Living with Type 1 Diabetes through diagnosis and pregnancy
Living with Type 1 Diabetes can become even more complex during major life events like pregnancy. In episode 2 of my podcast, The Long View: Living with Type 1 Diabetes, I speak to Gemma George from Essex about her experiences of being diagnosed as an adult to learning how to manage Type 1 Diabetes during pregnancy.
If you’re looking for a real-life diabetes podcast that explores diagnosis, relationships and motherhood, this episode offers honest insight and practical perspective.
Recognising the symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes
One of the most important parts of living with Type 1 Diabetes is recognising the early symptoms, something Gemma experienced first-hand.
Before her diagnosis, she knew something wasn’t right as she was feeling:
- Extreme tiredness
- Constant thirst
- Disrupted sleep
- Changes in vision
Like many people, these symptoms weren’t immediately recognised as diabetes. Her diagnosis came suddenly after a GP visit revealed high glucose and ketone levels, leading to an urgent hospital admission.
This highlights a key issue: many people don’t realise how serious these early warning signs can be.
How to manage Type 1 Diabetes after diagnosis
A diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes doesn’t just affect one person, it impacts everyday life and relationships.
In this episode, we talk about how to manage Type 1 Diabetes in the early stages, including:
- Learning how and when to take insulin
- Understanding high and low blood sugar symptoms
- Adjusting daily routines and habits
Gemma also shares how her husband had to quickly learn how to support her, showing how important it is to build confidence as a team.
Managing Type 1 Diabetes is not something you master overnight, it’s something you learn over time.
Managing Type 1 Diabetes during pregnancy
Pregnancy introduces a new level of complexity when living with Type 1 Diabetes.
Gemma shares what it took to prepare for pregnancy safely:
- Achieving stable blood glucose levels before conception
- Taking high-dose folic acid
- Working closely with her healthcare team
During pregnancy, managing blood sugar levels becomes so much more demanding.
Gemma describes:
- Frequent monitoring and medical appointments
- Changing insulin needs
- The pressure to maintain tight glucose control
At 34 weeks, Gemma’s pregnancy took an unexpected turn when she went into early labour.
Despite the challenges, she:
- Managed her blood sugar levels throughout labour
- Received medical support for a premature delivery
- Successfully gave birth to her son
Living with Type 1 Diabetes through life changes
From Episode 2 of the podcast, some key lessons stand out:
- Recognising symptoms early is critical
- Learning how to manage Type 1 diabetes takes time
- Support systems are essential
- Pregnancy with Type 1 diabetes requires careful planning
- Diabetes doesn’t define what’s possible – it just changes how you approach it
Why Listen to This Diabetes Podcast Episode?
If you’re searching for:
- Living with Type 1 diabetes during pregnancy
- How to manage Type 1 diabetes after diagnosis
- A real-life diabetes podcast
This episode shares a powerful and honest story that combines practical insight with lived experience.
You can find Episode 2 here on Spotify: Ep 2: Gemma George – Life, Love and Type 1 Diabetes – The Long View – Living with Type 1 Diabetes | Podcast on Spotify
And here on Apple: Ep 2: Gemma George – Life, Lov…–The Long View – Living with Type 1 Diabetes – Apple Podcasts
Or click on Podcasts at the top of this page.