PCOS, Pregnancy and Problems

[LisMcA]

Question is just that, anyone had any complications during pregnancy because of Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome?

I've been referred to a consultant by my MW for PCOS, but I don't know what the potential problems are.

I have PCOS and was not referred to see anyone during pregnancy for the PCOS. I'm now 39 weeks.

My understanding is that it can lead to problems conceiving in the first place (women suffering from PCOS might not ovulate regularly or at all) and that there is some evidence to suggest that it can leave you at increased risk of miscarriage in the first trimester. I guess the other thing is that some women with PCOS are overweight as a result of the PCOS which can in itself cause problems during pregnancy. There is also a link between PCOS and insulin resistance (and so I guess potentially diabetes).

Would be interested to hear why you have been referred to a consultant though!

I was referred because of PCOS and my weight. I have been fine though so no problems here. I am having a glucose tolerance test though and that seems to be given to some women with PCOS, seems to be routine in some areas but not others.

i have pcos and am overweight.
i was referred to consultant because of high bmi and the pcos. He sent me for Glucose Tolerance Test, which i had last friday, and all came back clear.
He also sent me for growth scan which i am going for tomorrow, hoping all will be fine as my 3 previous scans have been.
Ive had no complications at all, blood pressure, urine tests and blood tests for iron levels have all been fine too.
I am currently 29+2 weeks.

How far along are you?

Good luck with your pregnancy, i hope it goes as smoothly as mine has so far!

Anything else you want to know please ask!

Congrats on your pregnancy. I have PCOS and am due today and waiting for baby to make an appearance. I was not referred to a Consultant for anything PCOS related. I was normal weight when I conceived. I was referred for a GTT (glucose tolerance test) at 28 wks to screen for gestational diabetes; my result was normal.

Honeybee is right, PCOS can cause fertility problems and increase your risk of early miscarriage slightly, but usually doesn't cause any other complications of pregnancy. I've had no real complications.

Not sure why you've been referred to a Consultant, maybe just take the opportunity to pick their brains. If all is well they might just discharge you back to midwife-led care after one appointment.

Best of luck!

I think that once you have conceived with PCOS and got through the first trimester then you are at no more of a risk than other pregnant women. From what I read around the subject, PCOS is most likely to be an issue when trying to conceive (though not for all women).

I had a normal BMI when I conceived and had a glucose tolerance test at 28 weeks and that seems to be standard procedure in my area. The result was normal.

I have had no complications during pregnancy at all other than the usual niggles.

Good luck with the pregnancy and hope it all goes smoothly.

Just wanted to add my experience here.

I have PCOS and am now at 32 weeks. I was reffered to a consultant as a precaution at my 2nd midwife appointment (the one after the booking appointment!)

Pre-pregnancy I was taking metformin for insulin resistance, overweight, and was not ovulating (I know its a miracle I got pregnant!!)

So far it seems that they are being cautious - but that most of it is down to my weight.

The only things which seem different to non-risky pregnancies is that I have been asked to do a glucose tolerance test(which was fine) have a couple of extra growth scans booked in (due to higher risk of gestational diabetes causing big baby) and have met with the consultant who didn't seem worried at all. They have also asked me to go in and see the anesthatist (sp ) to check things over as there can be some risk factors for people of my weight should I need anasthetic.

All seems ok to me and I feel fine about it. Am glad that they are doing all that they can to make sure me and bump are happy and doing fine!

Thanks for sharing you experiences ladies. I feel slightly less worried about the whole thing now!

I am 11+2 weeks and everything seems to be going fine.

I too come under the "overweight" category, thought I wasn't ovulating before my BFP and had been referred tot he fertility clinic!

I've just picked up my notes and next to the referral for the consultant it says due to my high BMI and the fact we had been referred to (but not needed) the fertility clinic. So i guess it's quite consistant with all your experiences.

Thanks again Ladies! You've all helped put my overactive imagination to rest :o

Hi folks. I'm 10+1 and have had PCOS for about 10 years. Prior to conceiving, DH and I were under fertility clinic as I wasn't ovulating due to PCOS (and he has low sperm - another miracle we got pg!).
However, I've moved to another part of the country so my MW/GP don't have my fertility clinic notes and when I told MW at the booking appt that I have PCOS and was under the fertility clinic she didn't comment or put anything in my notes about it. I've not been referred to a consultant or anything either.

It seems very hit+miss whether a referral is done or not. I used to have a high BMI but have lost weight since becoming pg and am now in the 'normal' range so perhaps thats why the MW hasnt referred me? I dunno I'd just like some consistency really!

Hi LifesComplicated, you must be due just a week after me :)
Tell me to bugger off if you want but did you conceive naturally or with a bit of help?

We didn't get as far as discussing our options at the clinic I'm just wondering how common it is to fall pg with PCOS unassisted. We'd been trying for nearly 3 years and all being well we want to have more than the one DC.

Got my consultant appointment through today and it's after my scan on Tuesday! So all will be revealed then.

Hi LisMcA - I'm glad youve had your consultant appt through and it's as soon as tomorrow, that's great and hopefully will shed more light on the situation. Congrats on your pregnancy by the way, and it's great we're due within a week of eachother!

In answer to your question, yes we conceived completely naturally in the end. Ironically we'd been recently told that we'd never conceive naturally due to our combined reduced fertility, and had been about to begin Clomid fertility treatment for 3 months and then IVF. We decided to postpone starting the Clomid as we had too much on our plates (house move etc) and then it immediately happened naturally. Totally bizarre. Did you also conceive naturally I take it?
In terms of wanting more than one - I'm totally with you on that one, and I too have been wondering whether that will be faesible without assistance but have since heard that in most cases PCOS clears up following pregnancy/birth, so we may find we are free of it after our pregnancies.
Let's hope so!

Thanks LifeComplicated!

Yep all natural for us too. Weird how that happens! My mums friend works in a fertility unit in another NHS area and she said it is so common for people to turn up for treatment already PG and not knowing. Could you imagine that shock!!

I'll keep you posted on my appointment tomorrow :o

How did your appt go Lisa? Hope it went well.

I hope everyone else on this thread is well too

Hi LifesComplicated!

Appointment went really well. I really needn't of worried. They don't want to see me again until 34 weeks. They expect everything to be smooth. I still have to go to the metabolic clinic but that is for part of a research thing they are doing up here for us larger ladies. I don't have to go if i don't want to.

I need to have glucose tolerance test at 28 weeks but they do them for all PG ladies here.

We had our scan too yesterday. It was amazing! Little fella(or fella-ess) was kicking and waving at us! Its all real now!

Hi everyone! Sorry is it possible to have PCOS and be underweight? I was diagnosed with it a few years ago, however, I had regular periods and absolutely no problems conceiving. I actually forgot I had it, and then I read this thread and it made me really worried now. Should I tell my doctor I have it and got extra tests done asap? Is the glucose test for everyone or only if one is overweight? My BMI is 16...

I have PCOS and have been on metformin for years. WHen it came to TTC, I saw a fertility specialist and an endocrinologist.

The endocrinologist told me that metformin can be effective in stimulating ovulation in women with PCOS, and also in preventing miscarriage.

I continued to take metformin during both of my pregnancies, as it also helps reduce the risk of gestational diabetes, which I unfortunately developed in my 2nd pregnancy.

2 years post-natally, however, I am nearly 4 stone lighter than I was pre-pregnancy and I think it is down to changing my lifestyle and diet as a result of the gestational diabetes.

With my 2nd pregnancy I had no fertility treatment and got pregnant by accident, so PCOS does not necessarily mean that there will fertility issues.

Hi Lilly,

It is very possible to be underwieght with PCOS. Victoria Beckham can speak for that.

In fact, quite interesting this, my GP gave be a bit of background to PCOS which I found facinating.

the gene that causes it goes back to "olden days" where famine was a very real possibility. It was at this time when "nornal women" didn't conceive because of low BMI. I don't think the had BMI's back then, but you see what I mean. It was left to the PCOS ladies to conceive and give birth to keep the population going.

I had lost nearly 2 stone when i fell pregnant, my GP says my body maybe thought there was a famine and had to do it's bit for human race survival! That's what I'm sticking with anyway!

Lilly if you are worried speak to your midwife or GP. I am still quite overweight and think this may be the reason for the monitoring I am getting. And everyone is different. I'm sure everything will be fine. Good luck :o

LisMcA and Llaraggub, thank you for your sharing your experiences! I really appreciate this. Will speak with the doctor. Wishing you both nice and easy pregnancies!