Can I really do this?

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Reb1521

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Type 2
Hello all, new to all of this and a bit scared 😳

I have just found out I am pregnant (around 6 weeks)
I had gestational diabetes with my first child that Turned into type 2 once he was born, he’s now 5 so I’ve been living with it for that long, my partner and I decided to try for another baby last March and we’ve only just got pregnant! .. during all of this craziness going on in the world!

I have been taking 5mg folic acid daily for around 13 months now so really had a good start on that, my last hba1c reading was 36 so also really good.. but I am petrified.. since finding out I have been advised to take my blood sugars a couple of times a day (I never monitored them before) and they always seem to be a bit high, I’m trying my hardest to cut out the carbs and eat really healthy but I’m still so worried.. I know there’s people in a much worse situation than me but I just wanted some advice and to hear from people who have already been through this ‍♀️♥️

TIA x
 
HI @Reb1521 welcome to the forum and many congratulations on your lovely news!
I cant offer you any advice from experience I’m afraid but I’m sure you will get plenty here. Pregnancy can make bgl more tricky to manage, hence the need to test when you didn’t previously, so don’t be too hard on yourself if your levels are a bit higher than you’d expect. Sounds like you’ve been doing all the right things to prepare. If your levels are still a little high your dr may add/increase medication during your pregnancy, just be sure to keep your nurse/midwife updated with your readings and do call them if you are concerned at any point.
 
Congratulations. You’ll have extra support through your pregnancy and help to keep your BG under control. Try not to stress too much. There are challenges but it’s perfectly possible.
 
Congratulations @Reb1521 That’s a great HbA1c 🙂 Are you on any medication for your diabetes?
Don’t panic - it sounds like you’ve planned this pregnancy well and have very good control.

How high are your blood sugars? Have you been given blood sugar targets? The pregnancy targets are very strict as you probably know, but with lots of testing they’re achievable, and you know you’ve managed this before 🙂
 
Great to hear your news @Reb1521
We celebrated a new baby on here on Thursday.
Just tap into the experience of others and monitor things closely.
 
Thank you all for your replies, I already feel less alone! 🙂 .. I am currently on the highest dosage of metformin and obviously folic acid but that is it so far, I’m really hoping to keep away from insulin all together hence being fairly strict, my readings today have actually been much better, around 7.5 all day which I’m really happy with, yesterday they were between 9.5 and 12 which I know isn’t too bad but higher than my usual! .. thanks again for all of your replies, your lovely stories and help have been a real help to put my mind at ease a little bit! X
 
SB2015 said:
Great to hear your news @Reb1521
We celebrated a new baby on here on Thursday.
Just tap into the experience of others and monitor things closely.


That is fantastic news! .. so helpful to hear success stories, they really are worth it aren’t they! X
Click to expand...
 
@Reb1521 Its understandable you want to avoid insulin, but don’t be afraid of the idea. It can be a huge help, especially in later pregnancy when insulin resistance increases. If you need insulin later, it’s not a bad thing or a failure on your part at all. It’s a very helpful possible addition to your regime if needed 🙂
 
Hello & congratulations on the pregnancy news. I'm not an expert with pregnancy but you'll be just fine. Keep in touch with your diabetes team, and if you are worried about being high then contact your G.P/Diabetes team they will help you adjust your medication. There is an article here about Diabetes and pregnancy provided by Diabetes UK I hope that helps.

Planning for a pregnancy when you have diabetes

Most women with diabetes have a healthy baby. But planning for pregnancy when you have diabetes is really important. Having diabetes means that you and your baby are more at risk of serious health complications during pregnancy and childbirth. The good news is that by planning ahead and getting...
www.diabetes.org.uk www.diabetes.org.uk
 
Hi all, thanks again for your replies, I’m trying to take it Day by day, eating well and trying to walk a bit a day, my 5 year old is keeping me on my toes .. I am open to insulin but would like to avoid it if possible, I have an appointment with the midwife on the 8th June so will see what she says! ♥️
 
Hello @Reb1521 welcome to the forum and congratulations on the good news. As previously said we have had a beautiful baby on Thursday and we look forward to seeing all your pictures of your new baby.
 
You can TOTALLY do this!

May daughter arrived last week after thinking I would never get here. You can check out my threads for the full story as it has been a long and emotional journey.
The pregnancy was a challenge in terms of keeping the diabetes under control. I had fantastic levels till around 24 weeks then insulin requirements changed and I found I was having lots of hypos. Baby has been totally unaffected though and her levels on birth were normal.
 
I have seen your threads and it’s given me so much hope so thank you! .. your daughter is beautiful and they are so worth it aren’t they! ♥️
I have a medication appointment at the hospital on Thursday, I’m sure I’ll get to talk about my options then, daily readings have come down and seem to be on the right track now I’m lowering my carb intake so that’s good, congratulations again and enjoy every minute, they really do grow too fast ♥️ X
 
Great to see you here @Reb1521, and lovely to see that you have been planning and preparing, and are now expecting.

Look forward to following your pregnancy story and wish you the very best of luck.
 
Hey all, not much to update so far, I had my first appointment with the diabetes team last week and got my targets, fasting below 5.3 and after meals 7.3 which I’m finding a little tough, usually anywhere between 5.6-9.5 .. trying to find my triggers.. I did notice in the morning I was struggling to get my fasting readings below 5.5 and couldn’t work out why, then remembered I am partial to a pint of milk (or 2) before bed
Much better since I stopped doing that non surprisingly!

Hope to have more updates for you soon, thank you for all of your replies and messages it’s lovely to have people who understand this crazy life we live, although very supportive most of my family and friends seem to think diabetes isn’t a big deal and that I am often being dramatic, I am a drama queen so maybe that’s why ‍♀️

Hope you’re all keeping well and are staying sane in quarantine!!
 
If you want calcium then try oxtail with a traditional vinegary marinade overnight - cooked in a pressure cooker. It can be hard to find, but it is really tasty.
I was already eating low carb long before diabetes and sailed through pregnancy. Lots of low carb salads and veges - I looked amazing, did not put on loads of weight strong healthy baby. I never limited what I ate in any way - just did not have high starch or sugary food or drink.
This was long before my diagnosis but I have always had problems with carbs from high carb foods, but even now, salads, stir fries, loads of fresh stuff and I feel brilliant.
 
Hi @Reb1521 . Many congratulations on your pregnancy. I’m sure your care team will be with you all the way keeping a very close eye on you and adjusting things if they need to be. We have all avidly watched @merrymunky pregnancy and the wonderful birth of her daughter so you will find huge amounts of support here as well. Wishing you all the very best and keep us updated as you go long, we are very interested, very supportive and very nosey haha. Take care x
 
Quick update, so far so good ♥️
Diabetic team happy with my BG readings so far and all seems very positive .. saw this little bean on the screen for the first time today, 9 + 3 weeks! ♥️♥️♥️
 

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