Desperate for a baby...

[nikki2975]

Hi everyone,

i'm new to this forum and desperately looking for advice to help me conceive.

I was diagnosed with PCOS (through an ultrasound) about 2 years ago whilst looking into something else.

As it stands now, we've been referred to the local fertility clinic and we've both had our tests done. My fiance is fine, no problems and it seems for me my issue is just the PCOS. I have to wait till July to confirm this and to get my results plus see what treatment I need.

In the meantime, I want to know if there is anything I can do to increase my chances? I know I need to lose weight as i'm currently 16 stone but I also have an overactive thyroid which makes it harder to lose weight. I'm also an emotional eater, although I don't eat a lot I eat the wrong things.

I've tried doing research online to find out what I can and can't eat and the best way to lose weight but keep finding the information given gets contradicted.

Can anyone give me advice on the eating/weight loss side and any info they have found that has helped them conceive please.

My fiance and I desperately want a baby and I feel guilty that at this moment i am unable to give him what we really want.

If this helps or if anyone's interested these are my day 3 blood test results that were done in December.

FSH - 6iu/L

LH - 6iu/L

Testosterone - 0.6nmol/L

SHBG - 34nmol/L

Free Androgen Index - 1.8

Prolactin - 207mIU/L

Day 18

Progesterone - 36.5nmol/L

Thanks in Advance

​Nikki

[Hols969]

I would look at the fertilityfriends website so that you can chart your temperature as it is the only accurate way to see if you are ovulating and would be helpful for the fertility clinic. Is your BMI under 30 currently? It is pretty rare not to conceive due to pcos though so try not to worry.

Generally low GI is the way to go so cut out all white carbs. You will get there in the end so try not to worry too much

[coral_jo]

Hi Nikki

I really feel this post and relate. I was over 15 st and have now lost 2 stone. I’m trying to get down a little bit more to try to conceive as am at high risk of gestational diabetes etc

I was recommended to go down to 1200 cals and initially lost just over a stone in 8 weeks- about 2lbs a week. I think most people without PCOS would lose a lot more than I have on that amount of cals but as you probably know it’s hard to lose weight with PCOS so actually it is an achievement. I did have a couple of cheat days though! I do feel a lot better. But it’s not just about calories it’s about what you eat.

My GP said to really lose weight but didn't offer any support at all. I tried but was losing nothing. I hated being told repeatedly to lose weight when it was so difficult.

I did a lot of research and now on paleo/ low carb diet, dairy free (apart from eggs) and it has worked. losing has helped with my symptoms so so much, I've still got more to lose to get to a healthy bmi and you do have to really persevere.

I use a calorie counting app MyFitnessPal.

Cut out processed food and white complex carbs- white bread, white pasta, white potatoes, white rice is very difficult for people with pcos and insulin resistance, to process (even though I love them!)

I also cut out gluten- so wheat in general, as again refined food is difficult to process with insulin resistance. I now really notice when I eat white carbs how much it affects me. And of course cut sugar in take right down. PCOS does not like sugar.

It doesn’t sound exciting, but it does work. I wish someone had told me all this, because cutting these out and having lots of veggies and good protein instead is the way forward, I am no longer sluggish and bloated ( i do still have the odd chocolate most days cos I find it very difficult lol - but just a little square for a fix). I eat sweet potato and brown rice if I need carbs, or a slice of gluten free German rye bread get it in most supermarkets- but high in cals, so just one slice.

A typical breakfast is 2 poached eggs, 2 slices bacon with fat trimmed (I know processed but it’s worked lol) and tin tomatoes or 1/4 tin beans. No toast! Or boil an egg and take to work with slices of ham. Eggs are so good for breakfast, fill you up! Or an apple with a tablespoon of peanut butter.

Lunch I have leftovers from dinner, or a healthy ready meal under 400 cals, or meat/tuna and salad.

Dinner - chicken and loads of veggies- spinach and kale. Or mince with roasted veg, without pasta. Just replace the carbs you would normally have with non starchy vegetables. Or fish and sweet corn and baked sweet potato.

Snacks- nuts - just a handful, raisins, olives, gherkins, slices of sandwich ham/chicken, satsumas, strawberries, blueberries, seafood sticks.

Oh drink lots of water and herbal tea to stop constipation if you are eating a lot of protein.

I log everything on MyFitnessPal including tea and coffee. The past 2 weeks I’ve gone over a bit up to 1500 cals and I have plateaued and not lost anything, but not gained. It shows how little calories I should have though! So need to get back on. Some days I get proper hangry but I only give in a bit, I don’t go full on blow out. I did have a maccy ds one day though! It’s so rubbish that PCOS increases our appetite more than average person, but that we actually should have less calories than other people- double edged sword. See this as nourishing your body to make it strong and healthy for conceiving and not as starvation.

Sorry massive post! Some days dieting can be hard and I hate it and resent it but don’t give up! I feel so much better and healthier. This is just my personal experience and you should speak to professionals about good nutrition/diet. I think everyone with PCOS should be referred to a nutritionist. Food and diet has huge implications.

Good luck, I hope it goes well. Also pregnacare preconception vitamins have really perked me up and I will have a good stock of folic acid for when I try to conceive.

On Yasmin pill

75mg Sporinolacone

[Fireflygem]

Hi if your trying to lose weight try joining your local slimming world. I'm an emotional eater and having the weekly weigh in and support both in group and online (mine has a Facebook group) with loads of recipes really helps. Try not to pressure yourself to much stress will not help. Please don't believe some of the myths some doctors will tell you pcos patients can have children even if they need help to achieve this. I personally have three children and the last I was told I would not have without help after having half an ovary removed but we conceived naturally i only lost half a stone before catching on him.Good luck x

[Bluelady-sing]

weight is an issue as it can suppress your ovulation. ask for day 21 E2 progesterone as this will tell you if you have ovulated last month