Recently, my husband and I were discussing whether or not we were going to try for another baby in the near future but, my blood sugars have been atrocious! I honestly don’t know how I let myself slip so bad in 1 year’s time! I am even afraid to know what my a1c is!
Has anyone recently had a baby and you just got so wrapped up in other things that your diabetes became second, and you want to get back on track but it feels so impossible even with all of the tools!
I really do want to have another bundle but, with my age (38) paired with a crap a1c to boot, I don’t think it will happen this year! I am afraid this time. I know I am not that old but, when I got pregnant the first time I was younger.
Does anyone have a similar experience to mine? I don’t know if I should try again!! Did you? Make me feel better…Help!!
Wow, I wish I could help you! I don’t have kids yet, but I guess my initial thinking is about (1) how your first pregnancy went and (2) what your OB-GYN says.
I will say that I have talked to a few T1s (through JDRF) who had really bad A1cs before and even during pregnancy but still came through fine. I know that’s not the same as describing a personal experience.
I know what you mean about dreading the A1C. There have been more than a few times in my life, though, where it was lower than I thought it would be, so it might not be as bad as you think! I hope more ladies chime in with their own experiences.
Hi Gina,
I’m not in your situation because I’m pregnant with my first! But I have wondered if it is much harder to control your diabetes after having the baby. I’m used to only needing to worry about myself and being able to focus on my control… I guess that’s going to change with a baby here! Do you think that’s why your control has been worse recently?
For about the first 6 or so months after the baby I was still on the same kind of schedule during my pregnancy. I guess because of force of habit, but slowly it started to diminish. I suppose because my son is a lot more active now…but then again, I am not exactly sure what happened to me. I am getting back into it now and trying to focus. It’s hard with a very very fast baby who is also OBSESSED with all my diabetes stuff!
The minute he sees my pump he tries to grab the tubing and puts it in his mouth, and then play with the pump itself. I am constantly telling him NO, Mama’s medicine… so he learns that right away. I sometimes check his foot with my meter, and he is so curious that he actually will put his cute little foot out for me to do it! I HOPE AND PRAY THAT WILL NEVER EVER EVER EVER HAPPEN THOUGH!
I have a 19 month old daughter and had a very successful first pregnancy with the help and motivation of a fabulous team of doctors! Managing diabetes with a baby/toddler is much more complicated then without children. They do come first and checking your blood sugar while they are crying and wanting you to hold them or even something as simple as speed drinking a juicebox to correct a low blood sugar can become challenging then they want a sip of the juice! I agree, when babies become mobile and are in the toddler stage, their demands are different and diabetes seems to take a bit of a backseat. Keep them involved though. Tell them what you are doing and why. My daughter regular will point to my pump and say “pump!” when she sees it and was also interested in pulling the tubing until I told her several times that it hurts mommy and I need it for medicine. You have to make time for you though too. It only takes maybe 30 seconds to check your blood sugar and give a bolus or shot… your health is worth it!
My husband and I are currently trying for our second, of course with the OK of my endo. I am in ok control but will be tightening things up even more when I see my doctor in 10 days. I knew I wanted another baby after my first and I knew I didn’t want to wait too long, so I tried to maintain as best control as I could so it would be easier to get on pregnancy track when we were ready. Before my first I started on an insulin pump, so that took some time to get setting right and blood sugars in range. I am 31, had my first at 30. I know I want one more and I figure after that I will re-evaluate a third. I think my age and not knowing if I want a third, is making me ready for a second sooner… just incase. My ob said though, that there are plenty of women in their 40s who are happy and pregnant and have healthy babies! I know I have read on here before… if you let fear lead you, you will never do anything… prepare the best you can and go for it!
Your diabetes might not be as off as you think. Don’t make decisions based on feelings, get an a1c and see what’s happening. Having good blood sugars takes time. If this is a priority then make sure your husband and family are giving you free time to take care of yourself.
My guess is that if you learned today you were expecting you would quickly get into tight control. Most of us type 1 moms weren’t in picture perfect control when we first conceived, but there’s nothing like having a baby on board to make us extremely healthy. I know that’s kind of backwards and we should have the great control first. Sometimes it doesn’t always work that way.
I am in a similar situation. My daughter is 16 months now and I’m on the fence about trying for number two. I’m 32 and the past few months my numbers have slid because I put my very active toddler before getting things done for myself i.e. Checking my sugar as often as I should. I would love to know what tricks are out there for managing diabetes with two toddlers under foot since apparently I have issues with just one! My vision has also gotten worse in the past year and I have macular edema in my right eye. I had an injection recently but it hasn’t helped. My last A1c was a 6.8 and I was fine with that. I guess I’m just nervous about my eyes being in the state they’re in and taking on another pregnancy. I really would love to have another child though in the near future. Am I crazy for wanting to take another stab at it? Anyone out there with diabetic complications wanting to take on a pregnancy (or even try for number two?)