Pump set and pregnancy

[hetty1601]

I was just wondering if anyone found that there Set was often painful and bleeding when inserting in their tummy whilst pregnant? And if so what other areas did you use for your pump? Only had my pump since November and 16 weeks pregnant so it's all very new to me although I have had type 1 for 23years.

 

[Snapsy]

No experience of pregnancy @hetty1601 but I'm sure someone who has will be along shortly! Congratulations on your news!

I find the most comfortable place for my cannula is round the back, on my spare-ish tyre. Very comfy, and the hosepipe doesn't get in my way, and I find they behave better there (as my tummy had been injected in for decades, so cannulas don't like being on my tummy).

 

[dancer]

The usual sites are tummy, midriff, back and bum (not the part you sit on). You shouldn't have consistently painful sites and if there is bleeding every time, there is the danger that the blood will affect the flow of insulin. Try other sites - if you find the same thing happens, ask your DSN to try other sets.

 

[tigger]

I got my pump when 10 wks pregnant and mainly used my stomach. I had a lot of initial difficulties with the standard set so tried most of them until i hit on the right combination with good absorption. I do occasionally get bleeders where it either bleeds initially or isn't absorbing well and when i remove the canula i get a lot of blood. It just means you've hit a capillary. There is a wide area you can use around the stomach. Remember that you can't use 90degree sets in the stomach in the 3rd trimester so if you do want to stay there have a go with the 45 degree sets. I tried my thighs but found the absorption bad. Bottom in certain areas was good. Remember that different sets and different areas will require different basals so don't assume there is something wrong with either your body or the set when trying a new area. Try lots of temporary basals to get an idea.


And let me repeat try different sets. Angled ones have been best for me but 90 teflon works in some bits of me. Steel is worth a shot too. The idea is far more painful than the reality.

Tagging @azure who has done pumping far longer than me.

Good luck. It takes perseverance but the price is worth it in the long run

 

[azure]

Hi @hetty1601

When I was pregnant I used my bum and thighs, which are both areas I'd used before The thigh is my favourite area as it's easy to reach. I had no problems using those areas, and stuck to my thigh for the majority of my last pregnancy (started off with my bum early on).

 

[hetty1601]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply. I have a new pump Ypso pump so the set rotates. I am going to try my thigh. Never even thought about the blood interfering with the insulin absorption. It only been the last few sets but makes sense as I have thought my bloods have been a little higher than I have been managing them.

Thanks again