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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

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Original poster

Any Type 1 Diabetics out there also TTC....?

88 replies

confusedforever · 08/03/2011 20:22

Hello, I am diabetic this type and am on the first month of TTC. I have good blood sugar control etc but, and this is also apparently due to my age, been told that being diabetic can be a bit of a hindrance. Is there anyone else out there in the same boat? (I know there are lots of type 2's or people with gestational diabetes but not so many type one's) If there is, I'd like to hear how you are all going about things while having a fairly normal / relaxed life at the same time...

OP posts:

StrandTest · 16/03/2011 20:44

Oh good luck with your pregnancy test Confused!

All this talking about getting pregnant with a bunch of diabetics is starting to make TTC later this year a bit real - eek!

StrandTest · 16/03/2011 20:42

The section...at the start of the pregnancy I was all for as natural a birth as possible. I come from a family of (non diabetic) women who have four hour home births and had assumed that would be my future, til diabetes reared it's ugly head at age 21.

As the pregnancy progressed, all any one wanted to talk to me about was induction, being on a drip and how I would almost certainly need an epidural. I left my OB appointment in tears several times. This was all complicated by the fact that DS was getting bigger than anyone had expected and had a HUGE head circumfrance. Random strangers who had no idea I was diabetic would tell me that my bump was huge and I'd never get the baby out (I am five foot and a size 6/8) I began to have visions of failed forceps deliveries, etc.

By 30 weeks or so, I began to beg for a section - a complete u-turn from where I had started. I was told an emphatic NO. At my 36 week scan the OB was 'pleasantly suprised' that my baby's huge head had engaged into my tiny pelvis and told me she would be booking me for induction at 38 weeks. I burst into tears (damn hormones!) and she took pity on me and said that if I was so frightened, induction might not go well and booked me for a cs.

When DS was born, at 8lbs 6oz and with a big head as expected, both my midwife and the OB said they still thought I would have got him out. Who knows though?

Sorry that was long, hope I didn't put anyone off...you did ask!

HedgeSparrow · 16/03/2011 13:11

Hello again confused and tigger and hello to strand. I can't believe how many of us there are. As you say I don't really talk about it in real life. Considering most GPs seem to get muddled up between the two types there is not much hope for Joe Public.

strand I am interested in your elective. Did you have to fight for it or were they happy to let you have one on diabetic grounds?

confused how funny i used to live in Herne Hill. Now I live in Forest Hill!

Original poster

confusedforever · 16/03/2011 10:06

However, it must be on my mind more than I care to admit as had very vivid dreams about being unable to breastfeed last night!

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Original poster

confusedforever · 16/03/2011 10:05

Morning! Can you tell me why you opted for a c-sec rather than induction? Tbh I find both quite scary, actually I think I find childbirth as a whole scary, so am interested in your views.
Can be test day for the first time on Friday. As its a First Response I can probably do it now but think that the later the better is the best option. Also have no symptoms or anything (to the extent where we went to the pub last nighty so very much doubt we'll be first time lucky! Have decided to make a concerted effort re super healthy food, hardly any booze and so on for next month. The house selling situation close to drove us to drink but that's not really a valid excuse any more... (Shame!)

OP posts:

StrandTest · 15/03/2011 22:38

I wasn't induced, I had a planned section at my request. I didn't want to be induced, but that's my issue so don't let me put you off. I did find the cs to be a very positive experience though.

tiggersreturn · 15/03/2011 21:29

Don't get me started on gestational diabetics.... Far far worse than type 2

"oh no, I can't have this grape life is so unfair"

yes dear you're not on insulin and it will go once the baby comes out.

The hospital did send me a letter after ds saying that my blood sugar should have returned to normal after the birth and inviting me for an hba1c to confirm this. I found this a little amusing and called up the consultant to ask him what response he wanted given the bad levels I was managing post birth.

Confused my doula was wonderful as she just had this great calming influence on me and made me feel like I had time to make decisions and wasn't being forced into anything. She was a very comforting person and had this whole bag of tricks e.g. socks, extra pillows, water spray produced when needed which improved the whole experience.

Original poster

confusedforever · 15/03/2011 18:54

Why, of course. And it's your own fault you have that, you greedy girl, as you ate too many sweets. (Incidently, my mother has been asked, on more than one occassion, 'what on earth did you feed her for her to get it so young?' )

That seems big but not overly so. How did you find the induction?

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StrandTest · 15/03/2011 18:16

Yes, remember the boils. Bletch.

He was 8lbs 6oz at 38.5 weeks, so big but not extraordinary. He was long so was in proportion, if that makes sense. I am very petite, but DH is over six foot, so the jury is out on whether that was genentics or diabetes. My consultant said genetics, the general public said diabetes, of course

Original poster

confusedforever · 15/03/2011 18:03

Yep, that was the one with the diabetic pregnant girl / lady. She had to have boils lanced or something hideous and rarely tested.

How big was your baby?

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StrandTest · 15/03/2011 17:50

I did see The Hospital. There was a pregnant lady on there, wasn't there? Or was that another programme? I remember I was pissed off that she was so poorly controlled and had a small baby at the end, lol.

StrandTest · 15/03/2011 17:45

Oh, and I was my consultant's 'star patient'. He saw many badly contolled pregnant diabetics and their babies were fine,so try not too worry too much

He told me it was sod's law that I had such tight control and still had quite a big baby. Meh.

Original poster

confusedforever · 15/03/2011 17:44

Ooh, we cross posted! You seem to be very much a woman after my own heart with these things!

Maybe best not to get me started either....!

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Original poster

confusedforever · 15/03/2011 17:43

Doesn't mention Type 2 till 3rd paragraph This seems to happen a lot, mainly I suppose as Type 2 is so much more prevalent. Grrr!

Did anyone see that programme on C4 called The Hospital? They had one episode on diabetics but did not once mention the two types, but did focus on the poor diets and excess weight of some of the patients. It really wound me up!

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StrandTest · 15/03/2011 17:41

I am the same, rarely ever mention it to anyone. I also get asked if I used to be fat (am very slim)!

And get told I have the 'bad kind'. And that I DON'T have the bad kind, I'm only a little bit diabetic, because people expect me to be fussing about it all the time, and drop to the floor foaming at the mouth a few times a week.

Don't get me started, you be here all night...

Original poster

confusedforever · 15/03/2011 17:33

Ah, that makes a lot more sense! This TTC malarkey has thrown a whole new light on things, things that I haven't had to worry too much about for a long time. My control is, after all, good but it is not textbook perfect, which is what seems to be stressed if you are TTCing. However, I am also trying to keep a semi-open mind about this and not get into too much of a state as surely diabetics with less than perfect HbA1C's get pregnant but are okay....? The idea of living my life like a science project, and a boring one at that, does not appeal in the least!

I seem to know more Type 2's than Type 1's - I can only think of one, and that's a friend of a friend really. It's a pet hate that the press rarely mention there are two types, so people assume I am on insulin as I 'have diabetes really badly, and it can't be controlled with tablets'. I have also asked how fat I must have been Due to this, I am not as open about it as I used to be.

OP posts:

StrandTest · 15/03/2011 17:26

I tried to be super strict while TTC and achieved a 7. Your HbA1C comes down when you are pregnant anyway, as your blood volume increases while pregnant, and sort of 'dilutes' the sugar a bit. That's how it was explained to me anyway

I was told off for the 5.5 - my consultant was concerened that I must be having lots of hypos. I was! That's what I meant about the daily hypos. I am fortunate that I have never needed any help to treat a hypo or anything like that though. Several low blood sugars a day are exhausting though, and I am sure I couldn't manage like that in my current job.

It's nice to see other diabetics here, I don't know any in real life!

Original poster

confusedforever · 15/03/2011 17:21

Hi Strandtest - did you have to be super strict while TTC and when pregnant to achieve that? I think I'd find it very hard to get it around the 5.5 mark without having lots of hypo's all the time.

Great to hear your baby had no blood sugar issues too - it clearly can be done!

OP posts:

StrandTest · 15/03/2011 17:19

Meant to add, DC was planned and it took about half an hour to get pregnant . Hoping it will happen quickly again, but I'm five years older and have started having very heavy periods, so who knows?

StrandTest · 15/03/2011 17:14

Hoping to TTC with T1 later this year. I'm 33 and on MDI.

Already have a 4 year old. Had a good pregnancy with HbA1Cs between 5.5-6.5, although it was hard work to achieve that. I had an elcs (my choice as I didn't want to be induced) and a very healthy baby with no blood sugar issues, and I breastfed for a year.

Bit concerned as last time I was pregnant I was doing a very easy job, where not much was expected of me. Now I am a primary school teacher and I know that fortnightly antenatal appointments and daily hypos will not go down well at all. Am fully expecting to be signed off next time tbh .

Original poster

confusedforever · 15/03/2011 17:03

I am moving to Yorkshire, and am currently in Bristol. Where in SE London? I lived in Brixton / Herne Hill for 8 years before moving here.

OP posts:

HedgeSparrow · 15/03/2011 16:58

Good luck with your house move, confused. That sounds like a nightmare! Whereabouts are you moving to? I am in SE London.

Original poster

confusedforever · 15/03/2011 16:19

I tend to test if I think I am too high or too low, I rarely do otherwise (unless about to go out for a run or similar.) Therefore, if you look at the readings on my machine it looks like I am all over the place, while my Hba1c says otherwise!

Am not bothering with getting referred to a hospital here as I am hopefully moving in just over a month - its fifth time lucky this time re the sale and it's all going to plan. Agree there are only so many idiots one can take re these things but, at the moment at least, I have no pressing need to see one (although this may change on Saturday when I do my first, eeek, test! - I also realise it is highly unlikely to be a BFP on the first go!)

I have emailed a doula who sounds lovely - not too earth mothery, very switched on - who will cover the area I am moving to. I asked if she had any experience of diabetic births and she doesn't but is asking around other doulas and independent midwives to see who does and will get back to me. Can you tell me what your doula helped with the most? I am very keen on the idea and it seems relatively affordable so worth the money. Also, I am very attracted by the stats on reduced intervnetions such as the hideous forceps. I also think, when or if the time comes I'll be scared stupid and need all the help and reassurance I can get!

OP posts:

HedgeSparrow · 15/03/2011 14:20

Hello again. It's so nice to chat about this stuff! Your GP experience sounds woeful (though I am not surprised). I think I have been quite fortunate in the excellent continuity of care I have had at my hospital clinics, and my GP seems happy to defer to them. Luckily their only involvement is signing off my prescriptions (though I did have one incident when they tried to restrict my supply of testing strips as the rules had changed for TYPE 2 diabetics....)

RE sugar readings I have been having the odd high and had what I thought was not a veyr good couple of months, so was stunned when my HBA1C came back at 6.1. I mentioned this at the clinic and the specialist nurse did say hypos would average out higher readings, which wasn't ideal but wasn't too bad as long as I stayed in the 6-7 HBA1c range.

I've never really been encouraged to test AFTER meals, though if/when I do get pg I might have to start. It was always my understanding that it would be OK as long as you were having good readings after a few hours. The trouble for me is that less food = hungry, more insulin = massive hypo at 3pm! I've never really understood how to get great control without lots of hypos so any tips you have there would be greatfully received

I suppose I do worry that I could being doing better but I do think it is partly about striking a balance between doing the best that you can and having a normal and enjoyable everyday life. Having said all this if I finally do get a BFP I'll be straight into panic mode!!

tiggersreturn · 15/03/2011 14:11

have namechanged from tony and back to former life.

This is why I low-carb. Certain foods don't have that effect and it makes it less stressful for me. I'd get yourself referred to a hospital irrelevant of move. There's only so many idiots you can take. Also I don't remember it being difficult to do as I self-referred myself to addenbrookes at the end of university because I didn't like my consultant in London. In the end I decided to stick with him and he did improve but I don't remember it being difficult to get onto a hospital's books.

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