type 1 diabetic and needing someone to talk to!

[Nikkilewis14]

My insulin resistance is kicking up a notch just this week.... Its very frustrating!

 

[dodwell88]

Hi, I am a type 1 diabetic and just found out that im pregnant with my second baby im about 6weeks. I am already worrying about my sugars, how high they are, wish it was all so easy to get them at a good level. Helen

 

[Nikkilewis14]

Helen i was thesame..if u keep at it you will figure it out to lower it... I was at an a1c at 8.6 but niw am 5.8 so eith some hrd work and dedication its possible... My little girl is doing perfectly too!

 

[Dee_H]

Hi Helen..it is hard and frustrating. Only someone with Diabetes would understand. I had a girl at my work say the other day " It can't be that hard to not eat sugar". Yeah because that is all we have to worry about. I'm not sure if it is just hormones..but I could have ripped her face off!!!

 

[LouisaC]

Hi Helen..it is hard and frustrating. Only someone with Diabetes would understand. I had a girl at my work say the other day " It can't be that hard to not eat sugar". Yeah because that is all we have to worry about. I'm not sure if it is just hormones..but I could have ripped her face off!!!

Hi girlies,

I'm in the first trimester, so my sugars are headed the other direction - my favorite comment at work (given that colleagues don't yet know that I am expecting) so far has been "if your sugars are low, just neck a bottle of lucozade" - thing is, with the morning sickness, it comes back to pay a return visit! (This was after I had spent most of the morning with my head down the toilet, so not really appreciated)

 

[Nikkilewis14]

That was the worst in the beginning! My sugar going low, then vomiting, and not feeling good enough to get something in me to raise it! Then......it raised, and raised and raised lol... We finally have a good grip on it right now, but it will be increasing again as i still have a good 9 weeks left! Since they r inducing me early! Hang in there! Itll be worth it!

 

[LouisaC]

Thanks Nikkilewis14,

I just feel as though I'm doing everything I can to stay stable and nothing seems to work!

Am going crazy playing catch up all the time and there's no pattern to it! I can be 1.4 one minute and 20.4 the next

Will just have to keep adjusting my basal rates and playing with correction doses

Will all be worth it in the end!

Would love to hear how you get on with induction... I am currently considering asking for a bath/pool during labour to ease the pain (not necessarily a water birth as I have a definite feeling that that will be off the cards) Did you get any choices in relation to the birth?

Thanks

 

[Nikkilewis14]

all they told me was it all depends on the end of the pregnancy.. (how is the baby developing, is she big etc or if I have any complications) so we have no idea as of yet.. They said if she is too big I will have a c-section, but if she is good weight and I am doing ok they will induce at 39 weeks ... they didnt give me the option of water or anything because i am just delivering in the hospital and they dont offer that there... I will be getting an epidural for pain (im a big baby)

So far so good though,, baby is in the 50 ther percentile which is perfect, so hopefully it all stays this way...

I am not against a c-section, but I really would like to try the whole vaginal birth if at all possible. I want to be able to hold her and see her for more than a second where with a c section i would not be able to because i would be strapped down to a table.

As long as she is healthy and everything is ok, then I am ok with it.

 

[Nikkilewis14]

they also said they would absolutely not go past 39 weeks though.. He has said he has induced at 37 and 38 weeks also with no problems... but once again it all depends on baby...

 

[shellshocked]

I thought I'd post here as I like to check back and see the diabetic ladies who are pregnant as its so tough. (I think t1s have really tough times anyway let alone being pregnant too!)

I have a 9 month old son and am a type 1 diabetic. I know its easier said than done but don't panic.

The hypos are crap the highs terrifying but it can all be fine....

It is tough but think of the reassurance you get from seeing your bean every week/fortnight on the scan.

In regards to insulin resistance here are some figures that should cheer you all up ( I decided to take whatever I needed without thinking back to pre pregnancy comments from doctors- try to keep insulin down the less taken the better adjust your diet accordingly....blah blah blah)

During pregnancy I only got one comment on the amount of insulin I was taking when at 37 weeks the doctor said he wanted to induce me as the baby was going to be big.....and I was on huge doses of insulin (a doctor I hadn't met before who actually did end up delivering my son though at 39 not 37)

Prior to pregnancy
lantus 25
humalog 4-12 Carb count so dependent on what was being eaten

During pregnancy maximums
lantus 100 u
humalog 25-70 per meal
I gained 10kg during pregnancy (I'm a fatty anyway..... lost all that pretty much immediately and back to my normal chunky self)

What I'm trying to say (with a complete lack of eloquence) is that you can do it, take the insulin you need to stay within normal range and test lots. Needless to say my bloods weren't perfect I had several highs over 16 and lots of hypos with high rebounds. I ate what I wanted (apart from when high when I was anally retentive about testing and regaining control) I had to take lots of corrective doses. My average hba1c was 6.1. Before meals bloods were nearly always 3-5( so often hypo prior to meals) but quite often afterwards would be 10 not the 7-8 they wanted. I couldn't adjust further as then I'd hypo so hospital accepted that higher result after meals... Everyone is different so their treatment/mangement/behaviour of their diabetes is different.

Rory was delivered a healthy 6 12ozs at 39 weeks. I was induced(though forceps were required after 57 hours!!)

Good luck ladies. you can do it.

 

[LouisaC]

How's everyone getting on?

I had another bad hypo yesterday - ended up face-planting the Mall floor - not a good idea!

Am still battling on with the morning sickness, still finding that I'm waking up post hypo with a less than perfect memory!

Looks like I will also be having a few too many arguments with my diabetic care team. I know that we're all supposed to be working towards the same end goal...a happy, healthy baby...so why do I feel as though I'm being branded with hospital policy and not necessarily what's best for me and baby? The answer to every question is that it is policy..my question is who came up with the bloody policy, how old is it and is it completely necessary?

Is it just me? I feel as though I'm due to be robbed what is meant to be an important life moment because of a bloody policy which no-one can tell me how exactly it relates to me!!!! Other than of course, because I'm diabetic!

So I know I'm ranting, but bloody hell, its not as though I'm smoking/drinking/abusing drugs through my pregnancy. Its not as though I've done anything to put my baby in danger - I just want reasoned logic and decisions that are based on MINE AND THE BABY'S situation NOT policy!!!!!

So frustrated and feel as though I'm banging my head against a brick wall!

 

[Rosie2806]

I agree Louisa, I feel as if I'm fighting the at the hospital too.

I'm similar to you in that my sugars are nice and low before meals (generally not always) and a tiny bit higher than they'd like after meals. I know that the reason for this is because I can't help but snack, and I've tried saying to them that surely this is acceptable as at the end of the day I am pregnant and bound to want to eat more and more nice things too. The answer to that was have 2 digestive biscuits and a cup of tea or a slice of toast!!! Aaargh, that does not help me, I need to be advised how to incorporate this extra eating into my regime, because I really feel as if I cannot avoid it. So if they can't help me I've just started to change my own insulin doses (I have been diabetic 18 years after all) according to what I eat, I have now started to learn what I can and can't get away with, but I am having to lie to them about what I am eating!!!

I think that the problem is they deal with so many women with gestational diabetes, who understandably cannot eat what they like because they do not have insulin to bring it down. They deal with that many gestational diabetics that a few times now I have been given advice as if I was too, once my Obstetrician said - so has Dr Blah Blah (the diabetic specialist) put you on insulin? Silly man just assumed I was GD!

Keep on at them though Louisa, at my next appointment next week I think I'm going to pluck up the courage to be honest with them and risk being frowned upon. At the end of the day my last HBA1C was 5.8, down from 6.8 and 7.5 before pregnancy, so I can't be doing too bad.

 

[Nikkilewis14]

I still have really bad lows and occasional highs! Its so frustrating, but baby is well...thats all that matters!

 

[LouisaC]

I agree Louisa, I feel as if I'm fighting the at the hospital too.

I'm similar to you in that my sugars are nice and low before meals (generally not always) and a tiny bit higher than they'd like after meals. I know that the reason for this is because I can't help but snack, and I've tried saying to them that surely this is acceptable as at the end of the day I am pregnant and bound to want to eat more and more nice things too. The answer to that was have 2 digestive biscuits and a cup of tea or a slice of toast!!! Aaargh, that does not help me, I need to be advised how to incorporate this extra eating into my regime, because I really feel as if I cannot avoid it. So if they can't help me I've just started to change my own insulin doses (I have been diabetic 18 years after all) according to what I eat, I have now started to learn what I can and can't get away with, but I am having to lie to them about what I am eating!!!

I think that the problem is they deal with so many women with gestational diabetes, who understandably cannot eat what they like because they do not have insulin to bring it down. They deal with that many gestational diabetics that a few times now I have been given advice as if I was too, once my Obstetrician said - so has Dr Blah Blah (the diabetic specialist) put you on insulin? Silly man just assumed I was GD!

Keep on at them though Louisa, at my next appointment next week I think I'm going to pluck up the courage to be honest with them and risk being frowned upon. At the end of the day my last HBA1C was 5.8, down from 6.8 and 7.5 before pregnancy, so I can't be doing too bad.

Its not as though you have a bad HbA1c, so they shouldn't be telling you off for snacking!

What sort of insulin regime are you on?

I'm on a pump - so loads of little doses of novorapid throughout the day, I then just give a bit more if I want to eat so that it mimiks what my pancreas would do naturally - Have you tried the DAFNE course? That shows you how to adjust your insulin for what you eat based on the number of carbs in each item of food.

Maybe if you're on a mixed insulin try to get a small prescription for something quick acting for when you can't avoid snacking? That should combat the sugar in what you've eaten, but avoid the ramifications of too much long acting???

It should be worth having a chat to them about it to see if something can be put in place.

Good luck at your next appointment!

 

[babybambi2011]

hi ladies, thought id let you all know whats going on with me and baby at the moment.
well im 35+1, and feeling very uncomfy now. very much ready for her to come now, but i know she needs atleast 2 more weeks cooking time.

i spoke to the nurse at my diabetic clinic on friday about me wanting a vbac induction, and she said she is very happy from a diabetic point of view for me to do this! so im very happy with that... just need to convince my consultant on friday to book me in. im booked in for a c section on the 17th dec, but im really hoping that if i can avoid another c section, i bloody well will!

my bloods have been quite good, and im getting to the point were i feel full all the time so not snacking, which is great for the "waist line" lol although i still want to eat everything, i suffer when i eat to much so its not worth it anymore.

ive got a scan and consultant on friday so im hoping that she isnt too big. my midwife said there have been a few 4kg babies so im going to try at my last scan at 31+5 she was 4lb 11oz, so im estimating 7lb 6oz really,

how is everyone else getting on? babies and bloods behaving themselves?

 

[Nikkilewis14]

Great to hear that news babybambi!

I had my endocrin apptmnt today and last month my a1c was 5.8 and today I went it was 6.2! I about freaked out, because im trying soooo hard to do so well and i am just so frustrated... at 31 weeks baby weighed at 3lbs 12oz.. and I go tomorrow to see what she weighs this week (i get ultrasound every week)... I also have bi-weekly NST's and they all came back perfect so thats good!!

 

[LouisaC]

hi ladies, thought id let you all know whats going on with me and baby at the moment.
well im 35+1, and feeling very uncomfy now. very much ready for her to come now, but i know she needs atleast 2 more weeks cooking time.

i spoke to the nurse at my diabetic clinic on friday about me wanting a vbac induction, and she said she is very happy from a diabetic point of view for me to do this! so im very happy with that... just need to convince my consultant on friday to book me in. im booked in for a c section on the 17th dec, but im really hoping that if i can avoid another c section, i bloody well will!

my bloods have been quite good, and im getting to the point were i feel full all the time so not snacking, which is great for the "waist line" lol although i still want to eat everything, i suffer when i eat to much so its not worth it anymore.

ive got a scan and consultant on friday so im hoping that she isnt too big. my midwife said there have been a few 4kg babies so im going to try at my last scan at 31+5 she was 4lb 11oz, so im estimating 7lb 6oz really,

how is everyone else getting on? babies and bloods behaving themselves?

Good luck!

You'll have to let us all know how you get on!

Bloods are definitely not behaving - even if I take my pump off for a couple of hours I end up low, so baby must be doing some major work in there!

How is everyone else doing?

 

[kellyrae]

Need some advice ladies please......to keep it quick, I had my first little girl in 2010, pregnancy was fine, hba1 of 6.2 most of the way through, no problems with blood pressure either, the only pre exsisting problem was my retinopathy in both eyes. But when maisie was born I had laser to treat it.

Since then I have new blood vessels appeared at the back of my eyes...and here I am again pregnant, so since I found out my obs at the hospital has wanted me to go on aspirin since about 7 weeks, but I haven't taken it as yet because I want to speak to my eye doctor as I know the aspirin may cause bleeding in the new vessels and I want to know the risks if it does happen and what can be done etc etc.....but my obs being a complete nightmare about it< as I see her every couple of weeks, every time she asks me if i have started taking it, I say no and she tells me basically how wrong I am being.

Anyway I have started to take the aspirin today, and I have an appointment to speak with my eye specialist this friday, what would you do??
The aspirin apparently according to my obs is to prevent renal problems that can occur and placenta vien problems but these don't exist at the moment.
But the eye problems do so why try and fix a problem that doesnt exist when you may be doing more damage to one that does???

I completely understand her concern is for the baby's health but why is this only coming to light now and not in my previous pregnancy?

I'm so stuck as what to about this, all I get from the obs is how regulations say I should be taking it, so did these regulations only just come in as a new nhs thing because I was never told to take it 2 years ago???

Sorry for the essay.....

 

[LouisaC]

Need some advice ladies please......to keep it quick, I had my first little girl in 2010, pregnancy was fine, hba1 of 6.2 most of the way through, no problems with blood pressure either, the only pre exsisting problem was my retinopathy in both eyes. But when maisie was born I had laser to treat it.

Since then I have new blood vessels appeared at the back of my eyes...and here I am again pregnant, so since I found out my obs at the hospital has wanted me to go on aspirin since about 7 weeks, but I haven't taken it as yet because I want to speak to my eye doctor as I know the aspirin may cause bleeding in the new vessels and I want to know the risks if it does happen and what can be done etc etc.....but my obs being a complete nightmare about it< as I see her every couple of weeks, every time she asks me if i have started taking it, I say no and she tells me basically how wrong I am being.

Anyway I have started to take the aspirin today, and I have an appointment to speak with my eye specialist this friday, what would you do??
The aspirin apparently according to my obs is to prevent renal problems that can occur and placenta vien problems but these don't exist at the moment.
But the eye problems do so why try and fix a problem that doesnt exist when you may be doing more damage to one that does???

I completely understand her concern is for the baby's health but why is this only coming to light now and not in my previous pregnancy?

I'm so stuck as what to about this, all I get from the obs is how regulations say I should be taking it, so did these regulations only just come in as a new nhs thing because I was never told to take it 2 years ago???

Sorry for the essay.....

Difficult one!

What has your OB said about the retinopathy? Before they can give you medication AND make you feel guilty for not taking it - they should address all pros and cons of treatment - she can't very well try to tell you off for not taking it if she hasn't done her job properly!!!!

Personally I would defer taking the aspirin until you have spoken to your ophthalmologist - but that's just me and I'm not medically trained! Like you say, there is nothing to suggest that you will develop these other problems but risk making your eyes worse!

My doctors have also recommended that I go onto aspirin after the first trimester, but I also have ongoing eye issues so will be quizzing them before anything passes my lips!

I'm not sure about the American vs UK way of doing things - but it seems to me that healthcare is more fragmented over the water whereas here (UK) my doctor addresses everything at once and part of my ante-natal care includes having my eyes photographed in the ante-natal clinic.

Would be good to hear what your ophthalmologist suggests so I can be fore-warned and ready.

I hope everything goes well!

 

[kellyrae]

I will let you know how I get on with him, and my obstetrician is rather high rate and from the times that I have seen her she comes across as someone who doesn't like her decisions questioned, Ive seriously thought of asking for someone else to be honest but we shall see what the ophthalmologist has to say. Will keep you updated, thanks for your response, I felt awful about it as though I wasn't thinking about babys welfare and only my eyes, obviously my baby does come first but I just think there is other factors to consider too.