BFP & Type 1 diabetic - aarrrrhhhh

[MissyEm]

First time posting on here ladies as this is our first BFP! (Yesterday) To say I am nervous is an understand! Any type 1's out there to share what to expect and do next?

I would honestly make an appointment to see your diabetic nurse, as your insulin requirements can go a bit haywire during pregnancy due to the increasing insulin resistance of pregnancy.

Additionally, there may be a diabetic midwife within the trust you're in that will help with your care.

Have you tried the diabetics forum?

I would advise you to get referred to a specialist obstetrician who specialises in maternal medicine. At your nearest large maternity hospital there will be a maternal medicine consultant who will specialise in diabetes. Don't wait until your booking appointment as you'll need advice ASAP. Which area do you live in?

GP asap. You need 5mg folic acid. how is your DM control? needs optimising soon if not already good.

congratulations

Like others have said, GP asap. Ideally you would have been to see them before TTC so that you could get started on folic acid etc and have a plan in place but for now just make an appointment to get the ball rolling and keep an eye on your glucose levels.

Take care and congratulations!

Ok, so a call to my GP on Monday. I am in Berkshire, close to Windsor. I have been taking Folic and pre-natal vits. Control average is good around 6mmol I believe, but slight coaster ride between 5 and 9mmols sometimes.

Where do I find the diabetic forum please?

I literally must be days into it as period wasn't due until Monday/Tuesday.

Get referred straight away to the joint antenatal/diabetes clinic. They will want to see you asap. Ours do a scan at about 6 weeks or a little after and you see everyone! Midwife, diabetes specialists, obstetrician etc. You'll need booking in for an eye check and they will want to do extra bloods. Make sure the folic acid you're on is 5mg, this is a prescribed amount because some diabetics don't absorb it as well.

Keep on top of your bloods as much as possible, high sugars can affect baby's development (it's not just having a large baby, there can be other issues - I don't want to scare you, it will be hard work but SO worth it! :) ) I do upwards of a dozen tests a day so that any ups are corrected really quickly. Your go can't say no to prescribing you extra strips for testing, so do ask for them :)

Diabetes team will probably want to see you every 2-4 weeks.

Oh, also..guidelines now are delivery at 37 weeks as a diabetic's placenta doesn't last quite as well so it's considered safer :)

Oh wow! Every 2 weeks!! A scan at 6 weeks, so that's 6 weeks from first day of last period? I have in the past used a Dexcom and the Libre so may get that again for the duration.

Would you recommend any forums, websites, books things to do.......? I am a sponge right now!

Yeah, 6 weeks pregnant for us for first scan. They may see you less often if they, and you, are confident in what you're doing. It can go up to once every 4 weeks ( I've just been allowed to not be seen for 8 weeks but that's rare). I haven't looked on forums etc as I've been T1 for 31 years and am confident in my control etc so I can't recommend any, sorry!

Do see your gp on Monday to get referred asap though. Even if it had to go as an emergency appointment, it is really important :)

I will thanks @ZylaB. I am a keen planner so can't wait it get stuck in with knowing what's next on this journey.

Type 1 here intheNetherlands. All my pregnancies ended in miscarriages in the first trimester so can't say by my own experience how the rest goes.

I had hypos in the first trimester. They say that your levels go up in the second and third trimester.

Here they want you to be as stable as possible and see you lots. Deliver before 38 weeks. A CGM is great because they realise quicker that your insulin use needs to change. Are you on a pump? Here you qualify for a pump and CGM when pregnant. No extra costs because it's cheaper in the long run to have a healthy pregnancy. You must deliver in hospital (home births are popular here).

Oh @blackcatonthesofa I am saddened to hear of your losses. Are you expecting now, how is it going for you?

I don't have a pump, and would be anxious working out how to get it adjusted in a short space of time. I inject any time I have carbs so quite close to my numbers as long as I have carb counted correctly.

God I am nervous!

If injections work for you then that's good. I know that being pregnant creates some stress but most babies are born healthy so enjoy your pregnancy as well!

@MissyEm what forums did you end up following? My sugars were high before finding out!

Have you tried the board here on Mumsnet?
Here's the link:

Diabetes Board