Planning for a Diabetic Pregnancy

She said that my numbers just needed a bit of tweaking from the data she downloaded off of my pump, and I should be able to get it down by the next A1c. Are you ready to do this Gina?

Yes. I am ready. Scared but ready.

I had some other questions while I was there.

How long after you get your A1c down can you actually start trying?

She said well right now you are not at a good range but, as soon as you get to 6.5, that I can start trying and it will have to stay around that number as long as it takes to get pregnant. That I should also go and see the gynecologist to make sure everything is ok on that end as well.

What actually happens if your blood sugars are higher, if you do become pregnant without knowing lets say, hypothetically?

She said, If you have an unplanned pregnancy your high blood glucose during early stages in pregnancy affect the baby's growing organs which is what can lead to birth defects. Which is why we wan't your A1c levels down 3 months or more before you actually start trying.

Once I do get pregnant do I still have to keep an A1c of 6.5?

She said, that I will have to try to stay as close to 6.5 as I can but, because of hormones and changes in my body that it will take a lot of work to stay there. She said excess sugar in the blood will also cause larger babies and it can be a harder delivery. That I will probably go through a lot of insulin changes throughout the entire term of pregnancy and will have to keep my numbers down as much as I can. And that I will have to stay on top of my diabetes care, and contact them weekly.

My doctor and CDE both told me that I would have to see an obstetrician who handles high-risk pregnancies, and has cared for other pregnant women with diabetes, but, that they would handle my diabetes care throughout the whole time when it does happen. 

My CDE said the best way for me to get my A1c down faster is to:

• Check my blood sugar before meals, and two hours after meals.

• Write down all of my blood sugar results during the day

• Keeping a written log of meal plans and exercise.

I know that trying to have a baby and having diabetes is going to be a hard challenge to face when it actually does happen. I am so scared of what can happen and that is why I would like to get my body as ready as I can before. So that I will be able to have the healthiest possible pregnancy without any risk of complications.

Getting me healthy is the most important task right now.

If you have type 1 diabetes and had a baby, I would like to hear from you about your pre-conception care. How long did it take for you to get a high A1c down if you were in my boat, and any other tips you feel you want to share with me as well would be greatly appreciated!