I’m 7.5 months pregnant and things are looking really good. I’ve had diabetes for 24 years and a pump for about 10 years. I got my AIC from like 7.5 a few years back to 5.2 during pregnancy. I wanted to share my story because it has taken me a lot of emotional support to get this disciplined and have a successful pregnancy. I also wanted to share this with you so you know it’s not impossible, we’re beyond the Steel Magnolias idea, and because I’m proud and excited to be a new mom.
Some of my secrets have been to keep it low-carb, at first I had meals that were about 30 carbs and then it was reduced to 10. I went lower with each trimester. I don’t exercise much, gentle walks and pre-natal yoga. I drink a LOT of water. I take notes about my health and see my doctor’s regularly (my endo monthly until 22 weeks and then bi-monthly). Also, I relax. I try not to overstress about highs I get, and I avoid food pressure issues. It seems like everyone just wants to give you baked sugary goods when you’re carrying.
You’re very lucky that you have been able to eat so healthy! I have had terrible morning sickness my entire pregnancy (24 weeks now and the doctors say it won’t go away until birth). I have been unable to eat low carb because I have been throwing up constantly and that only makes it worse! I have unfortunately been stuck eating lots of bland carbs just so I’m not violently ill all day.
BUT the good news is that even when eating “junk” my pregnancy a1c’s have been 5.1, 4.9, 5.2, and 5.1. So my point is that - no matter what it is possible and we can do it!!! All we can do is the best we can, but it is definitely possible to have a healthy pregnancy!
SarahD1, your post was uplifting for me as I’m thinking about starting to try to get pregnant. I’ve had T1 for 26 years and also on a pump. My A1C is 6.0, which I know is great, but I’d like it under 6 prior to conceiving. It’s not easy to do as I’m sure you know. I’d like to avoid lows too. So, how have you gotten and kept your A1C below 6? Would love to hear your thoughts!
Thank you!
Carrie
I know this wasn’t directed at me, but I also have had an a1c under 5.4 since September so thought I would help if possible. Do you have a CGM? I have a Dexcom and that’s DEFINITELY the only way I have been able to have such great control.
Thanks, Lcpgh! I do have a cgm, and it’s also a dexcom. My whole diabetic life I’ve been told I have to eat carbs. I’ve recently started to try a low carb diet. It’s not easy though. Hoping this will help too.
One of the things that really helped me was to change my Dexcom alerts so it alerts me if I’m even approaching an ALMOST high number so I can catch it.
As far as low carb, I’ve never personally found it to be 100% necessary. I just make sure I bolus 10-15 minutes before I eat and take note of any foods that seem to not work for me in terms of making my blood sugar spike too much. I also try to maintain the same number of carbs (roughly) at each meal each day. That helps a lot. Basically just trying to stick to a routine as much as possible.
I definitely “practiced” being pregnant before I got pregnant. I tried to eat like I thought I would when I got pregnant and tried to keep the tightest control possible. Then when I actually got pregnant and had to deal with the madness of hormones changing my insulin resistance constantly, I already had that baseline.
I agree with you on practicing being pregnant. About a year before even trying I started to reduce my carbs and watch my sugars more carefully. During the first trimester I was still able to eat meals with 30-40 carbs. I decreased throughout the pregnancy. The good thing about that is I wasn’t eating the same things every day for most meals. It makes me go crazy to not have variety but it isn’t for too long. Sunday morning I had half a piece of toast with butter, it was amazing and my blood sugar stayed in line. A treat every now and then is needed…maybe just for sanity because my son kicks me and punches me ALL the time.
wow, Nice explained.
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