Things have been very quiet on the blog recently and it’s been far too long since my last article. I’m really sorry about the silence! The thing is: I’m PREGNANT! We’re so excited that our little family of three will soon be four but on a personal level, I feel like I have won a battle against my PCOS (I’m still waging war against it but I’m celebrating the victory of this battle for now).
Before I get onto some of the things that I did to aid my fertility, I thought I’d share my experience of the first trimester, for those of you who are also pregnant or trying to conceive.
The last three months have been harder than anticipated. I don’t remember things being this hard the first time round but then I didn’t have a toddler to look after and I also didn’t know all the stats and figures relating to PCOS and miscarriage. I have to say that I think I have been genuinely depressed over the last three months. This is probably a combination of raging pregnancy hormones and huge anxiety over miscarriage. Now that I’m coming out of the first trimester, I am starting to feel more like myself and it is such a relief (my hubby agrees!)
The risk of miscarriage with PCOS is a real one and I know one that many of you have experienced the heartache of miscarriage. I do believe that there are things that we can do to lower our risk of miscarriage and it is something that I will be looking into in the future so that we can all give our future pregnancies the best possible chance. Also, miscarriage is not inevitable just because you have PCOS. I have been incredibly fortunate to never have suffered a miscarriage and this is my second pregnancy. So, more on that in the future, but for now, let’s have a look at some of the steps I took to improve my fertility.
All of the things that I did to aid my fertility I have spoken about before in various articles on the blog so none of it is new, really. Here is a break down anyway:
PCOS Diet:
I have been very careful about my diet, making sure that I eat plenty of vegetables, some fruit in moderation, lean protein and some healthy snacks like nuts and apple with almond butter. I have totally avoided processed foods and only eaten whole foods. A typical day looks like this:
- Breakfast: 2 eggs with some bacon or a green smoothie
- Lunch: Salad with some lean meat like chicken breast or salmon
- Dinner: Roasted vegetables (sweet potatoes, baby new potatoes and parsnips) with broccoli or other greens and steak or chicken.
- Snacks: Nuts, trail mix, fruit with almond butter
So, you can see that I always have some protein at every meal to moderate the release of carbs into my blood stream so that my insulin levels don’t spike. Also, I have a moderate carb in take. I have been following the meal plans that I put together for the PCOS Diet Support Community. You can find out more about the meal plans here, if you are interested.
Supplements:
Inositol and Folic Acid: You can read more about Inositol here but I think that this is a vital supplement for women with PCOS, whether you are trying to conceive or not. I took 2g in the morning and 2g in the evening, and one 400mcg Folic acid daily.
Omega 3: This is important in lowering your testosterone levels. If you can lower your testosterone levels, you should see an improvement in a lot of your PCOS symptoms. I took 3,600mg fish oil with 792mg EPA and 288mg for a total Omega 3 intake of 1,080mg per day.
Vitamin D: Vitamin D is important for fertility in general and is a vitamin that 83% of women with PCOS are lacking in. It also helps with insulin resistance. The Vitamin D council recommends that you take 5,000 IU/day.
Exercise:
I must confess that I have not been particularly good about exercising, in spite of all of the research that I did on the importance of exercise for PCOS. I do have a very busy two year old so I’m often on the go and don’t tend to sit for long periods of time. We also do try to get out and walk to the park or local shops when we can. But that really is the extent of my exercise and activity.
Fertility charting:
I have also been taking my basal body temperature every morning to monitor whether or not I was ovulating. You can read more about that here. I really found this helpful because when my cycle was erratic, I knew it was down to my PCOS and not pregnancy (this saved me a small fortune on pregnancy tests!) Also, when I did fall pregnant, I was able to pinpoint the exact day that I ovulated to more accurately calculate my due date.
There’s Hope:
I had been doing all of these things consistently for close on a year prior to falling pregnant with the aim of managing my PCOS. We started actively trying for a baby 5 months before we conceived. If you are struggling to fall pregnant and becoming despondent with your fertility journey, here are some stats to give you some hope:
A 2009 study of 154 women with PCOS showed that:
- 86.7% of those who attempted to fall pregnant had given birth to at least one child (91% of women in the control group who didn’t have PCOS had at least one child).
- 67.5% of the women involved had at least one spontaneous pregnancy.
- Interestingly, this study did not show an increased rate of miscarriage in women with PCOS.
- Also, women with PCOS tend to have a higher ovarian reserve. As our cycle is often irregular, not all of our follicles mature, meaning that we have more viable follicles when we are older than women without PCOS do. Basically, age is not necessarily as big a hindrance to falling pregnant for women with PCOS.
Summing it up:
So, I hope that my story and some of the research gives you hope and determination on your journey to extend your family. By following a good diet, taking your supplements and exercising regularly, you are giving your body the best shot of falling pregnant and maintaining that pregnancy.
I’m sure that there are so many of you who are trying to conceive or have already conceived. I’d love to hear from you so that we can celebrate our victories and encourage each other when it’s needed! Leave me a comment below!
117 Responses
I’m 26 and after stopping the pill 12 months ago I didn’t get my period back, that’s when I saw a doctor and found out I had PCOS. My husband and I were obviously trying to conceive, I changed my diet, exercised regularly but nothing was helping me ovulate. I ended up getting prescribed Clomid and I fell pregnant on the first cycle of the medication. I’m now 9 weeks pregnant with my first and we feel so excited and also very blessed that it worked so well for us first go.
Congratulations on your pregnancy too!
You are doing amazing work! Thanks for sharing your wonderful posts. I was diagnosed with PCOS and started taking Metformin 👍. At first I was taking 500mg daily, then 1000, then 1500. I was so happy I’ve found “Met850rx” in Google and got treatment so soon. I lost 30 lbs in 4 months. We had been trying to get pregnant, so I was elated when I took at pregnancy test and it was positive! I’m now 37 wks + and having a baby boy ❤️! I have gained 20 lbs. during my pregnancy and feel wonderful.
I’m 26 years old and my husband and I have been TTC for a little over 2 years. I was just diagnosed with PCOS about three weeks ago. I have been doing a lot of research on things you can try. What would you suggest that I take? I want to try some of the supplements.
Hi Sarah Tiner,
I was also dagnosed with PCOS last 2017. While I’m struggling with PCOS, my husband has a 0.5 million sperm count (normal is 60 million up) due to varicocele. Not into contraceptives and surgery for my husband, we’ve decided to take traditional Chinese herbal medicine found at Binondo, Manila. I’ve only took this for 12 days, my husband for 20 days. We’ve included taking up folic acid, Vit C, Vit E. Next sperm analysis showed an increased count of 10.6 million. He decided to take another 20 days of taking it, but of course with adjusted prescription from the Chinese doctor. At the sixth day of my period, I took Clomid for 5 days (Yes, we’ve combined Traditional and Western medications), my husband for 25 days (half pill of Clomid only). After 40 days of Chinese herbal medicine, 25 days of Clomid, my husband prepared for another sperm analysis. Before he was able to do that, we found out we’re pregnant!
Hey,
I just got diagnosed with PCOS a couple weeks ago. My husband and I have been trying for a little over 2 years. I have done a lot of research on all the supplements. Would you suggest that I take inositol, folic acid, omega 3, and vitamin D. Since I was diagnosed I have lost 5 pounds, started eating better, and exercising. I want to try different things naturally before the IUI or IVF.
Hi Tarryn,
Your column is very helpful for a woman with PCOS. After 1 month of trying your advise,im now pregnant..😙.Me and my husband almost trying to conceived for more than 6 years. We tried also insemination and IVF but it doesnt work. After i read your article and try the PCOS diet you shared..its work! Im now 6 weeks pregnant..Thanks to your article!😊
Hi Ailyn, Congratulations! So thrilled for you. I hope you have the most magical pregnancy 🙂
Hi Tarryn,
Just like what our sisters have mentioned, this site is very informative and it gives hope to someone who’s been struggling with PCOS. I was diagnosed also to have PCOS 2 years ago (with cysts on my ovaries) and had visited my OB. She has given me progesterone and clomid to regulate my menstruation as it has stopped and to make me ovulate. But I have to stop taking these because of persistent acne and nausea ( I guess its side effects) and due to the fact that I have to go back overseas for my work. When I had a vacation last December, I visited another Dr which has done numerous further scanning and tests to find out the reason why I am not conceiving. As per my Dr. all tests have found to be fine except that I have a fatty liver which caused her to advise me to observe my diet and reduce weight. I must admit that I am overweight/obese and I am on the process of changing my life style and diet. She did not recommend any medications to me as oppose to what was done by my first doctor. She just advise me to reduce weight. To make it worse, we have also found out that my husband has a low sperm count but the doctor is optimistic in our situation.
As of this writing, 18 May 2018, i did not have my mestruation yet since December 2017 (when I stop taking the progesterone). My question would be, should I continue to take medications or to loose weight first before I continue? Also, would it be advisable to take food supplements just like what you mentioned on some of your advises like taking follic acid, omega 3 etc. though I am not having my period? We are praying and hoping to conceive this year and I hope you could help us with your advises.
Thank you.
Did you take myo insoltol during pregnancy as well?
Yip 🙂 It has some wonderful protective benefits during pregnancy too
Is there a certain prenatal vitamin you recommend for TTC with PCOS?
Hi, I am just starting on my own trying to take care of my pcos myself. My gynecologist refused to give me my progesterone unless I come into to his office and have another biopsy done, (even though he knows I need it to get a period and knows one trying to pay off my bills before making more bills. So I decided to go a more natural route which I prefer and I have orders milk thistle and raspberry leaves to begin along with prenatal. I seen the MyoIsonitol and was wondering since it is a sugar alcohol how can that be safe for us with pcos since it is derived directly from sugar something which we are supposed to avoid? I seen some supplements that I am willing to try with that In it but I am on the fence. Can someone explain this to me please? Also, do you take these things everyday consistently or is it something you have to stop taking when you are ready to get your period ,(like what you would do with progesterone)? Also, I would like a good protein shake without high sugars and that is not going to conflict with my pcos in anyway.
I’m 32 years old, and I’ve had PCOS for as long as I can recall. After my husband and I got married, we started trying for a baby. I got pregnant but sadly ended in miscarriage just last October. We are finally trying again, but I was wondering how do you get past the fear of miscarriage? I’m horrified thinking it could all end again, and it would be all my fault because I’ve been cursed with PCOS. There are so many real fears of miscarriage and pcos, I don’t know how to not think about it. My mom had 2 miscarriages and I’m so scared I’ll have another. How did you cope knowing miscarriage is a legitimate concern with pcos?
Miscarriage in PCOS patients is often do to low progesterone, which is vital at the beginning of pregnancy. I have PCOS, and when I became pregnant for the first time I had low progesterone, however the doctor gave me progesterone pills. When I started taking inositol, my progesterone was naturally at health levels.
I have pcos.. I lost my first baby.. when I got pregnant again.. I worried myself sick… but Thanks to God I was blessed with a beautiful daughter.. now 19. When I tried again 4 yrs later .. i has 3-4 miscarriages.. then was blessed with a baby boy.. now 14. I’m 51… in my second marriage and my crazy husband wants a baby. But I.n reply to your message.. the fear doesn’t go away.. at least it didn’t for me.. but don’t give up hope… that’s one thing I held onto.. and celebrate each moment. God Bless and I pray all goes well for you 💗🙏🏻💗
Tarryn did you continue to take iniositol during your pregnancy? I just found out I’m pregnant and my RE said I can stop taking it, but that makes me nervous… Wondering what other people did.
Hi Marisa,
Congratulations on your pregnancy! That’s amazing news.
I continued Inositol for the first trimester and then stopped. I have however researched that it is safe to continue through pregnancy and it is also shown mohave protective benefits for your baby – here is some research on it for you:https://sites.google.com/site/miscarriageresearch/supplements-and-miscarriage/d-chiro-inositol
I hope you have an amazing pregnancy!
Hello! I recently had a boy! He’s 4 months old and I want to continue taking supplements but stopped because I was unsure about safety while breastfeeding. Is inositol and the other recommended supplements safe while breastfeeding? My testosterone is very high but I’m worried to treat it because I’m worried of negative affects while breastfeeding a boy!
Totaly safe while breastfeeding. Inositol is a natural substance our body uses all the time for second messaging. We have deficiencies at certain places, so we supplement.
hi Eli, what amount of inositol were you taking during pregnancy. And were you taking other vitamins aside from prenatals
I did continue taking inositol during pregnancy, and I was fine. I did have early on, about 20 weeks contraction (and some suspect inositol to increase oxytocin), however, the doctor was not concerned about my contraction, and indeed, thanks GOD, I gave birth full term.
Even I am suffering from PCOS. I found your blog helpful. I will try your tip. Hope it should work on me also…and yes Congratulations!!!!