Type 1 Diabetic - book recommendations

[joby77]

Hi All

I'm after some recommendations for books for trying to conceive and pregnancy for type one diabetes. Can anyone provide any recommendations.

Thanks for your help in advance

J

Following with interest as I am also T1.

Not a pregnancy book but have you read Think Like a Pancreas?

Also have you tried using Dexcom or Freestyle Libre for monitoring and control?

Are you looking for something in particular?

NICE guidelines for pre-conception care are available but the only literature I'm aware of aimed at patients is short leaflets. Most type 1 clinics have a nurse/midwife/endocrinologist who offers preconception counselling and frequent follow up to ensure targets are met prior to conception.

I would also speak to Diabetes UK if you are in the UK, as they are a fantastic organisation who may well know if there is anything available OR consider writing one!

Thanks MissyEm I've not read think like a pancreas so I shall purchase that. I use the freestyle libre sensor and couldn't live with out it now!

Rinceoir I'm booked into the pre conception clinic at the hospital with my first appointment tomorrow but I do like to read up on things as well. I am UK based so good shout on Diabetes UK I'll get in touch with them and if I do fall pregnant at some point I may take your idea on writing one!

Thanks both for replying

Joby I was thinking DUK might commission writing one but am sure they'd love you to offer up the service!!

It's also an idea to see if there's peer support available to you locally- someone who has been through the process can be helpful.

@joby77, a hospital pre conception clinic, what does that entail?

I go to the hospital for my currently quarterly (ish) Consultant/nurse if required check up and also have a diabetic nurse at my local surgery who I mentioned TTC to and she didn't have much to say apart from let her know when we are successful.

Re Freestyle Libre do you have it synced to a smart watch, also a ground breaking discovery!

A preconception clinic/counselling should go through HbA1c targets pre conception and how to achieve them without lots of hypos, folic acid recommendations, eye screening if it hasn't been done recently etc.

No book recommendations but I have been advised to keep my HBA1C stable and under 7. Also take the folic acid, call them when I get pregnant (or in my case stay pregnant) and have an extra eye exam at 12 weeks. I do have minimal retinopathy though, so that might be different in your case

Interesting ok, will look into that. Thanks. I did get some folic acid but after trying since April I have stopped taking it. Seems pointless too early to do it. Is that wrong?

Ideally you should take folic acid three months before you get pregnant. I have been taking it for almost 4 years without a problem.