You will have better things to do than battle with your pharmacy and insurance companies while you are pregnant. It is important to think ahead about these situations. In order for your insurance company to cover these increased requirements, your doctor will have to regularly update your prescriptions and you will have to ensure that your pharmacy receives them in a timely manner. Be prepared for an increase in your insulin dose during pregnancy. If you are on any medication that prevent cardiovascular disease such as blood pressure and cholesterol, please consult with your healthcare provider before altering your medication routine.ĭiscuss medication dosages with your doctor so that you understand which medications might be required during pregnancy and how much you should take. You will want to have an extensive talk with your healthcare provider about each medication and supplement prior to conception. Some medications and supplements are not considered safe during pregnancy. Even without type 1 diabetes, this is an important time to prepare both emotionally and physically. Talk about your concerns with your partner, and lean on one another as you move toward these goals. Take your time to digest the information. You may feel overwhelmed and even a little distressed. You will feel much more confident and prepared during your pregnancy if you have assembled a trusted, multidisciplinary team in advance.Īfter preconception appointments and counseling, your head will probably be swimming with all of the information you receive. There are also endocrinologists who specializes in assisting pregnant women who have diabetes, consider adding one to your team. Once you are pregnant, you will spend a lot of time consulting with your doctor and tweaking your management plan, so make sure you have a team you both trust and feel comfortable baring it all to (emotionally and physically!).Ĭonsider adding an OB/GYN specializing in high-risk pregnancies and a dietitian to your team, as a pregnancy with type 1 diabetes is a delicate balance of food, insulin and the needs of your growing child that will benefit from a full team. If you aren’t happy with how your team manages your type 1 diabetes care, this is an opportunity to find a doctor who will work with you and understand your needs. This will allow the doctor to check your blood pressure and immunity to rubella and chickenpox, run blood tests and conduct a complications screening (particularly for your eyes and kidneys). You will also need a medical examination by an endocrinologist before your pregnancy. Now is a good time to connect with your medical team and clue them in to your plans. Discuss whether it might be time to consider an insulin pump and/or a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). Work with your physician and diabetes educator to achieve the best blood glucose level you can. Persistently high blood glucose levels dramatically increase the risk of abnormal development of your baby. The American Diabetes Association recommends that women who are planning a pregnancy with type 1 diabetes aim for an A1c as close to the target for pregnancy (A1c <6.0%) as possible without significant hypoglycemia.īecause a baby’s major organs develop within the first 8 to 12 weeks of a pregnancy, it’s best to keep your blood sugar more tightly managed before conceiving. Many endocrinologists recommend that women aim to achieve and maintain their A1c goal for a few months before becoming pregnant. The A1c is a benchmark for type 1 diabetes management that many doctors and hospitals use to measure your average blood sugar over a 2-3 month period. It’s never too early to be working toward your hemoglobin A1c (A1c) goal. How soon should you start preconception planning? Working on the following goals for a few months in advance of conception can make the whole process easier and less stressful: Keep Your A1c Levels Regular It is important to speak with your doctor and diabetes care team and get the guidance that you need to have a healthy pregnancy with T1D as soon as you know you are pregnant. Having said that, some pregnancies are unplanned. That is why preconception planning is absolutely crucial. Pregnancy is both a physical and an emotional journey-it’s no wonder women with type 1 diabetes who are pregnant have many questions and concerns. Pregnancy with type 1 diabetes (T1D) can directly impact the health of the child and the mother and having type 1 diabetes well-managed at conception is key to this. But when type 1 diabetes is part of the family-planning scenario, you have a few extra things to consider. All parents-to-be strive for financial and emotional readiness. The definition of “right time” to plan for a baby varies from family to family. The Complete Guide to Pregnancy Planning with Type 1 Diabetes
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |