insulin sorted after that you just need to fight the hormones which really can be extremely confusing and depressing etc but you have half of the battle won with your food consumption. Just keep experimenting and keep a close eye on your bloods between meals and you will get the hang of it.
 
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