Emily’s Birth Story: Managing Type 1 Diabetes Through Pregnancy, OCD diagnosis

Emily’s preparation for pregnancy was extensive and meticulous, requiring a full year of medical planning before trying to conceive. “I had to take folic acid from like six months preconception, just because there’s an increased incidence of neural tube defects for people with diabetes,” she shares. With her insulin pump, she had to “come off the automated mode” and “go into manual mode because the automated mode isn’t approved for pregnancy yet.”

Despite the preparation challenges, Emily conceived quickly and chose King Edward’s diabetes clinic for her care, appreciating their comprehensive approach. Her pregnancy journey became increasingly complex as her blood sugar patterns shifted dramatically between trimesters, and at 35 weeks, she received an unexpected OCD diagnosis that would ultimately change her life beyond pregnancy.

Emily’s birth story takes an unexpected turn when health concerns arise at 37 weeks, leading to an immediate induction. What follows is a powerful account of medical intervention, shoulder dystocia, and a forceps delivery that brought her daughter Gia safely into the world. Emily’s honest reflection on both the physical and emotional challenges of her experience offers valuable insight for anyone navigating pregnancy with chronic health conditions.

If you’d like to listen to more birth stories involving type 1 diabetes, check out episode 488 (another Emily) and episode 227 (Sarah Leverton).