Last year, at age 39, I gave birth to my only child.  I've been a type 1 diabetic for 28 years and, by far, this was the most grueling, yet rewarding, thing I've ever done.  Being pregnant is hard enough for a regular person, but when you throw diabetes into the mix, it becomes that much harder.  If there's anyone that's pregnant, or thinking about getting pregnant, feel free to ask me anything, as I probably experienced it at some point during the pregnancy.

Krissyd67, I am a type 1 diabetic and have been for 12 years. Over the yeears I've struggled controlling my bloodsugars. I have a lot of ups and downs. Anyway, I recently found out I'm pregnant! I'm 10 weeks already!! And so far I've heard nothing but negative things from my doctor. I've almost got my sugars regulated. I'm barely reaching 200s the past few months, but I DID test positive for protein in my urine. Just wondering what info or tips you could give me...maybe something to help me stay positive though this preganancy! Instead of everyone telling me the risks and negative points of being a diabetic and pregnant, I'd like to hear about the chances of everything turning out OK. I'm doing the best I can with my diet...I'm slowly but surly getting everything under control... I'm just looking for some encouraging words I guess... Thanks, Julie!

krissyd67 posted:

Last year, at age 39, I gave birth to my only child.  I've been a type 1 diabetic for 28 years and, by far, this was the most grueling, yet rewarding, thing I've ever done.  Being pregnant is hard enough for a regular person, but when you throw diabetes into the mix, it becomes that much harder.  If there's anyone that's pregnant, or thinking about getting pregnant, feel free to ask me anything, as I probably experienced it at some point during the pregnancy.

krissyd67 posted:

Last year, at age 39, I gave birth to my only child.  I've been a type 1 diabetic for 28 years and, by far, this was the most grueling, yet rewarding, thing I've ever done.  Being pregnant is hard enough for a regular person, but when you throw diabetes into the mix, it becomes that much harder.  If there's anyone that's pregnant, or thinking about getting pregnant, feel free to ask me anything, as I probably experienced it at some point during the pregnancy.

I am 39 and type 1 for 13 yrs now.  i have a 16 yr old but that child was born before I became pregnant.  I am trying to get pregnant now and don't have a clue what to expect.  can you tell me about your experience please?

Every since I was diagnosed, I would tell my mom, who is a RN/CDE.. that I was worried that noone would wan to have children with me bc it would be high risk blah blah.... and of course, she'd say it they love you.... it won't matter.  Well, I dont have children yet and I am not married... but I get worried about conceiving when that time comes... how hard and tedious it will be.  I am in the process of getting my Ha1c down consistently... I like to here of stories where type 1's have given birth and the children are healthy and other successful births and also about people overcoming high blood sugars and being able to get back to good habits

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR RESPONSE

Hi, krissyd67,

Has your blood sugars always been in tip top control? Also, was the pregnancy very scary with high sugars and lots of vomiting, etc.

thanks so much

Hi Krissyd67 - I'm glad that you were blessed and I hope all is well.  I am a 34 year old Type 1 diabetic.  I've been diabetic for 31 years.  I just found out that I am 7 weeks pregnant and when I saw a high risk pregnancy ob-gyn he informed me that it was best that I terminate the pregnancy and that I should tie my tubes.  My creatin is 2.0, my A1c is 8.6% and I have hypertension - it was unexpected.  I was told that the baby's anomolies are 5% to 10% (100% being good) and that I could have a heart-attack and even if I survived the heart attack I would have organ damage.  Were you in better shape than me?

EmmaSad

EmmaSad posted:

Hi Krissyd67 - I'm glad that you were blessed and I hope all is well.  I am a 34 year old Type 1 diabetic.  I've been diabetic for 31 years.  I just found out that I am 7 weeks pregnant and when I saw a high risk pregnancy ob-gyn he informed me that it was best that I terminate the pregnancy and that I should tie my tubes.  My creatin is 2.0, my A1c is 8.6% and I have hypertension - it was unexpected.  I was told that the baby's anomolies are 5% to 10% (100% being good) and that I could have a heart-attack and even if I survived the heart attack I would have organ damage.  Were you in better shape than me?

EmmaSad

Hi EmmaSad, Ive been an IDD for 30 years 5years ago i gave birth to a beautiful healthy little girl, my diabetes was not in the best shape when I got pregnant my hba1c was 9.5%, slowy during the pregnancy I got it down to 7% everything in my pregnancy was prefect, I am now 31 weeks pregnant with my second hild and everything going well, again my diabetes wasnt perfect when i concieved and my hba1c has been between 7% and 7.5% throughout.  Im not a doc but I think tying your tubes is a bi much why dont you try and get in better control then try for a wee baba xx I wish you the best of luck

ALIKAT50 posted:

Hi EmmaSad, Ive been an IDD for 30 years 5years ago i gave birth to a beautiful healthy little girl, my diabetes was not in the best shape when I got pregnant my hba1c was 9.5%, slowy during the pregnancy I got it down to 7% everything in my pregnancy was prefect, I am now 31 weeks pregnant with my second hild and everything going well, again my diabetes wasnt perfect when i concieved and my hba1c has been between 7% and 7.5% throughout.  Im not a doc but I think tying your tubes is a bi much why dont you try and get in better control then try for a wee baba xx I wish you the best of luck

 Daer Alikat50:

Thank you for your reply post to EmmaSad.  Like Emma, I am older (35) and have been a Type I for a very, very long time (35 years actually...I was diagnosed at 1 day of age).  Anyhow, I became pregnant (Planned) with my first child in 2005 and had a HORRIFIC time of it.  Despite my A1c staying around 5.6 throughout the pregnancy (I have been on a pump since 1998), I had continual nonresolving infections, extreme vomitting (even water did not stay down without chemical assistance), excessive pain and lethargy throughout and, in the last trimester, went completely blind in my left eye due to third cranial nerve palsy (sudden and MOST DEFINITELY UNEXPECTED onset).  To make matters worse, I began to have EXTREME pain around 35 weeks and at 36 weeks went to my usual joint Diabetes/Obstetric appointment and told them, "Something is definitely wrong."  Needless to say, my son was born 2 hours later by emergency C-section.  That being said, however, he is a very happy, healthy, and extremely bright almost 4 year old boy with absolutely no health issues and brings me unboundless joy each and every day.

Due to the complications of that first pregnancy, despite almost perfect glucose control, my spouse and I had virtually ruled out having any further biological children.  Surprise, surprise then when a, "oopsie" night turned into my now being 10 weeks pregnant.  Of course since this was not planned, my glucose control was not anywhere near the 5.6 of time past but actually 8.5.  Since finding out at 5 1/2 weeks, my doctors, Diabetic Specialist, and Diabetic Obstetrician have all seemed eager for me to terminate.  They have not said I must but during any and all discussions they constantly play up the RISK FACTOR card and try to reassure me that, should I choose to terminate, they would think it the "right" choice.  This has left my husband in a state of panic (he thinks I have a high chance of dying) especially since at week 6 I ended up in hospital with DKA, tonsillitis, severe bacterial conjunctivits, bladder infection, severe muscle fatigue, and severe lethargy.  He has, in fact, convinced himself that, had I not been pregnant, I would not have had any illness what-so-ever (I SERIOUSLY doubt this as our son had extreme fever for a week prior to my falling ill and complained about his eyes a lot).

Until this week, when I have finally begun to regain my energy and ability to care for myself, I was convinced everyone else was right and any desire I had to continue the pregnancy was just selfish.  However, after having still further discussions with my doctors, a team of midwives, a counselor, and, most importantly my husband, I am CERTAIN that is not the right choice.  While in hospital my glucose levels hovered between 10 and 20, but I had 3 simultaneous infections and so am not at all surprised that I also ended up with DKA (I had NO APPETITE and barely ate for the entire week and the week prior to being admitted).  Since then, however, I have NO INFECTION what-so-ever, am eating quite healthily, have had TONS of support from friends, have almost regained 100% of my strength and energy, and have brought my 14 day average down to 7.2!  I figure by next week, as I am extremely vigilent with my Diabetes, I will have it down to 6 and by the end of July, right back down to 5.6!  I excercise regularly and am happy to increase on that front, I walk just about everywhere so I have very good cardiovascular health (in fact my normal blood pressure is around 90/60), I have a very good social support network who I KNOW will look out for me (they already cleaned my house, cooked for me, and looked after my son while I was not well), I have NO kidney problems, only very, very mild background retinopathy (only wear glasses for astigmatism), NO neuropathy, and an optimistic and happy attitude towards life.  This is my ABSOLUTE last chance to have a biologically conceived sibling for my son (we are happy to adopt should things go awry), if things go awry I am willing to do what is necessary, and I believe that to deny at least the possibility of life to a wanted child is simply not right for me (I am pro-choice so have no hangups with those who choose otherwise)!  As the midwives told me, "We see loads of women in here with far worse glucose control and Diabetes complications than you and many of them go on to have perfectly healthy babies," and, as I told my husband, "If I had HIV or cancer or some other devestating illness, I would STILL have Diabetes, I would STILL have LOADS of increased risk of severe problems OR WORSE,  and I would STILL FIGHT TO THE VERY END so what makes this any different?!?!"  I may not ever see this child be born and he or she may end up with some sort of major abnormality, but I will be DAMNED if I am going to give up without even trying.

EmmaSad YOU are the one who has the right to choose how much you can take and how far you are willing to go, NOT your doctors.  Work on that glucose control but unless it is likely your child will die or suffer lifetime major issues, DON'T JUST GIVE UP if you are not willing!

Well, ive been a diabetic since i was four years old i used to take better care of my sugars, but the last 3 years my a1c been going from a 10 to a 7 my doctor says for my age it would atleast be good to stay at a 7 atleast but it just hasnt, and now i just found out im pregnant, have not gone to a doctor yet i go on tues, but im just worried if everything is going to be okay if i can manage everything better? or is it too late?

krissyd67 posted:

Last year, at age 39, I gave birth to my only child.  I've been a type 1 diabetic for 28 years and, by far, this was the most grueling, yet rewarding, thing I've ever done.  Being pregnant is hard enough for a regular person, but when you throw diabetes into the mix, it becomes that much harder.  If there's anyone that's pregnant, or thinking about getting pregnant, feel free to ask me anything, as I probably experienced it at some point during the pregnancy.

i have to kids and have been diabetic since i was 14 when i was pregnant last time they told me it was not wise to get pregnant again . However i have been doing research on how well diabetics are handling it now. Do you have any suggestions that might help me for this new adventure i want to take.