July 23, 2008
Hi Doc,
I became pregnant w/ twins through IVF last February 2008 and had a miscarriage on May 18, 2008. I was almost 12 weeks at the time. I was hospitalized and was told that I had Type 2 diabetes and that the babies would have a 30% chance of birth defects because my Hemoglobin A1C was 10.3. I was told a Hemoglobin A1C over 8 increased the risk to 30%.
I was obviously not aware that I had type 2 diabetes and I was devastated to find this out. I was further devastated that it could pose such a great risk to both myself and the babies.
I have 3 questions for you:
1) Prior to proceeding w/ IVF, shouldnt my fertility doctor have performed a simple blood sugar test on me to clear me for possible diabetes and is a blood sugar test part of the panel of tests that fertility doctors typically do prior to having a patient proceed w/ IVF?
2) How low should my Hemoglobin A1C be and for how long should I maintain it at that level before I should get pregnant to make sure that both me and my baby remain healthy?
3) What is your opinion on taking Metformin to control blood sugars while pregnant? If you do not recommend it, what medication would be safe for both mother and baby during pregnancy? Is using insulin during the whole 9 mos to control my blood sugars the safest way?
Thank you for your help!
I became pregnant w/ twins through IVF last February 2008 and had a miscarriage on May 18, 2008. I was almost 12 weeks at the time. I was hospitalized and was told that I had Type 2 diabetes and that the babies would have a 30% chance of birth defects because my Hemoglobin A1C was 10.3. I was told a Hemoglobin A1C over 8 increased the risk to 30%.
I was obviously not aware that I had type 2 diabetes and I was devastated to find this out. I was further devastated that it could pose such a great risk to both myself and the babies.
I have 3 questions for you:
1) Prior to proceeding w/ IVF, shouldnt my fertility doctor have performed a simple blood sugar test on me to clear me for possible diabetes and is a blood sugar test part of the panel of tests that fertility doctors typically do prior to having a patient proceed w/ IVF?
2) How low should my Hemoglobin A1C be and for how long should I maintain it at that level before I should get pregnant to make sure that both me and my baby remain healthy?
3) What is your opinion on taking Metformin to control blood sugars while pregnant? If you do not recommend it, what medication would be safe for both mother and baby during pregnancy? Is using insulin during the whole 9 mos to control my blood sugars the safest way?
Thank you for your help!
Share this on
July 23, 2008
2. Once it's in the normal range, then one can proceed
3. Insulin is the safest way, although metformin is used by some docs