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Diabetes - Juvenile Community

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Type 1 diabetic thinking about pregnancy

by Sarbaby, Apr 16, 2008 02:26PM
I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes about 6 years ago and have been controlling it with insulin. I had very good control over it and recently my husband and I starting thinking or starting a family. This month was our first month trying and it seems that my sugars are crazier than ever. I can't explain the highs and lows I have. I am on an insulin pump and I have had to change my basal rates several times to avoid lows and highs I never used to have in between meals. Help! I don't want to hurt a baby but I don't even know how to control this. It seems to be different every day.
Doctor's Answer

by JDRF Volunteer CB, Apr 16, 2008 03:27PM
I too am a type 1 diabetic diagnosed 27 years ago.  I have two healthy children.
First of all were you on birth control?  If you got off the birth control it could be throwing you off because hormones play a huge role in our blood sugars.  Second, stress and anxiety can affect your blood sugars too.  Often in stressful times(good or bad) my blood sugars can rise.

Are you doing anything different?  Sometimes if you look closely at your routine you may discover something is different.  Also, is it possible that you could be pregnant already.  When I discovered I was pregnant by blood sugars were elevated.  And not to scare you or anything, but I was diagnosed with Graves Disease around the same time I discovered I was pregnant.  You might want to have your thyroid checked because that can cause elevated blood sugars as well.    
Member Comments (8)

by Sarbaby, Apr 16, 2008 06:09PM
To: JDRF Volunteer CB
Thank you. What is Graves Disease? It helps just to talk to someone who had the type 1 and has 2 healthy children. I am trying hard to keep perfect control, but sometimes my blood sugars seem to do thier own thing!! I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid 6 years ago, at the same time as my diabetes, and have been on medication for it ever since. I will have it checked again.
I have not been increasingly stressed or noticed any change in my routine lately....and I got off my BC about 4 months ago. I DID notice a change when I did that and had to adjust my basal rate settings.
I am concerned that if I am pregnant having these strange blood sugars while I am will hurt my baby. Any advice?
I also kind-of hope these changes ARE because I'm pregnant, because otherwise there is really no reason for them, and that scares me.

by JDRF Volunteer CB, Apr 16, 2008 10:26PM
I am sorry--I did not explain that grave's disease is an over-active thyroid.  I do know that the thyroid can change and the dosage of synthroid also needs to be adjusted.  I do not have a thyroid anymore because I had mine removed.  So, once my doctor and I found the right dosage of synthroid I have not had to adjust my dosage in 2 years.  
When you are pregnant you might have to increase your medicine for your thyroid as well.
Did you take a pregnancy test?  They are pretty accurate.  

You are right sometimes blood sugars just do their own thing.  The only other thing I can suggest is to make sure you are changing your insulin bottle after 30 days.  I am not sure if you use Lantus or humalog-or if you are on the pump--but I know I must make sure I throw away my bottle after 30 days or I notice it is not as effective and my blood sugars run higher.  
Don't be scared.  Check your blood sugars more often and adjust your insulin.  You will be fine.  Being pregnant and diabetic is a challenge--but you can do it by keeping good control of your blood sugars, eating well and getting some exercise.  And as long as you get the sugars down your baby will be fine--while I was pregnant my HbA1C was 6.3.  What is your HbA1C?  I bet it is pretty good from what you have written.  Higher readings are okay to have as long as they don't happen too often.  

by Sarbaby, Apr 17, 2008 01:11PM
To: JDRF Volunteer CB
Hello. I am on the insulin pump, and have been for about 3 years. My last A1C was 6.8....they are usually between 6.5 - 6.8....a little higher than I'd like them to be. I am trying my hardest though.
I have not yet taken a pregnancy test. I was going to wait and see if my period is late this month before testing.
My doctors make is seem like if I want to concieve and not hurt my baby, my sugars need to be 80 - 120 all the time, and lately they have been a little crazy. Ranging from 50 - 200. The frustrating thing is that I am eating a low fat, healthy diet and normally I would not have any problems with my BG when maintaining the diet I have been. I just wish there was a reason for it. I do not want to hurt my unborn child if I do get pregnant and am having some 200 blood sugars.
I have looked into a continuous blood glucose monitor and am interested in getting one but I can't afford it, or the monthly supplies for it and insurance doesn't cover it yet.

by JDRF Volunteer CB, Apr 17, 2008 03:53PM
Your blood sugars are really good!  You are doing a good job.  Maybe take a step back and take a breath.  I think the doctors are making sure you know how important it is to maintain good control--but sometimes you have a higher reading and it is nothing you have done.  
I also think you should feel very comfortable with the doctors you choose.  When you are diabetic and pregnant you are going to see them more often than normal.  I had to see my ob-gyn once a month and then at five months I went every 2 weeks and at 8 months I was seeing him weekly. Much more than your average pregnancy.  I also had fetal monitoring and at least 8 ultrasounds throughout my pregnancy.  I just looked at all the extra stuff as reassurance my babies were fine.  
I really like my endocrinologist too. I had to see the endo-every two months instead of every 4 and more blood work too.  He did not make me feel as if I was doing anything wrong-he was supportive and gave me good advice and reassurance.  

You have to be strong and diligent but give yourself a bit of a break too.  

by Sarbaby, Apr 17, 2008 04:27PM
To: JDRF Volunteer CB
Well thank you. I feel a little better. I will try to relax a little. I just hate when things happen and there is no reason for it. When there is no reason I feel like I can't fix the problem. I have a wonderful obgyn and she said there is a special doctor they have for pregnant diabetics and it sounds like I will be seeing this doctor a lot. The closest endo to me is about 70 miles away so I am not able to see an endo for my regular diabetic check ups every 3 months.
Can you tell me how your pregnancies went? Did you have type 1 diabetes while you were pregnant to?? Did you have lots of highs or lows because of it??

by Sarbaby, Apr 18, 2008 11:37AM
I have been keeping a log of my BG and for the past couple weeks I have had more 200's than I have for the past 2 months. And I haven't changed anything except taking caffine out of my diet, and eating a lower fat, healthier diet. Good changes. I eat sugar free jello and sugar free fat free pudding sometimes to get a little sweet in my diet without having the extra fat and carbs. And sometimes I top it with light cool whip. I just can't figure out why I'm having these problems all the sudden....and I'm afriad all this is happening and I might be pregnant. I've heard the first 6 weeks BG is very important as the baby is developing and I'm so afraid these highs are going to hurt it.

by js338, Apr 21, 2008 07:52PM
My wife (type 1-diagnosed 20 years ago) just gave birth to our second daughter. Both are healthy and doing well.  She is also on the pump.  The ob doctors seemed to be much more conservative than her endo in the numbers they wanted her to have. I think it was more of a cya on their part.  

We had a lot more dr appointments than a non-diabetic would. Many ultrasounds, fetal