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With 415 million people living with diabetes worldwide, we often still feel alone and unprepared. With diabetes bags made for organization and a community of people who are just like you, Myabetic will help you feel connected and prepared for every day with diabetes.
— February 4, 2019
After 11 years of living with diabetes, I’m thrilled to introduce my 2nd baby daughter to my Myabetic friends. I’m in love with this squishy little bundle and am deeply grateful for another healthy birth.
When I was diagnosed at 24, the possibility of having a baby was a big concern. The medical information I received from doctors and clinicians was overwhelming and intimidating, and I didn’t know anyone else with diabetes to whom I could ask my seemingly-embarrassing questions. I was scared that I wasn’t “good enough” at managing my diabetes to have children.
My one-year-old daughter perched on my baby bump
So after two pregnancies with diabetes, I am here to share my story. I’ve received plenty of questions, and I’m happy to fill you in on some of the details with the hope that it may make you feel less alone.
through this entire pregnancy. I used a pump with my first pregnancy, but this time I had a one-year-old daughter to hold and carry so I didn’t want extra things attached to me.
between a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and finger-sticks/glucose meter. I only used a Dexcom for my first pregnancy, but the sensors often fell off. When I used alternative adhesives, I had bad skin reactions and ended up with marks on my skin that lasted months after the baby was born. I hated it. So this time, I went back and forth to give my skin a break.
My 100 mg/dL reading when I entered the hospital to get induced!
Sour candy helped during nauseous low-blood-sugar episodes
this pregnancy than my first. It made it challenging to accurately predict my insulin ratios. I’d have a big appetite and need to quit mid-meal because the food was making me queasy. Then I’d go low and, unfortunately, my favorite low fix (apple juice) also made me nauseous. I’d have to change up my sugar choices. Sour candy worked well.
it became more difficult to reach certain areas for injections. I ended up with a tiny lump of scar tissue under my belly since I didn’t rotate my sites well by the end of the pregnancy. I didn’t notice it until after the birth since the bump had blocked my view.
I enjoyed the many nonstress tests (NSTs) during the last 5 weeks to monitor the baby’s heart.
is considered “high-risk,” I had more doctor appointments, testing, and ultrasounds than my friends without diabetes. I actually loved it. It may have been time-consuming (the hospital staff knew me by name since I was such a “regular”), but I enjoyed the constant opportunities to connect with my growing baby. The nonstress tests that allowed me to hear her heartbeat were my favorites!
was not as tight as I would have liked - I had bad lows mixed with numbers over 300mg/dL all throughout the pregnancy. I tried my best, but it was a constant struggle to determine the correct ratios. They seemed to change daily.
at 39 weeks. It was a calm, happy labor, and I only have great things to say about my hospital care.
My insulin drip
during labor, so I didn’t need to worry about injections or managing my own pump. The medical team checked my blood sugar often throughout the labor. Their finger-sticks, however, were more painful than my own routine. They used a bigger lancet needle, and I began to instruct the nurses to test on my favorite fingertip areas so it didn’t hurt as badly.
at 9 lbs. Her percentile measurements ranked high in my third trimester which caused great stress. Doctors had warned me that poor control could result in larger-than-average babies. This was the most frustrating part of the pregnancy because I was trying so hard! Ultimately, she was a healthy baby, and doctors said her big size could have been genetic.
Testing my baby’s blood sugar from her heel
immediately when she was born by a heel-stick. Her blood sugar was 68 mg/dL (in-range for newborns – infants have a lower glucose scale). My first daughter had low blood sugar at birth (less than 30 mg/dL!), and we needed to feed her formula to raise it. It stabilized within the first 24 hours.
had reported, I needed barely any insulin after giving birth. It was a wonderful temporary period that allowed me to experience life as if I didn’t have diabetes! But unlike many other stories, this period only lasted a couple days for me. Dangit.
This smile makes it all worth it!
I realize every pregnancy is different. I know I’m incredibly lucky to be holding this sweet baby girl in my arms. I don’t take it for granted. It was a difficult nine months filled with tears and self-judgment. But despite all the challenges, it was undoubtedly worth it.
Myabetic Founder
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