The ovaries are a pair of female reproductive organs located slightly above and on either side of the uterus, situated near the top openings of the fallopian tubes. Their function is to secrete reproductive hormones that regulate characteristics like distribution of body hair and body shape. They also release an ova, or egg, one a month, that passes down the fallopian tubes where it may become fertilized. This is an article about the risks of pregnancy when having PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), a pathological condition of these organs.
In PCOS, not only are the ovaries themselves enlarged, but the out surface has an abnormally large number of follicles. Follicles are sacs of fluid that grow around the eggs. They appear as small ‘bubbles’ on the surface of the ovary, or, on ultrasound, like black holes in the middle of the organs. The cause of the condition remains uncertain. About a quarter of all women show ovarian follicles on ultrasound but will not have symptoms. About ten per cent of all women are affected.
Affected women rarely ovulate, have irregular periods; they may be overweight and have excess body hair, usually on the chin.
Pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome have a higher risk of gestational diabetes, or high blood glucose levels during pregnancy, even if they have never been diabetic before. This can lead to a condition called macrosomia, or high birth weight, in the newborn.
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome are more susceptible to miscarriage and early labour. This is because elevated insulin levels may disrupt the balance between blood clotting/clot prevention hormones. There is therefore a risk of blood clots interfering with the ability of the placenta to supply the fetus with nutrients and remove waste products. This can result in miscarriage.
Pregnant women with PCOS have a 30% to 40% risk of EPL, or ‘Early Pregnancy Loss’. EPL is a miscarriage in the first tree months of gestation. This is believed to be the result of raised insulin levels inhibiting the secretion of a protein in the uterine lining that is necessary for implantation of the fertilized egg and maintenance of the pregnancy.
Pre-eclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy characterized by protein in the urine, abnormal water retention (edema) and high blood pressure. Left untreated, the condition can progress to ‘eclampsia’, when the mother goes into convulsions and both she and the baby are at serious risk. The only option is to immediately terminate the pregnancy. However, with proper medical care mothers at risk of pre-eclampsia can be identified and sequestered on complete bed rest. Many of these complicated pregnancies progress to term or nearly term and produce healthy, normal babies.
Newborns of mothers who have PCOS may spend time in a neonatal intensive care unit. They tend to be born pre-term or following induction of labor or Caesarean section as a result of complications. Many mothers have had fertility treatment, which often results in multiple births (twins, triplets). Some medications for PCOS are not suitable for use while pregnant. Achieving conception with this challenging condition is a blessing. There are risks, but with careful monitoring and supervision with your health care team, there is no reason your pregnancy should not go to term, or near term, and produce a healthy baby.
Are you worried about getting pregnant with polycystic ovary syndrome? Fortunately, there are some natural PCOS treatment options available. You can find more information about that, as well as other ovarian cyst related information, such as ruptured ovarian cyst symptoms, by visiting PCOSandFibroids.com