Pregnant with PCOS
I never knew how much I wanted to be pregnant until I was told that there was a chance it might never happen. A few weeks before my wedding, I was 22 and getting some routine bloodwork done at the gynecologist. I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and told there was a 30-40% chance I would have children naturally. How was I going to tell my husband to be this? How would this affect our marriage? The doctor had said if we were going to have kids, that we needed to start trying right away because the chances would decrease even more after I turned thirty.
PolyCystic Ovarian syndrome affects 1 in 10 women. Most women are not even aware that they have it! It can affect women in different ways, but some of the symptoms are irregular or painful periods, excessive hair growth, weight gain, insulin resistance, hormone imbalance, anxiety, depression, painful growth of cysts on or in the ovaries, and infertility. One woman’s journey with PCOS is not the same as another’s. Someone can experience one or all symptoms and still receive the diagnosis of the disease.
A few months into marriage, my husband and I decided to start trying to conceive. We had come to the agreement that if we were not able to conceive naturally (without IVF) then we felt at peace about our decision to adopt. I began to take hormones to try to help balance out what was said to be imbalanced and regulate cycles. The medicine made me feel sick, lethargic, and emotions were all over the place. How was I going to enjoy getting pregnant, if I constantly felt this way? More medication was added in the months that followed. I was told I would never get pregnant if I didn’t lose weight, if I didn’t get my periods regulated, or if I didn’t continue to take hormones. It was months of stress, yo-yo dieting, tears, negative pregnancy tests, and unanswered questions. I had been told if I was stressed, I wouldn’t get pregnant, but who wouldn’t be stressed when it felt like time was ticking?
A friend introduced me to essential oils, and with it, this whole new world of non-toxic living. I had never questioned what I was using or ingesting before. I didn’t know that certain products I had been using for years could cause hormone imbalance! I threw myself and my husband into a toxin cleanout in our home, switching our everyday products and cleaners for things that were natural. This wasn’t an overnight change. My health did not change instantly, but with consistency and persistence, I noticed small changes. My cycles began to be consistent. I felt healthier than I had in a long time. I was slowly starting to use medication less and less. One thing still had not changed though, monthly negative pregnancy tests. The pain of empty arms and sad no’s still took its toll. As our two year wedding anniversary approached, my husband and I began to look into foster care. We believed that even though we had made some pretty big life changes, maybe having a biological child was not God’s plan for our lives.
As we began to gather paperwork, I caught what I thought was the stomach flu. I was horribly sick, plagued with nausea and sensitivity to smells. My heart was used to these games that PCOS often would play with my mind, having similar symptoms of pregnancy only to have a negative test. However, after a week or two of these symptoms, I could only wonder as I took out another test early in the morning. Two faint lines appeared. Mouth completely dry, I called Jeff into the bathroom, sharing that the test was positive. It had happened, we were pregnant.
Two years later, our son Judah is a joy. He was worth every negative pregnancy test, every tear shed, and the months it took to help my body along in the process. My journey with PCOS is far from over. I still struggle with inconsistent cycles, anxiety, painful cysts, and fluctuating weight, but now, I have the tools needed to continue the fight.
While I have known about my diagnosis for five years now, there have been some helpful holistic tips and tricks I have implemented in my journey that could be helpful for you as well.
Cut out fragrance. I cannot stress this point enough whether you have PCOS or not. Fragrance can be found in our cleaners, body wash, makeup, candles, perfumes, hand sanitizers, and more. It can cause hormone disruptions, respiratory distress, headaches, skin irritations, allergic reactions, and more. This is the easiest thing to cut out of our lives, but fair warning, it is in almost everything! Try switching to more natural things like essential oils, toxin-free makeup and personal products, and simple cleaners that use vinegar or castile soap.
Get to know your body! This might seem super generic, but like I said before each woman with PCOS is different, and knowing how your body reacts to different methods or products. What works for one, may not work for another. Spend time finding your special combo, and do not worry if it isn’t a quick process!
Learn ways to manage your anxiety and depression in healthy ways. If your body is anxious and stressed, the side effects of PCOS will reign supreme. I’ll be honest, I am still learning how to do this. In the past few months, my anxiety is at an all-time high and my body knows it. Create a gratitude list, try doing stretches, start drinking calming tea, take long fall walks or any hobby that calms both your body and mind.
Feed your body the nutrition it needs. When living with a chronic disorder like PCOS, it is highly important to feed the deficient areas of the body with the good things it needs to thrive. Make sure you are getting all the vitamins and minerals in your food first, and then supplement as needed.
Joel has been part of the Sprigs Mom community since December 2019. Her passion for natural healing sparked after a close friend introduced her to functional medicine. Through her own journey dealing with the difficult symptoms of PCOS, she has taken her diagnosis as an inspiring challenge to learn more about holistic healing and treating the root cause.