Pregnancy & Type 2 - Go On Insulin?

kellyinkc · 05-01-2008, 02:21 PM

I just got diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and also PCOS. My husband and I want to have children and the dr. made it sound like I would have to go on insulin as soon as we started trying and be on it the entire way through the pregnancy. He also said it was high risk and it really scared me because I have always wanted to have kids.

I want to get my levels in control before we start tyring, but does anyone have any words of wisdom about being pregnant? Did you go on the pump? Was it a lot of extra dr. visits? I guess it's just nice to hear that other people have done it and have healthy babies!

Thanks!
Kelly

gertiegirl · 06-12-2008, 02:15 PM

hi Kelly... I know I'm a little late answering... but thought i would give it a go anyway...

I am Type II as well... when I got the BFP surprise.. I admit I was scared... I was sent to a diabetic clinic at about 6 or 7 weeks and was started on insulin immediately. It really isn't that bad... the doctor I see there was very reassuring that as long as I keep my numbers under control I can have a healthy baby. I just have to be very conscious of what I eat and do, and really listen to my body.

I'll admit some days it's not easy... having to eat 6 times a day when your going through morning sickness... not being able to eat constantly on the days that you're starving (though I found out that upping my protein will help with that). Right now I'm testing at least 4 times a day, and giving myself shots 4 times a day (which aren't as bad as I thought). Having to count the carbs... it all seems too much some days... but in the end I feel it's definitely worth it!

There are extra doctor visits.. I go to the diabetic clinic every 2 weeks (the first couple weeks were every week). Right now I see my OB once a month... but that will increase to probably every 2 weeks after I hit about 20 weeks... and they will do more ultrasounds as you get closer to your due date, because one of the side effects of diabetes is that the baby can be larger.. so they may have to induce early...

I'm still learning what works for me... so I'm not an expert by any means... and I'm just into my 2nd trimester... but right now everything is looking really good... so I must be doing something right...

I would say... start being healthier now if possible... exercise is great for blood sugar levels... and eat healthy too.. maybe see a dietitian to get you on the right track... the more you can do now... will make it a smoother transition when you get that BFP.. oh.. and stress... stress makes the numbers go high as well... so find ways that work for you to destress... and relax.. because that's important as well..

hope this helps a bit...

jacqui

gertiegirl · 06-12-2008, 02:53 PM

hi Kelly... I know I'm a little late answering... but thought i would give it a go anyway...

I am Type II as well... when I got the BFP surprise.. I admit I was scared... I was sent to a diabetic clinic at about 6 or 7 weeks and was started on insulin immediately. It really isn't that bad... the doctor I see there was very reassuring that as long as I keep my numbers under control I can have a healthy baby. I just have to be very conscious of what I eat and do, and really listen to my body.

I'll admit some days it's not easy... having to eat 6 times a day when your going through morning sickness... not being able to eat constantly on the days that you're starving (though I found out that upping my protein will help with that). Right now I'm testing at least 4 times a day, and giving myself shots 4 times a day (which aren't as bad as I thought). Having to count the carbs... it all seems too much some days... but in the end I feel it's definitely worth it!

There are extra doctor visits.. I go to the diabetic clinic every 2 weeks (the first couple weeks were every week). Right now I see my OB once a month... but that will increase to probably every 2 weeks after I hit about 20 weeks... and they will do more ultrasounds as you get closer to your due date, because one of the side effects of diabetes is that the baby can be larger.. so they may have to induce early...

I'm still learning what works for me... so I'm not an expert by any means... and I'm just into my 2nd trimester... but right now everything is looking really good... so I must be doing something right...

I would say... start being healthier now if possible... exercise is great for blood sugar levels... and eat healthy too.. maybe see a dietitian to get you on the right track... the more you can do now... will make it a smoother transition when you get that BFP.. oh.. and stress... stress makes the numbers go high as well... so find ways that work for you to destress... and relax.. because that's important as well..

hope this helps a bit...

jacqui

MarbleBerries · 06-15-2008, 01:54 AM

Hi Kelly, I wanted to chime in and say that I have type II diabetes and have a very healthy baby.

I stayed on Metformin in my first trimester, then switched to insulin at around 14wks. It was hard at first, but by the end, it was just a way of life. I took a long-acting insulin shot at bedtime, and a short-acting shot before each meal. There are other ways to do it with less shots that your dr should discuss with you, but 4 shots a day worked out for me.

We were induced at 38wks, because that's all the longer my dr lets her diabetic mamas go due to risk of big babies and also something about the placenta can break down(?) earlier. Well, my little one came out weighing 7 pounds! I was definately congratulated for keeping my sugars under such good control.

Good luck!

Edited to say that, yes it is more visits, but it was always reassuring to me to get to hear the heartbeat so often and get extra ultrasounds - so I didn't mind at all.

Saille · 06-15-2008, 06:08 PM

I had gestational diabetes for my pregnancy and had to use insulin. I HATE needles so it was very unpleasant, but to be honest it didn't hurt... I was just scared of it!

As a Type 2 now and TTC my doctor doesn't think I'd need to use insulin. Metformin is approved for use during pregnancy. A1c should be below 6.0 to start with and blood glucose has to be religiously monitorred during pregnancy.

It is considered a high risk pregnancy, and you'll spend so much time in your ob/gyn's office that you'll be on a first name basis with the staff, but that's not a bad thing. It's just to make sure your baby stays healthy. The blood glucose guidelines for during pregnancy are TIGHT, much tighter than what you can get away with regularly. And it's super uber important to follow those numbers so that your baby doesn't grow too big or have his or her own insulin problems.

My baby was totally healthy, was 8lbs 6oz full term c-section (big head) and to this day doesn't exhibit even one symtom of diabetes.

So get that A1c down below 6.0 if it isn't already, and look into some pregnancy workout videos that you can do at home to stay in shape and keep healthy!

Good luck!!

melgp · 07-27-2008, 11:06 AM

Hi Kelly,
I have been diagnosed as "borderline" type II diabetic, and have been on met for nearly 3 wks now and trying hard with diet & exercise (I think I may have even lost 3 or 4 pds!!) I have been really worried about conceiving, too, coz my gp has told me I really do need to get things under control before getting pg... eg high blood pressure, more exercise & losing some weight.
Yet my dh & I went to re last week and he has put me on primulot n (progesterone) and then to start clomid on the fifth day after af starts to induce ovulation. Now I am scared about falling pg first go, coz I know I will have probs & gp has told me I will almost certainly have gest diabetes or full blown type II so poss needing to inject insulin & be on a total "nazi diabetic diet" as she put it!! It worries me so much that I think if clomid doesn't work first time, I might put it off for a few months to try and work on my health & weight loss.
Thanks for the positive messages from those who have experienced it first hand - at least I know it is achievable, and my gp did say that we could handle it if I get pg sooner than anticipated. Good luck & baby dust!!

Lacuna · 08-02-2008, 06:41 AM

I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes at around 5 months PG and was immediately put on to insulin, my beautiful daughter was very big for my dates and I was seeing my GP and Gynae specialist on a twice weekly basis.

She decided to make an appearance 6 weeks early (whilst we were on holiday !!) and I wasn't in my normal hospital. My diabetes wasn't properly monitored and by the time I gave birth I had almost passed out. My daughter was in special care for 3 weeks and for the first few days was on a glucose drip as apparently she had been helping me with my insulin levels ??

After my 6 week glucose tolerance test I was told the Diabetes had gone, but 2 years later it was back and I'm now on a mixture of Byetta, Metformin, Glizacide and Labetol (for BP), I'm starting Clomid this month so as soon as I suspect I may be PG I shall be back on the insulin and will be monitored very carefully.

My daughter is absolutely perfect and we have been trying for baby #2

Every pregnancy is different, just make sure you look after yourself and report anything different, however small to your GP/ Gynae

I wish you the very best of luck.