[Oona]

Hi everyone !!! I was diagnosed with Type 1 about the end of 2001. I am 30 now. I have had some difficult times and other times that have been great. I was hospitalized 2x's for DKA. (diabetic ketoacidosis) about 3 years apart. I've had some trouble with my weight now that things are getting under better control. I was always used to being about 115lbs and in just under 5 months I ballooned up to 185lbs. I'm trying to get that weight back down - I am not used to having to carry all of this extra poundage with me- and it's tiring. And I've changed my meds and I've noticed that I'm loosing that puffy balloon look to my body. So my fiance and I try to exercise nightly and we watch what we eat. Now we are starting to actively try to concieve our first and according to my doc's (ob/gyn & endo) things are good and hopefully we shouldn't have any troubles but I've been charting and doing my temps for only 3 cycles now. I was wondering if anyone could give me any and some good pointers or personal advice on being pregnant with diabetes. What I should watch for anything.....
Well thanks for reading my rant ! Have a wonderful day !

*kiss*kiss*

~ Oona

[CynthiaButterfly]

I'm 18 weeks with my second, and I've been type 1 for 20+ years....

#1 issue I have had with both pregnancies is sudden low sugars, usually at the same time of day. I gave up fruit juice some years ago, and have started keeping it around again because that was the only thing I could keep down, especially when I was experiencing morning sickness. The morning sickness has passed, but I still am having sudden low sugar at the same time of day, on 4-5 days out of the week- I had to adjust my meds because I was not able to eat at that time of day- I just have a really full feeling and can't eat, so I'm still drinking fruit juice (100% juice) to control this.
The only other major concern I have is a large baby- the doctor I'm seeing (same as with the last pregnancy) told me that the stats for children of diabetic mothers having any genetic abnormalities/disorders is not signifigant, but he had about a 50% chance of developing Type 2 Diabetes because if the baby is born big, then he has a higher chance of being overweight and developing the adult-onset diabetes at any time.

Thankfully, my DS was 8lbs, 4oz at birth (c-sec) and is still at a healthy weight for his age, now almost 3.

[HappyMomAnna]

I wish you both the best of luck. My very best friend in life was Type 1 at age 6 and had her only child when she was 32 years old. There have been some great advances made since she had her son, I will be interested in following your stories if that is okay?

Lori (my friend) did have some issues with her son being very large. He is 16 now and has not developed type 1 or 2 thank goodness. He was early and at birth needed some medications to help his lungs develop. If I remember correctly he was over 10 pounds and about 5 weeks early.

I hope that you keep a good check on your sugar and make sure that you are as healthy as possible before and during pregnancy. I am frankly more concerned with YOUR health as pregnancy can be hard on you.... I won't scare you with stories from 16 and 17 years ago because I do know that things have advanced and the issues Lori faced are much more manageable today.....

[Oona]

cynthia ~ Congratulations on your pregnancy !. I hope you have a very happy and healthy time.
Anna ~ Sure I'd love to keep you up to date on my progress

Let's see what's some more background I can give. My BS have gotten better with the change of meds. I do 20 u of Levemir in the am and pm. ( that is new on the market and I use it as my base line long lasting) then I do 5 u of Novolog before each meal ( and sometimes it has to be tweaked according to my #'s) Which have gone down from fasting at around 5 to 600 to 78 to 100 in the am. WAY BETTER !!

I have heard that sometimes it does take diabetic women alot longer to concieve than it does non diabetics. I am trying to be as healthy and careful with my sugars and body as I can but sometimes it's hard. Also we have just moved to a new state, now in VA, so it's hard not knowing anyone and still trying to find a Dr. But I do start my new job on Monday so at least I'll meet people there. yay!

My brother and I are the only ones that I know of in our family that are diabetics. He was diagnosed when he was 5 with juvenile. and has been very brittle. He tends to run low and I run high. Our mother was not diabetic nor was anyone on her side of the family, My father is not diabetic but I'm not too sure about his parents but I don't believe that they were diabetic either. We have no idea which side it came from and why it chose us but it did. We know that we have this and we don't let ti beat us. I just wish that someone would find a cure soon !

Anyway Congrats again cynthia I wish you the best ! Have a wonderful day !

*kiss*kiss*

~ Oona

[dejtemper]

Oona:
I have been a diabetic, type 1, for 43 years. I had my son, who is now 15, and has always been healthy, when I was 34 years old.
It was quite a chore. You must work on keeping your blood sugars as near normal now, before you get pregnant.
In the first trimester, blood sugars usually drop suddenly and drastically. I suggest you have glucagon shots in your possesion, and people who are usually around you trained in giving the shot.
My sugars dropped throughout the whole pregnancy, so you really have to watch yourself. Test yourself often.
You have not had diabetes for a long period of time so you should be way ahead of the game.
Most type 1 diabetics do not have large babies. It is people with gestational diabetes, and type 2 who do, mostly because of the higher blood sugars.
My son was born healthy, and is very healthy now. He was born at 34 weeks. It was a wonderful and amazing experience.
I know you will do great, but get on those blood sugars now.

[pioneergirl]

This does not have a lot to do with pregnancy and diabetes, but can hopefully help you with your overall health and well being and possibly pregnancy. My brother has been type 1 since he was 4,he is now 33, in the past few years he was having more and more complications, so he started to do a lot of research, he found a book by dr. bernstien (not sure if thats spelled right) any how it has truly changed his life, i have seen it first hand, and i have read the success stories of others. As we all know there is no "cure" for diabetes itself, but by eathing certain foods you can cure the symtoms, he is now taking 3/4 less insulin and is keeping his blood sugars normal- no more reactions (those were scary).

please go to dsolve.com its non profit, it will change your life. i truly believe in this, we need to get the word out-

[ruthann8]

I don't have diabetes but my husband has type 1 diabetes. We decided to try and start a family this spring and we succeeded with just one try When we went to our first prenatal visit the Dr was very surprised because of all the issues my husband has with diabetes! I guess we got lucky! Type 2 and gestational diabetes runs in my family. My mom and her sisters’ children were all over 9lbs at birth and some in the 10lb range. So far my blood sugars have been normal with no sign of gestational diabetes!
Good luck with TTC #1. I would recommend talking to your Dr about TTC if you haven't yet, he/she may have some suggestions. And when you do get pregnant watch your sugar levels very closely so you have a happy, healthy baby! Do you have a dietician that could help you with that?