Does PCOS Affect Pregnancy

1
Does PCOS affect Pregnancy ??

• Women with PCOS are at higher risk for certain
  problems or complications during pregnancy. The
  main question is how does PCOS affect pregnancy?
• In addition, infants born to mothers with PCOS
  are at higher risk of spending time in the
  neonatal intensive care unit or dying before,
  during, or right after birth. Complications of
  pregnancy associated with PCOS, such as
  preeclampsia, could be a reason for these risks.
  Also, conditions common to PCOS like metabolic
  syndrome and increased androgens may increase the
  risks affecting infants. Now, how actual PCOS
  affect Pregnancy?

2
Pregnancy complications related to PCOS include

• Miscarriage or early loss of pregnancy -
• Women with PCOS are three times as likely to
  miscarry in the early months of pregnancy as are
  women without PCOS. Some research shows that
  metformin may reduce the risk of miscarriage in
  pregnant women with PCOS. However, other studies
  have not confirmed that metformin reduces
  miscarriage risk, so more research needs to be
  done.

3
Gestational diabetes -

• This is a type of diabetes that only pregnant
  women get. It is treatable and, if controlled,
  does not cause significant problems for the
  mother or fetus. In most cases, the condition
  goes away after the baby is born. Babies whose
  mothers have gestational diabetes can be very
  large (resulting in the need for cesarean, or
  C-section surgical, delivery), have low blood
  sugar, and have trouble breathing. Women with
  gestational diabetes, as well as their children,
  are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes later in
  life.

4

• Preeclampsia -
• Preeclampsia, a sudden increase in blood pressure
  after the 20th week of pregnancy, can affect the
  mothers kidneys, liver, and brain. If left  
  untreated, preeclampsia can turn into eclampsia.
  Eclampsia can cause organ damage, seizures, and
  even death. Currently, the primary treatment for
  the condition is to deliver the baby, even
  preterm if necessary. Pregnant women with
  preeclampsia may require a C-section delivery,
  which can carry additional risks for both mother
  and baby.
• Pregnancy-induced high blood pressure -
• This condition is due to an increase in blood
  pressure that may occur in the second half of
  pregnancy. If not treated, it can lead to
  preeclampsia. This type of high blood pressure
  can also affect delivery of the baby.

5

• Preterm birth -
• Infants are considered preterm if they are
  delivered before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Preterm
  infants are at risk for many health problems,
  both right after birth and later in life, and
  some of these problems can be serious.
• Cesarean or C-section delivery -
• Pregnant women with PCOS are more likely to have
  C-sections because of the pregnancy complications
  associated with PCOS, such as   pregnancy-induced
  high blood pressure. Because C-section delivery
  is a surgical procedure, recovery can take longer
  than recovery from vaginal birth and can carry
  risks for both the mother and infant.
• Researchers are studying whether treatment with
  insulin-sensitizing drugs such as metformin can
  prevent or reduce the risk of pregnancy problems
  in women with PCOS.
• If you have PCOS and get pregnant, work with your
  health care provider to promote a healthy
  pregnancy and delivery.