PCOS stands for a female health condition, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. When it occurs to a female, it changes hormonal balances and affects fertility in her. It is a usual and treatable cause of infertility in women. As per an estimate of the CDS (Centre for Diseases Control), approximately 12 percent of the females in the USA have pregnancy issues due to PCOS.
As far as India is concerned, around 5 million females have difficulties in being pregnant due to untreated PCOS. You should consult a specialist at the best fertility hospital in Bangalore or local city when you face issues to conceive. Your doctor will give you the right advice and medicines. Here are some steps that you can take to get pregnant with PCOS:
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Maintain a healthy weight
Many studies have found that there is a link between PCOS and a female’s weight. Many women with PCOS become overweight. And you know carrying extra weight can be problematic for you during your pregnancy. According to the National Institute of Health, losing only 5% of your weight might increase your chances of being pregnant and lower PCOS symptoms. To maintain a healthy weight, you can:
- Go for a walk in the morning/evening everyday
- Avoid using a vehicle for light shopping in your local market
- Try to be more in the standing position in comparison with sitting one when you are doing household work
- Lift light weight when you are watching TV
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Always take healthy diet
When you are trying to conceive, you should give more value to your diet. You should ensure that it has the right nutrient levels. As far as possible, eat only home cooked meals and ensure your diet includes fruits, green & leafy vegetables, etc. Here are more on what your diet should contain:
- Beans and lentils
- Chicken
- Fresh and cooked fruit and vegetables
- Fish
- Whole grains like brown rice, oats, and barley
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Avoid inflammatory diet
Women with PCOS may experience higher inflammation due to increased and rogens that trigger insulin production. And an increased insulin level might lead you to weight gain. As you plan to bring a baby into your home, you start avoiding inflammatory food items. Here are more on what you should do to have an anti-inflammatory diet:
- Limit red meat
- Avoid sugar
- Swap your tea, coffee, or green tea/coffee everyday
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Take supplements
Particular vitamins and minerals are crucial for a healthy and successful pregnancy. They also help the baby in the uterus grow well. When trying to get pregnant, you should consult your doctor and request him/her for supplement intake. Your prescribed supplement may include:
- Folic acid (vitamin B9)
- Vitamin B6, B12, C, D, E & Q10
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Balance the levels of your blood sugar
PCOS affects the production of insulin in your body. Due to its effect, your body might have higher production of insulin in your body. Further, this health condition doesn’t let insulin work properly, increasing chances for having diabetes. And it can obstruct you from having a healthy pregnancy.
Balancing your blood sugar levels might increase your chances of being pregnant. Through a healthy & balanced diet, exercise, and strength training, you can balance the blood sugar level in your body. To have a track on your blood sugar level, your doctor may advise you:
- Random blood sugar test
- Oral glucose tolerance test
- Haemoglobin A1C test
- Overnight fasting blood sugar test
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Take prescribed medicines
At a certain level, it is hard to treat PCOS naturally. And without treating this healthy condition, you can’t conceive. When you know you have this health condition and it is working as a barrier in your pregnancy planning, consult your doctor. The expert will prescribe a few medicines after interacting with you and going through some test results. Your medicines could be
- Metformin – To balance insulin
- Clomiphene citrate – To balance oestrogen levels
- Fertility medications
Conclusion
Having PCOS doesn’t mean you can’t be pregnant. There are numerous ways to help you cure this health condition and conceive. Maintaining your weight, taking a balanced diet, avoiding inflammatory food items, taking supplements, and balancing your blood sugar level will help in this regard. And you will give birth to a healthy and cute baby.