Type 1 diabetic, high readings in early pregnancy, midwife seems blase - is this usually the case?!

[confusedforever]

This is my first pregnancy, and I am normally well controlled, and have been a Type 1 diabetic since I was five. I am now five weeks pg, found out last Sunday, and my blood sugars are running far higher than normal. Have adjusted my insulin to suit, but still have occasional bursts of up to 18.0 mmol. I have been told to come in for first appt with midwive on the 6th June, and explained about the Type 1 diabetes and the high readings and was the midwife didn't seem to concerned. Is this the usual approach...? Seems a bit odd to me! Am going to call again and emphasise what's been going on but am interested to hear of any other Type 1's experiences in the meantime.
Thank you!

[squirrel007]

I am not normally diabetic, but just diagnosed with gestational diabetes and am now having appointments with the 'diabetes and pregnancy' team rather than the usual midwife. Might be worth giving your hospital a ring and seeing if there's something similar near you. I think they'd probably be better placed to advise than the non-specialist midwife.

[confusedforever]

Thanks. As this is my first time, and I only moved to the area a fortnight ago, this is all new to me! Apparently I need to see them on the 6th and then they refer to whoever I need to be referred to, so will suggest the diabetes and pregnancy team when I ring, in a slightly morw pushy way than I did last time, on Monday.

[Knackeredmother]

Midwives are highly trained in so called normal births but not so with regard to specialized medical conditions. See your Gp, explain the situation and you will likely be referred for consultant led or joint care.
Congratulations!

[confusedforever]

Sorry - disjointed as typing on phone.
Will also see if I can see someone sooner than the 6th which seems ages away. Am sure that good control is even more crucial in the first few weeks.

[fallingandlaughing]

I think you need to get a diabetes nurse involved, you should really be attending a specialist medical obstetric clinic. I only see a midwife at the specilaist clinic (fortnightly).

My sugars were all over the place in the 1st trimester and I really worried about the odd 18 or 19. However my obstetrician, diabetes consultant and nurse were much more relaxed about it. they were more worried that I'd go too tight on my sugars. I am now 31+3 and all seems to be going well, all scan etc fine. Now going up to weekly appts as I am past 30 weeks and I can't fault the care I've had.

[Knackeredmother]

You are right, I should have added see your GP on mon, there shouldn't be a problem.

[confusedforever]

Thanks KnackeredMum! I thought something like that would happen when I first rang, which is why I was so surprised when they didn't seem too fussed. In retrospect, maybe I should have been more fussy at the time but, as it was, I was still shellshocked over the BFP and not thining straight!

[confusedforever]

Fallingandlaughing, that is SO good to hear! My sugars seem to be how yours were by the sounds of it. I had been told in previous pre natal counselling that it was crucial to be very steady re sugar in the first trimester especially, which is why I'm a bit concerned. Hopefully I can get someone to shed a bit more light on what may be going on on Monday. Thanks all!

[firsttimer84]

Hi op, ive been type 1 for 5 years and pregnant with first (22 weeks). In the first 7 weeks my sugars were higher than normal. Then they went very low until 16 weeks and had lots of random hypos. Then after 17 weeks my insulin needs increased slightly and they are stable again. Are you in contact with your diabetes nurse? Youll need to see these every 2 weeks xx