very important question :)

[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]

I am pregnant with twins ...
Heather.

how sweeeeeet ..... :)

[anmi]

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]

I passed my genes onto my children....

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

[anmi]

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:eek: 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]

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]

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.

[cuddlebug]

i am also 29 going on 30 and wondered the same quiestion. I asked my dr. who told me to speak to my gyno. He told me that my sugar levels at the time of conception have a big effect on the baby. If im in control i have a normal good chance of a normal pregnancy but if im not in control at the time of conception it is likely to cause problems. So if you want children its best to get under control and plan it.

[anmi]

Hi all, thanks to each of you for replies...

I will write here all the answers... too laisy to quote them all :)

First thing, thanks for encourages and explanations... but the first conclusion, after reading all these posts is that I will hate more this stupid diabetes because causes so much problems :( ...
It is not enough that I have to carry him all day long after me, it has to ruin everybody's life and plans?!?!?! ....offffff....

I will not back of now, just that I am feeling too frustrated right now that even if we take very good care of it, it still implies risks...

I could not ever ever not fill guilty if something wrong will happen to my baby...
I am sure that I will overreact and even if he/she will got a flue, I will blame it on this stupid diabetes :) ...

I am sure that there is a chance that he could be as healthy as other children... but how can I know this from the beginning?
It's a big serious decision... I have to think one hundred times before...

[Alice]

What's to say he won't have any number of "other" problems down the road...kids are kids and they don't come with guarantees.

(coming from a non-mom here...but grew up with 6 siblings...I know a little something about variations!)

Let's just say the little child develops diabetes. So what? (Not sounding harsh here...) He will still be a great child...maybe smarter than his playmates in many ways. He may grow up and become a research doctor that finds "The Cure". Diabetes is not the worst thing that could happen to a child. Trust me on that one...

He may be a non-diabetic who robs a bank later...who knows...LOL! I know two very healthy lawyers that just got out of federal prison...diabetes is the last thing I'd worry about! Ok, now that I've cheered everyone up about their children...LOL!

[Jan B]

Anmi,

My heart is with you and I'm glad you are taking this seriously. I PM'd you about my personal experience.

I want to add: I was not in great control before getting pregnant; however I tried to be in good control throughout pregnancy. I also had an abusive husband & a minimal support system.

I just read that TODAY (my experience was 24 years ago), a Type 1 mother with good control of her disease has ALMOST the SAME likelihood of having a healthy child as a non-diabetic.

[anmi]

Let's just say the little child develops diabetes. So what? (Not sounding harsh here...)

I have a niece, 2 years old... How could I ever tell her, no, you are not allowed to eat this now? Could you? I saw in the hospital how difficult is to teach a 5 years boy to be a grown up man... It is horror from my point of view... it is difficult for us, what about they...

It's not just like that... 'so what?' You cannot just don't offer him the most beautiful part of his/her life... childhood!!! How could you offer him a happy childhood by learning him how to count carbs and take 4 injections/day??????

I am sorry but for me it is not at all cheering up...

[anmi]

Anmi,

My heart is with you and I'm glad you are taking this seriously. I PM'd you about my personal experience.

I want to add: I was not in great control before getting pregnant; however I tried to be in good control throughout pregnancy. I also had an abusive husband & a minimal support system.

I just read that TODAY (my experience was 24 years ago), a Type 1 mother with good control of her disease has ALMOST the SAME likelihood of having a healthy child as a non-diabetic.

Jan, thank you very very much for the replies and PM. Don't worry, it's not your experience that scared me the most... it's just this fact, that I have to have extra worries and extra thoughts and ... you know all the stuff.

I am very very sorry about what you are saying... the husband, the system and overall this diabetes... you should be a hero, not a men :)

All my love and support with you also :wavey: :wavey:

[Alice]

I don't take your decision-making lightly...really I don't. But you are worrying about something that may never happen. Kids are very resilient...the fear comes from parents...not the kids. (I was very young when diagnosed..age 7)

At that time, I understood everything. I remember little books about exchanges and it was a little game my mother and I played.

Also, very young children are put on pumps with great success. In the U.S., kids are encouraged to pump to make life easier...yes, it's still hard work...but that doesn't have to interfere with childhood.

Your child, if ever diagnosed, would be fine. Your feelings about it, though may never change. How that fear is directed toward a child, is another question you have to ask yourself.

But right now, this is all "what if"...right?

I have childhood friends who have died from cancer, cystic fibrosis (that's not much fun...) and from car accidents. There just aren't "perfect" people...I have another friend who was born without thumbs who grew up to be a very famous editor...does he spend time thinking about it? No, it doesn't cross his mind...it's all in the attitude.

[Alice]

P.S....the word "not allowed" was never used in context with diabetes...I still hate it when adults say they ate something that "isn't allowed"...

In regards to other rules..."not allowed" was heard frequently in my house!

[RLK]

I've been watching this thread with some interest, as I am 28 and DH and I have been married for several years now, but no kids (human ones anyway- plenty of furry ones! :D). We're still very much undecided on the issue of having a family.

Anmi, if you really want kids, then I think that you should do everything in your power to manage your diabetes and have a healthy pregnancy. But the question of wanting children should be the most important question IMO, not the question of will they or won't they have diabetes. Children don't come with warranties....they come as they are, and they are loved in spite of those things that make them special, even diabetes.

I wish you all the best in making your decision! :)

[deansreef]

i am a type 1 diabetic and the father of 2 school age children- Does me being a type 1 increase my children odds of diabetes?

[caswellhb]

Hmmmm, this thread is scaring me to death.

Heather.

[Jan B]

HEATHER,

NO -- please don't be scared. NO -- you have a huge support system and YOU and your babies will be fine. Believe ok? Sending you hugs, love and all the best. You've got a great doctor too and you are doing all you can. It's normal for your BGs to be a little wierd.

[Jan B]

But the question of wanting children should be the most important question IMO, not the question of will they or won't they have diabetes. Children don't come with warranties....they come as they are, and they are loved in spite of those things that make them special, even diabetes.

:)

This is TRUE and a very important point.

[anmi]

Common people... I didn't open this thread to convince myself IF I WANT or NOT a baby or to scare others :)... heather stop it :)... this is not for you to read :)

Of course, the simple fact that I want a baby or not is MY OWN VERY IMPORTANT decision which will never be discussed in this or another forum :)... My point was exactly regarding the risks implied... Of course, I wasn't thinking about a baby with a stamp on his head "HEALTHY", good to be born by me :))))))

Alice, you are right, I should be happy cause I don't have cancer or wasn't killed in a car accident or anything else more horrible and thanks God I only have diabetes ... I am sure things could be worst, I am sure there are all over the world children with much more problems them me. But as I said before, I have to think one hundred times before taking this important decision, especially because I know myself and I will overreact at the smallest problem the baby would have and I will blame it on me and on this diabetes.

The true and real point is that I myself didn't have a very happy childhood (I will not get into the details) and is the biggest regret of my life... I hated the fact that I have to act like grown up people, to understand problems and so on ... This is exactly what I don't want for my baby.

On the other hand, as I said in another thread, maybe you didn't read it, I am leaving at the end of the world :), in Romania, here the new technologies arrive when they became deprecated :)))) ... meaning it's not very easy to get a pump, neither for me, neither for kids. We have a very stupid and 'unhealthy' health system...

[anmi]

I've been watching this thread with some interest, as I am 28 and DH and I have been married for several years now, but no kids (human ones anyway- plenty of furry ones! :D).

I also have hairy and 4 legs kids in my house :))) ... they are the love of my life :)))... for the moment

all the best to you too :)

[anmi]

actually all the best to everybody and all my love to you all... this is the best forum ever existing ... it really helps a lot to talk with you and it really makes you feel like you are not the only one with this problem in this world

BIG HUG WITH 5-10 HANDS TO EVERYBODY!!!!

[Alice]

Anmi...I had to go through a similar "personal decision" a few years ago when I was in the "baby" stage...so, I certainly can appreciate all the factors you think about before starting a family.

My reasons were more job related than diabetes related. I did feel comforted by my doctors that I should not let diabetes be a factor, but no one ever has "pushed" me toward having a family (except for my mother-in-law...but that's another story)...

I think children are wonderful...but it's not a "set" rule that we must all have them..for whatever reason...it's ok either way. I chose (so far) not to have children...but, hey, I could end up as one of those middle-age-women on Good Morning America (TV show in US) with babies all around me...saying "I don't know how this happened!"...

We all would love to hear more about Romania...

[anmi]

Good morning everybody :), it is a beautiful shiny winter day here in Bucharest, Romania.

Alice :) (LOL for Good Morning America), of course, you reminded me about another very important fact in my life, the job which wouldn't allow me at all, for the moment, to have a baby.

There is not so much to say about Romania. There was a joke emailed some time ago which represent us the best: if the end of the world is coming, come to Romania, cause we are 50 years before :))).... From my point of view, this is the best short presentation about us... all the health system is up-side-down.

But to be honest, I should also say that diabetics have a very special good treatment. Usually, our public hospitals are horrible and nobody looks at you if you don't bribe him (meaning you don't give him some amount of money :) )... maybe it's unbelievable but it's true.

But where I was, at the diabetic section, I couldn't believe how good everybody treated us... doctors, nurses and all the staff. So, from this point of view, everything it is quite ok. The worst part is that we are the latest to hear about the news.

Maybe you won't believe me, but when I started to look for a pump, I saw that there is only ONE distributor for this here and when I asked at specialized stores about it, they were looking at me like I was an alien :)) ... something like :eek: WHAT?!?!? what is a pump???? :)))).... I told them: aaaaa... hello? We leave in 20 century.... :))) (very funny it was). By the way, about the pump, I heard about one year ago from this forum :) not because it is a normal way for diabetics to be treated here in Romania or because my doctor told me....

Lucky me, because of the job, I have to travel quite often outside the country, in Europe... so if I will decide at some moment to move to pump, I have more chances then others to buy one...

OK, enough with my stories, I will get back to work now :(

[RLK]

Of course, the simple fact that I want a baby or not is MY OWN VERY IMPORTANT decision which will never be discussed in this or another forum :)

You are so right! I wish that I could convince my family, friends, and coworkers that it is not their decision :D But, on the other hand, it would be nice to find people who are willing to talk about the decision-making process, whether they have children or not, and without judging opinions or feelings. Many of my friends and colleagues decided to "just see what happens" rather than making a conscious decision, and I can't make such a big commitment that way.

Ok, I'm done rambling.... ;)

[nicole]

I have thought the same thing many times. I'm afraid that I won't be able to have kids in the future because I'm diabetic. I haven't heard anything about not being able to, but idk. I'm curious too.

[anmi]

Hi :)

I considered and reconsidered the problem...
Bottom line, when I will be ready for this, I will do it :) ...final decision :)

I am not saying I will do it tomorrow or next month but I will do it because I really really want it...

Wish you all the best and happiness.

[Alice]

My parents have always said they had "six little accidents"...so sometimes our planning has to take a detour! Good luck...you really provided us with a lot of thought on this subject...it is a very important decision...

[Jan B]

Hi :)

I considered and reconsidered the problem...
Bottom line, when I will be ready for this, I will do it :) ...final decision :)

I am not saying I will do it tomorrow or next month but I will do it because I really really want it...

Wish you all the best and happiness.

Anmi,

BIG HUGS TO YOU!!! I'm so happy for your decision. Anyone as serious as you have been making this decision, will be a wonderful mother.

[anmi]

Anmi,

BIG HUGS TO YOU!!! I'm so happy for your decision. Anyone as serious as you have been making this decision, will be a wonderful mother.

Thank you very much Jan! Same to you too...

I am really wondering myself now ... will I or not be a good mother? ... don't worry, I will not open a thread based on that ... :) :) :)

I think I am thinking too much ... :))))

[Chris Graham]

Hi Heather,
I had a baby 7 months ago. I had a great expierence and my daughter only weighed 7lbs, 8oz. I was dx with T1 at 32...almost 2 years ago.

Couple things...
You are normal to worry. Pregnancy is a very worrisome time in general. Check out the web site Diabetic Mommy for some real world examples of being pregnant with diabetes. It is very do-able.

Second, I read studies that said the gentic link is stronger through the male gene. A women has a 2% chance of passing it on and a male has a 7%. Odds are in your favor!

Third, there are a lot of studies you can participate in. I did a DHA study (would increased levels of DHA ward off diabetes in children of diabetics?), there is one called Trigger. Check out Trial Net for more info.

Lastly, I would do whatever it takes to prevent my daughter from getting Diabetes. I am coming to terms that some of my obessions in this quest has to do with control. At the end of the day, we don't have control over much...especially our infalliable bodies.

If my baby develops diabetes, we will deal with it. I'll be a good resource for her. Right now, I'm just enjoying getting to know her. She is a joy and a blessing and I will never regret bringing her into this world.

Good luck...please feel free to email me if you would like to talk.
Chris