Type1 diabetes renal failure and 12 weeks pregnant

[Geauxerica]

Hi! I'm new here I was looking for an outlet to possibly talk to people who have been through what I'm going through. I'm 25 yrs old and I've been a type1 diabetic for 21 years now. I've known for a little over a year now that if I didn't change my blood sugars my doc said I'd be on dialysis in the next 20 years. The first of November I received the best news of my life, I'm pregnant. My whole life docs told me it wouldn't happen and it's something that I've wanted more then ANYTHING! I started seeing a special high risk obgyn. Last week I did my 24hr urine collection and blood work. The next night I received a phone call from my doc. She said the way my kidneys have declined the past 12 weeks that she could probably only get the baby to 24 weeks, that I would be on dialysis before that which could kill the baby, and she recommends I terminate it. Even if I do she suspects I'll be on dialysis in 6 months. I don't want to die for something that will probably die anyways but how can I kill my baby? My parents live out of state and my boyfriend works out of town so it's been a very emotional few days especially with the holiday. I'm getting a second opinion on Tuesday but being 12 weeks tomorrow, time is not on my side. If anyone has been through this or has any information to help me it would be greatly appreciated. I'm so afraid to make the wrong decision. Also my 24hr urine collection was not kept cold could that have affected the test? Thanks for hour help,
Erica

[cariad]

Oh, man. Welcome to the forum, this is really tough and I don't know much about diabetes, and especially not diabetes and pregnancy. I do know that it can be deadly for the mother and baby.

Dialysis should not kill the baby, that really does not make sense to me. If anything, I would think you should start dialysis as soon as possible, but of course I'm not a doctor. You would need to make sure that they let you have dialysis every day, or very nearly, to give you and the baby the best shot at this.

I have no idea how I would be able to terminate a wanted child. I can only offer support and hugs. My only recommendation would be to stop using terms like "kill my baby" and instead try to accept that termination is the kindest thing that you can do if the prognosis is that poor. You could save a baby from a short life of suffering if you do make this extraordinarily difficult decision.

No, not having the 24-hour urine catch refrigerated should not make any difference unless they told you to refrigerate it? Even then, I doubt it would change your news. I would suggest you get a second opinion from the best perinatologist in your city before you make a decision of this magnitude. Good luck, and more hugs. 

[sullidog]

Welcome!
Don't know anything about the topic but I do know dialysis and delivering a healthy baby is possible as I think there's a few on here who've done it so maybe they can respond.

[willowtreewren]

Oh, Erica.

 

What a difficult position to be in.... I have to agree with Cariad, though.

I had to terminate a pregnancy once (and lost two through no choice). It is hard, but then lots of things in life ARE hard.

Having said that, you do need to get another opinion. Dialysis in itself should not be a reason to terminate a pregnancy, but each case is different. You have the health of your baby AND your health to consider.

Please give this serious thought.

 

Aleta

[lmunchkin]

Oh Erica, I wish I had the words you seek, but unfortunately I do not have an answer.  I believe Okarol may be right in this.  If you seek a second opinion and they say also that the babys chances are very slim, then given your situation too, you have a tough decison to make.  I will be praying that the Lord give you direction in this and all situations you are facing.

What a toughie!

lmunchkin

[MooseMom]

I just want to echo the above and say that dialysis in and of itself shouldn't be the sole cause of harm to a developing baby.  As a matter of fact, I very strongly suspect that the only chance your baby will have is if you dialyze just about every day.

Here is a link to a blog entry I found on the subject on The Renal Fellow Network. 


http://renalfellow.blogspot.com/2011/03/pregnancy-in-dialysis-patient.html

And from The Kidney Doctor:

http://www.thekidneydoctor.org/2011/09/commentary-management-of-pregnant.html#comment-form

(This link takes you to the comment form...scroll up for the whole blog entry.  Sorry, can't seem to get just the right link.)