I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when I was three. I've now lived with it for over 30 years, and with careful planning and management I have never had any complications – but all the things I did to control it came under strain when I had children.
Managing diabetes is easier with a good routine and sleep pattern, and being able to get food when my body needs it – none of which are compatible with having kids, especially when they are babies.
Breastfeeding and a lack of sleep are difficult enough to contend with as a new mother – when you have diabetes, they're even harder. Blood glucose can fall at night without you initially realising because you're asleep; even before I had kids, I would sometimes wake up when my blood sugar level had fallen too low (known as hypoglycaemia, or hypo) and have to get up to test my blood sugar and treat it. When I was breastfeeding, I also had to test my sugar levels after a feed, even in the middle of the night when all I wanted to do was sleep.
My children are now five and three and I no longer breastfeed, but while I was I kept coming close to having hypos. Testing blood sugar and injecting insulin in public can be nerve-wracking. It's similar to breastfeeding in public – it can make you feel self-conscious (even if you know it shouldn't), but it's something you know you have to do.
I've learnt not to be afraid to inject insulin whenever and wherever I need to. I have friends who have always refused to do it in the middle of a restaurant, instead waiting until they got home – but this is likely to results in bloods going high. Now I have kids, I'm even more vigilant about looking after myself.
I do sometimes worry about what other people's children may think if they see me testing my levels and injecting insulin. My kids are aware of what I'm doing – if I suddenly have a hypo, they need to be able to explain to people what is happening so I can get any help I might need. But other children may not understand what I'm doing, and I can only hope that their parents are in a position to explain. That's why I'm always happy to answer questions and help raise awareness about diabetes.
It's easier to manage my diabetes now my kids are a little older, especially now I am getting more sleep. There are still challenges but careful planning make them manageable. I have just taken on a part-time job, and besides the normal concerns such as childcare I've also had to work out how I'll adapt testing and mealtimes to my new routine.
Children and diabetes both require a lot of organisation – having both can sometimes require military precision. But the more advice I get, the better I am at managing my condition well. I am really pleased that the new book from Diabetes UK 100 things I wish I'd known about diabetes, will see valuable tips and advice from people with diabetes reaching even more people who are living with the condition, their families and friends.
In 100 things I wish I'd known about living with diabetes, people with diabetes share useful tips around every part of life to help others living with the condition. Order your free copy here.
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Guest post: "Having children put a strain on managing my diabetes"
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MumsnetGuestPosts · 16/02/2016 11:53
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