26. Jen: How I navigate Type 1 Diabetes, Pregnancy, Motherhood and Endometriosis

The Talking Type 1 Podcast

In this episode, I speak to Jen who has been living with type 1 for 25 years. Jen also lives with another auto-immune condition called Endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb starts to grow in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Endometriosis can affect women of any age. (NHS UK website)
In her teenage years, Jen developed eating disorder behaviours and diabulimia and shares the challenges she has to overcome.
This challenge has also led Jen on a path of self-acceptance and self-love. Jen also lives with complications of type 1 diabetes including diabetic retinopathy. Jen shares her diagnosis of retinopathy and also how this was impacted when she found out she was pregnant whilst and the changes she had to make to manage her type 1 diabetes. We also talk about Jen’s pregnancy and life as a single parent living with type 1 diabetes. In this episode when talking about glucose levels we use mg/dl. If you use mmols then divide the mg/dl number by 18 to convert.
***Trigger warning this episode discusses eating disorders and diabulimia. There is also a mention of substance, mental, emotional and physical abuse. ***
Useful links
Jen Instagram page
Daniel Instagram page

A bit about the show and host
The Talking Type 1 podcast is a diabetes podcast by Daniel Newman. Daniel brings to you interviews from members of the diabetes community sharing their journeys of the ups and downs of living with type 1 diabetes. You’ll hear from those who live with type 1 diabetes, provide care to those living with type 1, healthcare professionals and experts in their field.

The interviews will be an open and honest insight into life with type 1 diabetes that you can relate to and also provide the opportunity to learn more about the condition. Daniel will share his insights into his life living with type 1 diabetes. Daniel has lived with the condition along with for over 24 years. He also lives with diabetic retinopathy and received a kidney transplant in 2018.

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