Insulin Resistance in Pregnancy

**Posts:** 4 **Joined:** Sun Aug 30, 2009 7:28 pm

Hi Everyone,

I've had diabetes for 26 years and I've already had two children while being diabetic. This is my first time being pregnant while also having a pump and not being switched off of Humalog. I'm having a hard time getting my blood glucose under control with this pregnancy. For dinner tonight I had 2 cups of rice and some Cod, I've done 34 units of insulin to correct for the high and I'm still increasing. I would understand if this would be an infusion set problem but this has been happening for the past 2 weeks with every meal. I've had one day where I didn't have to bolus for any meal and I was consistantly below 70 but most days I can't get below 300 unless I don't eat any carbs. Has anyone had this problem and do you have any suggestions as to how I can fix this problem? Thank you for you time and help, I really appreciate it.

Re: Insulin Resistance in Pregnancy **by jennagrant** Wed Oct 28, 2009 4:37 pm

You didn't say how far along you are in your pregnancy, but during the last trimester espcially your progeterone levels increase and that counteracts the insulin in your system.

You probably need to increase the basal rate of your pump and take a few extra units with each meal. I usually take about 45 units a day, but by the end of my pregnancy was taking close to 100. (I wasn't eating that much more.) One other thing that helped me was to eat a consistent breakfast every morning, since that is when I'm more insulin resistant.

For a week or so after you have the baby, especially if you're breast feeding, you'll barely need any insulin at all. Then the need will slowly increase again. Once I stopped breast feeding my insulin needs were back up to about 45 units a day.

John Walsh's book "Pumping Insulin" has a chapter on pregnancy. It may be helpful to you. Take care and congratulations.

**Posts:** 4 **Joined:** Sun Aug 30, 2009 7:28 pm

Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it. I'm only 16 weeks pregnant. But this is crazy, one day I'll do over 100 units, most days I'm around 60, and other days I only need my basal running in the background. I've been increasing my basal weekly and talking with the doc in between. I'll look in to that book, thanks for the suggestions, I really appreciate it.

With my second son, I did very little insulin and could eat anything and wouldn't top 100mg/dL while breast feeding. THe rude awakening came on his first birthday when I discovered I was still a diabetic.

Thanks again!

**Posts:** 1 **Joined:** Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:23 am

Good Luck to you and I hope you will have a safe delivery. I know someone who' diabetic while pregnant and she was able to make it. I know you would.

christine

Insulin Resistance in Pregnancy

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