Type 1 diabetic and pregnant.

[JoJoMint]

Hi.
I'm only 8weeks into pregnancy and I'm terrified. Iv been type 1 diabetic for 21 years and I her so many confusing things about what the risks are. I am so sure I'm gonna lose her I'm crying all the time I can't think about normal things. When can I start believing that everything's going to be ok? I've never wished my diabetes away until now. Anyone going through or been through a similar situation?!

(Just FYI my diabetes is well controlled, been using a pump for 5 years)

I'm sorry to whinge I just feel like I need some help.

2 healthy pregnancies, although I spent the first one worrying all through it! I'm not worse off for the experience and DS & DD are both fine.

Both of them were on the big side when born. I went in to labour spontaneously both times so didn't have to be induced at 38 weeks.

Try not to worry, easier said than done i know! Anything you want to know, ask away :)

Thank you so much, even just knowing you've done it twice is really reassuring! Xxx

Paddyclampo, did you use a lot more insulin? All the way through your pregnancies?

Yes I did! Especially in the last trimester - I think I used about treble the normal amount, it was madness!!

I think in the first 3 months I was on the low side x

Congratulations JoJo ! I'm glad this thread is here; I was looking for a similar one a few weeks back. Unfortunately I had a mc at 7 weeks at the end of April but we're now back TTC.

I'm pretty sure that as long as your diabetes is well controlled you are at no greater risk of miscarriage. The increased risk comes when you are not looking after yourself.

I'm about to turn 30 (next week and have been Type 1 for 11 years. Since we started ttc for the first time in February, my Hba1c has never been better, in fact I got the best result by a long shot I've ever had the week before mc. I've worked really hard to keep my levels stable and not slip back into being too relaxed. I was amazed how much I managed to improve my control by keeping a diary of every bm result, insulin injection and food that passed my lips.

I hope your pregnancy continues smoothly and that you get advice & support from both your medical team and the lovely ladies on here. Hopefully I will be able to join you on this thread in the not too distant future, if that's ok?

Sounds like your doing really well Pug and hopefully you'll be on here again soon!

I remembered something else - I had a lot more scans during my pregnancies than most people get, which was very reassuring! I think a lot of it is to keep a track on the babies size, but they also did a very detailed scan of the heart too.

I had an added complication of being rhesus negative so I felt like I was never away from the hospital!

Type 1 for since 9 and had first child at 38 yeas old after using a pump for 2 years, before the pump my control had never been good enough! Yes lots of scans and although she was 6 weeks early she was 7lb 2oz. We were advised that she would need to go onto the SCBU because every baby with a diabetic mother did. She had low blood sugar but they expected this and dealt with it easily. Pump will be a massive help in labour as no need for sliding scale, my husband adjusted the settings at a certain point in delivery as advised by diabetic nurse and we were good to go. Easy to say but try not to worry too much and congratulations.

Two healthy pregnancies her. #2 is now 8 months old. I had a lot of worry with Dc1 as my hba1c was really high when I fell pg with him (unplanned) and I had huge problems with my eyes because of it BUT he was absolutely fine.

It can be hard work being pregnant and diabetic but it is worth it. Just take it one day at a time and be thankful for all the extra care you'll get. Congratulations

I'm type 1 and am sitting here with my lovely 5 month old. I found pregnancy hard work, but managed to maintain 'non diabetic' levels throughout. I found really limiting my carb intake was what really worked with me. I attended the diabetic antenatal clinic fortnightly throughout, and weekly towards the end, plus a lot of extra scans.
It's hard work but achievable and so worth it.

Hi Chocoroc. I remember you from the conception bus in early 2014. I was using anothe NN then. Congratulations! I'm so glad it all worked out well for you!

Thank you!

Hi, I've been type 1 for 7 years, on a pump for 18 months and am currently 21 weeks pregnant. When I first found out I was convinced at every stage that I was going to miscarry or there were going to be terrible complications that would all be my fault. My husband was very supportive but I could tell he didn't really understand why I constantly felt so guilty, even when all my levels were good. My team have been really good though and so far everything is going well, the 20 week scan showed no problems (for which I was unbeliveably grateful) and apart from a very small increase in my blood pressure over the last two weeks there doesn't seem to be a huge amount wrong. My insulin requirements have altered a lot, lots of early morning hypos at first but an increase in ratios for all meals, but as I get further along, and closer to the magical 28 weeks, I'm starting to feel more confident. I hope everything is going well for you, and you're managing everything ok. I've just realised you posted this back in May, so I think you're maybe 3 or 4 weeks ahead of me?

Hi Lou - I'm 20+1 (after having posted up-thread about my mc in May, fortunately got pregnant again end of June) so we're pretty much at the same stage which is nice!

Just back from my scan and all looking well. Saw my diabetes team too and I'm amazed with my hba1c result - 39!! It's been 43 since we started ttc and before that the best I'd ever managed was 50. I'm getting afternoon hypos 3-4 hours after lunch so need to remember to have a little snack (oh what a shame) to avoid that. I'm waiting for my insulin requirements to shoot up in the next couple of months but for now I seem to be relatively stable.

Two babies here. Type 1.

When I first found out I was pregnant I was bereft with panic - why couldn't I just have a 'normal' pregnancy?!

It is really hard but my best advice is do your very best with your sugars - and then if you don't hit the mark just deal with the situation and don't get angry with yourself.

Just take a deep breath and sort it out and then wait for your sugars to even out.

It's a really stressful time and I was convinced things wouldn't be okay - but both of my babies were perfect.

Both had low blood sugars when born but they didn't need special care. Both fatties mind!

Also don't be pressured into having a C sec if that's not what you want.

Start a thread on here for other Type 1 diabetics - was very helpful for me to know I wasn't the only one going through the difficulties of a T1 pregnancy.

Congratulations and enjoy!!!

Are you in close touch with your specialist diabetes nurse? In my area they had a DSN/midwife on the team. Don't worry yourself silly, talk to the people who are there to help.

Oops. This is almost a zombie thread. Started in May. But good advice here.