At home with baby:
new moms with T1D
These next few weeks and months will be filled with joy as you get to know your baby. There will be stressful moments, too, while you are healing and juggling type 1 diabetes as a new mother. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Sleep deprivation
While this is a regular part of caring for a newborn, sleep deprivation can affect your blood-glucose levels. It can lead to higher blood-glucose levels the next day, increased food cravings, and feeling generally crankier. Take as many naps as possible—sleep when your baby sleeps. Getting enough rest is very important for your recovery and your mental health! Ask for help from family and friends, too, if you aren’t getting enough uninterrupted rest.
Post-partum depression
Post-partum depression is all too common but very difficult to talk about. When you’re managing type 1 diabetes (T1D) on top of a newborn, you inevitably have a higher risk of feeling depressed, anxious, or worried. You might also feel fear or worry about managing T1D as a mother. Talk to your healthcare team and your partner for support, or visit our Mental Health Guide for resources. You’re not alone!
Blood-glucose targets
Work with your healthcare team to set new time-in-range targets. While you’ve felt the pressure to manage tight blood-glucose levels for nearly a year, it’s important to reassess those targets to reduce your risk of hypoglycemia while caring for your newborn. If you are experiencing frequent hypoglycemia, talk to your healthcare team ASAP. Remember, your safety affects your baby’s safety.
Adjusting insulin doses
As you gradually lose some of the weight you may have gained during pregnancy, your insulin doses may change, too. Work with your healthcare team to gradually adjust your dose to ensure you’re not experiencing frequent high or low blood-glucose levels.
Set reminders
You’re exhausted! Set reminders for important parts of your diabetes management, like taking your daily long-acting insulin dose or changing your pump site. Give yourself that extra support.
Be prepared for lows
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself holding a sleeping baby on the couch, enjoying every moment, and then noticing your blood glucose is dropping. Keep low snacks with you in every room—especially if you’re breastfeeding.
Cut yourself some slack
You’re a new mother with a very high-maintenance condition to manage, too. Give yourself some grace and flexibility. Make time for self-care.
More pregnancy guidance
Whether your pregnancy is planned or a surprise, there are a few steps every woman with T1D should take.
Developing a birth plan with your diabetes team can help you feel better prepared for delivering a baby.
Delivering a baby when you have T1D will be similar to that of other expectant mothers but with close blood-sugar monitoring.
You and your partner are embarking on a very exciting part of life: becoming parents! Learn ways to support your pregnant partner with T1D.
Pregnancy support for T1D moms
Connect with others who have gone through pregnancy with type 1 diabetes in the Breakthrough T1D Community Forum.
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