Diabetes and pregnancy

[blondiejess1982]

Hi everyone
I am new to this! I am 6 weeks pregnant and type 1 diabetic. It was not a planned pregnancy. Of course we are very happy and excited but have extra worries about the diabetes and the effect it could have on the pregnancy and baby. Is anyone else on here in the same boat?

[frangipani13]

I have gestational diabetes which is a bit different but as long as you mention it to your midwife at your booking in appt (you need this between 8-10 weeks) I expect they'll keep a closer eye on you. They may test you for GD early and suggest some dietary requirements. Have you arranged a booking in appt yet?

[Junosmum]

My friend is 32weeks, she's type1 diabetic. So far so good, few high sugars and a bigger than average baby. She's found that the local maternity unit know nothing and every (minor) is due she's had they've had her in and monitored so she's stopped calling them now, if she can't get hold of the diabetic midwife she just manages it herself.

She's had to be extra careful with her diabetes management and had a pump fitted beforehand which is working well for her. High sugars are more common now, where as low was more common before she got pregnant.

[ThePug]

Fellow T1 here and currently 7 weeks pregnant (after miscarrying first pregnancy in April at about 6 weeks).

Whatever you do do not wait to mention it to your midwife at your booking appt - you need to be under the care of the specialist diabetes antenatal consultant/clinic asap. I have already had two appointments and am due to see them every 2-3 weeks from now on.

What is your Hba1c like?

[RueDeWakening]

Go to the GP asap and get prescribed some folic acid - you need the prescription only level of it, 5mg/day I think. If you take statins or ramipril, stop them immediately too. GP should be able to refer you to a specialist diabetic ante-natal clinic (at least, that's what mine did). You'll be consultant led care throughout I think.

I'm t1 and have had 3 kids, plus a mmc, so have gone through it a few times. Don't panic, you can't undo anything, just make sure you're as well controlled as possible from here on. And good luck!

[blondiejess1982]

Hi everyone. Thank you for your replies! Yep the first thing I did was call the diabetes centre in a panic! Then saw the specialist midwives that day. My hb1c was 8.6 last time., so a bit high. Just working on keeping sugars in control (it's a challenge..)I am due to see them again next Weds. I am just so worried high sugars are going to harm the baby. I have been trying so hard to stay controlled, but it is hard when I am not great with it usually. Xx

[ThePug]

Good luck blondie - you can only try your best.

My HBA1cs usually hovered around 52/53 (so about 6.9 in old readings) but I've got id down to 45 and then 44 since we started ttc in January. This is the absolute lowest it has ever been since I was diagnosed aged 19, 11 years ago.

I've found keeping a food/bm/insulin diary really helpful - write down every measurement, every single thing you eat and every insulin dose. I found that having to write down everything I ate and justify why I ate it really made me think twice. Stopped me over-correcting hypos and absent mindedly eating something with a cup of tea without having some insulin.

Hopefully you're on the 5mg folic acid now too.

[RueDeWakening]

If you have an iphone, I totally recommend the mySugr logbook app, it's fabulous and definitely helps me keep track and not only because I am powered by stickers just like my kids :o