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Scared and sad

L

Lucystev

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
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She/Her
Hi everyone, I am currently 10 weeks pregnant (unexpected!) and have found out I most likely have type 2 diabetes. I knew going into my pregnancy that it was a risk, as I am overweight, and was already very nervous about the implications this could have. I wasn’t planning to have children until I had lost weight.

I got told yesterday my HBAC1 has come back at 70, but due to being pregnant and hormones they can’t really officially diagnose me but it’s more than likely type 2 (which I agree with)

I am absolutely gutted, I have struggled with binge eating and eating disorders and just been in a rut for so many years now. I was always a healthy teenager, swimming and eating well, but things happened in life and now I’m here.

I am so worried about this pregnancy now, and also my life. I am only 27. I am prepared to do whatever it takes to manage it, but I can’t help feeling it’s too late- I feel like Ive really let all my loved ones and my new baby down.
 
Sorry to hear how your diagnosis has made you feel @Lucystev - but it absolutely is not too late.

Be kind to yourself. Our relationship with food can be complex and emotional, and there can also be significant genetic and environmental factors at play. You didn’t create these circumstances deliberately, so try not to let energy-sapping remorse or regret drag you down. What matters more is this moment, and how you choose to respond to it. Diabetes is serious, but it’s also something that you can learn to live well with, and that can be effectively managed with a few changes and adaptations.

Healthy pregnancies for people with diabetes are more possible than ever, and while the physical changes during pregnancy are demanding, with care and attention, and positive input from your Dr / nurse you can work towards a successful outcome for you and baby.

The NICE guidance on pregnancy for people with diabetes might give you some helpful pointers about the recommendations for treatment and management. There are versions designed for the public along with the wordier clinical guidance.

Overview | Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period | Guidance | NICE

www.nice.org.uk www.nice.org.uk
 
Lucystev said:
Hi everyone, I am currently 10 weeks pregnant (unexpected!) and have found out I most likely have type 2 diabetes. I knew going into my pregnancy that it was a risk, as I am overweight, and was already very nervous about the implications this could have. I wasn’t planning to have children until I had lost weight.

I got told yesterday my HBAC1 has come back at 70, but due to being pregnant and hormones they can’t really officially diagnose me but it’s more than likely type 2 (which I agree with)

I am absolutely gutted, I have struggled with binge eating and eating disorders and just been in a rut for so many years now. I was always a healthy teenager, swimming and eating well, but things happened in life and now I’m here.

I am so worried about this pregnancy now, and also my life. I am only 27. I am prepared to do whatever it takes to manage it, but I can’t help feeling it’s too late- I feel like Ive really let all my loved ones and my new baby down.
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Lucystev - I can't offer you any way forward in terms of your diagnosis, treatments or such like, but I will say to you that a risk is just that - a risk. It is not a certainty or any form of done deal.

Over the years, there have been many women appearing on the forum who have found themselves pregnant with HbA1c/blood sugars not in their best places. I can't think of anyone who has gone on to have a anything other than a healthy child. (Someone will likely correct me if I am wrong there.)

You should be referred to a specialist team, if you haven't already, and they will guide you on how to best navigate the way forward.

As someone who has suffered with an eating disorder in my past, I empathise with you. It's not an easy cycle to break, but it can be done. I am now decades on from my own darker times, but I am living my best life, and enjoying it all the more for what life threw at me all those years ago.

Whatever you do; Don't panic! Easier said than done, but it just costs valuable energy and achieves nothing. Accept help when offered it. You deserve it.

All the very best to you and do stick around. There are several on here who have gone through pregnancies, whilst living with diabetes, so I'm certain there will be plenty of valuable support on offer.
 
I had three pregnancies with gestational diabetes. They were all successful resulting in 3 lads that were 6lb 3oz at 35 weeks, 6lb 7oz at 37 weeks and 7lb 7oz at 37 weeks. I did diet for the first two and insulin for the last one. I then went on to develop T2 two years later, and have been on insulin and oral meds for 30 years now. The hospitals, midwives and specialist nurses will keep a good eye on you, though you’ll end up having more blood tests and scans than a non diabetic pregnancies. Please try not to worry too much, with increased testing there are many more diabetic pregnancies diagnosed and lead to happy births!
 
Congratulations on your pregnancy. It’s very natural to have concerns especially if it wasn’t planned. You will get lots of support and there are lots of things you can do to help yourself too. Try to relax into the pregnancy a little and forgive yourself for your past actions and focus on the now.
 
Welcome @Lucystev 🙂 First of all, you haven’t let anyone down. Things happen. That’s life. It’s how we react that’s important. So, be kind to yourself and stop blaming yourself, then calmly focus on what you need to do. I know that’s easier said than done, but try to put the emotions to one side and look at this objectively, almost like it’s somebody else, somebody you’re giving advice to.

I’ve had 3 pregnancies with (Type 1) diabetes and have 3 lovely children. I had high blood sugars on a number of occasions, including early in pregnancy. Have you been put on any medication? The good news is that you’ll be monitored more closely and get very good support in your pregnancy.
 
Lucystev said:
Hi everyone, I am currently 10 weeks pregnant (unexpected!) and have found out I most likely have type 2 diabetes. I knew going into my pregnancy that it was a risk, as I am overweight, and was already very nervous about the implications this could have. I wasn’t planning to have children until I had lost weight.

I got told yesterday my HBAC1 has come back at 70, but due to being pregnant and hormones they can’t really officially diagnose me but it’s more than likely type 2 (which I agree with)

I am absolutely gutted, I have struggled with binge eating and eating disorders and just been in a rut for so many years now. I was always a healthy teenager, swimming and eating well, but things happened in life and now I’m here.

I am so worried about this pregnancy now, and also my life. I am only 27. I am prepared to do whatever it takes to manage it, but I can’t help feeling it’s too late- I feel like Ive really let all my loved ones and my new baby down.
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I'm sure that your loved ones and your new baby don't/won't think that you've let them down: whatever choices you've made in your life have been influenced by, as you say, 'things happening' - that were probably outside your control. Your task is to be a 'good enough' person and parent - not a perfect one. Reaching out on this forum is a great step forwards.
 
Inka said:
Welcome @Lucystev 🙂 First of all, you haven’t let anyone down. Things happen. That’s life. It’s how we react that’s important. So, be kind to yourself and stop blaming yourself, then calmly focus on what you need to do. I know that’s easier said than done, but try to put the emotions to one side and look at this objectively, almost like it’s somebody else, somebody you’re giving advice to.

I’ve had 3 pregnancies with (Type 1) diabetes and have 3 lovely children. I had high blood sugars on a number of occasions, including early in pregnancy. Have you been put on any medication? The good news is that you’ll be monitored more closely and get very good support in your pregnancy.
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I have been given a blood glucose monitor and my blood sugars are all coming out in normal range (4.7-6.1 after food). The only time they are high is first thing in the morning after ‘fasting’. I’m wondering if this could be as pregnancy hormones are highest then/if they are lower now as I’m 12 weeks so HCG levels have calmed down abit.

All very odd but I guess time will tell and I just need to stay as healthy as possible with food, aswell as listening to advice!

Thank you for all your kind words.. they have really helped me.
 
Lucystev said:
I have been given a blood glucose monitor and my blood sugars are all coming out in normal range (4.7-6.1 after food). The only time they are high is first thing in the morning after ‘fasting’. I’m wondering if this could be as pregnancy hormones are highest then/if they are lower now as I’m 12 weeks so HCG levels have calmed down abit.

All very odd but I guess time will tell and I just need to stay as healthy as possible with food, aswell as listening to advice!

Thank you for all your kind words.. they have really helped me.
Click to expand...
Morning readings are often higher as the liver releases glucose in the absence of food as you will not have eaten overnight so as long as they are not too high and it comes down during the rest of the day, which it looks as if it is doing, you should check in with your diabetic nurse or midwife to see what they think.
Have you been given a range to aim at for before eating and 2 hours after meals as many of us with straightforward Type 2 would be aiming at no more than 8-8.5 2 hours after meals.
 
Leadinglights said:
Morning readings are often higher as the liver releases glucose in the absence of food as you will not have eaten overnight so as long as they are not too high and it comes down during the rest of the day, which it looks as if it is doing, you should check in with your diabetic nurse or midwife to see what they think.
Have you been given a range to aim at for before eating and 2 hours after meals as many of us with straightforward Type 2 would be aiming at no more than 8-8.5 2 hours after meals.
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Under 7.8 after eating and under 5.2 when not eating. After eating my readings are between 4.2 and 6.6 and haven’t been higher. Before eating in the morning they are consistently at 6.6 but before eating my tea it’s at about 4.7 (and that’s when I hadn’t eaten for around 6 hours)
 
Leadinglights said:
Morning readings are often higher as the liver releases glucose in the absence of food as you will not have eaten overnight so as long as they are not too high and it comes down during the rest of the day, which it looks as if it is doing, you should check in with your diabetic nurse or midwife to see what they think.
Have you been given a range to aim at for before eating and 2 hours after meals as many of us with straightforward Type 2 would be aiming at no more than 8-8.5 2 hours after meals.
Click to expand...

The pregnancy targets are stricter for Type 2s (and Type 1s). This includes post-prandial readings and fasting readings.

@Lucystev , it sounds like you’re doing well. When I was pregnant, I found it helpful to look at charts showing the likely times for an increase in insulin resistance. This meant I didn’t panic or blame myself when my readings changed, and it also meant I was ready to make the necessary changes. Pregnancy is a time of change, so knowing that helps a lot.
 
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