Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a health condition that affects 6-15% of women globally of childbearing age. If you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS, it may become more difficult to become pregnant. If you’re able to get pregnant, the risk factors increase during pregnancy, labor, and childbirth. Women that suffer from PCOS are 3 times more likely to have a miscarriage. That’s not all, the women who suffer from PCOS are also more likely to:
- Develop preeclampsia
- Gestational diabetes
- Have a larger/premature baby
Some complications during labor can also cause a cesarean delivery. There are several risks for moms to be with PCOS.
Risks for Future Moms with PCOS
Having PCOS makes it harder for women to become pregnant, you can blame hormonal imbalance for this. Women that suffer from PCOS are more likely to gain weight and rely on reproductive technology to get pregnant. According to a study, 60% of women with PCOS are obese, and almost 14% need reproductive technologies to become pregnant.
Women that are diagnosed with PCOS have a higher risk factor of developing several medical conditions throughout their lives, such as:
- Insulin resistance
- Type 2 diabetes
- High cholesterol
- High-blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Sleep apnea
- Increased risk of endometrial cancer
For pregnant women, PCOS is a big problem as it brings several complications with it. Most of the PCOS symptoms during pregnancy can be treated simply with careful monitoring. In a case where a woman develops gestational diabetes, insulin may be needed to manage the blood sugar level.
Risks for Baby
Not just the mother, but having PCOS can also be harmful to the baby. If you’re diagnosed with PCOS, then the level of monitoring required for you and your baby will increase. The potential risks for a baby from PCOS include:
- Premature birth
- Large for gestational age
- Miscarriage
- Lower Apgar score
If the baby is a girl, then some studies have shown that there’s a 50% chance she’ll have PCOS in the future. Women with PCOS are more likely to deliver the baby with cesarean delivery as they tend to have larger-sized babies. Other complications may happen during labor and delivery.
Getting Pregnant With PCOS
Most women don’t realize that they have PCOS until the moment they try to conceive. In almost all cases, PCOS goes unnoticed. But if it’s been over a year of you trying to conceive then you should seek some medical assistance and get yourself tested.
Your doctor can help you develop a plan for getting pregnant. Some basic tips include losing weight, eating healthy, and specific medications that can improve your chances of getting pregnant.
PCOS and Breastfeeding
If you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS, then you will need to keep managing the symptoms after you get pregnant. The severity of symptoms varies from person to person, but if you don’t do anything to manage them, it can get worse. Sometimes the hormonal changes after pregnancy and breast-feeding can make the symptoms severe.
According to studies, it’s safe to breast-feed if you’re diagnosed with PCOS. Women who have gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later on in life, but that risk can be reduced by breastfeeding.
Symptoms of PCOS
PCOS is often unnoticed as it’s tough to make a diagnosis. There are several symptoms and symptoms that differ in all types of women. Obesity or weight gain is a common risk factor for women who suffer from PCOS. Although, a huge number of women also have lean body shapes even after being diagnosed with PCOS.
According to studies, over 50% of women that have PCOS never get diagnosed, and this is why PCOS is considered to be a dangerous medical condition.
Some of the biggest symptoms of PCOS include:
- String of pearl cysts on ovaries
- Insulin resistance
- High testosterone levels that cause excessive hair growth, male pattern baldness, and acne
- Suppressed ovulation
- Excessive weight gain
- Weight gain on the waistline
- Pelvic pain
- Anxiety or depression
- Skin tags in armpits or neck
- Dark, thick patches of skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs
- Sleep apnea
Treatment for PCOS
Unfortunately, there’s no cure for PCOS currently, but with proper medication, dietary changes and lifestyle changes the symptoms can be managed.
Some options for managing PCOS symptoms are:
- Birth control pills
- Weight loss
- Spironolactone
- Androgen blockers
If you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS, and you want to become pregnant, then it is advised to visit your doctor and build a plan for yourself.
Summing Up: PCOS and Pregnancy
PCOS is a silent but deadly condition, if it goes undiagnosed and untreated, it can become very problematic. The thing you should know about PCOS and pregnancy is that the complications are incredibly common. So, to lead a healthy life, and reduce risks it is essential to lead a healthier lifestyle as recommended by the doctor.
The best thing you can do is consult with a doctor and follow a pregnancy-safe diet program, and take your medications as directed by the physician. If you follow all the rules, you can lead a healthy and happy life.