PCOS and Pregnant

[Amsylou]

Hello,

DH and I have been trying to conceive for a year now with no luck, so went to GP to get blood tests done to check fertility, and then happened to get BFP one week before my GP appointment to get blood test results.

At GP, I was told everything normal except that I didn't ovulate and that it is likely I have PCOS. I then told GP I just got a positive pregnancy test and I would be 6 weeks (now nearly 8 weeks). GP said PCOS makes it harder to get pregnant but should not affect pregnancy. However, GP recommended early scan (plus normal 12 week scan) on my notes, so I was slightly suspicious.

Of course, I've been goolging PCOS and pregnancy and apparently miscarriage rate is up to 50%! I know there is not much I can do at this point, but I wondered if anyone else has been diagnosed with PCOS and what their experiences were?

Hi,

My wife has this and we were told the same. First child completely fine and at 12 weeks with second so don't panic!!!

Hope all goes well

I have pcos and have had two healthy pregnancies with no complications either time. No early scans or worries for me. Congratulations!

Thanks both, this is putting my mind at ease. I think I would be less stressed if it wasn't our first and had we not have difficulties for the first year TTC.

I'm just grateful that we've made it this far, just hoping for a healthy pregnancy now.

Most miscarriages happen very early, even with pcos. Rates drop dramatically and nice a heartbeat is seen and then again once through the first trimester. You're nearly there!!

I have PCOS and Endometriosis.

Currently at 18+3

I did have some bright red somewhat heavy bleeding around 6 weeks, and 9 weeks. But was referred to the Early Pregnancy Unit and there was nothing wrong.

Hi I have pcos I had 4.5 years of trying before my first healthy pregnancy that went two weeks late. I then miscarried my next pregnancy followed by a healthy pregnancy I've had two more miscarriages and I'm now pregnant again 19 weeks. I'll never know the reason for losses though I suspect it may have been the hormone issues pcos causes but I could be wrong but I have long 42 day cycles and I suffer with terrible pms symptoms. Best of luck with your pregnancy x

Thanks. I've been fortunate not to have any bleeding so far, so I'm hoping that is a good sign. It's still early days though.

@Lunablue765 sorry to hear about your struggles, but glad I'm happy for your good news now.

My cycle is all over the place, from 28 days to 50 (and that's just the last year since I've been tracking). I get awful period pains and issues with my skin, which is partly why PCOS was suspected for a while.

Hopefully all goes OK with the rest of your pregnancy. x

Pcos here and 2 very healthy pregnancies. I was never referred for extra scans. I did have a test for gestational diabetes each pregnancy but both were negative. Try not to worry. Congratulations

Yes, miscarriage rate is slightly increased with PCOS, though I don't think as much as 50%! I was diagnosed while TTC and needed Clomid to conceive DS1, his pregnancy was totally uneventful. Got pregnant spontaneouly with DS2 and again fairly straightforward pregnancy. You're at higher risk of gestational diabetes so will need testing, but otherwise don't stress yourself out too much!

PCOS and two healthy babies here (one currently napping). Had two pretty straightforward pregnancies. I had early scans for both because I had a fibroid in my womb which they wanted to keep an eye on, but no major issues with either. I had the gestational diabetes tests both times (I was also old and fat in medical terms so the holy trinity of different symptoms!) but both came back negative.

PCOS didn't really have any impact on either conceiving or my pregnancies (I'd been taking Metformin for a few years beforehand but stopped during the pregnancies). The one thing that no-one mentioned that caused me a lot of trouble and distress is that PCOS can make breast feeding much more difficult, so full and frank conversations with midwife/health visitor when the time comes.

Massive congratulations!

PCOS pregnancies causes a higher risk of severe preclampsia, gestational diabetes, higher miscarriage/stillbirth risks (even when you take Metformin) and the PCOS itself being an autoimmune condition usually comes with disorders which can also screw up a pregnancy.

If you have PCOS the mw should be referring you to the consultant as part of your booking in appointment and they should decide, on the basis of specific blood tests, whether your pregnancy requires extra monitoring. Never accept it when the mw tells you PCOS pregnancies aren’t high risk.

I have PCOS and now have a beautiful 8 month DD so anything is possible and I didn't have any problems either! I was consultant led all the way through and they were amazing so be prepared for the midwife to refer you to a consultant nothing to worry about but it's great to have that second opinion and second person to talk to if anything worries you

Hi OP,
I too have pcos. I had an MMC at 12 weeks about 2 years ago and took me after my MMC to ovulate to get pregnant again. Currently 30 weeks pregnant and this pregnancy has been completely problem free so far! I too had an early scan (around 8 weeks I think, but that could have been because of mmc history?) I did have a small bleed which got me worried at around 6 weeks but turns out it was just implantation so nothing to worry about! Got everything crossed for you ♥️

Thanks all, this is a lot of helpful information. I still haven't had a letter from the NHS yet regarding early scan, and my first midwife appointment is in a week, so will raise it then.

I think it's helpful to consider that regardless of risk of miscarriage I'm at least pregnant, and hoping for a problem free pregnancy. I hit 8 weeks today so I'm feeling more positive.

I think once I get to first scan I'll feel like celebrating. It's just the wait now!