Blood

Got a call about my labs.

Current A1c: 6.7%

I’m mixed about it. Happy of course, but know I should be lower. At this point in my last pregnancy my A1c was 5.8%. Yikes.

At the start of this pregnancy I was 7.2% so I guess at least I’m making progress.

For those that don’t know what an A1c is, its a blood test that basically reflects an average of your blood sugars over the past 2-3 months or so. Dr’s use it as an indication of how well you’re managing your sugar levels. For those diabetics who are not pregnant, the goal is to have an A1c below 7% (Per the ADA. The AACE recommends below 6.5%). The higher your A1c the greater your risk of complications.

However, the guidelines are much tighter for those who are preggo. The American Diabetes Association recommends women who are preggo and have pre-existing diabetes have an A1c less than 6%.  Sooo in other words, they wants us diabetic pregnant ladies to have the same a1c as someone without diabetes, or pretty dang close to it. It’s pretty unreasonable. But not impossible. With my last pregnancy I was able to get my A1c down to 5.7% for a portion of the pregnancy and stayed below 6.4% for the bulk of it. I ate at the same times every day, I ate similar foods every day, I had no other kids so I could go to the gym 4-5x a week without trouble. I wasn’t working weird hours, I could nap whenever I wanted, I didn’t have any stomach trouble. This 2nd baby is a whole different kind of animal. I have to take it one day at a time, sometimes one meal at a time. I have to fight the urge to comfort my tiredness and irritability with carb-heavy foods. I have to fight off my excessive forgetfulness and actually remember to check my sugar 1-2 hrs after eating, oh and take my insulin on time. Oh and eat. It’s been a challenge. I pray my efforts are good enough….and that I don’t end up pushing out a 12 pound baby.