Just Thinking....

[Priscilla6985]

So I am 24 years old. I have had type 1 diabetes for 22 years. I just got the pump. I've been on the pump since last april. My A1c was last checked about 2 months ago and it was 7.5. I think my diabetes is in fairly good control but I need for it to be in tight control before thinking of having a family. I was recently married last month and I am thinking of having a family in maybe 2011. What advice can I get for preparing myself for a family...I mean in the diabetes standpoint, I know it takes alot of time to get ready to conceive.

[Subby]

Hi Priscilla, and welcome. I know very little about pregnancy and t1, I'm sure others will pipe in with info. I have had the impression you really want your control as low as possible, right down. It would be good to get an idea what level of control you are shooting for - did you have an idea?

A really great resource for ideas to tighten control on the pump is a book called Pumping Insulin by John Walsh. You can order it from the usual online places, or search on the web. It is easy to read and chock full of up to date knowledge and methods to work with the pump (and insulin in general) to keep honing control better and better. An excellent start is "basal testing" which he explains in detail in the book. It's the process of getting your basal rates as good as can be, to provide a solid foundation for control through the day.

So, I'd really recommend investing in that book. But chat to us as well! :)

What do you feel are your biggest issues? For example, do you wake with high BGs? Find that certain times of day are problematic? Does food seem to cause issues? Got any examples of times you BG is less than desirable? What have you tried? Any suggestions from your doc? Let us know more.

[Lyrehca]

Hi Priscilla,

Talk to your endocrinologist about what your plans for pregnancy are, and how s/he will work with you to get your A1c into recommended prepregnancy levels. These days, an A1c under 7, or even under 6.5, is what most doctors recommend.

I am writing a book about pregnancy with pre-existing diabetes that will be out in early 2010. (The URL is
Balancing Pregnancy with Pre-Existing Diabetes: Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby - Demos Medical Publishing (http://www.demosmedpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=9781932603323) )

For more insight about type 1 and pregnancy, check out diabeticmommy.com, the pregnancy boards on TuDiabetes.com and DiabetesSisters.org, and sign up for the Yahoo groups Positive Diabetic Pregnancies and Pregnant Pumpers to find some kindred spirits.

I also blogged extensively about my experience being pregnant with type 1 diabetes at Managing the Sweetness Within (http://www.thesweetnesswithin.blogspot.com). My son is now 2.5 and was born healthy. It was a lot of work to maintain extremely tight blood sugar control, but it can definitely be done with the right support.

Good luck!

Lyrehca

[xMenace]

I know it takes alot of time to get ready to conceive.

Trust me. Five minutes is enough :cool:

For control start with basal testing. It all stems from there. If you have any questions, ask!

http://www.diabetesforums.com/forum/pumping-insulin/28110-how-do-basal-testing.html#post330495