Diabetic (type 2) newly pregnant

Suzanneandben

so, i'm very newly pregnant- just about 6 weeks. I'm diabetic, and it looks like controlling my blood sugar is going to be harder than I thought. I can keep it in the regular "normal" range, but can't seem to get to the pregnant "normal" with diet. I'm scared and discouraged. I've never been on insulin before, and only went on metformin when we started trying to get pregnant. All sorts of "what ifs" are going through my head- especially what if I have to give myself shots while I'm at school teaching. This new life is so tiny. I'm terrified of hurting it. Any help out there?

Emiliana7

I have only had gestational diabetes, but I suppose the shots are same/similar if one is regular diabetic or GD. I use the 'insulin pens' where you just twist on a 'pen needle' onto the insulin pen device and dial up your dose accordingly (dr will help find whats right amount and its easy to carb calculate insulin dose for meals too, once you get the hang of it). The actual shot is not bad at all! Even doing it out in public. (it hurts way less than finger sticks for blood sugar checks!)

Hope that helps!

jazzygirl709

Don't worry!  It will be all good.  I was diagnosed with type II in May and got pregnant in July.  I was on Metformin and they quickly switched me to insulin. The insulin injections are harmless compared to the finger pricks. 

You can get it under control.  Mine is not quite perfect (yet).  It's hard!  I'm not going to lie.  I was placed on a strict diet.  Told my fasting has to be under 90 and under 140 1-hour after eating. 

The cool thing about being diabetic and pregnant is that you're going to eat twice as healthy as you were already as a diabetic.  I feel so much better about what I eat and it makes me feel good because the baby is getting the best.  It's hard not to eat the foods you crave, but you'll find ways to have your cake and eat it, too.  For example, I crave Twinkies like crazy!  I found the 100 calorie packs.  I only allow myself 1 pack per week.  When I eat the pack, I down water and take a walk.  That way, I won't think about Twinkies all week long and binge.

You're going to get great care from your doctors.  You'll see.    You'll do great.

MrsAJL

I have T2 diabetes and this is my second pregnancy. I was on insulin with my son (twice a day injections of regular insulin and NPH).  He was born at 38 weeks, healthy and well.

This pregnancy has been a little harder to control and I worked with my endo for the first 14 weeks.  He was extremely aggressive in getting my blood sugar down to the pregnancy target range.  Under my endo's care, I was taking NPH 3X/day and Novolog before each meal.  I went from a pre-preg A1C of 7.4% to 5.9% when I switched care and my diabetes management to my perinatologist.  

I'm back on the twice/day insulin regimen.  My goals are <90 fasting and <120 at 1 hour post meal (I'm really surprised when I see women who are still on <120 at 2 hours or <140 at 1 hour).   I've been able to keep these goals pretty well.

Honestly, the injections are not bad. I hate pricking my finger far more.  You'll be able to handle the shots and the amount of control you'll get will be really important for your baby.  Hang in there!

Suzanneandben

Thank you to everyone! It is so comforting to hear from people who have done this already. I've been in the 140's one hour after eating, but my dr wants me less than 120. I'm working on walking more- my students and I are going to start recess with a  lap around the field!

Thanks again for all of the support. 

s

MrsEnnis

I came over to ask about this same topic, glad to see there are others.  I was diagnosed with Type II in late July and apparently got pregnant within a week while taking Glipizide.  Once we found out I was pregnant, I was switched to insulin shots.  At first, just once a day but after seeing the High-Risk doctor, I'm at 2 daily.

 I am trying hard to do this right but today, I had oatmeal for breakfast, the flavored packets, and 90 minutes out, I was a 246 when 3 hours earlier, fasting, I was at 113 which is still too high for first thing in the morning.  I haven't seen a numbe that high since before I found out I was pregnant.  I'm testing before bed and giving myself insulin shots right after but my fasting is higher in the morning.  It's making me crazy and I suppose I'm also overly emotional because every time I've tried to talk about this today, my eyes start watering. 

I feel like I am failing my baby and I so desperately want her (what I'm hoping for) to be happy and healthy and not come out 12 pounds.  I'm so confused on what to eat and it doesn't help that not everything even sounds good most of the time.

I guess I just needed to vent a few minutes...off to get some fruit and grilled chicken strips for lunch...

MrsAJL

MrsEnnis:

I came over to ask about this same topic, glad to see there are others.  I was diagnosed with Type II in late July and apparently got pregnant within a week while taking Glipizide.  Once we found out I was pregnant, I was switched to insulin shots.  At first, just once a day but after seeing the High-Risk doctor, I'm at 2 daily.

 I am trying hard to do this right but today, I had oatmeal for breakfast, the flavored packets, and 90 minutes out, I was a 246 when 3 hours earlier, fasting, I was at 113 which is still too high for first thing in the morning.  I haven't seen a numbe that high since before I found out I was pregnant.  I'm testing before bed and giving myself insulin shots right after but my fasting is higher in the morning.  It's making me crazy and I suppose I'm also overly emotional because every time I've tried to talk about this today, my eyes start watering. 

I feel like I am failing my baby and I so desperately want her (what I'm hoping for) to be happy and healthy and not come out 12 pounds.  I'm so confused on what to eat and it doesn't help that not everything even sounds good most of the time.

I guess I just needed to vent a few minutes...off to get some fruit and grilled chicken strips for lunch...

Have you talked to a dietician?  Do you know how many carb servings you should be eating at your meals?

For example, I'm allowed 135 - 165 total grams of carbs per day.  That should be distributed this way:

15 - 30g Breakfast
15g  AM snack
30g Lunch
30g PM snack
30g Dinner
15 - 30g Bedtime snack

Everyone is different, so the best thing to do is 1) get an appointment with a dietician (preferably one that works with pregnant diabetics) and 2) keep a food journal to get an idea of what you're eating through the day.

Don't panic about your numbers. Just be sure to get your doctor to be clear about your blood sugar targets (mine are < 90 fasting and < 120 one hour after meals.  Everyone is different though.)

estellababy

don't be afraid.  the insulin pens are awesome.  You eventually get into a routine and I found that I am pretty comfortable with my coworkers that I can poke my finger, give my self an insulin shot and still have a conversation.  I find it nice that I have only gained 6 pounds, my A1c has dropped and I probably in better health now, then I was 6 months ago.