Bjay's (Diabetic Mommy's)
Pregnancy and Birth Story

Part 10

Since the Birth

Since I've started this site and had the pleasure of reading other women's birth stories, I now know that with planning, extra good self-care, and the permission and cooperation of your professional healthcare team, even diabetics can have more natural birth experiences. Some of them are posted on this site. Of course, there are some situations and circumstances that might make this impossible.

Right after Keith's birth, there was another flurry of appointments. I had to go back to the postpartum clinic a couple days after check out from the hospital. I had to see the endocrinologist and pediatrician two weeks later, and see the former a couple more times. I had to go back to the OB six weeks later. We took him for lots of well checks with the pediatrician. The appointments eventually died down and everything settled back to normal.

The best advice I have for after birth is - TAKE IT EASY! We had only stayed in the hospital overnight after his birth and checked out the next morning because we were aching to go home. That very day I was out to the drugstore with baby in tow getting supplies and some groceries. Someone approached me and asked when I had him. I said, "Yesterday." The man, the people in line, and the clerk all gasped at me. I said, "What? I feel okay." When I got home, I started to go about my regular activities although my healthcare team had told me to only rest, eat, and sleep. I ended up hemorrhaging a whole lot and really put my life in danger. Rest.

I just looked at my online journal today, which I haven't had time to keep up with anymore, and find I made the last entry about Keith at 18 weeks.

"18 weeks (4-1/2 months): Keith is 14 pounds 7 ounces, 24 inches long. He is in the 50th percentile. He had a vision test as a part of a research study. The results showed his vision was normal with the right better than the left, and they said he was an extremely bright baby. He had completed his tasks within 5 minutes. They said most babies could take up to 40 minutes. He is smiling, cooing, and laughing and is starting to get interested in toys, but his favorite toys are shiny purple and green Mardi gras beads from Las Vegas. We just bought him a high chair and are going to start him on rice cereal at the end of the month."

As I write this, the little bugger is three years old. He is rascally, funny, smart, and adorable. He brings me complete joy and some of the longest belly laughs I have ever experienced. I look at him and feel like my heart is going to burst from all the love inside it.

I thank God for him every day. My husband and I certainly are very lucky and feel we don't deserve him.

Keith has been very healthy. He has had a cold maybe four times in his life and they have lasted only three days at the most. He has never had an ear infection or any other infections. No real health problems - unless you consider being a silly brat a health problem!

When I learned what I had to do to in this pregnancy to decrease our risks, I adopted this motto: "Forget about yesterday's mistakes and don't worry about tomorrow, do your best today." I got into tight control just after the 1st trimester, kept it as tight as I could, crossed my fingers, hoped we could handle whatever happened, and prayed.

Next time you can bet we will be a lot more prepared and knowledgeable. I want to plan and be in control months before. This will help a lot with stress. It's not very fun to be stressed. Did you know that physical and mental stress can actually cause your body to release hormones that cause your insulin to be less effective? Well you do now if you didn't. If you are a diabetic who wants children, do yourself a favor - find a great healthcare team and plan ahead!

Here are some pics of Bubba (Keith)

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Index:

Part 1 - We Decide to Have a Baby
Part 2 - Meeting Dr. Wrong and Getting Pregnant
Part 3 - Finally Finding the Right Team Members
Part 4 - Going to the Hospital to Stabilize Glucose Levels
Part 5 - Let the Appointments Begin
Part 6 - Stomach Flu - Go Back 2 Spaces, Go Back to the Hospital
Part 7 - More Frequent Fetal Surveillance Begins
Part 8 - Go Back to the Hospital - To Have the Baby!
Part 9 - The Baby Comes!
Part 10 - Since the Birth

Diabetes and
Pregnancy:
What to
Expect
Recommended books

This is not a health care site. The editor is not a health care professional, is not qualified, and does not give medical or mental health advice.

Please consult with qualified professionals in order to find the right regimen and treatment for you. Do not make changes without consulting your health care team. .

Because this site is for all diabetics at all stages of life, some information may not be appropriate for you - remember information may be different for type 1, type 2, type 1.5, and gestational diabetics.

Articles submitted by other authors represent their own views, not necessarily the editor's.

The editor and contributing writers cannot be held responsible in any shape or form for your physical or mental health or that of your child or children. They cannot be held responsible for how any of the information on this site or associated sites affects your life.

The community associated with this site is a sort of self-help support group. Advice or information shared is personal and possibly not optimal for you. It is up to you to use this information as you see fit in conjunction with your medical care team. The results are your own responsibility. Other members or the editor or contributors cannot be held responsible.