“Gary, I think I need more insulin at breakfast.”

“Why do you say that, Julianne?”

“Because I’m always having high readings right afterwards, and my obstetrician said I shouldn’t spike after I eat.”

“And what happens after the spike?”

“It usually comes down to normal before lunch.  So do you think I should take more insulin?”

Congratulations!  You made it through a 9-month rollercoaster of blood sugar swings, weight changes, mood shifts and some bizarre food cravings.  Your beautiful new baby is taking up most of your time and attention...  but don’t forget to take care of yourself too.  Managing your blood sugar is still important to the safety and development of your baby.

In most cases, insulin levels return to near pre-pregnancy levels soon after delivery.  Sure, there may be a day or two immediately after giving birth when insulin requirements are unusually low (due to the sudden elimination of placental hormones and your temporary ability to secrete some insulin).  But all good things do come to an end.  I always recommend that my clients keep a written record of their pre-conception insulin doses so that they can revert to them after delivery.

So that’s it, right?  Not quite.  New times call for new challenges.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, but if you have diabetes and are contemplating or are in the midst of pregnancy, it also takes a village just to have the child.  There are so many challenges you must face, since diabetes makes the pregnancy more complicated, and pregnancy returns the favor by making diabetes management more difficult.  Facing it alone simply isn’t an option.  That’s what this article is all about – resources to help support and guide you, emotionally as well as physically, through the whole baby-making process.