Gestational diabetes and metformin!

[Lollip0p]

Has anyone had metformin before?

I had a growth scan yesterday and babys measurements for abdominal circumference (both at 32 weeks and 28) have been around 92 on the percentile chart previously it was about 50%

I have GD from my last pregnancy so i have been doing my blood sugars since 11 weeks with this bubba

The doctor seems concerned about the abdominal circumference and has prescribed metformin for me. she also said as some of my blood sugars have been over 7.5 she can see a trend happening and thats why they want to put me on metformin, she said my hospital was stricter than the nice guidelines

What ideally i need to know, what impact does this tablet have to me or the baby, what happens in general, she said i would be induced between 38-39 weeks depending on my sugars, i dont know anything about his drug at all and google inst really helping me

I am also on blood pressure tablets too as mine was off the scale yesterday, so they have upped my dose of it, and hypothyroidism too, im also a high pre eclampisa risk too

anyone been through the same?

 

[Palladium]

My situation is a little different, but it might help you a bit.

I am overweight, and was started on metformin for insulin resistance a few months before I got pregnant. I lost about 11kg on it (which was great) and in fact it's how i was able to get pregnant at all (had been trying for 2 years before that). Metformin is safe during pregnancy.
I'm also on meds for mild hypothyroidism and blood thinners for a DVT.

I was put on a low dose of metformin at the start (1000mg a day), then after I got pregnant I was sent to an endocrinologist. He had me start checking my blood sugar several times a day and was a little concerned, so he increased my metformin to 2000mg a day. My blood sugar is now quite well controlled as long as I eat properly (5's and low 6s mostly). I may need to go on to insulin later but for now the metformin is enough.

The problem with high blood sugars is that the baby can get a bit big, which seems to be what they're concerned about with you. The metformin will control your blood sugar and make sure the baby's isn't too high either, which should keep it's growth healthy.

They told me that if I go on insulin they would probably induce me around 38 weeks, because the placenta doesn't work so well the last couple of weeks in that situation, so this is probably why they told you that, it's just to make sure that the placenta doesn't start to break down before the baby is born.

I'm 16 weeks and my obstetrician told me that I probably won't gain much weight during the pregancy because of the metformin, and we can already tell that my excess fat is disappearing while my overall weight is staying the same. She says I'll probably be smaller after the delivery than i was at the start of the pregnancy, but as long as the baby's growth is fine there's no problem, so there's a plus.

There can be some side effects with metformin, mostly nausea and gastro issues, but if you take it with food they're not so bad, and personally I've never had any problems with it.

I hope this helps, good luck!

 

[Pink1981]

I've just been prescribed metformin. I'm 17 weeks on Thursday and already on insulin. I'm really nervous about x

 

[shellshocked]

I'm type 1. I've just been put onto metformin due to the hefty doses of insulin I was on when I had my son as I was hugely insulin resistant. apart from initial diaorreah it seems to be doing the job. Hypos all the time so am having to reduce insulin. from what I've been told ans read there aren't really any contraindications in pregnancy.

 

[tulip1975]

My doc had me on metformin during the first trimester to reduce my miscarriage risk. I had already taken it before when TTC. It's safe.

 

[lam_76]

I have type 2 diabetes and was already on metformin when i got pregnant and took it throughout my pregnancy. My doctor said it was fine to take while pregnant. I didn't put on any weight when i was pregnant and when i weighed myself 2 days after lo was born i was one stone lighter than i was when i went to my first hospital appointment at 6 weeks.

I also have high blood pressure, i saw my doctor before ttc and he changed the medication i was on then once i was pregnant and attending the diabetic clinic at the hospital my consultant changed my medication again.

I had been told by one of the midwives that i'd be induced around 37-38 weeks but i had my sugar levels under good control so i was booked for an induction at 39 weeks but at my 38 week appt my blood pressure was higher than they would have liked and my scan had showed that there was low fluid around lo so they booked me in for the next possible date, which was 38+3.

 

[babifever]

Metformin is a class B drug. And although it has not been proven to cause negative effects on pregnancy/or baby, it HAS NOT been proven that it doesn't. When you research you will see it is controversal on whether to use during pregnancy or not. Based on personal experience, some doctors swear by it during pregnancy, and some are totally against it during pregnancy.

The doctor's that do prescribe, usually say/claim the benefits out weigh the risks...

***I'm Type 2 Diabetic. Before pregnancy I took Metformin for about 45 days (consistently). When I found out I was pregnant, I also realised the Metformin was causing me nausea. So I stopped taking it on my own. I ended up having this ordeal getting proper treatment to control my diabetes during pregnancy. At the time I was about 3.5 weeks pregnant and in limbo. OBGYN would not treat me pregnancy was not considered viable at the time. Hence, no heartbeat (no heartbeat at the time, that is!) Then, my primary doctor would not treat me either because I was pregnant and they refer pregnant patients to OB's. It was crazy! Finally at about 5 weeks I was prescribed insulin.

I'm still using insulin today. I also see a OBYGN and Maternal Fetal Specialist.

Ultimately it's your choice and your doctor's (to some degree) what they choose to prescribe. Metformin was making me sick. But regardless I would have requested insulin. I personally don't feel comfortable taking drugs while pregnant. I actually don't like taking drugs period; it took me a while to commit to the Metformin (prior to pregnancy).

I also had Gestional Diabetes with my son 10 years ago. I was prescribed insulin then too. He was 5.14 pounds. Normal delivery.

Any who, just my two cents. The best with your pregnancies ladies.

 

[babifever]

I've just been prescribed metformin. I'm 17 weeks on Thursday and already on insulin. I'm really nervous about x

Your taking both?

 

[Pink1981]

I've just been prescribed metformin. I'm 17 weeks on Thursday and already on insulin. I'm really nervous about x

Your taking both?

Yes, I've been on insulin from 11 weeks and was on quite high doses so they suggested metformin to stabilise my readings and prevent me from having to use so much insulin x