Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kristin on August 29, 2011 at 12:49pm

Sounds like you are right on time!! I remember how stressful it is, but also know that it is completely normal.

I experienced the same thing around weeks 21-24. The increases in insulin resistance DID slow down for me. I was shocked by the amount of insulin that I needed and I saw higher numbers than any other point in the pregnancy.

Do your best, but don't stress too much! Highs that don't come down with many corrections sound like you need to increase your basals more. As long as you are checking your blood sugar very often, you should keep increasing your basal until things are under control.

Permalink Reply by LiL MaMa on August 29, 2011 at 2:17pm

Yeah I have continually increased my basals it's crazy! Thanks for being so active on this forum even after you have delivered your precious bundle of joy Kristin! I hope the insulin resistance does slow down I cannot imagine doing this for 3 more months. So did you experience this for about 3 weeks and then it leveled out? Before pregnancy I was taking 2u Levemir a day I am now up to 20 units and continually increasing!

Permalink Reply by Kristin on September 1, 2011 at 2:36pm

I increased my insulin from weeks 19-33, but the biggest jump for me was in weeks 21-24. After that there were less dramatic increases. As you can tell, we are all a bit different. The good thing is that our babies don't care how much insulin we take :) So just keep increasing as needed!

Permalink Reply by Sharon Fung on August 29, 2011 at 2:36pm

I'm 23 weeks too but not experiencing insulin resistance just yet. It's good to hear from the rest of you though because it's reassuring to know that other people have struggled and got through it. I'm dreading it but I guess I'll just have to keep increasing those basals as long as it lasts!

Permalink Reply by E. Louise on August 29, 2011 at 7:37pm

It is scary, isn't it?? I'm 29 weeks now and probably hit the insulin resistance point about a month ago. Have definitely been increasing all my basals, I:C ratios, and sensitivity since then. One thing I've learned is that it's okay to increase sooner than I would have in the past (i.e. before this I might have waited 4-5 days before making changes, but now if I have highs 1-2 days in a row at the same time, I know I can go ahead and increase that basal!) According to the graphs I've seen, it's not supposed to level out until week 36 (sorry!) but who knows, I'm sure it's different for everyone. Personally at least I've seen that I can make more increases without worrying about lows. I seem to be more even, although I'm taking a lot more insulin. Good luck!! And don't forget all of the things you are doing well to keep that baby healthy!

Permalink Reply by LiL MaMa on August 30, 2011 at 11:08am

Yes it sure does seem almost impossible to have a low these days! That factor and my CGM make me much more comfortable taking "too much" insulin and increasing aggresively instead of not taking enough.

Permalink Reply by MelissaBL on August 29, 2011 at 8:30pm

I kept climbing from week 20 until I delivered with my first. I'm 14 weeks with #2 and already feeling like it's taking off.

Just keep repeating to yourself that you're having a normal pregnancy side effect. Keep taking your insulin, don't stop eating, and try not to freak with every high.

Are you timing your meal insulin with enough lead time? It can be helpful to wait to eat until you see your BG falling (even if that means taking your insulin 45min before the meal). I was 209 at lunch today and decided I would wait until my BG started dropping until I started to eat. Took 70 minutes! Finally, when I saw that I was 180 and headed straight down (I watched my CGM), I felt it was safe to start. I probably could have waited longer, but I was starving!

Permalink Reply by LiL MaMa on August 30, 2011 at 11:07am

I had a huge jump in insulin needs at 14 weeks then it kind of leveled off until 21 weeks. I wait a MINIMUM of 20 minutes before eating. Before breakfast and dinner I usually wait 40-60 minutes.

Permalink Reply by Desdemona on August 30, 2011 at 4:19pm

Yup, that is quite normal.

*cringes* and...it gets worse. For me, it's been a steady climb. I'm now 1:4 (use to be 1:12 pre-preg) and at 90 total units per day (use to be 30) and I'm 31 weeks now. It's finally leveled out now in the past five days. For the first time since week 21, I've not had to increase basals/carbs ratios.

If you're not, a good tip is to walk right after eating. It helps a lot!

Hang in there, this is the worst part of it (diabetes wise).

Permalink Reply by Marps on September 2, 2011 at 5:40pm

I dont remember when it started for me, I'd have to go back through my journals to get a pinpoint, but it seems to me that it was right around week 23 or so for me too. My insulin needs skyrocketed throughout the remainder of pregnancy from that point forward. It didnt slow until week 36, which is normal.

Just remember: Insulin is not your enemy. It is a tool to keep your body "normal". Take as much as you need to take. Do NOT starve yourself in order to limit your insulin needs. You and your baby need the carbs and calories to keep your body functioning and to keep hers growing. If you have to take a few more units at each meal, DON'T STRESS. Your body will return to normal after baby comes.

I was increasing my basals by 5 units every 2 days to keep my levels down. By the end of pregnancy, it was normal for me to take 30 units of Apidra. I was taking 135 units of Levemir twice per day- compared to before pregnancy when I was taking 35-45 units of Levemir twice per day. It was a HUGE increase. But my baby is six weeks now and I'm back down to 8-10 units Apidra per meal and 45 units Levemir twice per day.

To combat my stubborn highs (I had a few 300s that came out of nowhere during the third trimester) I took Metformin. Don't know if that's an option for you, but something to consider. It helped me a lot.

Permalink Reply by MelissaBL on September 4, 2011 at 12:47pm

Your second paragraph should be emblazoned across the top of the Oh Baby group! Perfectly articulated, Marps.

Permalink Reply by Kristin on September 4, 2011 at 1:59pm

Agreed!

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