Effects of PCOS after having a baby

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is one of the most common causes of female fertility problems as well as a complex endocrine and metabolic disorder that can have a tremendous impact on a woman's quality of life. Caused by a hormonal imbalance, PCOS can affect the ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes. PCOS is a leading reason for female infertility, but it is possible to get pregnant with this condition.

So what are the effects of PCOS after having a baby?

The first thing to take into a account when it comes to trying to get pregnant with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is that women suffering from it also have a significantly increased risk of having a miscarriage. Miscarriage rates are said to be at around 50 percent for women who have PCOS, compared to 15 percent of the general population.

There are lifestyle changes that you can make to reduce your chances of having a miscarriage, as well as lessening the likelihood that you will experience complications during your pregnancy such as gestational diabetes, hypertension in pregnancy, and babies born with a very high birth weight.

Many of these lifestyle changes to promote a healthy pregnancy in women with PCOS focus on diet and health habits that reverse insulin resistance, which is an underlying cause of PCOS. Pregnancy complications resulting from PCOS are a risk that can be managed with medications, notably metformin.

If you are pregnant and have PCOS, you must be asking yourself whether your birth will be different because of your Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, and what the effects of PCOS are after having a baby. Once you arrive at the later stages of pregnancy, alongside excellent prenatal care, you are unlikely to have a delivery that differs very much from that of women who do not have PCOS.

There is some good news for women who did manage to conceive while suffering from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Many women with PCOS report that they had a normal delivery, and that their PCOS symptoms decreased after they gave birth, possibly due to an altered hormonal balance. It is possible that your symptoms will be greatly reduced after having a baby. It is even possible that conceiving a second child will be easier after giving birth, as your menstrual cycle may be more regular.

Unfortunately, very little information is available on this subject, but we do know that you can continue to manage your PCOS symptoms with weight control, metformin where prescribed, and regular exercise. A low glycemic index is often recommended for women with PCOS, and that does not change after you beecome a mother.

Did you conceive after a PCOS diagnosis? What did your doctor tell you about the effects of PCOS after birth? Will things really get better? Have you already given birth, and what are your experiences? We would love to hear from you!