[anmi]

Hi everybody

I have a big problem, I need it to discuss it with you. I told before, but for everyone to know I will tell it again. I am a girl, 28 years old, going on 29 and I discovered diabetes Type 1 almost 2 years ago. Currently, I am on Lantus and Novorapid insulins and I can handle the diabetes generally good.

My dilemma, problem and question is 'can I still have a baby?' ... I am thinking seriously about this because I want to know what to do in the future. I mean I don't want a baby right now but I have to know if it is still possible... with no risks for the baby.

When I discovered the diabetes, my ex-doctor told me that there is no problem in having a baby... Recently, my new doctor told me that it implies a risk because I can pass it genetically to the baby. Also, I saw last week a TV show, medical discussion about diabetes and the doctor interviewed told that he does not recommend to the young people which discovered in their youth to have type 1 diabetes to have children... he didn't say why but he did say this...

And I don't know what to think anymore....

What can you tell me?

[caswellhb]

Well, I am pregnant with twins if that is any help?
I'm not sure why your doc is saying these things to you but I would suggest getting another one.

Heather.

[Jan B]

There are risks -- no getting around that whether you are diabetic or not! I agree with Heather -- you might find a better doctor with more real-world advice!

Have a great day!

[xMenace]

I passed my genes onto my children, and while they are fantastic people, I often wonder if it would be best for humanity if I didn't. This is a question no doctor can help with.

As far as safety goes, you are fine if you are well controlled. Most diabetics doctors see are not, so their answer tends to be don't have them. Diabetic's babies do tend to be larger, so be ready for that.

[gettingby]

I was diagnosed at the age of 13 and gave birth to a daughter 17 yrs ago. So far, she's showing no signs of diabetes but that doesn't mean anything. We have no direct link as to why I got it.
Good control is the key here. Babies of diabetics do tend to be larger but it also depends on control throughout the pregnancy.
Give it all serious thought before making a decision.

[anmi]

Originally Posted by caswellhb

I am pregnant with twins ...
Heather.

how sweeeeeet .....

[anmi]

Originally Posted by Jan B

There are risks -- no getting around that whether you are diabetic or not! I agree with Heather -- you might find a better doctor with more real-world advice!

Have a great day!

Hi Jan, well I am aware off the normal risks, the general, I mean. My question was exactly for our cases... I don't want my baby to have diabetes... this is my problem actually

[anmi]

Originally Posted by xMenace

I passed my genes onto my children....

Hi xMenace, what does this means? Do your kids have also diabetes? I didn't understand...

[anmi]

Originally Posted by gettingby

I was diagnosed at the age of 13 and gave birth to a daughter 17 yrs ago. So far, she's showing no signs of diabetes but that doesn't mean anything. We have no direct link as to why I got it.
Good control is the key here. Babies of diabetics do tend to be larger but it also depends on control throughout the pregnancy.
Give it all serious thought before making a decision.

Hi gettingby ... I don't get the part 'Babies of diabetics do tend to be larger' ... what does it mean to be larger? I don't want to sound stupid but it's the first time I here this and does it affect the health of the child?

Yes, I am thinking seriously about this ... Actually, when I started to ask myself if I want a baby or not, diabetes appeared and the world was upside down. That is why I posted here the question to here answers from experienced people and not especially from doctors...

[Alice]

No children (by choice) but all my endo's were very encouraging and wanted me to make sure that my choice to NOT have children was not based on my fear of diabetes.

All (I saw 3 different endo's in my 20's-30's) recommended a very low A1C level and had all their pregnant patients on pumps. Also, one endo had his mom's send in daily glucose readings. He was very good...wish I could still visit his office.

So, with a little extra care, should be no problem.

There are a lot of "mis-informed" doctors out there...especially in the media.

My gyno at the time was very encouraging also.

I just didn't choose the baby route...

[UpNorth]

High bloodsugar gives bigger babies. So diabetic women who are pregnant needs to take extra care to keep bloodsugar within range, or might end up having a baby weighing 5kg or something There's not a big chance that your diabetes will pass on to your children, only a few % risk, the risk is slightly higher if it's the father who has the big D though...

[Nikky]

Like everything, I guess you have to look at everyone individually.
If you do decide that you want to be pregnant one day, make sure your Doctor have this CLEAR for him or herself so the 2 of you can work it out in the best possible way together.
It is not just because there is a small risk to pass Diabetes on to your Baby. When..if you do plan to get pregnant, make sure you plan ahead. I can only refer here to what my own Doctor tell me, wich is that your BS levels should be as stable as they possibly can before getting pregnant, plan ahead.
AND even at the very moment you do get pregnant, it is important that you are good with your BS-level.
Pregnancy itself can be harder on someone with Type 1 Diabetes if you for example already have diabetes related complications.

I am absolutely not trying to scare you off, as you see most have good pregnancies and healthy babies
Just plan ahead, be careful and take good care

[Keezheekoni]

I've had 5 children. So far none of them are diabetic, and their father is a type 2.

I remember reading somewhere that you have a 4% chance of passing T1 if you're female, and 7% if you're male. I really wouldn't worry about the risk of passing diabetes on to your children, however if it does worry you, adopt!

As far as bigger babies go, if you're well controlled and keep your A1c under 6.5%, then you'll probably have a "normal" sized baby. Around 7.5# is normal these days. Though, genetics is a factor there, how big were you and your partner at birth? How big were your parents, etc.? My babies were all small. The smallest was a 32-weeker preemie at 4#8oz., the biggest was 3 days overdue at 7#5oz. I was well controlled, A1c was never over 7%.

One more thing, when the baby is born, he or she will more than likely go hypo after a few hours. This is because they are used to dealing with your highs and using your insulin. Once they are out, their working pancreases go to work to get rid of the extra glucose in their system. I'm very pro-breastfeeding and most hospitals will immediately give newborns glucose water if they see the hypo... I never allowed artificial nipples and just nursed the babies. They were fine after nursing.

Again though, if it scares you enough that you'll possibly pass on diabetes to your offspring, try adoption. Of course, you never really know what you get in an adoptive child's family history...

[Real4]

Originally Posted by anmi

the doctor interviewed told that he does not recommend to the young people which discovered in their youth to have type 1 diabetes to have children...

There is certainly a genetic component to Type 1, but actually it is rather small. There is far more evidence that Type 2 diabetes, especially the subtype called "metabolic syndrome" is inheritable than for Type 1. The major difference, of course, is that a type 1 tends to get it far younger than type 2 would and type 1 is immediately life threatening while type 2 is not.

[gettingby]

Originally Posted by anmi

Hi gettingby ... I don't get the part 'Babies of diabetics do tend to be larger' ... what does it mean to be larger? I don't want to sound stupid but it's the first time I here this and does it affect the health of the child?

Yes, I am thinking seriously about this ... Actually, when I started to ask myself if I want a baby or not, diabetes appeared and the world was upside down. That is why I posted here the question to here answers from experienced people and not especially from doctors...

What I meant to say was that they tend to weigh more. It's exactly like UpNorth explained it. It all is dependent on your control before and during pregnancy.