u/Appropriate-Slip-862

This is the first post of a series that I plan to share in regards to taking Metformin as a preventative drug for HG. I plan to share my experience as it unfolds in the hope that it may be useful to someone. I remember how hard it was to have hg and to feel so alone. I'm so grateful for this reddit group.

For context, I am 35, mother of one who I had in October of 2023. I had what I would describe as 'dry' HG where I vomited around 6 times a day throughout the first and half of the second trimester. The nausea I had was debilitating, I became bedridden, and lost around 10 pounds (already quite a small person so it was a lot for me). My husband temporarily quit his job to take care of me full time and I believe this saved my life as my dehydration and severe anemia were making it difficult to even function. I'm sure many here can relate. I live in Spain and was using the public health care system which would only prescribe something called Cariban, or low dose antihistamine. Needless to say, I felt it did nothing to lessen the symptoms of HG. I did not know of the HER foundation or any of the drugs commonly prescribed by health care providers for HG.

Fast forward to now, having been an active member of this group and reading through all the exciting findings around hg and possible mitigation strategies, I'm ready to start thinking about baby 2.

I had my first appointment with my general doctor here in the Spanish public system yesterday. I had the study for metformin translated into Spanish just in case it was necessary (it wasn't) and I explained the possible advancements in this area and that I wanted a referral to an OBGYN in order to get a prescription for metformin for 6 months prior to conception. She said it was unlikely that an OB in the public system would prescribe me metformin as the evidence hasn't reached the level required of the public system for this to be standard treatment and that if I don't succeed I should go the private insurance/doctor route which I plan to do if this doesn't succeed.

Anyway, I hope this is helpful. Thank you for your time. Stay tuned for part 2.

Take care 😘

Hi there 👋 I live in Spain. In my last pregnancy in 2023 I was diagnosed with hg. I was given no serious medication at the time as I had never heard of HG and didn't know how to advocate for myself. My husband and I would like to have another baby. I plan to try out metformin for 6+ months prior to conceiving if I can based on positive stories posted here in this reddit group. I would love for my experience to be helpful in some way to other women who have experienced hg, so if anyone here knows of any way to participate in a metformin trial or something, please share. Thanks 🙏