Hello, I just wanted to share my recent experience for anybody who might find this useful as I’ve really appreciated this community for the last few weeks!
In summary, I have PCOS and was able to conceive in the first cycle of trying, however have just had a early pregnancy loss at 5 weeks.
I have PCOS and sub clinical hypothyroidism and for the last year or so I have been trying to get to a stage where my cycles are more regular in order to TTC. I participated in a PCOS clinical research study called the Daisy study at King’s College Hospital where they did a full set of bloods and tested my insulin resistance etc. The consultant there recommended I started taking inositol as well as cod liver oil and Co Q 10 as this combination of supplements apparently has had proven benefits for people with PCOS. All can be bought over the counter but I would check with your doctor before taking them. I have been taking preconception supplements too for a few months. My cycles have since been more regular and shorter (down to 35 days from 60+) and on the last cycle we started TTC. I have to say I credit the Natural Cycles App / temperature tracking as well as the Clear Blue digital ovulation kit (cheapies didn’t work for me) for helping to pinpoint when I ovulate, and we conceived on our first try which felt like a little miracle.
The TTW was an excruciating wait that I wasn’t really aware of until I was in it and all I would say for people in this stage to try to keep yourself busy and switch up your surroundings. It’s easy to say try to wait until you have missed your period but I couldn’t and found taking a test from about 7 DPO onwards helpful even though I knew it would be negative those first few days. I have a short luteal phase too so taking a FRER test 6 days before my period (ie 3/4 DPO) was never going to work, but I think it helped testing from about a week in because I would test then knew that nothing would change that day, and it was something to kind of look forward the next day. That’s just me though! I got a faint line on 12 DPO (personally I found the cheap babyplan tests useless but FRER and CB much better - worth the money!).
Unfortunately, on 14 DPO I started bleeding. I had hoped it might be implantation bleeding as it started off light without any clots or anything and was different to my period in colour as it was bright red, and on 15 DPO there was a stronger line on the PG test. But it got a lot heavier, I had cramps and lower back pain, and I started seeing clots. I am now 16 DPO and it is definitely a CP. The GP referred me to the early pregnancy line and they recommended I stay at home to see it through. We’re obviously very disappointed but trying to see the positive in that we can conceive with PCOS.
I have a short luteal phase (9 days average) and also have issues with my testosterone and thyroid levels because of PCOS so am wondering whether this could be an issue going forward, though I know pregnancy loss at this stage (5 weeks) is not unusual. If anyone has any insight on this I’d really appreciate it.
I hope this is useful to someone and sending you love and baby dust if you are TTC ❤️