Susan Weiner and Elizabeth ‘Libby ‘Downs MS, RD, CDE share some further insight on managing diabetes, hormones, anxiety and pregnancy in an article written for Diabetes Sisters:

“There are many unique complexities that come with managing pregnancy and type 1 diabetes (T1D). Therefore, it is important for a woman contemplating pregnancy to develop a close working relationship with a healthcare team before she attempts to become pregnant. Successful pregnancy outcomes are possible when proper counseling and management are provided by a healthcare team similar to the general population.75

Achieving consistent, in-range blood glucose control before becoming pregnant is a cornerstone for women who live with T1D. Efforts to regulate blood glucose before and during the early weeks of pregnancy significantly reduce the risk of negative outcomes for the baby, since the baby’s organs are already formed by the seventh week after conception.75 Before getting pregnant, the ADA recommends achieving an A1C level of less than 7% and some sources even recommend lowering the A1C to <6.5% .75-77

Aside from recognizing blood glucose patterns, knowing how to use insulin to carbohydrate ratios and correction factors allows a woman to adjust the pre-meal dose of insulin to match the grams of carbohydrates a woman plans to eat and can help her optimize glycemic control.76 Accuracy of carbohydrate counting and administering mealtime insulin (fast acting insulin) 5-15 minutes before eating can promote even tighter control. In addition, women should consider adopting a healthy lifestyle, including a healthy diet, healthy weight, prenatal vitamins, moderate to vigorous activity and emotional wellbeing.75

Remember, you are not alone if you’re experiencing anger and/or anxiety about living with diabetes.

“Anybody who is diagnosed with diabetes experiences a range of emotions, lots of them negative with their diagnosis and then with their lifestyle.There’s a lot of denial, anxiety, there is a lot of depression and there is a lot of ANGER.” Dr. Beverly S. Adler, PhD, CDE

While it’s true that out-of-control anger can cause more harm than good, that’s only part of the story. Anger can also help you assert and protect yourself. You can learn to use your anger. You can even put it to work for better diabetes care.

Ready to get your anger under control?

August’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast guests include Author of “Overcoming Destructive Anger” Dr. Bernard Golden PhD, Dr. Lori Shemek PhD, Susan Weiner MS, RD, CDE, CDN, Laura Laria, Jill Knapp- Woolsey, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Mama Rose Marie, and the Charlie’s Angels Outreach.

Throughout the podcast we will be playing selected songs from the Essential Evelyn “Champagne” King album courtesy of SONY Music.

Diabetes Late Nite is a fast-paced, full-filled hour of diabetes education and wellness advice that encourages listeners to “laugh a little, learn a lot.”