r/PCOSandPregnant • u/Impressive_Ad6196 • 1d ago
Advice Needed Questions about Pregnancy after taking Metformin
It’s a positive! I’m so excited & nervous at the same time.
Firstly, My husband and I have been TTC but not super actively since 2025 January, for background I always had pcos, for more than 15 years at this point but only recently found out it’s linked to insulin resistance. It’s been around 6 weeks of being on metformin for me (upped to 1000mg 2 times daily) after being Diagnosed with HOMA- IR of 4.1
I took a tests on consecutive days this past weekend as I was feeling nauseous & tired(I disregarded it for 14 days thinking maybe it’s metformin nausea for sometime & I was also on antibiotics because of UTI around 2 weeks ago!)
I stopped metformin as soon as I saw the first test (my endocrinologist had advised that when prescribing)
Now I’m a bit worried since my appointment with my gynecologist is not for another 3 weeks & I’m not sure how to keep my insulin resistance at bay during pregnancy
Any other people with IR and pregnant? What are you’ll doing to keep your glucose spikes at bay? I don’t have the energy to do a lot of exercise like I was before & also craving more carbs and bland foods. I also grew aversion to salmon and tofu, I’m really frustrated about that!
Also a side question - Both my tests were bright pink lines but one of them turned purplish grey after 2 days, not sure why.. Could it mean something?
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u/EducationalChicken 1d ago
I've remained on the same dose of Metformin since becoming pregnant so I'm not too sure what I can offer.... Did they tell you why to stop it?
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u/Impressive_Ad6196 1d ago
Not really, She just told me to stop as soon as I see a positive pregnancy test, as they are the guidelines.
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u/TinyYogurtcloset9270 1d ago
If she’s an endo not an ob then I’d get the opinion of the ob next.
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u/Impressive_Ad6196 1d ago
I managed to get hold of a new Ob Gyn for my first checkup in 3 weeks . But I’m super pissed as my gynecologist (not endocrinologist) has no appointments till September even after I requested one on call, they asked me to email and no response yet. The wait is making me a bit nervous tbh.
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u/Aurora22694 1d ago
My OB and RE told me to stay on until at least 13 weeks and don’t have insulin resistance.
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u/DimensionGlass 1d ago
I stayed on metformin the first trimester because I’ve read that it prevents early miscarriage. In the second trimester halfway through they had me stop because I passed the glucose tolerance test. Now third trimester they’ve determined I do have gestational diabetes and I “shouldn’t have stopped metformin”. Even though they instructed I stop it 🙄
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u/_meliseyo 1d ago
I had my first ultrasound at 6w+2, and my doctor told me to stop taking Metformin and inositol. She said they were prescribed to help me ovulate, they’ve done their job, and I’ve also lost a significant amount of weight.
I’m a little scared to stop so suddenly, which is why I’ve been tapering down a bit before stopping completely in the next few days.
I’m also confused about stopping because I see so many people saying they stayed on Metformin throughout their pregnancy. However, I’m going to trust her recommendation. My next appointment is in 3 weeks, and I’m still being followed by my endocrinologist. She also suggested stopping the medication once I became pregnant.
I wish I had been given a more detailed explanation about why stopping is recommended in my case.
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u/Impressive_Ad6196 1d ago
Yes, same because it doesn’t make enough sense to me when we had IR don’t we need the support of the tablets to not develop gestational Diabetes? I didn’t stop inositol yet, I hadn’t specifically asked about it to her.
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u/Shikustar 1d ago
This is exactly what I thought. Let me know what your doctor says when you find out
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u/_meliseyo 1d ago
I am on your side. But I'm a little relieved because endo wants to take glucose test in week 14, 24 and 34 to keep tracking IR. Let's hope for the best and for a healthy pregnancy 🙏🏻🥹
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u/Melgin_ 1d ago edited 1d ago
I’m 11weeks and didn’t know what to do about my metformin when I found out. All I had until my first midwife appt was google. There are mixed opinions - some say stop straight away, some stop at 12 weeks, some say take it the whole time. I asked my midwife and she didn’t know, asked my gyno and she didn’t know. I’m also seeing a private specialist at a pregnancy clinic who is quite renowned in the field and when I mentioned all of this to him on Sunday he was pleased to hear I’m still taking metformin and advises I continue it throughout because of my insulin resistance. He said if I were to fail the GD test at 26 weeks it’s likely they would prescribe metformin so it’s a good preventative in the first place, especially because he thinks the GD test should be much earlier than 26 weeks - it can be too late by then. Hope that helps!
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u/hellobonjourholahej 1d ago
Mine was prescribed by an endocrinologist at a fertility clinic and I’ve been advised to stay on it (2000mg) until I get to 12 weeks. She said it can reduce miscarriage in the first trimester so the benefits are worth it (I had IVF).
Congratulations! I hope everything goes well for you ❤️
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u/lusihnaismyname 1d ago
I also have PCoS diagnosed about 15 years ago. I had taken some metformin on and off but took it more consistently in the month or two before I seriously wanted to conceive. I got pregnant right away with my first and pretty quickly with my second (due in two weeks!). I was taking 500mg or up to 1000mg daily, sometimes I’d forget. I stopped taking metformin as soon as pregnancy was confirmed by my gp. Both pregnancies have been smooth, did get gestational diabetes with my current pregnancy but I’m on diet controlled, I haven’t been given any medication , I guess I’m a “mild” case.
Edit: I also stopped inositol at the same time as I stopped metformin
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u/shoemakerw_out_the_r 1d ago
I was told to stay on through 14 weeks. But I would suggest strictly focusing on diet/exercise. Veggies, protein, low/moderate carbs.
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u/Sarashines421 1d ago
I am 26w4d and still taking my metformin as prescribed. Baby boy is measuring perfect and all is well 🩵
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u/Key-Hand958 1d ago
I was told prior to getting pregnant that I could continue it through pregnancy, so I have. I had my anatomy scan yesterday and the doctor said that I should have stopped at 12 weeks, but my regular OB never mentioned it, and at this point since I've been taking it and I'm at 20 weeks to just continue to hopefully prevent GD.
There's been one study that showed some risk but not a ton of research, at this point I'm definitely more worried about GD than later risks! I'm sure my daughter will have PCOS regardless since all the women in my family have it!
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u/charliesfeetles 1d ago
Since you were told to stop taking metformin as soon as you got pregnant, stop taking it. Speak with your OB about it. I was taking metformin to manage my PCOS and before even getting pregnant my doctor advised me to stop taking once I seriously considered trying. 2 months prior to trying I did stop all meds. So I would just advise you to stop, and talk to your OB. If you’re concerned about insulin resistance do other things that help, such as body weight exercises (squats and lunges), walking, protein and fiber rich meals. Congrats and good luck!
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u/Kbarr866 1d ago
First off, congrats! For me, I've taken that exact same dose of metformin while TTC and while successfully pregnant 3x (currently pregnant with our final baby). I've had 4 early losses and I personally attribute the metformin to helping me have successful pregnancies. I believe some doctors prescribe it to conceive only (to help with egg quality), and not necessarily intend to stay on it while pregnant. But my doctors have always advised I stay on it throughout my pregnancies. I definitely would follow up with your doctor!
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u/wimbiz 1d ago
Very anecdotal of course but in one pregnancy that ended in miscarriage I stopped taking metformin as soon as I got a positive test. In my next pregnancy I continued taking it in the 1st trimester and ended up carrying that baby to term. There were concerns about baby being small, I think they call it IUGR and I had to have multiple scans in the second trimester. But then he ended up being born a very normal 7lbs. I’m honestly not sure what I’d do if I got pregnant again.
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u/Emergency-Focus-8138 1d ago
Metformin also helped me get pregnant. I was instructed to stop taking it around 11 weeks and that it can lower risk of miscarriage early on. I haven’t had any issues since stopping it and my weight has actually stayed about the same as well. You can always call the OBGYN and see what they recommend for your specific case.
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u/Just-Opening-7642 1d ago
I stayed on mine. I was told as long as I wasn’t experiencing adverse effects I was good to stay on it. Currently 38 weeks and still on it. Healthy pregnancy overall and I had a high risk mfm for reference ☺️
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u/Ok-Chemistry-2090 1d ago
I stayed on it with both of my pregnancies for 12 weeks at 2000 mg ER. I did a glucose test at 14w and then another one at 26w and passed both. I also stayed on ovasitol for 12 weeks too.
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u/tirerlabrise 1d ago
I was on Metformin for PMOS-related insulin resistance. I swear it’s the reason we got pregnant! I stayed on it until 12 weeks per my OB’s recommendation. I took an early one hour GD test at 16 weeks, failed, and passed the three hour test with flying colors. Follow your doctor’s advice and you’ll be fine.
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u/Tisatalks 1d ago
I took metformin throughout my whole pregnancy. My OB said that if I was to get gestational diabetes that's what they would put me on anyway. So there's really no concern about taking it while pregnant. My daughter's a happy healthy 2-year-old now so don't stress
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u/humblehills 1d ago
Congratulations! I’m currently 6.5 weeks pregnant after being diagnosed with PCOS in March and taking 1500 mg of Metformin since then. I was told by the nurses I’d been working with at the infertility clinic to keep taking Metformin throughout my first trimester, so maybe check in with your medical team again!
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u/Sensitive_Worry4735 1d ago edited 1d ago
Congratulations! Anecdotally, I believe that being on Metformin is what got me pregnant after 12 months of trying. I stayed on 1500mg daily for the first trimester and just had a very healthy 4.49kg baby boy with no gestational diabetes and no blood sugar issues for him at birth.
Edit: don’t worry about the line colour changing on the test. You should only read the result during the testing window (generally a few minutes). They’re not designed to be read a couple of days later, and the dye colours will change or even fade completely. As long as the result was strong at the time that the test told you to check the result, that’s all that matters.
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u/Pulchrasum 1d ago
I took Metformin until 8 weeks and then tapered off at the advice of my fertility doctor. Baby is a happy, healthy 6 month old now
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u/Aggravating-Way-5401 23h ago
My first pregnancy (7 years ago) I was instructed to stop it right away. My son was born perfect. This pregnancy (I assume more data is available now) I have been told I will be on it my whole pregnancy and that it’s fine. I have PCOS. I would call your OBGYN to get their advice on it ASAP.
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u/Liss2024 1d ago
Do not stop taking it!!! Xx
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u/FoxNFern 1d ago
You’re not her doctor nor do you have any of her history or risk factors available. No one in here should be giving medical advice on the internet
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u/TinyYogurtcloset9270 1d ago
I’ve read that if you have PCOS metformin can reduce rates of miscarriage in first trimester, so many people will stay on it for first tri. It does cross the placenta and there’s evidence it can lead to low birth weight and more likely to be overweight in childhood, so some people come off it straight away like you or come off in 2nd trimester once the placenta gets going. Others start taking it for gestational diabetes towards the end of 2nd tri! Some countries don’t recommend it in pregnancy, some do. All that’s to say you need to speak to your doctor and come up with a plan. I had to do ivf for mfi and have ended up staying on metformin (although reduced dose slightly due to worse gastrointestinal side effects) during pregnancy, I’m now 14 weeks. I’ve recently asked for advice now I’m in second tri and waiting to hear back.