WWYD: Metformin Mamas (XP in PGAL)

Lovenyc · February 2014

Hi there--I haven't posted on this bmb in quite some time but I'm hoping you can help me out. I recently switched to a new OB practice which is much closer to my home. My previous doctor was a total God send for me. She got me through several losses and she delivered my healthy baby boy 2 years ago. Leaving her was not an easy decision but logistically, it made sense. She put me on metformin 500mg x3/day for my pcos. I stayed on it throughout my pregnancy with my son. She told me to stay on it for this pregnancy as well.

I had my 2nd appt at the new practice yesterday and the dr said there was no reason for me to still be taking metformin. She said that was an old school way of thinking and that I don't need to take it. I am so conflicted. The 1st doctor I saw at the practice told me I could keep taking it. Who do I listen to?

I'm so hesitant to stop taking it. I know there have been studies that show metformin lowers the risk of 1st trimester loss but at this point, I'm 26w3d. WWYD??? Keep taking it or listen to the new doctor?

chillypenguin · February 2014

I was in a similar situation recently. I have been taking 500 mg/ twice a day since I was TTC DD#1. My old OB kept me on the metformin for my entire first pregnancy. I stayed on it after her birth and while TTC #2. I recently moved and had to find a new OB. My first appointment with her was at 24 weeks. My best friend goes to her and also has PCOS, and the doctor took her off at 12 weeks.

I really struggled and tried to figure out what I wanted to do before I met with the doctor. When I met with her, she told me she usually takes patients off at 12 weeks, but if this is what is working and has worked in the past, she is just going to leave me on it. She said "If it isn't broken, don't fix it." It's a tough decision. I asked the question on here before, and it seems like most people stop taking it at some point. But like you, I was scared because I knew it can help prevent early losses, so it freaked me out even though I was 24+ weeks.

Good luck, I hope you can find a decision you and your doctor are comfortable with! Here is the post I made a few weeks ago if you want to see more responses.

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12233393/if-you-are-taking-or-were-taking-metformin#latest

Lovenyc · February 2014

Thanks. Sounds like we were in the same boat. I am also a fan of the "if it ain't broke" school of thought. I think I will stay on it. I'm also afraid I would suddenly start gaining a TON of weight if I came off it (thanks PCOS)

BuffaloBride06 · February 2014

For my First DS I was on 1500mg a day and slowly got off it by 14 weeks at the request of my Dr. I was nervous, but baby was fine, I did not have GD and I only gained 20lbs.

This time I have a different dr. He had me stay on until 18 weeks. I am now 25 weeks and all is well. I have only gained 4lbs so far.

I understand being nervous! Just do what you feel is best and after conversations with you dr. Just wanted to let you know things can be fine coming off it too -- you just have to do it slowly!

Good luck!!

sparklingdiamond · February 2014

I was put on Metformin in order to help regulate my cycles and help me get pregnant. My doctor had me stay on it the first trimester and then gradually lower the dosage until I was completely off of it around 13 weeks.

ThereBeDragons · February 2014

I've been taken off of it partway through the second trimester with both this pregnancy and my late loss last year. Loss had nothing to do with the met stopping though- mechanical failure of the reproductive system.

I've always had very stable blood sugar levels without met (no diabetes or pre diabetes)- they tend to dip low when on met, but its such a potential boost to both egg quality and reducing the occurrence of first trimester loss that I just dealt with needing a constant influx of carbs in my diet to make up for the low blood sugar levels. I was very relieved when I came off it- it did awful things to my digestive tract.

My OB typically pulls me off a bunch of the meds my RE has me on during first trimester though. Its not a knock against the meds- just a change in doctors perceptions of what's best. My RE had me on progesterone shots, estrogen pills, metformin- all of which were deemed unnecessary in the second trimester by the OB- and my MFM went further and took me off lovenox. But he wanted me on P17 which none of the other doctors had considered necessary and my OB recommended a cerclage which the MFM felt was optional.

Basically- every doctor is going to have slightly different experiences with treatments and different recommendations. There is no perfect course of treatment so when juggling differing opinions you'll want to do your own research and advocate for yourself when you have input to add. I advocated for myself to get my cerclage placed- a damn fine decision it turns out despite my MFM initially considering it optional. I also made an informed decision about stopping lovenox when my MFM gave me the choice. Know what you want/need, and remember that doctors are human too. Their advice is usually well informed and has solid evidence backing it- but if something feels off- you can always argue for exceptions in a case by case situation.

lildarling76 · February 2014

I also took it my last 2 pregnancies and stopped at 13 weeks with both when my placenta took over. I was more scared to stop the progesterone then the met

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