i have been trying to get pregnant for nearly 4 years now, and was diagnosed with PCOS and i was wondering if anybody knows about foods they should not eat or things they should do PLEASE HELP
2007-01-24 14:58:19 · 18 answers · asked by helpmegirl 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Trying to Conceive
I am not sure how much research/info you already have but I am glad to share with you what I know and my experiences.
Let me start with saying I too have PCOS, first diagnosed by my OB/GYN doc and confirmed by a reproductive endocrinologist via transvaginal ultrasounds imaging my ovaries (reflecting bunches and bunches of partially ripe eggs that did not become mature enough to ovulate). All my labwork was normal though. Both doctors assured me you can have PCOS with normal labs. We tried to get pregnant on our own for two years and then for another year with involvement from doctors.
Initially, my OB/GYN tried three courses of Clomid which were all unsuccessful - in fact, I only ovulated with the first course and lowest dose. That was hugely stressful - scheduled (not spontaneous) sex, the pressure of it working (that I placed on myself) and the disappointment when it didn't was terrible. When I was beyond the scope of my Ob/Gyn doc, he referred me to the reproductive endocrinologist (fertility specialist/doctor).
After the specialists' eval, he informed us "There is no way you will ever conceive naturally" and that he would put me on Pergonal (fertility shots) and it was not a matter of if I would conceive a baby, but how many. His words were "your ovaries are not receiving enough hormones and once they do you will conceive multiple multiples". He went on to say that he would then recommend selective reduction (eliminating some of the babies) because of the high risk of miscarrying when you carry multiples, which was not an acceptable option for us. He also recommended I start Metformin/Glucophage, an oral diabetic medication. Although I don't have diabetes, to put it simply, part of PCOS relates to your body having a hard time processing sugar causing your hormones to get out obalance and the medication helps that and therefor helps you to lose weight and hopefully ovulate. Another option from the doc was to just go to straight to in-vitro fertilization (for the cost of ten to twelve grand). The last option was to exercise and diet - he advised that a 10% loss of my body mass might be enough to cause me ovulate on my own. Although I don't view myself as HUGE, I knew that at 5'7" and 198#, I was overweight. After three years of trying, we were just overwhelmed and decided to take a break.
I did start the Glucophage and it upset my stomach horribly (Glucophage Extended Release is 100% better - I have no negative side effects with it). We planned a much needed vacation and I employed more of a lifestyle change with my eating versus a "diet". I followed the principles of the "Glycemic Index" diet which avoids bad carbs (simple starches/sugars like white bread, white pasta, high sugar foods) while encouraging complex carbs (whole wheat items) and protein, as well as pairing proteins with natural sugars (eat some nuts after you eat fresh fruit). In addition, I started cardio exercise for 45 min at least three times a week and did lose some weight, as well as RELAXED.
Oh, I also had a HystoSalpingoGram (HSG - where they shoot dye up into your utereus and fallopian tubes while taking x rays to make sure nothing is blocked) and my husband had to donate a semen sample to make sure his swimmers were okay. They say the HSG is like a roto-rooter for your reproductive track, cleaning everything out. A girl I worked with tried to get pregnant for three years also and conceived after the HSG. Another gal I worked with conceived after getting on glucophage.
Well, darned if I didn't conceive and we now have a beautiful, one year old, baby boy!!!!!!!! He is a true miracle.
I recommend seeing the doctors and having the lab work and basic procedures done. They are the experts but don't be disheartened by the dim picture they may paint. If you believe, as I did, that you are meant to conceive and give birth, hold on to your faith. I actually had a conversation with God where I stated I couldn't take the stress anymore and that I believed I was meant to give birth but that I couldn't worry about it any more. I mean, all the worrying and crying I had done for the past three years hadn't gotten me anywhere. There is something to be said for the body not being able to function optimally while under great stress, so try not to be too hard on yourself. Get rest, eat right and exercise. There is a lot of info out there to wade through, and I have tried to state a simply as I could what worked for me.
Oh, this may sound a little out there, but I actually did guided visual imagery in my head where I would lay in bed with my eyes closed and visualize the good food and water I ate nourishing my cells, causing my body to ovulate a good egg, the egg joining correctly with a healthy sperm, the fertilized egg imbedding and growing properly.... and on and on. Silly, maybe, but I'm a mommy now.
There's a website out there called soul cysters - a site for women with PCOS where I found a lot of good info as well comfort.
As an afternote, I didn't have a period for 10 months after my son until I got back on the Glucophage ER and then had one the next month and now regularly. I also see a reduction in the number and a slowing of the growth of the dark hairs on my chin (another hallmark of PCOS) when I'm on the glucophage - that stuff really works for me.
Whew - that was a lot of typing! I hope any of this helps. Good luck to you - I will keep you in my thoughts!!
2007-01-24 17:10:26 · answer #1 · answered by MI Mommy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2000 and looked up heaps of sites to find out as much info as I could. The only thing that I can remember strongly is that we are more likely to get diabetes from the weight gain that normally comes with PCOS. So we have to watch the cr*p that we eat. Do you chart your body temp or do ovulation prediction tests to find out if you ovulate regulary? Not ovulating regulary is a symptom of PCOS and means that it is harder to get pregnant. If you don't ovulate often then the doctor can prescribe Clomid. This regulates ovulation and increases your chances. Something else to check is if your tubes are blocked. Mine were and after having a Hystersalpingogram (dye through the tubes) they cleared out a blockage then and there. Check out the below websites and see what they have. It's great to get on the forums with other suffers and compare notes.
www.soulcysters.com
www.pcos.net
Good luck and fingers crossed for you
2007-01-24 15:11:20 · answer #2 · answered by Katie G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try "The Maker's Diet". A friend of mine tried for almost 5 years and thought she was infertile. She did this diet and was pregnant in a few months.
2007-01-25 01:24:24 · answer #3 · answered by Lotus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get most of your calories before noon
2017-04-06 17:09:29 · answer #4 · answered by Emery 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
rather than yell toward family members in other rooms walk over to talk
2016-07-05 03:30:42 · answer #5 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eat an apple instead of bottled juice
2016-05-14 15:14:20 · answer #6 · answered by Kristian 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take a 30 second break in the middle of your meal evaluate just how hungry you still are before getting back to your food
2016-04-20 06:38:30 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
save time and money during the week by buying lean protein such as chicken breasts in bulk and cooking a weeks worth on sunday night
2016-05-28 09:40:01 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
silken tofu makes a wonderful replacement for cream in some recipes
2016-03-13 21:28:13 · answer #9 · answered by Marcelino 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chew gum while cooking to stop snacking
2015-06-15 22:22:56 · answer #10 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋