Taking metformin when pregnant

[nearlyreadytopop]

I have been taking metformin for pcos since July. I can honestly say it works wonders for me. After 3 mc it was perscribed by my old gp who said when I became pregnant I should continue taking it until birth. I have just got bfp. My gp has left and the replacement is very reluctant to perscribe it. I have another appointment next week to discuss but I'm just wondering if many others have taken it while pregnant? And how were your gps about prescribing it?

I took it when I had gestational diabetes. I assume a lot of women would be prescribed it for that.

Congratulations on your bfp!

I was also taking metformin for pcos, stopped taking it as soon as I found out I was pregnant (currently 22 weeks). No one (obstetrician or widwife) seemed bothered that I'd stopped taking it so I assumed that was the right thing to do and alls currently well.

Big congrats on your BFP!!!

thank you, its very early days so trying to keep the excitement in check
Its good to know others have taken it with no problems. I am just panicking about it as I'm pinning all my hopes on it working this time.

Ask to see an obstetrician ASAP. GPS aren't experienced enough in things like this.

Congratulations & best of luck!!

I'm not currently pregnant, but take Metformin for PCOS. Both my gastroenterologist and my gyn. consultant have told me to not stop taking it if I get pregnant, but my GP has announced he would "not be comfortable" to prescribe in that case. So I assume if I was lucky enough to ever get pregnant I'd have to go without at least until I got to see a consultant.

It is routinely prescribed for women with gestational diabetes in this country, strange so many gps would have a problem with it.

I have GD and chose to take insulin over Metformin, as the perinatologist said that insulin does not cross the placenta, while Metformin does and "though we have used it with countless women, we do not know the long-term effects."

I'm in America, so they're always antsy about being sued, but the doctor's statement did give me pause for thought.

I was also taking metformin for pcos and had really different repossess when I asked if/when I should stop. When I first went to GP they said stop straight away, but when I had booking in appt mw said I should have continued but now I should carry on stopped. Sadly that pregnancy ended in a MMC (I am in no way suggesting the 2 were connected).

Now pregnant again and different GP said to carry on, now MW wasn't sure, checked with someone at hospital (she wasn't clear who), who said to continue and they would review at a later appointment.

So all in all I'm confused and have no idea if what I'm doing is for the best or what risks there might be!

I was also on metformin for pcos prescribed by a gynae consultant - advice was to continue taking it for first 12 weeks to reduce risk of miscarriage. So you need to speak to an obstetrician really to get advice.

So much good advice on this thread. Thank you all.
I have enough to get to 9 weeks and I should see the consultant before then. I have found some studies online were it has significantly reduced the occurrence of mc when taken until 12 weeks. I'm determined to do everything possible this time so will insist on getting some more.

One more question about diet. I have been following a low carb way of eating, I've read this isn't recommended when pregnant due to ketones. What did you all do about carbs? I was thinking a low gi way of eating might be a compromise?

I took metformin and if I remember correctly, I took it for the first 12 weeks. I had built up to x3 per day to fall pg and then onto 12 weeks

Good luck! Xx

Low carb should be ok. I've been eating low carb because of gd and never had any ketones in my urine. Low GI is a good idea. The NHS advice on this can be really outdated. I've found looking on US websites more useful. Fortunately my diabetic team in this pregnancy seem quite up to date.

thanks auntie

depends how low carb you're going tbh. you need plenty of protein but as long as you aren't so low carb you don't eat any veg/fruit you should be ok afaik. mind you my low carbing went out the window as I went off meat and veg... hoping to get that back on track soon. it will help with blood sugar and I think with pcos have a higher risk of gd so hopefully will help with that. Though including some low gi carbs can't be a bad idea. I think its important to listen to your body though and if you want something just have it regardless.

My consultant (v v v v top specialist) said to take it at least until 12 weeks.

nearlyready It's quite hard to actually get into ketosis with a LC diet, so I wouldn't worry! I've been on the keto diet (wouldn't recommend it - horrible. I felt like a punched kitten for a couple of months) and you have to be reeeally low carb to kick off the ketosis. Like, pretty much only eating broccoli, meat and cheese. That said, I found when I got pregnant my body really wanted the carbs, and I've given in!

I was also on metformin for PCOS for a few years. My GP told me to come off immediately, which I did. But I think it's more complicated than that, and I wish I had questioned his reasons more! If it can help prevent MCs that seems a pretty good reason to keep taking it, though I can think of nothing in the way it works that would make that the case (mind you, I'm not a doctor).

i dont know any more about using metformin in pregnancy than i would learn by googling; however, i dohave type 1 diabetes and on the basis of the (quite shocking at times) lack of understanding by most gps i've met regarding diabetes in general (and type 1 in particular) i would concur with everyone else and make sure you see a consultant obstetrician asap, one who staffs a joint diabetes/antenatal clinic if possible.

re low carb it takes a seriously low carb to go ketoic (traces are not harmful btw) i would suggest low gi rather than low carb when pregnant as you will probably crave carbs.

congratulations x