Diabetes medication, Metformin is this stopping me from conceiving?

Question

I'm a type 2 diabetic, on metformin & insulin at night my sugars are always running very high & have been advised not to get preganant at this time untill my diabeties is well controlled.
However, i'm 35 & would like to have a baby soon & upon reading the leaflet on metformin tablets it suggest's not to take if preganant or planning to become preganant, dont know if this is the reason why I haven't felt pregnant yet?? does anyone know?

Answer 1

No dear, metformin does not cause infertility. In fact its the reverse as you can see from the answers above. However the only diabetic medication that is ideal during prenancy is insulin...it gives the best control and i'm sure you already know its very important to keep diabetes under control during pregnancy. The use of metformin in human pregnancy has not been extensively studied and that is why the leaftlet states it should be taken during pregnancy or when trying to conceive... its safety and efficacy in pregnancy is not conclusive.

Uncontrolled diabetes in pregnancy can be dangerous to both child (increase chance of fetal deformities, big babies, premature birth) and mother (increase cause of complications). Its very good advise to get your blood glucose levels under control before conceiving. I know...it can be very hard....but a sensible diet and regular exercise can do wonders. Its hard work but its so worth it for the sake of starting a family. I wish you all the best and remember...a positive mind is half the battle won! Good luck dear.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

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RE:
Diabetes medication, Metformin is this stopping me from conceiving?
I'm a type 2 diabetic, on metformin & insulin at night my sugars are always running very high & have been advised not to get preganant at this time untill my diabeties is well controlled.
However, i'm 35 & would like to have a baby soon & upon reading the leaflet on metformin tablets it...

Answer 5

There is no evidence from animal studies that metformin does any harm in pregnancy. However it is nevertheless recommended that you be controlled by insulin alone as you say even when trying to conceive. It is unlikely that being on the metformin is preventing conception.

You should perhaps tell your diabetologist that you are keen to conceive. I agree the biological clock is ticking. I would have thought it better at this stage to use insulin alone and stabilise you that way now, i.e. start as you mean to continue, otherwise as soon as you are stable the regime will need altered again so that you can stop the metformin.

Answer 6

Hi,

You really need to speak to a consultant at the hospital - pregnancy for people with diabetes is high risk and you should be seen at a special pregnancy clinic for people with diabetes. The main problem for the baby is actually a cleft palate (sorry if that's spelt wrong) - v common for people who have high blood sugar in their first few days of pregnancy. After that the concern is more about you as pregnancy can speed up the development of complications that you can get from diabetes like retinopathy and kidney problems (don't forget that your baby will need their mum!). Pleanty of people do it and are fine, get your self refered to a pregnancy clinic - I know it can be hard but you need to demand this - don't just accept the dr saying that your blood sugars aren't good enough and not doing anything about it - you will need to go to a pregnancy clinic when you fall pregnant anyway as your treatment will need to be changed about a lot so it's better that you get seen now.

I know it sucs - I'm 23 with type 1 diabetes and want a baby too!!! Good luck xxx

Answer 7

Hi ya, I am not a doctor but I am taking metformin not for diabetes but as a form of fertility treatment. I have poly-cystic ovaries and the 1st thing they try is metformin so I don't think this will stop you for getting pregnant. I wish you all the very best and I hope this helps
Top Cat

Answer 8

You may have poly cystic ovarian syndrome, diabetes II is often a side effect of this. Ask your doc about fertility treatment. The warning of the metformin label is a standard on all medication to protect the pharmaceutical company from liability in case you do get pregnant and the drug--which no one probaly has any idea if it will or won't have side effects on a fetus since they can't test for it--causes your child to have no arms and legs like Thalidomide did.

Answer 9

Why are you taking insulin for type II diabetes? I don't mean to sound mean, but are you compliant with your diabetic diet? There are so many things about your situation that could hurt you and the baby if you were to get pregnant right now, so take your doctor's advice and wait until your have your diabetes under control.
Best wishes?

Answer 10

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