When you find out that you are pregnant for the first time, it can be quite overwhelming.
You might know that there are lots of different vitamins and minerals that you should be taking to support you and your baby. But you might not know which vitamins they are.
Once you have been referred to a midwife, your midwife will likely recommend certain vitamins and supplements that you should take to support your body and your baby.
One of the supplements that they might suggest you take is Myo-inositol.
Myo-inositol is a supplement that is often prescribed to expectant mothers during pregnancy. So don’t be alarmed if this is something that is recommended to you.
In this guide, we’re taking a look at what Myo-inositol is, and why you might be prescribed it during pregnancy.
Keep on reading to find out more!
What Is Myo-Inositol?
First things first, let’s take a look at what Myo-inositol is. As we have said, Myo-inositol is a supplement that is often prescribed during pregnancy.
Myo-inositol is a natural sugar that is similar to glucose in its molecular design, so you might be wondering why this is prescribed during pregnancy.
Myo-inositol is very similar to glucose, and for this reason, it can have a similar impact on the body.
When you are pregnant, your body will go through lots of different physical changes, and depending on those changes, Myo-inositol might be prescribed.
Essentially, Myo-inositol works similarly to insulin when taken as a supplement.
It essentially imitates insulin within the body – so just as insulin helps move sugar from your blood into the cells, Myo-inositol will have the same effect.
By doing this, Myo-inositol can decrease the level of sugar in your blood and relieve the symptoms of insulin-resistant disorders.
If you are somebody who has been diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian System), then you might be familiar with Myo-inositol. PCOS is an insulin-resistant disorder, so Myo-inositol will sometimes be prescribed to alleviate the symptoms of this disorder.
You might have been prescribed this if you were struggling to conceive due to PCOS, or simply for other symptoms associated with this condition.
As well as being prescribed to women with PCOS before pregnancy, Myo-inositol is also prescribed during pregnancy for a number of reasons.
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why you might be prescribed Myo-inositol during pregnancy.
What Does Myo-Inositol Do In Pregnancy?
As we have said, Myo-inositol is essentially a supplement that is incredibly similar to glucose in its molecular design.
Due to the similarity in the molecules contained in these two sugars, Myo-inositol can mimic the impact that insulin has on the body.
That is why it is widely used to treat conditions that require treatment similar to insulin that is insulin-resistant.
Myo-inositol isn’t only used to treat conditions in pregnancy, it is also used to aid fertility in conditions that might impact this.
As we have said, Myo-inositol is often prescribed to women who have been diagnosed with PCOS as it can help to ease the symptoms of this insulin-resistant condition.
But it is also prescribed during pregnancy.
Myo-inositol is often prescribed during pregnancy for women who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes is a fairly common condition that occurs during pregnancy, and it involves women who previously were not diabetic developing this condition due to pregnancy.
Just like PCOS, gestational diabetes is an insulin-resistant condition. This means that it cannot be treated in the same way that regular diabetes is treated.
The obvious alternative to insulin for treating this condition is Myo-inositol. So, if you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, there is a good chance you may be prescribed Myo-inositol.
During pregnancy, between 1 and 14% of pregnant people will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
You may also be diagnosed with gluten intolerance that is specific to pregnancy which you previously didn’t have.
Both of these conditions have been linked with developing diabetes after pregnancy, so it is very important that it is caught and treated.
Should You Take Myo-Inositol During Pregnancy?
Based on everything that we have looked at so far, you might be wondering if you should take Myo-inositol during pregnancy.
Generally, it is recommended that you only take Myo-inositol during pregnancy if you have been diagnosed with a condition that requires treatment with this supplement.
Generally, there is very little risk associated with taking Myo-inositol both during pregnancy and in your normal life.
Studies have been conducted to support this theory, but regardless of the risks, it is important to know the impact that Myo-inositol can have on your body before you take it.
Myo-inositol is an insulin substitute, so it will have a similar impact on your body to insulin. It will impact your body’s blood sugars so bear this in mind when you start taking this supplement.
In small doses, it will not have a huge effect which is why you can take this during pregnancy without any major risks.
However, we would always recommend speaking to your doctor or midwife before taking any additional supplements during pregnancy.
If you suspect that you might be developing symptoms of gestational diabetes, it is a good idea to speak to your midwife.
Most of the time, your midwife will pick up on this condition before you do.
However, if you notice obvious signs or symptoms, it is a good idea to bring this up with your medical professionals so that you can prescribe medication to treat it.
Whatever you do, do not start taking Myo-inositol supplements simply because you suspect you might have gestational diabetes.
During pregnancy, it is super important not to self-medicate or self-prescribe medications.
So, if you suspect that you have gestational diabetes, consult with your midwife and they will be able to confirm this for you. From there, a suitable treatment plan will be put in place to support you.
What Happens When You Start Taking Myo-Inositol?
You might be reading this guide because you have been prescribed Myo-inositol during your pregnancy.
Pregnancy can be a nerve-wracking experience without developing additional conditions, so it is understandable that you might be a little overwhelmed.
If you are wondering what will happen when you start taking Myo-inositol during your pregnancy, you will be pleased to know that you won’t notice that many physical changes in your body.
Myo-inositol targets the blood sugars, so you normally won’t be able to feel the effects that it is having on your body.
When you start taking Myo-inositol which has been prescribed to you during pregnancy, it will have a number of different effects on your body.
Although you typically will not notice these changes to begin with. Myo-inositol when taken by mouth affects the body in a few ways.
These include: reducing triglyceride levels, decreasing blood pressure, and improving blood sugar levels.
If you were diagnosed with a condition that impacted your fertility prior to getting pregnant, then you may have been prescribed oral Myo-inositol as a treatment.
Most commonly, Myo-inositol is prescribed to those who have been diagnosed with PCOS.
So, if you have been diagnosed with this, it might be recommended that you continue this treatment throughout your pregnancy.
Of course, you should only do this if it is recommended by your fertility doctor/midwife.
Does Myo-Inositol React With Vitamins?
Finally, if you have been prescribed Myo-inositol, it is understandable that you might be worried about this potentially reacting to other vitamins that you take.
There are tons of different vitamins that are recommended during pregnancy to support your baby’s growth, so will these react with Myo-inositol?
Multiple studies have been completed into the effectiveness of Myo-inositol, and none of these studies found any reaction between this supplement and any vitamins.
So, if you have been prescribed vitamins, or are simply taking the recommended pregnancy vitamins, it is fine to take these alongside Myo-inositol.
If your doctor recommends that you start taking Myo-inositol, they will likely ask you about any vitamins or minerals that you are taking.
Be honest with your doctor and they will be able to give you more information to set your mind at ease.
Summary
In short, Myo-inositol is a natural sugar that is often prescribed as a supplement for insulin-resistant disorders, such as PCOS and gestational diabetes.
If you are showing signs of gestational diabetes during pregnancy, your doctor might recommend Myo-inositol supplements as a treatment.
We hope this information has been helpful – thank you for reading!
