I am sharing my story, hoping to encourage others to have confidence and be hopeful that miracles do happen. Starting a talk on PCOS in a country where half of the population is reluctant to discuss menstruation and fertility issues is an uphill battle. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal condition in women of reproductive age.
I was diagnosed at the age of 19 and throughout my 20s struggled with irregular cycles. Most of the women with PCOS struggle with weight gain and infertility and I lived that struggle as well. My entire life, I always was a twig and when I was in high school, I never weighed more than 47kgs. After 2 years of college, my periods went from being regular, every 28 days, to suddenly not having periods for months at a time. I gained weight as well. That’s when I visited a gynae and was advised to get an ultrasound to check for PCOS. Ultrasound showed multiple cysts on both ovaries and PCOS was confirmed. That is when I also discovered that I was at risk for so many things that I hadn't been worried about before (diabetes, cervical cancer, and the possibility of never having a child). I think that hardest of having PCOS are the people giving you advices without understanding what is happening. They just refuse to believe that their advice might not work on us as it would have on a normal person. So, the best advice, consult a gynaecologist.
Gynaecologist advised me metformin and pills for next 6 months to control my periods and insulin levels. I started exercises and in 6 months I was put off pills and my periods were back to normal. However, after 2 years before my wedding, I again had irregular periods and was again diagnosed with PCOS. This time It took me six months to get my tolerance for the metformin to be good enough to tolerate 1500mg a day, but once I did, I spent the next year taking it regularly and eating carbs more moderately. Yes, it was difficult for me to get pregnant but thanks to my gynaecologist who actually encouraged me when I told her I was ready to have kids in my late 20’s. My partner and my in-laws have also been an immense support.
Guidance from the doctor and a few lifestyle changes helped me come through this problem. My journey was a little lengthier and required a little assistance, but it was all worth it when after a year I conceived. One day my pregnancy strip showed me that I am on the way to an amazing and a beautiful journey called “motherhood”.
As, I write this, I am currently having a 2 chirpy 2-year-old who is running around me and remind me what a wonderful journey I had and more amazing it will be. The very first thing that made me suspect I was pregnant was my missed period. My doctor put me on pills and told me if after stopping you don’t get periods immediately take the test and rush to her if its positive. I did not get my period and took the test and was pregnant and we both hoped that it would all turn to be fine.
The First Trimester: Thou the Days of Morning Sickness and HCG Injections
Find out we were pregnant was a highlight; we cried, hugged and jumped up and down. First trimester was tough both physically, mentally, and emotionally. I had nausea, I puked and had to get injections of HcG to every week to support my pregnancy and then at 6 weeks we heard her “heartbeat”. Nothing better than to know that my baby was fine.
I religiously followed all the prenatal nutritional rules (avoid caffeine and alcohol; take prenatal vitamins; stay away from a myriad of cheeses, deli meats, and fish), have every test available to make sure that my baby was growing fine. Then 12 weeks passed, and we were happy probably on cloud number nine. The only thing that helped my nausea was to eat something (KFC rice bowl). Because eating was the only thing that cured me of nausea, I began associating food with the feeling of being nauseous. I did not enjoy food and eating became a chore.
Second trimester:
The first week of second trimester was an instant relief. Cravings for ice-cream and chocolates were on its peak. I enjoyed all the attention I was gaining. Even though I had morning sickness and still puked but it was reduced considerable. I gained my energy back. We were scheduled for 20th week sonography scan and that was magical. We are excited about it. When we returned home with the scan, we just could not stop adorning the reports for days to come. I started feeling the movements at the 24 weeks.
Third trimester:
My cravings were still high. The first clear and distinct kick I felt that was amazing. Hubby dearest has been intrigued but every time he decided to feel the kick our dearest darling decided to retreat. So, it wasn’t until my 8th month that my hubby could feel the baby’s kick and I could feel that his happiness knew know bounds.
Doctor told me that the baby had turned upside down. Now we were waiting for 36th week sonography scan. Then came the ultrasound report where doctor told us that the baby was fully developed but my amniotic fluid was little high and then the number of tests revealed that our baby was OK.
At last, we went to gynae for the check-up where we came to know that I was already in dilated and in labour and was admitted to the hospital. After waiting for 12 long hours, I heard my girl cry and the cry made me forgot all the pain I went through. And I saw my husband crying when he first saw our baby girl in the delivery room.
It was a completely normal delivery and journey was ordinary as well with no issues to the mother as well as baby just as they say with the child a mother is born as well. But what was extraordinary was the growth of my baby inside the womb. How she grew inside me and how she continues to spread her wings in this world as well.
Pradeepti Chopra
A mom to an amazing 2 year old