This week is officially the start of my third trimester. I cant wait for September to get here. Between insulin resistance, uncomfortable/sleepless nights, constant pee breaks and the summer heat, I’m more than ready to meet our little guy.

I keep reminding myself that I don’t have it as bad as some people do in terms of this balancing act: Type 1 diabetes and pregnancy. I had one pretty bad week of constant high blood sugars that left me feeling defeated and depressed. Everyday I worried whether or not my highs would result in high birth weight or delivery problems. Everybody told me that I was doing my best, but it didn’t feel good enough. After numerous daily texts and emails to and from my endocrinologist and my CDE and appointments with my OB and CDE, resistance has reverted back to an occasional spike here and there which I am completely ok with. I know that I’m only just starting the third trimester and will probably have more tough weeks ahead of me. As long as I keep checking in with my doctors, I will try not to stress.

Not stressing is the name of the game in terms of blood sugar management. As difficult as it is for me, I need to try to relax and rest as much as I can these last few months. I’m typically very go, go, go so this is easier said than done. My doctor hasn’t sentenced me to bed-rest yet (hopefully never!), but I find that when I take it easy my blood sugars cooperate. (Light, low-impact) Exercise also really helps. I’m still walking a few miles a day, some days more than others. I try and get a couple long walks in during the week, but besides that I’ll do about a mile with Wilfred 2-3 times a day. Long walk days usually mean steadier blood sugars for the rest of the day.

I’m really hoping that the next 12 weeks fly by. Everybody says they do…

Between doctors appointments, prenatal classes, nursery prep, baby-registry building and keeping my blood sugar between 70 and 130, I haven’t had much time for anything else. I’m ashamed to say that my kitchen floor hasn’t seen the broom in weeks. It’ll all get easier once the baby gets here, right? Right?? RIGHT?!?

I still can’t exercise. Even if I had the time too I can’t. I had hoped that once my a1c got better, (as of last week I’m at a 6!!!) I would get the all-clear to ease back into my active lifestyle. I’m not talking running marathons or any races for that matter. All I really wanted to do was a short, easy hike with a few friends, but I was denied.  Endo said that she has no idea what any kind of exercise will do to my blood sugars. I’m already insulin resistant and she doesn’t want me to attempt mixing exercise in. I argued that exercise increases insulin sensitivity. She said, nice try. I need to be consistent and eliminate as many variables as I possibly can. So it looks like I’m going to be stuck walking for at least 4 more months.

With my limited schedule I can still get a good walk in, and I absolutely do. A couple times a week I plan a long, (about 1.5 hours, usually over 3 miles) hilly walk with Wilfred. I’ve noticed that when I do this, that whole day and the next, my blood sugars are near perfect. I’m sure it also helps that I’m eating clean foods, because why would I want to ruin the only workout I can manage. I do a long walk to and around a local park.  It’s about 2 miles away. I also drive to the beach and walk the Santa Monica Bluffs with a friend. We start on a walking path, cut down to the beach, back along the sand and then finish with some killer stairs. Sand, sun and crashing waves to start my day.

So for now it looks like my hiking shoes will be collecting dust and my bike will stay tucked away under its bike cover. At least Wilfred is getting plenty of fresh air and sunshine. September can’t come soon enough!