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- [00:00]
A
Welcome back friends, to another episode of the Juice Box Podcast.
- [00:15]
B
Hey, my name is Katerina and I am a type 1 diabetic.
- [00:22]
A
This is part two of a two part episode. Go look at the title. If you don't recognize it, you haven't heard part one yet. It's probably the episode right before this in your podcast player. If you're new to type 1 diabetes, begin with the Bold Beginnings series from the podcast. Don't take my word for it. Listen to what reviewers have said. Bold Beginnings is the best first step. I learned more in those episodes than anywhere else. This is when everything finally clicked. People say it takes the stress out of the early days and replaces it with clarity. They tell me this should come with the diagnosis packet that I got at the hospital. And after they listen, they recommend it to everyone who's struggling. It's straightforward, practical and easy to listen to. Bold Beginnings gives you the basics in a way that actually makes sense. While you're listening, please remember that nothing you hear on the Juice Box Podcast should be considered advice, medical or otherwise. Always consult a physician before making any changes to your healthcare plan or Becoming Bold with Insulin this episode of the Juicebox Podcast is sponsored by the Dexcom G7, the same CGM that my daughter wears. Check it out now@dexcom.com Juicebox Today's episode is also sponsored by Omnipod. Did you know that the majority of Omnipod 5 users pay less than $30 per month at the pharmacy? That's less than $1 a day for tube free automated insulin delivery. And a third of Omnipod 5 users pay $0 per month. You heard that right. Zero. That's less than your daily coffee. For all of the benefits of tubeless, waterproof automated insulin delivery, my daughter has been wearing an Omnipod every day since she was 4 years old and she's about to be 21. My family relies on Omnipod and I think you'll love it. And you can try it for free right now by requesting your free starter kit today at my link omnipod.com Juicebox Omnipod has been an advertiser for a decade, but even if they weren't, I would tell you proudly. My daughter wears an Omnipod omnipod.com Juicebox terms and conditions apply. Eligibility may vary. Why don't you get yourself that free starter kit? Full terms and conditions can be found@ omnipod.com juicebox the podcast is also sponsored today by Cozy Earth. You can use my offer code juicebox at checkout to save 20% off of your entire order@cozyearth.com everything from the joggers that I'm actually wearing right now to the sheets I sleep on, the towels I use to dry myself with, and whatever else is available@cozyearth.com just use the offer code juicebox at checkout. You're not sure if you've got trauma?
- [03:13]
B
Well, I. Sometimes I get in my head and like, that's the crazy part of me where I'm like, maybe there's something that I have pushed down so far that I have completely erased from my history. And there was like, something super traumatic that happened to me.
- [03:34]
A
I think that's called Caucasian lady Tick tock is what you're talking about right now. Okay. I think you're. I think you're fine.
- [03:43]
B
Ouch. Ouch. So true, Scott. So true.
- [03:48]
A
I don't know. I'm trying to decide between this mauve and this brown for my wall. I'm going to start a TikTok account that will eventually have 300,000 followers while I try to decide what color of tan to paint my house. No, listen.
- [04:02]
B
I mean, life is hard. You don't understand. The walls need to be a certain color. It needs to give a certain aesthetic.
- [04:09]
A
Why did BMW move the buttons from there to there? I can't reach them now. And like, it's so. But no, seriously, like, I would imagine that if you had something that traumatic, you'd be at least have an inkling about it.
- [04:21]
B
Yeah, I think I'm pretty good.
- [04:24]
A
So do you know that?
- [04:25]
B
Yeah.
- [04:25]
A
Do you listen to anything that I do with Erica by any chance? Like the mental health stuff, or are you just so healthy you don't need that? Okay.
- [04:33]
B
I would like to say it's because I'm so mentally healthy, but no, I have not listened to anything with Erica.
- [04:43]
A
Okay. So that's fine. So she and I are getting ready to do. We just finished up a series about body grief, which is going to be very interesting. If you find it, I think you should try to give it a whirl. But we're going to start something up that we're calling. Let me see if I can find the word, because I'm. I made it up. People are like, awesome. Mental health that you made up. I said to her, you know, there's. That. That Aces list that we do. You know, the Aces list, It's a group of indicators about past trauma that indicate future problems.
- [05:20]
B
Okay.
- [05:20]
A
Okay. And so it is a very, very well established tool in psychology. Right. In therapy. So there the 10 aces are this abuse. So if you as a child experienced emotional abuse, a parent or an adult regularly swore at you, insulted you, humiliated you, or made you feel afraid that you'd be physically hurt if there was actual physical abuse, a parent or an adult in the home, hit, kicked, beat, or physically harmed you, sexual abuse if you had. If you experienced emotional neglect, physical neglect if your mother was treated violently, if there's substance abuse in the house, mental illness in the house, if your parents are separated or divorced, or if you have a family member who's incarcerated, these 10 things are an indicator of future issues that you'll have. Right. And it's a fairly. A fairly reasonable measuring stick. Works pretty good, is what I'm saying. And I started thinking, what's the opposite of that? What happens to people that lead them to having happy, unencumbered lives? And I said to Eric, I'm like, I want to go over that. I'm like, let's try to figure out what it is that happens to healthy people that leads them to not have problems in the future.
- [06:45]
B
Because, by the way, the how to be set up for success.
- [06:50]
A
Yeah. And as a parent, that might be interesting to listen to also. Like.
- [06:53]
B
Absolutely.
- [06:54]
A
So you score that ACEs list and. And a higher score correlates with ready heart disease, autoimmune disease, depression and anxiety addiction, and early mortality.
- [07:08]
B
Oh, geez.
- [07:08]
A
Isn't that crazy?
- [07:09]
B
Wow.
- [07:10]
A
Yeah.
- [07:11]
B
That's so sad.
- [07:12]
A
Yeah. Of. Well, actuary tables also can figure out exactly when you're want to die, so you could figure that out now. By the way, if you went to an actuary, they could probably tell you within, like, two years how long you're going to live. That crazy is like, please do not. I don't want it. I don't want to know that at all. Like, they don't know if you're gonna get hit by a meteor three weeks from now or something like that, but, like, you know, that kind of thing. Anyway, I feel like this has gone off the rails, so let's get back. You've got diabetes now, Type one. It's been diagnosed. You get a pump? Do you get a pen? Do you get What. How do you start?
- [07:48]
B
I was doing, like, multiple daily injections, and I think they gave me a trial with the Dexcom. Oh, yeah. They gave me Both the Dexcom G6 and the Libre Freestyle.
- [08:03]
A
Okay.
- [08:04]
B
I think the Freestyle had, like, just come out when I was diagnosed as type one. And so that, like, just getting on Insulin, I was pretty heartbroken. Again, like, the Just, okay, this is. This is the rest of my life. Like, it. It gave it. How would I say this? Like, in some ways, it was, like, reassuring, like, ah, yes, this makes a lot of sense. And then in other ways, it was, like, just as heartbreaking. Okay. I am dependent on this medication for the rest of my life.
- [08:46]
A
So you got your answer, but it was not the answer you were looking for. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And it's not comforting. Oh, yeah. You know what I mean? Like, oh, we know what's wrong with you. You have type 1 diabetes. Awesome. You know, like, I have an answer. And functionally, I know how to make myself feel better, but this is not something I wanted for myself. That kind of feeling. Okay.
- [09:07]
B
Yeah. I. And in that moment, it felt so large. Oh, excuse me. It felt so large. Just like, wow, this. This is, like, who I am now. And this just, like, it just, like, take your time.
- [09:30]
A
I'm interested in what you get to seriously. Don't feel. Don't feel pressure. I'm not kidding.
- [09:35]
B
I. I had a lot just like, how did this even happen? And it was very much like, okay, this is the rest of my life. Like, I'm gonna be on these medications for the rest of my life. And I. I still kind of, like, struggle with that, especially since every time you switch jobs, you switch insurance, and then coverage is different with medications. But I will say, out of so many of the autoimmune diseases, like, I am very. Like, type one has been so thoroughly researched, and there is so much medication and devices out there, which is amazing. And so it is like, okay, there is so much support medically for type 1 as an autoimmune disease, because there I. I met some people who have an autoimmune disease, and they're just like, yeah, I can only eat. I can eat red meat and a little bit of lettuce, and that's it for the rest of my life.
- [10:57]
A
And how does that make you feel when you talk to people who have that situation?
- [11:01]
B
I'm like, wow, it makes me so grateful. Like, oh, I can still have ice cream. I shouldn't all the time, but I can still have ice cream and be just fine. Like, if I bolus correctly, if I go on a little walk afterwards, like, totally fine. But, yeah, some people who have to just, like, give up all dietary things change their lifestyle dramatically just to try and stay alive.
- [11:33]
A
Makes you feel grateful when that's not your situation.
- [11:36]
B
Yes. Yes.
- [11:38]
A
Okay. And. Well, I mean, so you're gaining perspective as this goes on.
- [11:42]
B
Yes, very much.
- [11:43]
A
Are you still MDI now?
- [11:46]
B
No, I am now on a pump. When I. During my first pregnancy, my doctors and I have a wonderful, wonderful care team. I like being pregnant because they are so attentive to my diabetes. And they asked and kind. Like, they heavily suggested I go on a pump.
- [12:11]
A
Heavily suggested.
- [12:13]
B
They're like, it's easier to control your diabetes and it's a lot more important when you have a, like a living being you're trying to keep alive inside of you.
- [12:23]
A
Okay. Okay. So they heavily suggested you went with it. Yes. You said okay. All right. And what you're finding, how. How has that changed things for you?
- [12:31]
B
So I have some thoughts. I had a very negative experience with the first pump I used. It was so miserable, but it did keep my sugar levels in a very good balance.
- [12:45]
A
Okay.
- [12:46]
B
I just hated, like, it was corded. Is that the right term?
- [12:50]
A
Tubed?
- [12:51]
B
Tubed, yes, tubed. And that was like, oh my goodness. Like, I like wearing dresses. Where am I gonna put this? And I'm like, so pregnant. There's no goodwear. Good way to like.
- [13:06]
A
You didn't. You did not enjoy the idea of tubing?
- [13:09]
B
No, no. And it. I would wake up all the time just like cotton tubes. Like, how. How is this even happening? And then, so I went back to daily injections pretty much instantly after giving birth with my first pregnancy. And then my second pregnancy, I went to a tubeless pod and. Amazing. And I've been on it ever since. So that was back in 2020 for, I guess, 2023.
- [13:44]
A
You went to Omnipot at that point.
- [13:46]
B
Uh huh.
- [13:46]
A
Okay. And.
- [13:48]
B
Yeah.
- [13:48]
A
And you've been doing well Since. What's your A1C today?
- [13:51]
B
I haven't gotten a recent one since October. In October. It was 6. 8. So awesome.
- [13:58]
A
Good for you. It's not. What.
- [14:01]
B
It's okay.
- [14:02]
A
It's okay.
- [14:03]
B
Like, trying to get better, but I. I think it's gone down since then. Cause. Oh, I'm also pregnant again. Um.
- [14:11]
A
Wait, you're. You're pregnant?
- [14:13]
B
Yeah.
- [14:14]
A
And you have two kids?
- [14:16]
B
Yeah.
- [14:17]
A
This is. I mean, you. Did you get a minivan? Are you all set with that?
- [14:21]
B
Yeah. Oh, Scott, please.
- [14:23]
A
Why'd you do that?
- [14:24]
B
Salt in the wound.
- [14:26]
A
Why'd you give up? Why'd you give up?
- [14:28]
B
No. Okay. Remember how we were talking about my beautiful husband who is so responsible and forward thinking?
- [14:37]
A
Yeah. Except for getting you pregnant three times in the last five years. Okay.
- [14:42]
B
No, that's like. That was me. That was the crazy part. But I had this beautiful RAV4 2004 RAV4 that I loved with all my heart.
- [14:54]
A
Right?
- [14:55]
B
And it was. It was fun for, like, a single person and had to be in the shop, like, twice a year, you know? And my husband was like, yeah, we're getting a van. It's too small.
- [15:10]
A
Oh, so you're driving a man a van around. Did you get maroon? What horrible color is it?
- [15:15]
B
Oh, it's. It's great. I. I would have loved a maroon band. I was like, we're gonna wrap it, do some, like, floral pattern.
- [15:27]
A
No, you're not. You're gonna put that money in a bank to send one of those kids to college with.
- [15:31]
B
Literally after. Look, I looked into it too, and I got some quotes, and it was
- [15:38]
A
just like, you are awesome. Yeah, you really are.
- [15:42]
B
You.
- [15:45]
A
I swear to God, I thought, I can't tell when the most Caucasian thing you're going to say is going to stop. Oh, no. But I looked into getting my minivan wrapped is pretty high on my list right now. Fantastic. Oh, my gosh. What is this guy doing for a living over there? Friends, I just placed my order@cozyearth.com they're today's sponsor, and I'm here to tell you about them. Use my offer code juicebox at checkout when you buy and you'll save 20% off of your entire order. That's everything in your cart@cozyearth.com save 20% with the offer code juicebox now. Why am I excited? Well, I just ordered the Cozy Earth blanket. It's the viscose bamboo blanket. I'm super excited about it. It looks comfy as can be, and it's going to go so well with the sheets that we already have from Cozy Earth now. Yeah, I'm a bit of a Cozy Earth convert, I guess. I'm sitting here in my joggers. I used my towels coming out of the shower this morning. I slept on my sheets last night. Slept like a baby. By the way, cozyearth.com they pretty much have everything you want. Use the offer code juicebox to save 20% at checkout on skin care, women's and men's clothing, bath and sleeping accessories. And don't forget, Valentine's Day is coming up quickly. Get those pajamas. Cozyearth.com use the offer code juice box at checkout to save 20% off of your entire order. You can manage diabetes confidently with the powerfully simple Dexcom G7. Dexcom.com juicebox the Dexcom G7 is the CGM that my daughter is wearing. The G7 is a simple CGM system that delivers real time glucose numbers to your smartphone or smart watch. The G7 is made for all types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2, but also people experiencing gestational diabetes. The Dexcom G7 can help you spend more time in range, which is proven to lower a 1C. The more time you spend in range, the better and healthier you feel. And with the Dexcom Clarity app, you can track your glucose trends. And the app will also provide you with a projected A1C in as little as two weeks. If you're looking for clarity around your diabetes, you're looking for Dexcom. Dexcom.com juicebox when you use my link, you're supporting the podcast Dexcom.com juicebox Head over there now. You must have him working 24 hours a day. What kind of job does he have? What kind of works he do?
- [18:21]
B
So we were both working in biotech when we got married, and now he's still working for a biotech company. He works for bd. I don't know if you're familiar with that, but it's like, basically on every syringe.
- [18:38]
A
Yeah, they make the syringes.
- [18:40]
B
Yeah. And he's on, like, tech support now.
- [18:45]
A
Okay.
- [18:47]
B
So, yeah, he recently made a career shift, but he's doing great. So. Yeah.
- [18:53]
A
You got him out there hustling. He's hustling for the family.
- [18:55]
B
He is hustling. He is hustling for the family. I am thankful.
- [18:59]
A
How many of these babies do you think you're going to end up with?
- [19:04]
B
I think three is a good number.
- [19:08]
A
Yeah. And.
- [19:10]
B
But I also think four or five is a great number, too.
- [19:13]
A
Oh, my God.
- [19:13]
B
Five is too many. Five is too many for me. But there is, like, a crazy part of me that's like. But four, why is it.
- [19:22]
A
Do you have a boy?
- [19:22]
B
Like, I. I'm not even done having this one.
- [19:25]
A
Stop thinking this one. What are the first two? Are they boys, Girls? What do you got?
- [19:30]
B
Boys? And I'm pregnant with my third boy.
- [19:33]
A
Oh, my goodness.
- [19:34]
B
Yeah. I'm so excited.
- [19:35]
A
Are you so excited you're not worried about, like, oh, my God, I'm going to try for a girl one day?
- [19:41]
B
Yeah.
- [19:42]
A
I mean, don't do it. Let me just say that right now, four is too many. I don't know how you're. You better hope AI takes over the world. Nobody needs a job because you're not sending four kids to college. That's terrible.
- [19:53]
B
Did you need college by the time they're that age?
- [19:56]
A
Well, you better. You better hope not. I would Assume you're voting for universal basic income right now is the way you're. The way you're hoping. But seriously, like, it's. Did you go to a private college?
- [20:09]
B
Yeah, I did.
- [20:11]
A
Do you remember what it cost?
- [20:13]
B
Oh, I'm so. I'm a stay at home mom and I am still paying off my student loans.
- [20:20]
A
Yeah. Without a job.
- [20:21]
B
Without a job, yeah.
- [20:23]
A
So you're not paying off your student loans. That schmuck that you. You snookered into getting your pregnant is paying them off, right? With your cute laugh. And like, and he was like, all right, I'll pay for your student loans. That's what happened. Am I wrong? I'm not wrong. Please.
- [20:39]
B
And he has no student loans, no debt to his name. He's. Yeah, he's.
- [20:45]
A
He got that job without all that, or did. Did his parents cover it for him?
- [20:49]
B
He. His parents definitely helped him out.
- [20:52]
A
Oh, my gosh. This is awesome. Yeah, seriously, you guys are blessed. It's going really well. But, but seriously, please don't have more children like that. So many children. How are you, like, do you have enough space for them? Where are you going to put them?
- [21:06]
B
I, you know, you don't need space. You could just like stack them on top of each other, right?
- [21:11]
A
Well, when they get older, they're going to want their own space.
- [21:15]
B
We'll deal with it when it comes.
- [21:17]
A
No, you won't. They're going to beat the hell out of each other trying to get away from each other. Trust me, it's not how it works. They're going to, they're going to want a place to. To retreat to. They're going to want their own space.
- [21:27]
B
That's fair.
- [21:28]
A
That's fair. They're going to ask you for every one of those. Oh, my God. You're athletic, right? Are those kids going to be athletic?
- [21:37]
B
They are already showing some signs. It's pretty cute, but they are, yeah, very tough. Like, my oldest just likes fighting other kids. Like we as parents call it wrestling. And he's like, I don't know what wrestling is, but I really like fighting that boy.
- [21:59]
A
So. So you're gonna. That kid's gonna be in some UFC that you're going to have to pay for. And oh, my God. And that minivan is going to smell like holy way. Do you wait till you see what that minivan smells like when there's three sweaty boys get in that car. Oh, it's going to smell like. You know it's going to smell like, don't you?
- [22:18]
B
I played roller hockey throughout high School.
- [22:23]
A
Okay.
- [22:24]
B
And because Southern California playing ice hockey is way too expensive.
- [22:29]
A
Thought you were going to say because I was wrestling with my sexuality. But go ahead.
- [22:36]
B
Everyone in high school would also agree with you. And oh, my goodness, the odors were awful. So, so bad. And that was even me smelling my own self.
- [22:51]
A
Like, your van's gonna smell like testicles. That's what it's gonna smell like. Yeah. Sweaty, hot, dirty testicles. That's what your van's gonna smell like.
- [22:59]
B
Can't wait.
- [23:00]
A
God bless you. You're gonna have a great time. And. And each one of those little sports is gonna cost every a small fortune.
- [23:07]
B
Yeah, we already are kind of running into that. Like, what the heck?
- [23:13]
A
No, it's insane. Don't fall for it. Seriously. Just send them out in the backyard, tell them to beat up the dog, and that's it. You know what I mean? But because he likes to fight, by the way, please don't hurt your animals. Okay? All right. Please. So how did you find the process of making the babies with the diabetes? Because it was kind of new to you still. And you're right.
- [23:31]
B
Right? Yeah. And that has definitely been a journey in itself. I feel like with this third pregnancy, I am chasing after two boys and I don't really even recognize that I'm pregnant half the time. So my first baby was 11 pounds.
- [23:53]
A
Oh, was your blood sugar high during the pregnancy?
- [23:56]
B
No, I was like, I think my A1C was 5.8. I was like, Kept it in pretty good check. Very. Yeah, I was. I was trying to be, like, pretty controlled, but just a very large baby. And that was like. The pregnancy was great. I felt amazing while being pregnant. And then like, in the third trimester, I had pretty much everyone that saw me in public came up to me and was like, is it twins? And I was like, oh, gosh, am I gonna get this comment every other five seconds?
- [24:38]
A
We're so far away from when I had those abs. This is crazy. Did you keep that, like, athletic build? Like, you know, some ladies are, like, athletic and pregnant still. Or did it. Today's episode is brought to you by Omnipod. Did you know that the majority of Omnipod 5 users pay less than $30 per month at the pharmacy? That's less than $1 a day for tube free automated insulin delivery. And a third of Omnipod 5 users pay $0 per month. You heard that right? Zero. That's less than your daily coffee. For all of the benefits of tubeless, waterproof automated insulin delivery, my daughter has been wearing an Omnipod every day since she was 4 years old and she's about to be 21. My family relies on Omnipod and I think you'll love it. And you can try it for free right now by requesting your free starter kit today at my link omnipod.com Juicebox Omnipod has been an advertiser for a decade, but even if they weren't, I would tell you proudly, my daughter wears an Omnipod omnipod.com Juicebox terms and conditions apply. Eligibility may vary. Why don't you get yourself that free starter kit? Full terms and conditions can be found@
- [25:50]
B
omnipod.com juicebox I was trying to, but it was like, I. I don't know, I. And I could like, hyper analyze myself. I think the average person who saw me would say I was still athletic while pregnant.
- [26:09]
A
You know, you didn't feel that way.
- [26:12]
B
I. I saw changes in my body that were like, oh, wow. Where, like, why am I squishy right here? And so that was like, you know, dealing with that. But it's fine.
- [26:25]
A
Did you have trouble getting back into the shape you wanted to be when you were finished with the pregnancy?
- [26:30]
B
Yeah, there's. There were these, like, pesky, like 5 to 10 pounds that are just still hanging on. And so that's. But then again, like, I pretty much got pregnant with my second a year postpartum on purpose. So that one was very much surprise.
- [26:52]
A
No is fine if you just want to say no.
- [26:57]
B
So my first was like a very traumatic birth. The pregnancy was amazing. The birth itself was horrendous. How so? I had to be induced. And like, I am kind of crunchy. Like, you were like, what's the whitest thing this girl is gonna say? I'm. I'm.
- [27:16]
A
Did you have a dual. Did you have a doula?
- [27:19]
B
No, I didn't.
- [27:20]
A
Okay. All right. It's okay.
- [27:22]
B
And maybe next time. Yeah, that's. I. I didn't want to pay the money. That. That was just me.
- [27:30]
A
So you won a doula, you just didn't want to pay for it?
- [27:34]
B
Yeah. Now insurances cover doulas. How cool is that?
- [27:37]
A
Did you try to have one of these babies in your living room in a baby pool?
- [27:42]
B
So you cannot do that as a diabetic. It's.
- [27:48]
A
Yeah, they won't let you. I know.
- [27:51]
B
But yes, I would have loved to be one of those moms for sure. So, yeah, I got induced. I was in labor, like, so they did all the things. I'm not gonna get into too much detail But I was in labor for 54 hours, so went in on a Monday afternoon, and my baby was born Thursday morning.
- [28:21]
A
What in the hell? Are you serious?
- [28:24]
B
Yeah.
- [28:26]
A
I would have given up in the middle. I would have been like, that's enough. We're good.
- [28:30]
B
And, oh, my goodness. I was, like, trying to do it natural. Like, no epidural. And if. If there is anyone who is listening who's pregnant, if you get induced. Just don't. Don't put your body through that, because, yeah, it's. It's almost impossible to do it, like, without an epidural.
- [28:54]
A
Wow. Yeah. So you. Okay. All right. So you're. It was long and painful.
- [29:00]
B
Yeah. And so, like, about 32 hours in, then I finally was like, okay, I'm not progressing. Let's get the epidural. And they gave me the epidural things, and it only worked in half my body, too, which is so fun. So I'm like. They're just giving me twice the amount of epidurals in, like, turning me on my side so that it'll, like, seep down into the other half of my body.
- [29:30]
A
There's no reason to use so much technical terms. Okay. It's seep down into your body. Is that what they said to you?
- [29:39]
B
They put me on my side and they. Because it was just, like, only working for half of my body. So half my body was numb, the other half was still feeling pain.
- [29:48]
A
Oh, my gosh. I love you. I think you're awesome.
- [29:53]
B
A little crazy.
- [29:54]
A
I don't think you know what the hell you're talking about, but I think you're awesome. I love you.
- [30:01]
B
Starting to realize the laughter is now out of delirium than anything else.
- [30:06]
A
You're like, they turned me on my side to get the medication to go the other way. I am 100 sure. That is not how it works.
- [30:11]
B
That is literally what they said.
- [30:14]
A
Well, they gotta get out of the hospital. If that's what they said. You gotta get out of there. That's the wrong place to be. Oh, my God. Were you with Dr. Jekyll? Is what was happening. Exactly. Dr. Frankenstein, did any of this happen? Come up when you were talking? We're just gonna spin you over so it moves to the other side of you. There's. Oh, my God. Are you gonna make me look this up?
- [30:36]
B
Do it. Do it. That is literally what happened, though. They were like, oh, okay, yeah, we'll put you on your side. And so that the men. This is now. I'm, like, questioning it, because that does sound a little Funky. But that's literally what was happening because they. You put the epidural into the spine, and then if it's like a little bit on the side, it'll only get. I. Now I'm like, now I'm questioning how it. How that works.
- [31:07]
A
Oh, my God. Hold on.
- [31:09]
B
Wait, Wait a second.
- [31:10]
A
Wait, wait, wait, wait. Okay, I think I've got a question set up here that asks the. That gets to the point. Oh, my God. Hold on a second. I. So I said, can a pregnant woman's epidural be made to impact other parts of the body by turning the body? That seems like what you said to me. Right? It says. It says the short answer is yes to a degree, but within limits.
- [31:40]
B
Yeah.
- [31:40]
A
Okay. An epidural delivers anesthetic into the epidural space around the spinal nerves. The medication doesn't stay perfectly fixed. It can spread up and down the spine and slightly side to side. So gravity can matter. Larger doses, continuous infusions or partial or uneven blocks. Does turning the body change where it works? Positive position can influence spread, especially early on. I take it back. I'm so sorry. Side lying can make one side feel more numb than the other. Lying flat versus slightly upright can change how high numbers, how high the numbness can creep up. And tilting is sometimes used to reduce one size blocks preventing. Okay, God bless you. I was wrong. We've all learned something. I'm sorry I laughed at you. I wasn't just laughing at you. I was snickering. And I apologize. Okay? I jumped the conclusions.
- [32:31]
B
No offense taken.
- [32:32]
A
I don't know everything. I should have looked saying it.
- [32:35]
B
I'm like, that does sound a little weird.
- [32:37]
A
Sounds stupid is why. Okay, all right. Okay, fair enough.
- [32:42]
B
Yeah. And so I'm like, on my side, and then finally I. They're like, oh, you're dilated enough to start pushing. So I go into active labor. And normally, like, your average active labor is like one hour. And in hospital settings, they don't want you to go beyond four hours. So it's like, probably gonna get a C section if the baby hasn't come out after four hours. And I was like, very, very against a C section for my first baby. And I'm pushing, pushing, pushing. And they're like, you're doing a great job. Like, we could see his head. And like, the four hour mark goes by, and then like four and a half hours, and finally, like, I push this baby out. Well, his shoulder had gotten stuck, which is called shoulder dysplasia. So there was, like, a nurse that hopped onto my bed and was shoving my stomach to try and get this baby out of me.
- [33:48]
A
Jesus. And you got pregnant again. I would have been like, listen, that ain't happening twice. Wait, you from. I can see the head till the baby was out was over four hours.
- [34:01]
B
It. Well, once I started pushing. So you couldn't quite see the head then, but it was like around the four hour mark pushing that. You could see the head crowning.
- [34:12]
A
And then it happened after that. Okay. I was like, my God, the kid was just like down there hanging out his.
- [34:18]
B
Like in that. Those moments his heart rate dropped and all of a sudden I stopped having contractions, so he was just stuck.
- [34:26]
A
Oh my gosh.
- [34:27]
B
Like getting squeezed, couldn't and get out. And there was like no contraction to push him out.
- [34:34]
A
Yeah. And being big baby. But are you a petite person or.
- [34:37]
B
No, I am 5 foot 7, 140 pounds.
- [34:42]
A
You're not fatigued. Okay. All right. So that kid should have come out of there, is what you're saying.
- [34:46]
B
Yeah. And he like. So, yeah, he gets stuck. His heart rate has dropped in like super low and they finally push him out. And just like this blue, lifeless baby is born. And both my husband and I, like, even thinking about it, like now I get so emotional because it was like to me, those first moments, like I gave birth to a dead baby.
- [35:18]
A
That's how I felt.
- [35:19]
B
Like he wasn't breathing. He was like. I can't tell you when I say lifeless. Like he just flocked. Like there was no muscle movement at all. And he was totally blue. It was. It was so awful seeing that. And they like whisked him straight over. There was like a NICU doctor there who immediately intubated him and was like trying to get him to cough or cry. And it felt like an eternity. I think it was. It wouldn't. Was it more than five minutes? But we were just like, oh, gosh.
- [35:53]
A
Like, that's something.
- [35:55]
B
Yeah, it was. It was awful. And there was a lot of components to that as well. Like super long birth. His blood Sugars were like 30 when he was born, so really, really low. His heart rate had dropped. He had swallowed his. He had swallowed his own poop, which sometimes babies do if they do that sometimes, you know, just a little snack. Mom's not feeding me enough. I'm hungry. Yeah. And so like he basically, there was just like a bunch of gunk in his lungs. And. Yeah, I didn't even get to see like my living child before he was whisked to the nicu. So I'm Just, like, sitting there, like, I have no idea, like, how much my baby weighs, like, anything. They're sewing me up, and I'm just like, is he alive? Like, what happened?
- [37:01]
A
Really? How long did that go on for? You weren't sure about his. How he was,
- [37:07]
B
so they took him down to the nicu, and I. It's like those first moments of being, like, freshly postpartum, like, those first few minutes, it could have been hours, and it could have just been five minutes. I cannot give you a solid answer. It just felt like so, so long. It just felt like a whole lifetime had passed by.
- [37:35]
A
Yeah, I can't imagine. But he was okay.
- [37:38]
B
He.
- [37:39]
A
And is he the one that likes to hit things?
- [37:42]
B
Yes.
- [37:43]
A
Did you name him Elvis? Because he was blue and Blue Hawaii.
- [37:46]
B
Oh, that's so mean. So. So we. He's in the nicu, and it's kind of funny because the, like, doctor and all the nursing staff is just like, he is so big. Nothing fits him. Like, his neighbor. His little nicu neighbor was one and a half pounds. And then our gigantic son of 11
- [38:12]
A
pounds, like, so hungry.
- [38:15]
B
10 times the size of this baby next door.
- [38:18]
A
Like, I'm so hungry, I'd eat my own poop. Oh, my God. Chattery. This is awesome. Yeah. You, you, you. You and I, we've had a good time today. Is this pregnancy going differently? Is your. I mean, where do you want your A1C during this one? What are you shooting for?
- [38:38]
B
I. I am aiming for it to be a little bit lower. So I. I think my most recent, like, from my Dexcom. You know how they give you, like, clarity? Yes, yes. Every 14 days, I think it's about 6.4. And I. I would like to get down into, like, the five.
- [39:01]
A
What's stopping you from pushing it down more?
- [39:05]
B
I'm. No, I'm working on it. But, like, literally, myself is stopping me. Yeah.
- [39:10]
A
I don't mean, like, what's, like, physically. I. I imagine you're trying, but, like, I'm saying, like, functionally, are you not pre bolusing enough? Are you not using enough insulin? Do you not have your settings up high enough, like, that kind of thing?
- [39:22]
B
I am. People listing is probably the biggest thing that I'm doing wrong.
- [39:30]
A
Okay.
- [39:32]
B
And it's just. It is hard, like, to gauge when to do that.
- [39:40]
A
Well, start with sooner. Yeah, yeah. And then keep working until it works out the way you want it to. Because, I mean, is the doctor telling you they'd like to have your A1C at A5, right?
- [39:52]
B
No, that's Just me. My, my doctor is like pretty, pretty pleased with how my levels are. I'm just like, I wanna get as like a much healthier A1C.
- [40:06]
A
How far along in the, in the. This knocked up are you?
- [40:10]
B
I have just entered my third trimester.
- [40:13]
A
Oh, you're almost done?
- [40:14]
B
Yeah.
- [40:15]
A
Oh, okay. So you're past the. You're going. This is the cruising trimester a little bit. Right. As far as blood sugars go. Gets a little easier here. Has that been your experience?
- [40:24]
B
It actually gets harder for you? Harder. Like just thinking about eating a piece of toast and my blood sugars will spike.
- [40:33]
A
So why don't you like. I mean, listen, it's all about the insulin. So you just have to reevaluate your basil, your carb ratio and your correction factor and just make them stronger so that they, they combat the situation. Is that, I mean, are you trying to like. You know what I mean? Like your insulin needs are greater, so. More insulin.
- [40:54]
B
Yeah.
- [40:55]
A
Yeah. And what are you not doing that?
- [40:58]
B
I am.
- [41:01]
A
Are you afraid to get low?
- [41:03]
B
I think like in terms of pre buising for. Specifically for that. It's just like sometimes I will pre bulis and then I'm like, oh, okay. Actually, like can't eat right now and I won't be able to eat for another like 45 minutes because of those. I'm in the middle of something. Yeah.
- [41:32]
A
Have you thought of putting them in a closet and then you can just do whatever you need to do?
- [41:36]
B
I know, yeah.
- [41:37]
A
No, I, I mean, I hear what you're saying. I'm not.
- [41:40]
B
The weird thing with the pump being in automated mode, it's like you, I want it to be aggressive, but then it'll autocorrect. Like, it'll, It'll be like, oh, you're going too low and so have you
- [41:56]
A
tried putting it in manual to see if it's better for you? Like that?
- [41:58]
B
It. Yeah, it actually does. It is nice going into manual. It's like weird. There's like pros and cons to both. And I, I do like switching to manual every now and then because it's like in some ways I like controlling it more because if I'm. I know I'm going to be like out and about not able to eat for a while. You prefer to be in manual mode? I'll. I'll just like dial it back a little bit. Like my, my settings, like you can take it down a few. Like by a percentage.
- [42:31]
A
Yeah, I mean, listen, it's, you know, the, that algorithm is not going to be probably aggressive enough for the pregnancy, like to, to be where you want it to be. But I understand, I understand wanting to have, you know, wanting to have the, the comfort that it's looking out for you on the other side too. I don't know, I might get up in the morning and put it in manual and then, you know, and then put it back into auto later in the evening before I go to bed. Give it time to get things straight for overnight. Who knows?
- [42:59]
B
I like that.
- [42:59]
A
Yeah. I mean, just because you just need more insulin and doing what it's doing and targeting etc, I'm assuming you have the lowest target set. It's targeted at 110.
- [43:09]
B
Yes. Yes.
- [43:09]
A
Right. So I mean, yeah, I would try that. Just remember this when you flip it into a manual, that's your old settings. That has nothing to do with your current needs. So you might have to look at those settings and, and dial them in. And at the same time be aware that when the pregnancy's over, that manual is going to be way too aggressive for you.
- [43:29]
B
Yes.
- [43:29]
A
You know, oh my gosh. It's a lot to think about, especially with little. How old are your kids right now?
- [43:35]
B
Three and a half and one and a half.
- [43:37]
A
Oh my God, that's enough. I would take care of them without diabetes would be too much. Especially the ones out there beating everything to death or whatever he's doing. We're not worried he's gonna like, I like fighting mom. He's not gonna start snapping the heads off of small animals or anything like that. Know.
- [43:52]
B
Oh, he, he is my gentle soul. But it's just when he sees another boy who's about his size, which is usually like a five or a six year old, like somebody twice his age, he's. Yeah, he's just like down to clown. And I'm like, okay, I can kick this kid.
- [44:09]
A
Let's try it.
- [44:11]
B
Yeah. My, my goal, my ask of my family is that I'm the first person this year to go to the hospital to give birth like no one else should be going to for any reason. Please.
- [44:25]
A
Bruises and bumps. Have you seen those? I'm going to leave you this. Have you seen those tik toks where the mom comes into the room or the dad comes to the room with cameras on and they go, hey, I got into a fight with a dad down the street and he wants that, he wants. He said he's going to beat me up, but he's got a kid your age and, and I need you to come fight the kid. And then, oh, they're great, because some kids. So first of all, you're all terrible parents. I just want to say that up front, but. But some of the kids are like, I'm not looking to be in a fight. Thank you. Right, right. But some kids are like, yo, let me get my shoes. Just like, oh, my God. Yeah, seriously, like, little kids. Like, let me get my shoes, and let's get at this. And I'm like, what kind of lives are you people living? And I must be so boring to most of you. I swear to you. Most of you must listen and be like, that guy is so freaking boring. I prefer to think of as solid and predictable.
- [45:20]
B
Yeah. You know? Yeah, I think that's good.
- [45:23]
A
Awesome. All right, listen, you, terrific. I don't. You know, when you're pregnant the sixth time, call me back. We'll do it again.
- [45:31]
B
Thanks.
- [45:32]
A
Yeah, I mean, once you've gotten rid of this guy and brought in a. A guy making more money to. To float this whole. This whole endeavor you got going here, what do you got? What do you got, like, money coming? Your parents leave you something? What is it you're counting on exactly? Something's going on back there. You don't have to tell me. I got it all worked out. I got it all worked out. I wouldn't marry you on a bet, by the way. I know. We' broke. And there'd be 17 kids and I'd be like, what the hell happened? Like, Jesus Christ. All right, listen, Keep doing what you're doing. You're doing a good job.
- [46:07]
B
Thank you.
- [46:08]
A
You're very welcome. Hold on a second for me. This episode of the Juice Box podcast is sponsored by the Omnipod 5. And at my link omnipod.com juicebox you can get yourself a free. What I just say? A free Omnipod 5 starter kit. Free. Get out of here. Go. Click on that link omnipod.com juicebox check it out. Terms and conditions apply. Eligibility may vary. Full terms and conditions can be found@ omnipod.com juicebox links in the show notes links@juiceboxpodcast.com a huge thank you you to Cozy Earth, a long time sponsor. Cozyearth.com use the offer code Juice box at checkout. You will save 20 off of your entire order when you use that code. Don't let me down, kids. Head over there now. Get yourself some joggers, some towels, some sheets. Save yourself some money. Support the podcast. Make your life beautiful and comfortable all at the same time. Cozyearth.com use the offer code Juicebox at checkout. Dexcom Sponsored this episode of the Juicebox Podcast. Learn more about the Dexcom G7 at my link dexcom.com juicebox thank you so much for listening. I'll be back very soon with another episode of the Juice Box Podcast. If you're not already subscribed or following the podcast in your favorite audio app like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, please do that now. Seriously, just to hit follow or subscribe will really help the show. If you go a little further in Apple Podcasts and set it up so that it downloads all new episodes, I'll be your best friend. And if you leave a five star review, ooh, I'll probably send you a Christmas card. Hey kids, listen up. You've made it to the end of the podcast. You must have enjoyed it. You know what else you might enjoy? The private Facebook group for the Juice Box Podcast. I know you're thinking, ugh, Facebook Scott please. But no. Beautiful group, wonderful people, a fantastic community. Juice box podcast type 1 diabetes on Facebook of course, if you have type 2, are you touched by diabetes in any way? You're absolutely welcome. It's a private group, so you'll have to answer a couple of questions before you come in. We'll make sure you're not a bot or an evildoer, then you're on your way. You'll be part of the family. How would you like to share a type 1 diabetes getaway like no other? Join me on Juice Cruise 2026. You may be asking, what is Juice Cruise? It's a week long cruise designed specifically for people and families living with type 1 diabetes. It's not just a vacation, it's a chance to relax, connect and feel understood in a way that is hard to find elsewhere. We're going to sail out of Miami and the cruise includes stops in Cococay, San Juan, St. Kitts and Nevis aboard the stunning Celebrity Beyond. This ship is chosen for its comfort, accessibility and exceptional amenities. You're going to enjoy a welcoming environment surrounded by others who get life with type 1 diabetes. I'm going to host diabetes focused conversations and meetups on the days at sea. There's thoughtfully designed spaces, incredible dining and modern amenities all throughout the Celebrity Beyond. Your kids can be supervised and there's teen programs so everyone gets time to recharge, not just the kids going on vacation, but maybe you get to kick back a little bit too. There's going to be zero judgment, real connections and a whole lot of sun and fun on Juice Cruise 2026. Please come with me. You're going to have a terrific time. You can learn more or set up your deposit@juiceboxpodcast.com juicecruise get a hold of Suzanne at Cruiseplanners. She will take care of everything. Links in the show Notes Links at juicebox podcast. Com have a podcast. Want it to sound fantastic? Wrongwayrecording.com.