Diabetes

[TattieHowkerz]

Anyone else pregnant with diabetes?

I've had type 1 for 20 years. Already have a DD - pregnancy went quite smoothly. I'm now 7+4 with my second. Had my first scan this week, everything was looking fine as far as they can tell at this stage. I'm feeling a bit worried because my blood sugar control wasn't great on and off from about 4 to 5 weeks - I had a chest infection and also increased insulin demands due to the pregnancy. My BMs were often in double figures and I was having to take loads of correction doses. Would be good to hear from anyone who had similar experiences with good outcomes, or just to chat/share advice in general.

Hi Tattie Type 1 here and 31+1 with baby #1. What's your hba1c like? Mine had never been below 51 before starting TTC, and I was gobsmacked I got it down to 45 pre-conception, then it's been 37ish throughout the pregnancy. The last few weeks I've had more high BMs as my insulin resistance is increasing but I'm still working out how much more I need. Last night I was awake at 3am with a BM of 1.9

Presumably you've already been referred to the specialist diabetes antenatal clinic and will be seeing a consultant regularly? I've been seen every 2 weeks and whilst it's costing me a fortune in parking at the hospital, I'm very glad for the reassurance and close monitoring I'm getting.

Hi Pug,

My HBA1c was 51 preconception, so my consultant is happy and didn't seem too bothered about the above scenario when I had my first antenatal clinic on Wednesday. I can't help but worry though! I e also had a few rogue readings. Last night it was 1.4. I tested three times as I just didn't feel that low. Pregnancy is weird. I remember last time taking huge doses, thinking about how it would usually be enough to put me in a coma.

Like you I've got loads of antenatal support, found it really useful last time round. As things went well last time I'm not going to be seen much in the first trimester, but after that it will be fortnightly, then weekly from 30 weeks. So lucky parking at my hospital is free!!

Will you be induced at 38 weeks?

I sometimes don't believe it when I see a silly low number either! 1.6 is the lowest I've been this pregnancy (lowest ever was a 1.0 when I was on a work trip in Paris and on my own in a hotel room in the middle of the night - I couldn't get the sugar into me quick enough as I was so scared I'd pass out and nobody would know!)

The consultant keeps telling me I'll probably be on double the insulin I started on by 36 weeks but I haven't seen anything that dramatic yet, just an extra couple of units each meal. Except at lunch, which I've had to put up from 6-8 to 14/15 for some reason.

I'm sure your hba1c will be fine, and when you were ill the few higher readings won't have had any impact. You can only do so much

Yes, I'll be induced at 38 weeks - hoping they'll give me a date soon! I am going to be eating curry & jumping DH from 37 weeks though to see if I can go into labour naturally though! Scans every 4 weeks since the 20 week one, so next one is a week today at 32+1 - can't wait.

You're so lucky with the free parking - it's £3 a visit for me (or £4 bus fare if I can't be bothered with finding a space/think it'll take longer than the 2 hours that covers). Still, I can't imagine the 'normal' people who only get to see baby once at 12 weeks and then once again at 20 weeks, so it does have its perks.

"I e also had a few rogue readings. Last night it was 1.4. I tested three times as I just didn't feel that low"

Don't want to intrude as a doctor rather than a patient, but just wanted to say that you can lose your hypo awareness in early pregnancy, so be really, really careful, especially before driving.

Will bow out now! All the best with your pregnancies!