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If you have ever been pregnant while living with T1D, how much did your insulin needs change throughout your pregnancy?
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I was pregnant with my daughter in 1970, before home glucose monitors and fast acting insulin. I kept a urine test logbook that I shared with my MD at appointments. Glucose management was far more basic then, as compared to now. In addition to becoming very ill with morning sickness for a full three months, I was also completing my last semester of undergraduate work as a studio fine arts student. It was a very stressful time compounded by trying to manage a fluctuating glucose level and increasing blood pressure with inadequate tools. My daughter arrived by c-section six weeks early after I was hospitalized with preeclampsia. Two weeks after delivery the amount of insulin I was taking was great reduced.
I needed significantly less insulin during the first trimester, the second trimester was normal in need for me, and then the third trimester I needed significantly more insulin.
I have two very healthy boys, 9yo and 6.5yo. I have worn an insulin pump for 22 years, and was able to start using a CGM device before I became pregnant with both. I am very thankful for this technology and the help of my incredible RN and RD educators who weekly helped me increase my doses of insulin ever so gradually to adjust for the hormonal shifts throughout pregnancy. I had increased doses up until the end of my pregnancy where doses naturally decrease due to hormonal shifts. After I had both children my doses dropped significantly, especially while breast feeding. It was all super challenging but worth it. I thank God for His help through it all!
Female Hormones are very connected with type 1 Diabetes, or should I say the lack of female hormones. I was diagnosed going through Menopause and when I was put on birth control pills to help with low energy, sugars shot through the roof. I was then diagnosed with LADA, had a brief honeymoon period, and have been on insulin the past 23 years. Happy Birthday to Insulin this year! I am trying to stay positive this Lost Year, and can start going back into public places. Free Again!
N/A. I’m male.
Janis, I had preeclampsia too (and HELLP Syndrome) and delivered my first daughter by c-section 5 1/2 weeks early. I went on to have two more children within the following five years with no complications. It was so long ago though I don’t remember my insulin requirements at the time.
My insulin needs increased throughout my pregnancy. I was very fortunate to have an excellent team of experts working with me. I wore an insulin pump prior to pregnancy, during, and after. I recorded and faxed daily blood sugar levels to my CDE and adjustments were made as needed. I delivered a beautiful, healthy 7lb, 6oz boy. Wonderful pregnancy. My baby just turned 23!!!!!
I was originally incorrectly diagnosed as a gestational diabetic when 11 weeks pregnant, on insulin at 15-16 weeks then correctly diagnosed with T1D 5 weeks after delivering a healthy baby girl. I confess I don’t remember much about my insulin doses, she was our 5th child and I was working full time.
My insulin needs climbed and climbed in first two trimesters. My typical TDD was 24 units before pregnancy. It hit 72 at peak then as labor began, sharply plummeted. It stayed very very low while breastfeeding and Dr. assumed it was temporary and just the metabolic effect of producing so much breast milk and hormone shifts but oddly, it NEVER returned to 24. For next 20 years my daily insulin remained in the 8-11 units per day. Very insulin sensitive. And I’m not a small person ( was 5’6″ and 150 lbs). I had same experience with my second pregnancy but less steep on both ends. Now, heavier and post menopause and less active, my insulin needs have crept up to around 14 units per day. (Except right after 2nd dose of Moderna vaccine when it soared for 48 hours).
Back when I was pregnant, I was on 2 shots/day of NPH & regular. I have no idea if my needs changed. However, as soon as I started giving my baby food other than breast milk, my BG sky-rocketed.
In the first trimester of each pregnancy I needed less insulin. During the second pregnancy I passed out at the wheel of my car right after eating lunch due to a low blood sugar. But in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters I needed much more insulin. I went from 24 units to 72 in my first two pregnancies and 24 to only 48 in my third, which had me worried something was wrong with the baby. In my second pregnancy I also started taking my Lente insulin twice a day instead of once a day, since it was not covering the full 24 hours. The first baby was born at 35 weeks, a little premature. The others were considered full term.
LOL! It’s been 39 years ago, so my memory on insulin needs is vague! I recall needing some additional insulin, but my BGs were actually better being pregnant than they were before I was pregnant. A lot of the better control, was my endo’s and OBs diligent monitoring of me during the pregnancy so I was much more careful about getting exercise and eating right. I felt great and went full term delivering a healthy baby boy.