Can you get pregnant with PCOD

Having a Baby with PCOD: Fertility Tips, Pregnancy, and What to Expect

Being diagnosed with PCOD at a young age completely changed the way I felt about my future. Like many other women, the first question that popped into my head was whether I’d be able to get pregnant with PCOD.

With PCOD, trying to get pregnant naturally can feel extremely overwhelming. The first thing you must know when you are diagnosed with PCOD is that this is a lifestyle disorder. It is not something to be afraid of. The best way to handle it is by understanding your body and making healthy lifestyle changes. Well, the good news is that many women, including myself who have been diagnosed with PCOD have successfully become mothers.

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with PCOD, I hope reading about my story will bring you some relief and comfort and know that you are not alone.

A few links in this post are affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—without costing you a single cent extra. Thank you for supporting what I do! For more information, please see my Disclaimer page.

Table of Contents

PCOD vs PCOS – Whats the difference?

A lot of people use these PCOD and PCOS like they are interchangeable. Although they are quite similar, they are slightly different. Here’s the difference between the two terms.

PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease)	PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)
A milder condition	More complex
Ovaries do not release eggs regularly	Ovulation is affected along with significant hormonal imbalance
Symptoms like irregular period, acne, weight gain, facial hair growth	Similar symptoms; may include insulin resistance
Can be managed with lifestyle changes	Some women may need medication or treatments
Pregnancy can take long with many women conceiving naturally	Possibility of natural conception though some may need fertility support

My PCOD Diagnosis

I was 24 years old when I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD). It had been 3 months since my last menstrual cycle and I kept wondering why my periods were so irregular. I had just assumed it was hormonal changes like some suggested. When I finally decided to visit the doctor, I was asked to run a few tests and an ultrasound. After this, I finally found the answer.

I remember the first thing that crossed my mind was whether I’d be able to get pregnant with PCOD. Although I wasn’t planning to right away, the thought did cross my mind. If you are having the same thoughts, I totally understand.

What is PCOD?

Most people will assume PCOD equals infertility. Its not the same. A lot of women have successful natural pregnancies without any complications.

PCOD is a hormonal imbalance which affects your ovaries. Some of the symptoms you may experience are:

Irregular or missed periods
Difficulty conceiving
Weight gain
Acne
Increase in facial hair
Cysts in the ovaries

Can you have a baby with PCOD?

The simple answer is yes. When I was first diagnosed with PCOD, I looked up online and found several stories of women who had difficulty conceiving naturally. It made me extremely demotivated and almost gave up.

Over time, I also came across thousands of women who have had successful pregnancies, naturally! Although it can depend from case to case. Some manage to get pregnant naturally, some might need medication and some may need to go for fertility treatments.

Every mother’s journey is different.

Preparing your body for Pregnancy

Preparing my body to have a baby included a series of lifestyle changes that improved my overall health. Some of the steps that I took were:

Eating healthy food

Initially, I was in a hurry to get better fast and began trying out various diets like keto, low-carb, vegan, military diet and so on. I knew that I couldn’t keep up with these diets for long.

From my personal experience, these diets were temporary solutions. The best way is to have a balanced meal. Follow a diet that you can be consistent with and continue for life. Add more:

Fresh fruits & vegetables (preferrably seasonal)
Lean protein
Whole grains
Healthy fats

At the same time, be sure to reduce unhealthy foods like sugary snacks and processed foods.

Exercise

Exercise became an important part of my routine. You need not join a gym or lift heavy weights. Try going for walks, install a step counter or use a fitness tracker, do a few home workouts. You can try taking the stairs sometimes.

If I’m being totally honest, traditional workouts never worked for me as it was hard to stay consistent. One of the best decisions I made was trying Zumba. Personally, I love dancing and it made me enjoy myself, instead of making it feel like exercise. I would look forward to the classes, and it helped me reach my goals too. It also helped me manage my stress levels, which are extremely important when coping with PCOD.

Manage your stress

It can be extremely exhausting and stressful when you are trying to conceive.

Instead of constantly tracking your cycle, counting days and stressing if you could possibly be pregnant this time, take a break from social media and care for yourself. Spend some time outdoors or focus on doing the things you love like travel to relax your mind and body.

Medical Support

Every woman is different and every woman’s body is different. Yes, lifestyle changes really helped me but sometimes women may need additional medical support or fertility treatments to get pregnant with PCOD.

There’s nothing in taking medical support when you need to.

Quality Sleep

One habit that most people ignore is getting sufficient quality sleep. It is very important to have a consistent sleep schedule. In addition to supporting your overall health it can also help with a healthy hormone balance.

If you are trying to conceive, your body needs rest so it can function properly. Your body needs time to recharge for 7-9 hours every day. Try having a consistent sleep routine, sleeping and waking up at the same time each day.

If you have trouble falling asleep, you can try avoiding caffeine in the evenings and limit scree time before bed. Sometimes, these simple habits can bring about a big difference.

Pregnant After PCOD

My pregnancy came with the excitement that most first-time moms experience. I was thrilled and honestly, I bit shocked. I realised that all those years that I worried about becoming a mother and the hard-work and consistency that I put in was all worth it.

Its very important to attend all your appointments on time and discuss with your healthcare provider for any concerns you may have. Women getting pregnant with PCOD have a slightly higher chance of complications, so its important that you take care.

For anyone trying to have a baby with PCOD;

❤️ Don’t lose hope.

❤️ Every mother’s journey is different

❤️ You deserve to be healthy – take care of your body

❤️ Don’t be afraid to ask questions and do your research

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with PCOD or PCOS and want a practical guide you can refer to anytime, I highly recommend The PCOS Plan: Prevent & Reverse Polycystic Ovary Syndrome through Diet and Fasting. You can get the audio book for free if you don’t want to purchase it. It offers easy-to-follow advice on fertility, nutrition, symptom management, and living well with PCOS. It’s a helpful companion to the information I’ve shared here and may answer many of the questions you’re still wondering about.

Have you been diagnosed with PCOD or are you trying to conceive? I’d love to hear your story in the comments or connect with me through social media. Sharing our experiences can help other women feel less alone on their journey.

If you found this article helpful and would like to support Modern Mama Life, consider buying me a coffee!