Trying to conceive

[Elc1112]

My husband and I have an appointment later this month with a specialist gynaecologist as we are wanting to start trying for a baby. I had my HBa1C checked last week - getting the results next week. My previous one, though, was 6.2% (still can't get used to the new measurements, hence using the one I have grown up with!).

I have no idea what to expect from this appointment, just hoping that it's all positive! Keen to hear about other people's experience, though. I've been working hard to lower my HBa1c. Cholesterol, blood pressure, weight etc. are all normal. I have background retinopathy, diagnosed last year after over thirty years living with diabetes. Wondered whether people in here were advised to have x months of monitoring before trying, or whether they started straight away?

Thanks!
Em

 

[noblehead]

Hopefully members like @azure will be along shortly to advise.

I don't know if you've seen this @Elc1112 but the JDRF have put together a Pregnancy Toolkit for people like yourself, here is a link to their website:

http://jdrf.org/life-with-t1d/pregnancy/

Good luck and hope all goes well.

 

[azure]

Hello @Elc1112

Have you been prescribed a high dose tablet of folic acid? That was the first thing my consultant did for me (my HbA1C was fine). If not, it's very probable the specialist or your GP will prescribe this for you to take every day while trying to conceive and for the first 13 weeks of pregnancy (it's to reduce the risk of neural tube defects).

Your HbA1C sounds very good. I'm sure your consultant will discuss this with you anyway but you need very tight control during pregnancy, tighter than normal. You may be given targets to aim for so you can get used to this while you're waiting to conceive.

During pregnancy, I had extra eye screens to check for retinopathy as sometimes pregnancy can make that worse. My eye checks were all fine, but it's good to just keep a check on that.

You sound like you're in good health. I don't know what your specialist will do or say, but my appointment was just being given the folic acid, talking about the importance of very tight control, and being told to phone the hospital clinic as soon as I got a positive pregnancy test.

Good luck! It's hard work but very do-able

 

[Elc1112]

Thanks both. Yes, noblehead, I saw the document that you are referring to and have downloaded it - really helpful! Glad all went well for you, azure. Looking forward to his appointment at the end of the month so that we can start moving forwards. Feels like it is taking a long time to come around and patience is definitely not one of my strengths!

Azure - were you able to carry on working full time when you were pregnant? I ask as I understand that there are extra appointments needed on account of the diabetes. I have a very busy and fairly stressful, at times, job and do end up working long hours and traveling a fair bit. The travelling, no doubt, will need to scale back but I worry about what impact the stress will have on the baby?

Em

 

[azure]

Hi again @Elc1112

Yes. I worked full time, but my job was office-based. It was quite a stressful job, and I was aware of the possible impact on the pregnancy. I used to take breaks to do some brief meditation and calm down. I managed to remain calm as my major focus was my baby and ensuring all was well. Even if you're not working, you could worry, but deep breathing and staying calm will work for anything. I practised before I even conceived. So simple but effective

I did take it easy when I was at home though. No long car trips, no vigorous exercise, etc. I know people probably run marathons when they're prgnant, but my motto was Better Safe Than Sorry.

If you're worried about working, could you cut your hours? Or maybe change your job a little? My employer had to do a risk assessment when I got pregnant.

Yes, there were quite a few appointments, but I had no problem getting the time off. Pregnancy is covered by law. I tried to arrange my appointments for earlyish in the morning so they didn't disrupt the day too much.

 

[Elc1112]

Thanks, Azure.

I'm hoping that I will be able to continue in my current role, albeit with a few tweaks so that I'm not travelling so much. If that's not possible, I'll cross that bridge as and when I get there.

If I have a good excuse to avoid the gym then I will grab it with both hands haha. I'm actually a bit of a gym addict but will be taking the doctor's advice as to what is safe to continue and what I should cut back on.

Thanks again for your help. Will let you know how I get on at my appointment in a couple of weeks

Em