Meet T1D Momma, Orietta K.

Set to induce at 38 weeks pregnant

I was supposed to call the hospital on the day I was 38 weeks pregnant, to schedule my induction. Depending on how I was feeling, and on how busy the hospital was, I was going to be induced that Tuesday or one of the next two days.

I was already retaining some water but that Monday, it got bad very quickly. So in the late afternoon, I called and they told me I'd better come in for a check-up. By that time I could hardly stand on my left foot because the swelling got pretty painful. So when my husband and I got to the hospital, it was obvious that they were going to have to induce right then. Obvious to them, that is. We didn't even bring our hospital suitcase, which stood ready and packed in the nursery at home. Afterward, I heard that by that time, I already had ketones building up, even though my blood sugar had been perfect all day. I was just dehydrated.

The next morning, I had 2 cm dilation,  my blood sugar had been perfect around 5 all night, and they broke my water. Unfortunately, then I started peaking to 11, but I got it down to around 7 pretty quickly. But then things got a bit hectic. I started having contractions and even though my baby was in the right position (thanks to an external version some weeks earlier), I was in back labor. My husband helped ease the pain by putting pressure on my lower back, which helped. But the contractions were coming very quickly with very little time apart, even if I wasn't dilated any further. Meanwhile, a nurse told me that baby's heart rate dropped with every contraction. That wasn't good. A few minutes later she told me: "we might need to go for a c-section". And 45 minutes later, I was in the OR.

This scared me. But I have to say, it was as nice as it could have been, for major surgery. My husband was right there with me, and so were my insulin pump and my Dexcom and phone. My husband kept an eye on my blood sugar, which kept stable at around 7, and a nurse constantly kept me updated about the surgery. Except that a few minutes in, she told me: "by the way, they've already started".

And then, there he was! Our little beautiful baby boy Bram! Such a gorgeous face, I felt so much love and joy and relief in that first moment I saw him! Wow! My husband got to cut the cord, and after a few quick check-ups, they put little Bram with me so we could really look each other in the eyes. He was born at 3540 grams (7.8 lbs), which is great with a T1D mom. Then he went with my husband to cuddle, and they finished my surgery.

By the time I got back to our room, there turned out to be a problem. Bram's blood sugar was low. They didn't know how low, because the meter just said 'LO'. And we all know how awful that feels. He needed a glucose IV, and fast. The biggest problem though was that they couldn't find his veins. Three different people each tried and poked him twice, and still no IV. Which meant they had to take him to the NICU to administer glucose through his belly button. And he wouldn't be with his mom and dad for his first day on earth.

A blood sugar pioneer

Luckily, one of the nurses had a great idea. She had read that you can give people who are hypo a glucose gel, and rub it in the inside of their cheek. Why not try this for Bram? So they tried, and guess what: it worked! After a few hours, his blood sugar was back up to normal, and no NICU needed!

Very cool detail about this is that they now want to make this hospital policy: give babies a glucose gel before sending them to the NICU. My little Bram is a blood sugar pioneer! I love that!

By now Bram is 12 weeks old, happy, and healthy. Covid-19 has us staying home, but we're a very happy little family. I'm glad I don't have to keep my blood sugar as tight as when I was pregnant, and looking back, it almost feels like an impossible task. But I did it anyway! I'm very proud of myself, honestly. And of Bram. It's been a tough journey but we made it!

Find Orietta on Instagram @coffee.with.a.shot.of.insulin