A common symptom of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is an irregular menstrual cycle. So, it's hard for you to know if you're pregnant or just haven't had your period. Although the only way to be sure is a positive pregnancy test result from a doctor, some early signs of pregnancy can be noticed for yourself. Also, if you're planning to get pregnant, there are steps you can take to regulate ovulation to increase your chances of getting pregnant.
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Method 1 of 3: Recognizing Early Signs of Pregnancy
Step 1. Feel if the breast is more tender than usual
Breast pain and swelling are early indications of pregnancy. So if your breasts are sore or your bra is tighter than usual, there's a good chance you're pregnant. This tends to happen in the first few weeks as the body adjusts to the new hormones the body produces, and it usually only lasts for about 2 weeks.
- Usually, breast pain occurs before or before your period should be. Pregnancy may be too young to detect with a personal pregnancy test.
- However, breast pain and swelling can also be a sign of your period. So, this condition is only one factor that can be considered.
Step 2. Consider whether you feel tired despite getting a good night's sleep
If your daily schedule doesn't change, but suddenly feels like you need to take a nap, you could be pregnant. Prolonged fatigue is also an early sign of pregnancy, especially if you feel tired even after 7 or 8 hours of sleep.
The reason is that the body increases progesterone production during pregnancy, and high levels of progesterone can cause drowsiness
Step 3. Watch for nausea or the urge to avoid certain foods for no apparent reason
If your diet is relatively healthy, doesn't eat anything that might cause food poisoning, and there are no sick people around, nausea could be a sign of pregnancy. Many women feel nauseous in the early stages of pregnancy. Although often experienced in the morning, nausea due to early pregnancy can be felt throughout the day, and tends to disappear in the second trimester.
- Some women don't feel nauseous at all. So, even if you're not nauseous, it doesn't mean you're not pregnant.
- You may also be more sensitive to smells that can trigger nausea, and suddenly dislike certain foods. For example, for some reason you can't stand the smell of garlic, or eating your favorite ice cream right now makes you want to throw up.
- Try to get enough body fluids by drinking cold water or clear carbonated drinks slowly. See a doctor if nausea is accompanied by a severe headache, or if you have been vomiting for more than 2 days.
Step 4. Pay attention to how often you go to the bathroom
One of the signs of pregnancy is suddenly having to urinate frequently. If you're going to the bathroom more often than usual, try to estimate the date of your normal period, and take a pregnancy test after that date.
- In the next phase of pregnancy, you will also urinate frequently because the fetus is leaning against the bladder. However, in the early stages, this occurs due to hormonal changes in the body.
- Increased frequency of urination can also be caused by increased fluid intake, or because you have a blood sugar problem.
Step 5. Watch out for less bleeding than your period
If you're pregnant, you may experience implantation bleeding, which is characterized by bleeding or brownish discharge that occurs when your period should be. However, implantation blood is usually less than menstrual blood, and lasts for several weeks.
Implantation bleeding is a good indicator of a pregnancy test
Step 6. Check body temperature
If you're used to recording your basal body temperature, you can detect pregnancy by checking your most recent body temperature. Usually, your body temperature drops just before your period, but if your temperature stays high after your expected period, it could be an indication that you're pregnant.
- Changes in body temperature are sometimes not much, maybe not even 1°C.
- However, sometimes you may have a fever of 38°C or higher.
Step 7. Watch for back pain or unusual bloating
While back pain and bloating are also signs of your period, in some cases it could be a sign of pregnancy. Report these symptoms to your doctor along with any other symptoms you are experiencing.
Step 8. Don't stress about all the signs and symptoms
Women who suspect they are pregnant tend to notice any changes in their normal routine for signs. However, if you get used to paying close attention to your body, you will notice many things that were previously overlooked. While it's okay to pay attention to any clues, try not to obsess.
Try hanging out with friends, marathon watching a new series, or pursuing a hobby like writing or painting, to help you calm down until you know for sure
Tip:
Stress can provoke the body to imitate some of the things that happen during pregnancy. For example, stress can make you nauseous. So constant worry can actually lead to digestive problems.
Step 9. Take a pregnancy test if you suspect you are pregnant
Personal pregnancy tests are most effective if they are taken after your period. However, if your periods are irregular due to PCOS, and you're not sure when your period should be, feel free to get tested when symptoms start to appear. If the result is negative, wait about 2 weeks, then test again.
Some people believe that false negative results are more common in women with PCOS, but that is usually because they don't know how long to wait to get tested. However, PCOS does not affect the production of pregnancy hormones so test results will not be affected
Method 2 of 3: Regulating Menstrual Cycle
Step 1. Record your cycle
Even if you're not planning a pregnancy, you should still record your period in a calendar or journal. Especially for women with PCOS cases, recording their menstrual cycles is even more important because it is difficult for them to remember when their last menstrual period was if they were months apart. Then, if you decide to have children, you and your doctor can review this information to plan an appropriate fertility program.
Your doctor may also ask you to record your ovulation by tracking your basal body temperature or checking cervical mucus
Step 2. Talk to your doctor once you start trying to conceive
Getting pregnant is sometimes very difficult in the case of PCOS. With your doctor's consultation, you can develop a plan that maximizes the chances of success. You may have to take medication to regulate ovulation, or there may be a condition or symptom you should look out for. Your doctor can tell you all about it when you get yourself checked.
Another reason to consult a doctor is that there are certain medications prescribed to treat symptoms of PCOS, such as quenchrogens and birth control, which may not be safe for the fetus. Your doctor will tell you if you should change your medication
Step 3. Exercise regularly and maintain a daily routine
Not only is PCOS more common in overweight women, but the extra weight can also make symptoms worse. Aim for at least 30 minutes of cardio 3 to 5 times a week. You can walk the block, do video-guided exercise at home, swim, or work out at the gym.
- If you are able to lose only 5-10% weight, your menstrual cycle will be more regular. This can increase the chances of successful pregnancy, and support a healthy pregnancy.
- Make sure you follow the same daily routine to maintain your circadian rhythm, such as getting up, eating, and going to bed at the same times each day.
Step 4. Adopt a healthy diet low in refined sugar to maintain blood sugar balance
To stay healthy even if you have PCOS, eat a diet high in protein and green vegetables, low in carbohydrates and refined sugar. People with PCOS are unable to regulate blood glucose production, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. In turn, it is believed to affect your ability to conceive.
For best results, consult the most suitable diet with a doctor or nutritionist
Step 5. Take a vitamin D supplement if you are deficient in the vitamin
As many as 85% of women with PCOS are deficient in vitamin D. Since vitamin D is very important in the functioning of the reproductive system, this deficiency can lead to infertility problems in PCOS cases. Taking daily vitamin D supplements, which are usually included in prenatal vitamins, can make it easier for you to get pregnant.
- Omega-3 fatty acids can also help in getting pregnant.
- Always talk to your doctor before using any supplements.
Step 6. Ask your doctor about drugs that can increase fertility
If you haven't been on PCOS treatment, your doctor may suggest certain medications to regulate ovulation or increase fertility. For example, the diabetes drug Metformin is commonly prescribed to women with PCOS to ovulate more frequently. If you know when to ovulate, you can plan sexual intercourse at that time to increase your chances of getting pregnant.
- If that doesn't work, your doctor may suggest Clomiphene to trigger ovulation, or prescribe fertility drugs such as Clomid, letrozole, or gonadotropins.
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) is usually used as a last resort after other fertility treatments have failed.
- In some cases, your doctor may suggest ovarian drilling, which is a procedure that involves using a thin needle to partially destroy the ovary. However, its effectiveness is still being studied, and not all doctors recommend this procedure.
Method 3 of 3: Have a Healthy Pregnancy with PCOS
Step 1. Call your doctor if your pregnancy test is positive
Once you get a positive result, call your doctor to schedule an examination and a blood test to verify pregnancy. Prenatal care is very important for women with PCOS because the risk of miscarriage is approximately 3 times greater than normal. The doctor will give you a list of signs and symptoms to watch for, as well as specific instructions about when to call or enter the ER.
Your doctor may prescribe metformin, which can lower your risk of miscarriage
Step 2. Take a daily prenatal vitamin
When you are pregnant, your body needs extra nutrition, and so does the fetus. It's fine if you took prenatal vitamins before you got pregnant, but especially important if you're already pregnant. Talk to your doctor about exactly what vitamins can meet your nutritional needs. However, if you want to take a prenatal vitamin immediately, choose one that contains folic acid. Folic acid is an essential nutrient for the early development of the embryo.
Tip:
Prenatal vitamins usually make your hair and nails stronger, shiny, and healthy. In fact, the results are sometimes so dramatic that there are women who want to continue taking it after giving birth even if it is not recommended.
Step 3. Continue a healthy diet and exercise
All mothers-to-be should pay attention to food intake, but nutrition is especially important for pregnant women with PCOS. That's because in the case of PCOS, the risk of diabetes in pregnancy is higher. During pregnancy, you should still adopt a diet high in protein and low in fat, such as chicken and turkey, healthy fats from sources such as avocados, as well as green leafy vegetables such as spinach or broccoli.
- To stay energized, try to eat 3 meals a day, and 2–4 healthy snacks between meals.
- If you're not sure what to eat each day, talk to your doctor or a dietitian, and ask to make a plan for the daily calorie count, how many meals a day, and what types of foods to choose to maintain healthy glucose levels.
Step 4. Check blood glucose if recommended by doctor
If you're having trouble keeping your blood glucose level in check, your doctor may be concerned that it will get too high during pregnancy. You may be advised to use a blood glucose monitor. This is usually done by pricking the finger with the needle on the glucometer. Then, drop the blood into the strip provided, then place the strip on the device to find out the results.
- The doctor will tell you how often to check your blood sugar, as well as at what time the test should be done.
- If your blood glucose level is normal, it may not be necessary to check daily, unless it rises over the next few months.
Step 5. Prepare for a C-section
In people with PCOS, the increased risk of complications also means an increased chance of having a C-section delivery. By being aware of the high risks of surgery, you can accept that it may be the safest method for you and your baby, and that awareness will help you if you initially hope to have a natural birth.
