Hi! This is my first pregnancy. I’m 11 weeks right now and have been experiencing lows pretty much everyday for the past few weeks. When I spoke to my maternal fetal doc, they claim this isn’t common and that normally they are increasing insulin levels, not decreasing. Just wondered if anyone else had this issue? Thanks!
Hi there! This is my first pregnancy too and I'm 12 weeks along. I've also been experiencing lows every day for the past week or so. I've heard from other women that this can happen even through the beginning of the second trimester. Plus - everyone is different! I started out needing to increase my insulin from 4 weeks through 8 weeks, then started decreasing it since then. Good luck!
Hello ladies!
This is my first pregnancy and I'm about 30 weeks along. Jengun27, I don't know if your maternal fetal doctor is unfamiliar with type 1 diabetes or is just confused...but lows during the first trimester are EXTREMELY normal! Often times it can occur like it did for Adutcher, where you need more insulin in the first few weeks, and then your blood sugars go low after that. Doctors haven't figured out the science behind everything yet, but I do know for a fact that lows during the first trimester are completely normal and to be expected!
Usually those lower blood sugars will last throughout your first trimester and into your second. Typically around the 28 week mark your insulin needs will start to increase drastically. Once again, doctors aren't exactly sure why this is, but try not to worry when it does happen. This is normal and to be expected as well! You will have to increase your insulin and continue to check often in order to catch the high's and bring your blood sugars back in range, but it is possible!
I highly recommend you both read "Balancing Pregnancy with Pre-Existing Diabetes: Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby" by Cheryl Alkon. Ms. Alkon is a type 1 diabetic herself and compiled a book full of information based on her own personal experiences, the experiences of other type 1 moms which she interviewed, as well as expert opinions from doctors who specialize in type 1 and pregnancy. The book explains how pregnancy will impact your blood sugar (from lows during the first tirmester to increased insulin needs towards the end) and also includes great tips on nutrition, coping, and what to expect throughout the pregnancy as well was labor and delivery. I HIGHLY recommend reading it! It really comforted me and helped me feel informed!
So, try not to worry, what you're experiencing is normal and nothing to worry about!! Keep yourself informed and maybe suggest that your doctor does some reading herself! Make sure that your OB/GYN is knowledgeable of your type 1 because it is going to have a huge impact on your pregnancy! Any other questions please feel free to ask me!
Good luck!!
Leah
Hi all! I'm currently 29 weeks and was experiencing LOTS of lows, especially at night in my first trimester. Even up until about 24 weeks I was still having occasional lows. But Leah is spot on - just this past week or so my insulin needs have been creeping up, even foods that never did cause me to spike, are. It's frustrating, but manageable. I also found Cheryl Alkon's book very helpful too! Good luck fellow mommy's to be :)
Lows in 1st trimester are extremely normal!!! As your pregnancy progresses in the 3rd is when you will have insulin resistance. I tripled my insulin intake by the last trimester but, I already knew that would happen...
I am 28 weeks pregnant and had what seemed like daily lows through the beginning of my second trimester. One minute I was totally normal and the next I'd be in the 30s! Don't worry, completely normal!!