Domperidone / Reglan / other galactagogues, Metformin use while pregnant

[JenInMpls]

I've already seen this come up off topic in another thread in the forum, so I'm creating a space for mamas to share where they got their domperidone, how it worked for them, links to web sites with dom info (e.g. kellymom), things to know about ordering dom off the web (customs, etc), thoughts about Reglan, using Metformin while pregnant, and other galactagogues like fenugreek, goat's rue, blessed thistle, etc.

share away.

I will say: I got Domperidone through a compounding pharmacy locally. My Dr prescribed it to me.

jen

[tapmilkmom]

I'm on Metformin during pg. I am now 37 weeks, started it around 35 weeks, I think. I hope it works! I had supply issues with my other two kiddos and trying to do anything to have a good supply this time around!

[MarcyC]

I had horrible side effects with Reglan. It gave me a "drugged" feeling. I got sleepy and weepy and sick to my stomach.

Dom is my "miracle" drug! Milk milk milk. My supply is still low compared to her needs, but at least the milk is there!

I didn't know about Metformin until this baby was about 6 mo. old, so I'll definitely try it while pg. if I go for #4 (DH is pushing for it).

[Moonprysm]

I'm confused about the metformin...I was on it to get pregnant, but was told to go off of it once I got there...

Can it be used to help milk supply?!? That would be awesome, because I still have almost a whole bottle left from where I'd gotten my prescription refilled right before I got pregnant...

[KKmama]

I used Reglan during pregnancy for hyperemesis, not for lactation-related things... this was after trying Zofran (couldn't deal with the side effects) and Phenergan (didn't work for me at all). The ob who prescribed it (not my "regular" ob) didn't tell me about the potential side effects, so I was on it for at least 4 months. (I experienced serious depression ~15-20 yrs ago, so if I had known depression was a potential side effect, I doubt I would have taken it.) I became depressed. I thought it was just a rough patch in life and a crappy pregnancy. I discussed the depression with another ob at the practice, and she didn't put the 2 together. I was pretty terrified of PPD. I didn't discover the Reglan-depression thing till reading one of my breastfeeding books soon after giving birth. I'm pretty annoyed and will be bringing it up at my 6 wk pp appt (with my regular ob who isn't implicated in any of this but still ought to be aware of it). Things are pretty good now, but I'm certain the depression was due to Reglan and that my gradual "recovery" has to do with being off Reglan. I just want other women to be aware of the risk so that if they have to take Reglan, they can be on the lookout.

On the galactologue front... I have had great results with fenugreek (take enough that I smell like maple) when I have needed it. Other herbs and tinctures don't work for me.

[Mom2sons]

What is Metformin and Goat's Rue?

Okay so my ped prescribed Reglan for just two weeks and having had severe postpartum (over it now) I am a bit hesitant to take it. Have saw these two things listed as milk producers and just looking for more information?

[TurboClaudia]

Metformin is also known by its other name Glucophage, and is a drug created for diabetics with insulin resistance. It enables the uptake of insulin into the cells of the body, which increases the rate at which glucose and sugars can be taken up by those same cells. A side effect for it is an increase in milk producing tissue in the breasts of women, and some women have successfully increased their milk supply by taking it during pregnancy when breast tissue is being produced.

I believe Goat's rue is an herb, and it is a less commonly known galactagogue but I am unfamiliar with its mode of action and don't know much about its use either.

~claudia

[aran]

I used domperidone for about six months. I got it from www.globaldrug.tv, which is an online pharmacy based in New Zealand. It helped modestly... at the time, I was away from DS three days a week, and my already tight supply was dropping although I pumped every three hours we were apart using a Lactina. The dom stabilized my supply, and I probably had about a 20% increase in what I pumped when I took it religiously (2 pills four times a day at 6 hour intervals on an empty stomach). I eventually weaned off of it when DS started eating more solids, and I allowed myself to be OK with whatever I could produce. I found that I continued to produce close to the same amount that I had when on the dom. I worried about the effect of taking the meds so much longer than they were used in clinical trials.

I ordered from globaldrug twice. The first was a small order to make sure they were legit. They seemed to be legit, so I placed a second large order. I have heard of some people's dom being confiscated by customs, and just in case, I was thinking of saying I ordered it for my pets, since I think it is helpful for other mammals digestive tracts. I had no problems with customs seizing anything though.

ETA: I totally missed the "while pregnant" part of the OP. I am TTC, and not using dom. I would personally not use dom while pregnant since it does influence hormone levels (indirectly) and the idea of messing with hormone levels while pregnant just makes me uncomfortable.

[Vixxen]

I took Metformin while pregnant with my son and my supply has been quite a bit better this time compared to when I was nursing my daughter. I did experience some breast growth during my pregnancy with my son whereas with my daughter I had none. So I do think that it made a difference. While I was pregnant I took 1000mg of the Metformin. Now I'm taking 1500mg a day along with goats rue, blessed thistle and domperidone. I'm probably producing around 10-15 oz of breastmilk a day now and maybe made about 5 ounces a day with DD. So although it's not a full supply it's definitely better.

[Moonprysm]

So is the metformin only useful if used during pregnancy? Or will it boost supply afterwards as well? (I have a ton left from when we were TTC and it'd be nice to know I have something just laying around the house that could help me out)

[Vixxen]

Originally Posted by Moonprysm

So is the metformin only useful if used during pregnancy? Or will it boost supply afterwards as well? (I have a ton left from when we were TTC and it'd be nice to know I have something just laying around the house that could help me out)

I think it has helped me so it certainly wouldn't hurt to try it. Just ease yourself onto it though. Say start out with 500mg a day for about a week and then go up to 1000mg and see how that helps. I take 1500mg a day and I think you can take even higher dosages. I've been kind of leary taking anymore though.

[AllyRae]

I would really really watch out for Reglan. I don't know about it's safety during pregnancy, but one of it's side effects is hallucinations. Of course, the doctor didn't tell me that until AFTER he put it in my IV and left (this was 3 days postpartum when I was back in the hospital for extreme nausea & dehydration)--only to be called into the room 15 minutes later because it was making me hallucinate.

[crazydiamond]

I have PCOS and have been on metformin for years. I took it all throughout my pregnancy and breastfeeding.

However, I was under the impression that metformin was only good for helping low supply when PCOS is the cause. In a lot of women with PCOS, the high testosterone levels (caused by high insulin levels) during puberty has caused improper development of the breasts. Then, by taking metformin (which lowers your insulin levels and evens out hormonal levels) during pregnancy and nursing, you allow your body to "redevelop" the breasts, possibly leading to greater milk production. My LC was a specialist in PCOS and lactation and told me that it was most important to take while breastfeeding. For most of us PCOS girls, we like to take it throughout pregnancy because it has a chance of preventing gestational diabetes.

I haven't read anything that discussed the use of metformin in non-PCOS women (who also aren't diabetic) and that it may help them with low supply. If there's any studies that been done, does anyone have any links?

[Nora'sMama]

What a fascinating thread! Vixxen, did you take the Met throughout pregnancy as well? CrazyDiamond, were there any side effects to taking the Met throughout pg and bf?

I took Met to get pg (I have PCOS) and stayed on it until 13 weeks, when I discontinued use at the advice of my then-OB. I considered staying on but there was one study that showed an increase in problems for women who stayed on Met throughout pg, and maybe possible blood sugar problems in the newborn? (I honestly don't remember so I may be wrong about this, but it was enough that I didn't feel entirely comfortable, without the support of a medical professional, taking it throughout my pregnancy.)

Then I had some issues Bf and a LC suggested Metformin, which shocked me - I had never heard of it being used to increase supply. I ended up having a full supply w/out it so didn't get back on it. But now, over 1 year postpartum (and still nursing strong) I am thinking of getting back on it, to help regulate my wild blood sugar swings.

While I have a full supply, when DD was a newborn she nursed practically every 20 minutes for most of the day and did not go more than 2 hours without nursing until relatiively recently. I have always figured I have "small storage capacity" breasts. I wonder if Metformin could have helped with that?? I think that someone less determined to BF would have gone to formula with a baby that nursed so often. I didn't mind at all but I had a lifestyle that allowed me to spend most of my time breastfeeding for months...not everyone is so lucky! I'd be curious to see if things are different with a second baby.

Are there any known side effects on the nursling? I'm so curious about this. If anyone has any links to studies, etc. I'd love to read them. I always thought Metformin was kind of a wonder drug for me - I got pregnant weeks after starting it.

[Vixxen]

Originally Posted by Nora'sMama

What a fascinating thread! Vixxen, did you take the Met throughout pregnancy as well?

Yes I did. I wonder if it helped me not gain as much weight during my 2nd pregnancy as I did with my daughter. I gained 50 pounds with my daughter and only 15 with my son. Another interesting fact is my daughter was 10 lbs 14 oz and my son was 8lbs 9oz so I wonder if I had a touch of gestational diabetes with my daughter and if the metformin helped me avoid that with my son.