PCOS and Pregnancy

[CoffeeAndCarbs]

Hi All,

I found out on Thursday that I'm pregnant with my 1st 🥰

I am 35 and have PCOS and last time I had bloods done at the GP (in August) my prolactin levels were high (not sure of the numbers). I can self refer to midwives but wonder if it's worth making an appointment with my GP first as I likely won't be seen by midwives until I'm 8-10 2weeks (I'm only 4+2) today.

I've had good line progression over the past 3 days but concerned that my out of whack hormones could have a negative effect on early pregnancy.

Could anyone else PCOS advise me on what's best to do please?

Thanks x

@CoffeeAndCarbs congratulations! What I would say is if you have any doubt go visit your gp. I also have pcos and found out we were pregnant in March. Unfortunately I miscarried a few weeks later and I never knew why. Reading online though people with pcos have issues with low progesterone etc so I know next time I fond out I'll be straight to the gp to make sure my levals are good! Just for piece of mind !

Thank you @dublino you are right, I want to make sure from the very start that everything is as it should be (and start treatment if they aren't).

Sorry to hear about your loss. I really hope you get another BFP soon 🤞 x

@CoffeeAndCarbs thanks . Best to put your mind at ease at the very least. Hopefully will find out if I get my second bfp on Monday! Best of luck

@dublino thanks so much! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you 🤞 x

Yes pcos can increase the risk of miscarriage in natural pregnancies in the Uk - I believe because often you can’t get prompt access to medication (private insurers, for example, won’t refer you unless a NHS consultant agrees and you don’t often get to see one until 20 weeks so it’s all a bit late for the early in pregnancy problems that could occur).

I would, personally, try to insist on progesterone because high prolactin (I have it too) is often linked to low progesterone. I was on pesseries until 16 weeks (but it was an IVF pregnancy). I am also hypothyroid with antibodies and have a clotting disorder too - both of which tend to be more common with women who also have pcos. So it’s a good idea to ask for those tests from the midwife. (You might need to fight for the clotting disorder test because the NHS only offers it after 3 miscarriages).

Another thing I would begin to take now is extra folic acid / folate because pcos does impact folic acid absorption. I was recommended Pregnacare Max by my consultant as it has a mix of folate and folic acid so you can top up extra too and keep it going throughout pregnancy - you can’t really take too much during pregnancy, and those extra supplements will definitely help with breastfeeding as women with pcos tend to have less glandular / milk producing tissue. It also can help guard against preclampsia which you should be considered higher risk for (question it if not) and prescribed aspirin from a specific point in pregnancy.

Another thing I suggest is watch your calories and diet and try to maximise fresh fruit, veg, good fats, and lean meats / proteins. Women with PCOS can often develop similar issues to high BMI women at really low BMIs - so you do need to keep your BMI below 25 if possible (or not gain any weight). Your mw should be able to support this by referring you to a dietician but you may need to fight for this if you are underweight or a normal BMI because mw incorrectly view you as low risk when actually the PCOS increases your risk.

This might all seem like scaremongering but it’s really, really not. The NHS is crap at treating women with PCOS through their entire lives - the only reason I ever got any treatment or advice on mine was because my fertility was impacted!

Thanks for all the info @Teddybear45 that's really good to know!

I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 19 and have never been treated for it, despite the presence of multiple 'cysts' on my ovaries which a scan confirmed and wildly high hormones (particularly testosterone) and prolactin.

I was referred to the fertility clinic by my GP 3 months ago and still awaiting my appointment (which I hopefully won't need) but he didn't say anything about getting back in touch if I were to fall pregnant naturally. I've now made an appointment for wednesday (the soonest available) and will raise these concerns with him before self refering to midwives.

I have been taking folic Acid (4mg) for about 6 months now and my BMI is currently 24.7 so hopefully OK on that score. Was going to start taking a Vit D supplement today. I tried Pregnacare Conception and it gave me terrible heartburn and nausea even though I took it with food as instructed.

I would say talk to your GP of you're worried about your hormone levels but just thought I'd share my story with you as I also have PCOS diagnosed at 19.

I have had to natural pregnancies both of which have been fairly straight forward and had not problems in terms of PCOS. I would say the main thing is to try and keep a healthy balanced diet going and some light exercise

Thanks @Chuchu14 that's reassuring to know. I have cut out caffeine and am trying to cut down on sugar. I will aim to get more fruit and veg into my diet and ensure I get a bit more exercise too. Hopefully the GP will put my mind at rest 🤞 x

Hello,

Just thought I'd update in case anyone comes looking for a thread like this...

I had my GP appointment yesterday and he has arranged for me to have my blood done today to check my hormone levels. I explained my concerns about the high prolactin and he is suspecting that my levels must have fallen to within normal range as, in his words, 'it's very difficult to conceive with high prolactin'.

Once my results are back he is going to make the referral to midwives rather than me self referring as he wants to copy in endocrinology. I have an appointment with the endo department for the middle of next month but the GP said I will likely hear from them before then to bring the appointment forward. He also said the consultant will probably want to see me. This is all making me feel reassured that I will be receiving the right monitoring.

I'm 5+0 today going by LMP but I know I ovulated CD20 of my cycle so that puts me back 5 days. I got 1-2 weeks on a clear blue digital weeks indicator on Monday (13dpo) and 2-3 weeks this morning at 16dpo so... so far so good!