Considering another baby

[Hilly]

Hi, I'm a type 1 diabetic for almost 13 years and been on a pump for 7 years. I have had two healthy pregnancies with no complications for either me or the babies, and am considering having another baby. The problem is, I have never really had good control of my diabetes except while I was pregnant...I guess it motivated me to take care of myself. The past two years, since my last child was born, my diabetes has been really out of control...my last A1C was around 10. I have also been suffering from mental health problems over the past two years because of my poor control.

I know it probably seems insane for me to even be considering another baby when I am not taking care of myself. But I've realized that things need to change not only if I want to have another baby, but to be able to take care of the two children that I already have. I have been really fighting to get my diabetes under control. My challenge is staying motivated and not becoming discouraged. Having another baby is conditional on me getting my diabetes under control, and getting my mind and body healthy again. I would like to be able to get pregnant in about a year, but I'm not sure if that is a reasonable time-frame for me to get myself healthy again. Also, I am concerned that there may be damage already done to my body from my uncontrolled diabetes, and wonder if it is wise for me to put more stress on my body by having another baby.

[aiah23]

Hi, I'm a type 1 diabetic for almost 13 years and been on a pump for 7 years. I have had two healthy pregnancies with no complications for either me or the babies, and am considering having another baby. The problem is, I have never really had good control of my diabetes except while I was pregnant...I guess it motivated me to take care of myself. The past two years, since my last child was born, my diabetes has been really out of control...my last A1C was around 10. I have also been suffering from mental health problems over the past two years because of my poor control.

I know it probably seems insane for me to even be considering another baby when I am not taking care of myself. But I've realized that things need to change not only if I want to have another baby, but to be able to take care of the two children that I already have. I have been really fighting to get my diabetes under control. My challenge is staying motivated and not becoming discouraged. Having another baby is conditional on me getting my diabetes under control, and getting my mind and body healthy again. I would like to be able to get pregnant in about a year, but I'm not sure if that is a reasonable time-frame for me to get myself healthy again. Also, I am concerned that there may be damage already done to my body from my uncontrolled diabetes, and wonder if it is wise for me to put more stress on my body by having another baby.

Whether or not it's wise is hard to say. It's if you're willing to do the work. You should also look at your latest results (labwork) and go over them in detail with either your endo or your CDE to see if there is POTENTIAL for a problem to manifest in the next two years given your current readings. You should re-evaluate your goal of trying-to-conceive in a year based on where you are in 6 months as well. Pre-conception you want to be (at the very highest) at an A1C of 6.9 but your doc may require you to aim for 6.0 or 6.5. Additionally, you'll want to plan any medication changes out. You will want to do a pre-conception appt with whoever is your potential baby's daddy to a perinatologist (aka maternal and fetal specialist) as well so you are both aware of the amount of work it will take before you can get pregnant and what to do once you find you are pregnant. You mentioned some mental health problems, you'll want to make sure to have these evaluated and discuss your goals for conception to see if these issues require some additional work or what kind of potential rough spots you face with raging hormones during pregnancy. Kudos to you for your past control and healthy children; that is admirable.

Fawn

[momof2gr8kidz+1]

Fawn I love how you put things....
I am on my 3rd pregnancy. I also let my A1c's go out of my control, not to the 10's but to the 7-8's. Not because I didn't care or was giving up but because I stop taking care of my self and focus on my kids. Not blaming them, that is just what I do. Well my husband and I after many talks decided that we may try one more time. (our first was born with a heart defect that I carry, so our worry is worry is whether or not I will pass it on again. and the chances are higher because of my diabetes.) It took me lots of doctor appointments and 7 months to get to a place where it was the safest for my to conceive. If you do decide to go this route work REALLY close with your doc. Plus this pregnancy has been the hardest one for me... not sure if it is because I am older now or what. If you can get a cgms that may help you.
Good luck on what ever your choice may be.

Nicla
Type 1 for 16yrs
34yrs old
Pumping a Purple Paradigm
Daughter 6yrs, Daughter yrs and expecting a ???

[Hilly]

Thanks for the input!

momof2gr8kids+1 I can relate to focusing on the kids and not my diabetes. It is difficult to balance everything, and it seems that the kid's needs always comes first. Like, I will forget to check my bloodsugar before meals, because I am focused on preparing the meal and getting the kids fed. That, combined with my carefree personality, causes me to always put my health on the back burner.

My last A1c was the highest it has ever been. Typically it hasn't been any higher than 8, which is still not great, but better than 10. While I was pregnant, my A1c were running at 6. My kids were born with no complications...a little bigger than a non-diabetic baby (8 1/2 and 9 1/2 lbs). To date, I have no complications other than the mental health issues. I just moved, so I am still waiting to get in to see a doctor.

[aiah23]

Fawn I love how you put things....
I am on my 3rd pregnancy. I also let my A1c's go out of my control, not to the 10's but to the 7-8's. Not because I didn't care or was giving up but because I stop taking care of my self and focus on my kids. Not blaming them, that is just what I do. Well my husband and I after many talks decided that we may try one more time. (our first was born with a heart defect that I carry, so our worry is worry is whether or not I will pass it on again. and the chances are higher because of my diabetes.) It took me lots of doctor appointments and 7 months to get to a place where it was the safest for my to conceive. If you do decide to go this route work REALLY close with your doc. Plus this pregnancy has been the hardest one for me... not sure if it is because I am older now or what. If you can get a cgms that may help you.
Good luck on what ever your choice may be.

Thanks for the shout out There are a ton of people where I live who have kids thru several fathers. I started to write, plan to have the appt with your husband but I realized that was presumptuous where I live so I altered the wording. I think being in this phase, considering all the work it requires regardless of existing complications and conditions or absence thereof, makes the process incredibly challenging and a bit stressful. But everyone says the end result is worth it, and I'm inclined to agree even though I'm not pregnant yet

Fawn