[jazzy1]

I was reading through another post that got me to wondering. For all of the women out there who have had children (while being diabetic) or plan on having them, what does your doctor say about diabetics having children. Do they encourage you to go ahead with your family planning but keep tight control...or do they tell you not to do it?

When I had my son, my doctor spoke to me about "considering my options" because she didn't think having a baby was a good idea. I was floored at the fact that she wasn't very encouraging at a time that should have been joyous.

[mg_2204]

Although I had 3 diabetic pregnancies, I wasn't diagnosed diabetic until later, in 1994 to be precise. But my doc did tell me I'd have to consider my options too, when I was pregnant of my third child. 3 children now is considered a big family anyway! Of course doctors will be cautious, it's in our best interests. I was told that if I wanted a 4th child I'd have to see the doc before I got pregnant. Had I really wanted another I would have gone and done whatever it was required to have a healthy baby. But since 3 is my lucky number ...

Marie

[Belinda]

My doctor told me that when and if I choose to have children that I would have to use a different infusion site than I do now for my pump..so I am guessing that he knows it may come up some day!

[HeatherP]

My docs have always told me not to let the diabetes get in the way of having children. They said that it would be very important to control my sugars very very tightly and that it would be work, but it's doable.

When I first met my endo two years ago and he was taking my history, when I said "no kids" he peered at me over his glasses and said "not because of your diabetes is it?" and I assured him it wasn't. He said good, because it shouldn't be.

HeatherP

[SunniD]

Diabetics having children is riskier for sure. You should also
be aware that 50% of these children may come down with
diabetes. Some people aren't aware of that stat. I had a son
and he's not diabetic but my partner on another diabetic site
has one son also and he is diabetic. I guess we fall right
into the odds.<smile> I don't believe me knowing that would
have changed my mind. I do believe there is also a higher
incidence of Attention Deficit and Dyslexia and other problems.
My son has brain damage from birth which caused dyslexia.
So, if you are prepared to love any child you might receive
go ahead. One can't take them back*g* and sometimes
they don't leave home when they are supposed too. They
keep coming back!! <smile>

SunniD

[Dewey]

I agree that it may be riskier for Diabetics, but because of major medical advancements, it has been made easier for Diabetics to have children with little to no trouble. Even non-Diabetics can run risks. I have a fellow classmate who has had some complications with her pregnancy, and she has no health conditions which would put her at risk. Each person is different, and what may affect one adversely, may not affect another at all. I'm sorry to hear that your doctor wasn't more supportive of your decision, jazzy, and hope that you didn't experience any problems with your pregnancy or delivery.

[am1977]

Actually, my endo. did talk to me about this. He said that if I plan to have children, he recommends that I only have one or two. I can understand this, b/c when a normal healhy woman is pregnant, her body is under stress. Now, have a woman who is pregnant AND has a chronic illness, the stress the body is put under has to be multiplied by who knows how much. I think it's something every diabetic woman has to think about and consider. As for myself, I plan on taking my endo's advice.

[gettingby]

I had been a diabetic for about 5 years when I got pregnant with my daughter. Sure, it wasn't easy but now that she's here(even though she is 14), I don't regret doing it. My Dr. did tell me that another pregnancy might be very risky(not just because of diabetes, because of my small build).
Cin

[christie]

none of my drs,endo,or ob dr had ever said anything about not having kids. when i had my last i opted for a c-section and a tubal to not have anymore kids,and my diabetic specialist ob kept trying to change my mind into not having a tubal and have more. my two was enough,the hypos were very hard on me.

[Willow]

My doc said he would like us to go see him when we want to try for children so that we can get all the help/advice/support from him etc. He stressed my control needs to be excellent beforehand too.

[Belinda]

Originally posted by SunniD
Diabetics having children is riskier for sure. You should also
I do believe there is also a higher
incidence of Attention Deficit and Dyslexia and other problems.
My son has brain damage from birth which caused dyslexia.
So, if you are prepared to love any child you might receive
go ahead. One can't take them back*g* and sometimes
they don't leave home when they are supposed too. They
keep coming back!! <smile>

SunniD

Diabetes does not cause ADHD nor Dyslexia. There is another underlying cause for these disorders. Today ADHD and ADD are both labels given to many children even with out diagnosis. People need both a psychological and a clinical for these ( trust me on this one since we have students tested in special ed all the time) just a parent or others saying they are ADHD does not work. Must be a doctor(you would be surprised on how many parents want their kids witht this label).

[Shalyndria]

Originally posted by SunniD
Diabetics having children is riskier for sure. You should also
be aware that 50% of these children may come down with
diabetes. Some people aren't aware of that stat.

SunniD, can you back this statement up? I've always been told that Type 1 Diabetes in itself is not a hereditary condition, it's the immunilogical aspect that may be genetic. If you're talking about Type 2 then perhaps this stat is true, although I wouldn't be aware of the percentage. Personally, my own family history would dispute this statement, as I have absolutely no history of any type of Diabetes in my family.

As it pertains to the topic, I spoke with my physician and CDE a few years ago and was told by both that I should avoid unplanned pregnancies and my A1c and BG's should be within a good range for at least 6 months prior to planning a pregnancy. Both have been very encouraging and given me positive support regarding any future pregnancies.

Shy

[Eri's mom]

Originally posted by Belinda
Diabetes does not cause ADHD nor Dyslexia. There is another underlying cause for these disorders. Today ADHD and ADD are both labels given to many children even with out diagnosis. People need both a psychological and a clinical for these ( trust me on this one since we have students tested in special ed all the time) just a parent or others saying they are ADHD does not work. Must be a doctor(you would be surprised on how many parents want their kids witht this label).

I hear ya on that Belinda...they tried labeling my son ADD, then ADHD...took him to another pediatrican, physcologist and psychiatrist, and they tested him and he doesn't have either one....as a matter of fact, they tested him and his IQ was really high...they say he is just bored...and a typical boy. I had to fight to have that label removed from his records(IEP) at school...they actually did though...they also labeled him C.A.P.D....but he did go deaf in one ear as a toddler.(his hearing has since come back thanks to a LOT of work).
OK, I went really here!!! sorry!!!

oh....Erica, believe it or not...has already informed us that she will NOT be having children...she's adopting b/c there are a lot of kids out there that need homes, and she doesn't want to risk the chance of giving any of her own children diabetes.(it came up one night while discussing something on this topic, and Eri's the type to just pipe in)....

[mg_2204]

... there was a 'trend' some years back to brand children has having ADD and ADHD. Many teachers would even suggest to parents they go and try to get Ritalin for their kids. Appalling!

Marie

[KickStart101]

Hi Tiffany: When I was pregnant with my son, my Endo told
me my children only had a 4% chance of getting Diabetes.
If my husband had had Diabetes then our kids would have
had an 8% chance. When I wanted my second child, my
Endo didn't have a problem with it as long as I kept my sugars
in a good range which I did. It was my Rheumatoid Doctor
and my GP that had a fit about. ( I was dxd with RA when my son was about 1 yr. old ). They said I would probably go blind or have kidney failure. (I guess they had some bad experiences with their patients). I finally gave up and we went to the adoption classes. After the classes I became pregnant. Figure that, we were using rubbers faithfully. My Rheumy and Gp wanted me to abort the pregnancy due to my health. My Endo was fine with it. I said, "Sorry, I wanted my Boy first for his Father, We have him. Now I want my Girl.". And we have both.
***Carlie***
P.S. I did have my tubes, "Cut, burnt, tied and stepped on",
as my Ob/Gyn reported with a smile when I had my C-section. Didn't want to push my Luck!!!!