Questions about PCOS and pregnancy
morgycg
Posts: 38 Member
Hi all,
I'm excited that I am currently 5.5 weeks pregnant. It was not an easy road to get pregnant due to my PCOS and now that I am, I'm wondering what "normal" pregnancy symptoms are for women with this condition. It seems that I have the more unusual symptoms, so of course I'm anxious that something is wrong all the time, but also wonder if it's related to my PCOS. I am also on vaginal progesterone suppositories so it's possible some of my symptoms are caused by that.
Throughout this pregnancy I've had severe bloating (I look 4 months preggo), breast tenderness and enlargement, insomnia (never a problem before), and vivid dreams. The bloating is not due to constipation since I don't have that issue. More concerning is that I've had light spotting twice and off and on I get mild cramps/achiness. The doctor said not to worry unless it gets worse, but of course I do worry about it.
I would love to hear from other women who have PCOS and have had successful pregnancies to learn more about their specific symptoms while pregnant. Thanks!
I'm excited that I am currently 5.5 weeks pregnant. It was not an easy road to get pregnant due to my PCOS and now that I am, I'm wondering what "normal" pregnancy symptoms are for women with this condition. It seems that I have the more unusual symptoms, so of course I'm anxious that something is wrong all the time, but also wonder if it's related to my PCOS. I am also on vaginal progesterone suppositories so it's possible some of my symptoms are caused by that.
Throughout this pregnancy I've had severe bloating (I look 4 months preggo), breast tenderness and enlargement, insomnia (never a problem before), and vivid dreams. The bloating is not due to constipation since I don't have that issue. More concerning is that I've had light spotting twice and off and on I get mild cramps/achiness. The doctor said not to worry unless it gets worse, but of course I do worry about it.
I would love to hear from other women who have PCOS and have had successful pregnancies to learn more about their specific symptoms while pregnant. Thanks!
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Replies
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I just wanted to congratulate you! I haven't been successful yet so I do not have any tips to give you but I do understand how hard you tried to concieve this little mircle and wanted to give you that congratulations!0
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Thank you! I thought I would be happy just to know I can get pregnant, but now of course I over-analyze everything that's going on with my body.0
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I always felt crazy and questioned everything - especially during the first tri!! As far as the bloating, dreams, breast tenderness and all that - I think that is just how you react to not only the pregnancy but also the stress of it all that you are feeling...I always had slight cramping around 5-6 weeks...and I was told that was normal...as far as the spotting - I never had spotting - but I know a lot of people without PCOS that did and they went on to have healthy babies!!
Has the dr been testing your blood and that's why you have progesterone?? Or did they just automatically start you out on it?? With my second child - the dr checked my blood and I started to go down in progesterone so I then went on it and my blood was checked every week throughout the first tri... I had the type of progesterone gel that is inserted through the vag...those side effects were just an abnormal amount of discharge and sometimes it was a little clumpy (sorry if this is to much info)...but all in all the progesterone did help me throughout my first tri and I went on to having a strong healthy boy
I wish you all the best!!!!!0 -
Congratulations! I think all your symptoms are common in any pregnancy, PCOS doesn't change much for you once you are pregnant. The hard part is over. That said I had bleeding during both of my first trimesters, but I didn't miscarry either time. Although my first pregnancy ended in a stillbirth, but it was unrelated to PCOS. My 2nd pregnancy I was on oral progesterone my entire pregnancy.0
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Thanks @LoveFitNation! I had problems with my progesterone levels since stopping birth control. I was having spotting nearly everyday before I got pregnant, so my doctor recommended I go on it to help prevent a miscarriage due to low progesterone.0
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Thanks for sharing your story lilynblue. I'm sorry about your first pregnancy. It is reassuring to know that others have had spotting and went on to have a normal pregnancy. I know my doctor plans to keep me on the progesterone at least through my 1st trimester, but I'll have to ask about the rest of my pregnancy.0
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I'm in the same boat. 5 weeks today, actually. My symptoms have been some bloating (but not too much), insomnia, congestion (could be unrelated), and *extreme* breast tenderness. Wearing a sports bra helps. I also have cramping off and on, but nothing too painful. Apparently all of these things are normal.
I don't have an appointment until 8 weeks, so have no idea about my progesterone levels. I'm hoping that the theory that pregnancy hormones take over and override the PCOS is true since I've been worried about my high testosterone levels.
Did you get pregnant the old fashion way or with some assistance? This embryo is courtesy of clomid.
I'm so terrified but so excited! I sent you a friend request also. Let's stick together!0 -
@queenfrump - you can always call your doctor and have them check your blood each week to see if you need to be on progesterone...with my first child I didn't have a doctor that did this - I was on metformin - but honestly I think that dr just didn't know an extreme amount about PCOS (baby was fine and healthy - I just don't think the dr had a lot of experience with PCOS)... Then we moved and before I could ever meet my new dr we got pregnant...when I called to make an appointment they said at 8-10 weeks would be my first appointment - I asked if that was still true since I have PCOS - they then had me come in each week to the nurses and get blood taken to test for the progesterone...I finally met my dr at 10 weeks but by that point I had been to the office 5 times and was on progesterone gel...this is not to scare you or anything!!!! In my experience everything freaked me out some when I was pregnant...this is purely just what my experience was with both of my children...one time I did have progesterone and the other time I didn't... 0
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@queenfrump! Good luck with your pregnancy and I accepted your friend request!
I agree with LoveFitNation that you should call your doctor and ask for bloodwork to test progesterone levels. If they are low and you take a supplement, this can help prevent miscarriage caused by low progesterone. Are you seeing an RE/fertility specialist or OBGYN?
I did Clomid and an IUI to conceive and I am seeing an RE, which is why they are more proactive about having me on progesterone and doing bloodwork and early ultrasounds. They said in a few more weeks, once the heartbeat has been detected, then my risk goes down and I can transfer to my OBGYN's care. Hope that helps!0 -
Thanks! I'm in the care of my ob/gyn, who was the same doctor who diagnosed the PCOS to begin with. I asked her face to face during the clomid treatment if I would need any special monitoring or anything if I did get pregnant and she said no.
I'm not sure if that was based on my baseline blood work (maybe I don't have a problem with progesterone), or she doesn't think it is necessary in general.0 -
Awesome! It's always a good thing when you have a doctor you can trust!! Wishing you all the best - I'm sure you will enjoy every minute of it 0
