How to prepare for pregnancy with PCOS?
The joy of becoming a mother is unsurpassable in a woman’s life. The journey is as beautiful as the destination, and along the way you discover the wonders your body goes through.
However, many women who are diagnosed with PCOS tend to believe that their journey to motherhood can be more challenging. But, don’t lose hope. Numerous solutions exist in the present day to improve PCOS and smoothen your journey.
What is PCOS?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is when the ovaries develop small cysts and the body cannot ovulate regularly. It’s one of the leading factors of infertility and can affect a woman’s health in many other aspects.
PCOS affects one out of every ten women, so if you’ve been diagnosed, know that you’re not alone.
How does PCOS affect fertility?
Ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary) occurs approximately once a month. PCOS patients may ovulate less frequently, and they may be more prone to miscarriage, which is why PCOS is a common cause of infertility. PCOS can make it difficult for people trying to conceive to time their sex according to the fertile days of their menstrual cycle. If ovulation occurs only every few months, that may be another reason for you taking longer to become pregnant.
With a little patience and some lifestyle changes, your PCOS can improve, your chances of regular ovulation can increase, and you can manage the undesirable side effects.
- Quality prenatal – This simple first step is a must for any woman who wants to get pregnant. When trying to conceive, you should prepare your body by supplying it with adequate vitamins and minerals that both you and the baby will require. Some of those nutrients, such as folic acid, can have a significant impact on your baby’s health.
- Anti-inflammatory diet – Diet plays an important role in increasing fertility and managing PCOS symptoms. An anti-inflammatory diet will nourish and heal your body by balancing your hormones and blood sugar levels, as well as assisting you in losing weight if necessary.
- Yoga – Yoga is particularly beneficial for improving fertility and PCOS. Yoga will not cure your PCOS, but it will help you feel more connected to your body, restore hormone balance, and can even help increase blood circulation to the pelvic region. Furthermore, yoga can help you manage stress and increase your overall sense of well-being, both of which can improve fertility.
- Track your menstrual cycle – Tracking your cycles will help you understand when you’re ovulating and where your fertile window is so you can try for a baby on the exact four days of the month.
- Find your healthy weight – Many women discover that losing just 10% of their body weight can improve their hormones and ovulation. Even a 5% weight reduction can improve a woman’s menstrual cycle, insulin resistance, and overall fertility. For best results, aim to exercise at moderate intensity 5 days a week.
- Insulin resistance – If you eliminate sugar and refined carbohydrates from your diet while increasing protein, fibre, and healthy fats, your blood sugar and insulin levels will fall.
- De-stress – Balanced hormones and healthy adrenals are essential for fertility, but the stress hormone cortisol, produced by your adrenal glands, affects all of your hormones. Try meditation, massage, yoga, exercise or socialising with friends — whatever puts a smile on your face!
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