Numerous studies suggest that maternal PCOS is associated with an increased rate of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including early pregnancy loss,7–8 gestational diabetes,8–14 hypertensive disorders,8, 11–19 20 small-for-gestational age infants,8, 21 and preterm birth.
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at higher risk for certain problems or complications during pregnancy. In addition, infants born to mothers with PCOS are at higher risk of spending time in the neonatal intensive care unit or dying before, during, or right after birth.
Best age to get pregnant with PCOS
The best time for women with PCOS to get pregnant is before they turn 30. It's possible to conceive up to the age of 37, but fertility declines after the age of 32 with steeper decline occurring after age 37.
So women with PCOS are more likely to have trouble conceiving than other women. While most women who have PCOS become pregnant, they often take longer to fall pregnant and are more likely to need fertility treatment than women without PCOS.
Women with PCOS have increased risk of pregnancy complications such as preterm birth,5, 6 gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia. Hyperandrogenism may further increase the risk of PCOS-related pregnancy complications. Stillbirth is a rare but devastating pregnancy complication.
Women with PCOS may be more likely to have multiples (twins, or more). One study found that while the multiple pregnancy rate is 1.1% in the average population, it is 9.1% for women with PCOS patients.
About 75% to 80% women with PCOS will ovulate after CC, and a conception rate of 22% per cycle has been reported.
Women with PCOS are at an increased risk of obstetric outcomes including preterm and operative delivery. Association with low birthweight maybe mediated by lower gestational age at delivery.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Miscarriage
In women with PCOS, however, the risk is about three times the normal risk. Many specialists believe that the rate of early pregnancy loss in PCOS women is due to other related factors, including a higher incidence of insulin resistance, hyperandrogenemia, and obesity.
As a result, PCOS is associated with reduced fertility. Age is a key factor in infertility. After the age of 35, a woman's fertility decreases. Some studies suggest that age-related decline (ARD) in fertility is slower in women with PCOS.
As previously stated, the shape of a PCOS belly differs from other types of weight gain. It often appears large and bloated but can also be small and round, depending on genetics and other factors. The PCOS belly involves the accumulation of visceral fat in the lower abdomen and typically feels firm to the touch.
It is a common misconception that PCOS goes away after pregnancy. However, having a baby does not mean your condition disappears. It's important that you pay attention to any symptoms that may reemerge.
PCOS can cause low milk supply due to a lack of prolactin (an essential milk producing hormone) or can cause oversupply. Various treatments can help to increase milk supply including metformin, inositol, domperidone and various herbs or supplements.
About 70% of women who have PCOS have difficulty conceiving, either because of ovulation issues or not having enough progesterone. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a condition caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones that results in problems in the ovaries.
If you have PCOS, you are also at increased risk of having a baby larger than expected for their gestational age. This comes with a higher risk of needing a caesarean delivery. Babies born to people with PCOS have a higher chance of being admitted to a newborn intensive care unit.
Women whose mother or sister has PCOS or type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop PCOS. Lifestyle can have a big impact on insulin resistance, especially if a woman is overweight because of an unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity. Insulin resistance also runs in families.
Many women with PCOS feel that the reason for not ovulating is because their ovaries contain fewer eggs than normal. However the fact is women with PCOS may actually be endowed with a larger ovarian reserve at birth [7,8].
In addition, once a pregnancy is achieved, spontaneous miscarriages can also be observed more frequently in PCOS patients; the risk has been reported to range from 42 to 73% [2]. Miscarriage is among the most common complications during pregnancy and can be sporadic or recurrent [4].
In fact, research has suggested that women with PCOS are more likely to have a miscarriage with 30-50% of PCOS women likely to miscarry compared to 10-15% of women without PCOS.
It's also important to note that some women with PCOS find it easy to get pregnant with a first or second child but then struggle with infertility in later pregnancies, something known as secondary infertility.
Women with PCOS have a different balance of gut bacteria that can reduce the absorption of nutrients and can have trouble digesting food properly. This can lead to bloating and abdominal discomfort.
Experts believe that elevated male hormones in women are what causes PCOS belly. Several other factors may play a role in the big and bloated stomach. This includes insulin resistance, genetics, hormonal imbalance, metabolism defects, and inflammation.
Although a majority of cases with PCOS are obese/overweight, a small but significant proportion of patients present with normal body mass index (BMI; ≤25 kg/M2) that makes diagnostic work up and therapeutic approach more difficult. These cases are termed as lean PCOS.