PCOS can make getting pregnant frustrating with risks to both mother and baby, including miscarriages, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, and older babies. Treating PCOS before and during pregnancy can reduce risks.
Trying to get pregnant with PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome can be frustrating. While it is possible to get pregnant with PCOS, there are risks to both the baby and the mother. Those risks include a higher rate of miscarriages, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, and older babies, just to name a few. Miscarriages can be caused by a number of issues, but it should be noted that pregnant women with PCOS are thought to have miscarriages up to three times as often as a healthy mother.
Gestational diabetes is a real concern, just like any form of diabetes. When a mom-to-be is diagnosed with gestational diabetes, it means she’s having trouble managing blood glucose. That glucose is found in the blood and is eventually passed on to the baby. The baby’s pancreas then has to produce insulin to handle the excess glucose that causes the baby to gain weight. This condition is called macrosomia. During delivery the baby may suffer an injury called shoulder dystocia in which his shoulders can get stuck in the birth canal. For this reason, most doctors will closely monitor pregnant women with PCOS or who are overweight.
Pre-eclampsia is a very dangerous complication of pregnancy and should be closely monitored by your doctor. The main signs are high blood pressure and protein in the urine. It is very important to provide regular urine samples during pregnancy so that you and your doctor are aware of any changes. Other symptoms you want to discuss with your doctor include swelling, headaches, sudden weight gain, and changes in vision. It is possible to have no symptoms at all. The leading cause of death for both mother and child worldwide is hypertensive disorders, including pre-eclampsia. If you’re pregnant with PCOS, your risks of high blood pressure disorders are higher, so discuss your risks with your doctor.
Before pregnancy, make sure you take all the steps you can to treat your PCOS. These steps should be discussed with your doctor and may include eating a varied and nutritionally balanced diet, exercising frequently, reducing stress, and rebalancing hormone levels. If you find yourself pregnant with PCOS, it’s not too late to start treating yourself. Improving your diet, exercising appropriately for your stage of pregnancy, and learning how to reduce stress will help you reduce your risks during pregnancy and lay the foundations for good habits during your baby’s first year of life. Always discuss any changes you intend to make with your doctor before making them.
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