My family and I are so happy and blessed to announce that we are expecting baby number 2! The last couple of months have been filled with lots of scares and full of emotions, but overall I’m just grateful that I’m able to experience a second pregnancy. Just a few weeks ago, I opened up on social media about my struggles with PCOS and today I would like to take the opportunity to talk about my journey so that anyone who is looking for a glimpse of hope, resources or a story to relate to may find it in mine.

My PCOS has never really been a secret. The truth is, I discuss it with anyone who is bold enough to tell me that I need to have another baby soon.  I even have a public  Pinterest board titled “PCOS” with lots of recipes and tips that help me deal with the syndrome. PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, and those of us who suffer from it have to deal with obesity, irregular periods, infertility, depression, acne, and many other symptoms. Most women have an average of two of the symptoms, and I feel for those dealing with almost all of them! My symptoms are bloating ( I look like I’m six months pregnant half of the day), ovarian cysts and irregular periods. I think I had two periods last year! When I was younger, I was told by a doctor that there was no medical reason why I needed to have a period, and I believed it. I was SO happy not to have to deal with cramping and PMS! I now know that the information given to me is totally false but there are lots of things that we can do to regulate our hormones. So, at the beginning of this year, I decided to make a change and start on a journey to control this syndrome. And, after MUCH thought and consideration I agreed to try to have another baby. I say agreed because I’m petrified of ever giving birth again (I’ll save that story for another blog post) but Ji has been longing for a sibling. I blame Daniel Tiger for having a baby sister! The love I have for her made me want to do everything in my power to give her a sibling.

Ji is setting up a table for 2!

Very. Important. Baby. Arriving December 2016.

The Plan

I know that the road to pregnancy is a difficult one for someone suffering from PCOS, but I’ve never thought of as an impossible goal. I’ve done lots of research and compiled a list of steps that could help achieve my goal to a healthier life and ultimately another baby. The plan was start preparing the first half of the year and to start trying in the late Summer… I was hoping for a Spring baby!

1. Acupuncture- I have strongly believe in healing the body with natural approaches. In January I went to my first appointment I just loved it!! The acupuncturist took the time to listen to me and I felt like he genuinely cared. After just one session I started a period! I couldn’t believe it. He had initially suggested that I come in twice a week but with my first meeting being such a success I went in a twice a month after that.

2. Exercise-I’m not one for exercise, but I did purchase a treadmill and I’ve been using it  15-30 minutes at the end of each day. My little family and I also started taking hour walks around the park or through hiking trails every chance we get.

3. Diet– I follow an amazing account on Instagram that offers daily inspiration to women suffering from PCOS.  In April it launched a 30-day challenge offering meal plans and resources. Even though I’m m pregnant now, I still want to continue eating as healthy as possible. You can find out more information about the challenge at www.smartfertilitychoices.com.

4. Essential Oils – With the help and research of one of my best friends, I purchase five different essential oils that would help regulate my hormones. However, I never got to use the oils…

Finding Out

On a mid-April morning, I was watching the news. There was a segment on the governor signing a new bill, and I got so emotional that I started crying! I thought to myself, hmmm, this is weird! I’ve only cried for no reason when I was pregnant so decided to take a pregnancy test just in case, plus, I wanted to start using the essential oils but needed to make sure I wasn’t pregnant before using them. I kept a stash of dollar store pregnancy tests ( I was 15 weeks along when I found out I was pregnant with Ji, so I learned a lesson there!) and took one immediately after my crying sesh. Just a few moments after we had two BRIGHT RED lines. Positive!!! My doctor’s office agreed to see me that same morning. My calculations indicated that I was already ten weeks along. I was in total shock, and my emotions went through the roof when the ultrasound was performed, and the doctor revealed that he didn’t see anything. An Ectopic pregnancy was suspected. I had known that I was pregnant for less than two hours, and I was already crying my eyes out! Blood tests were taken, and I was asked to go back one week from that day. I’ve never experienced such a long slow tormenting week. I must have googled symptoms of ectopic pregnancy ten times a day. I was so petrified!!
On the day of our next appointment, my husband and daughter accompanied me to the doctor’s office. I was going to need emotional support. A second ultrasound was conducted, and a sac and egg yolk was found!!!!!! The doctor then did a transvaginal ultrasound and there on the screen was a tiny little heartbeat. It turned out I was only about five weeks along. That’s the crazy thing about PCOS. Your periods are off and so is your ovulation. I must have ovulated months after that period in January. But, it wasn’t all good news. My progesterone levels were really low, and I needed to take progesterone suppositories until the placenta took over.  Combine the stress of a high chance of miscarriage with 0 energy, an overwhelming need to sleep all day, horrible nausea and an active toddler to take care of and it all adds up to less than pleasant few weeks. Weeks that I would re-live over and over if it meant it would continue getting me to where I am today..

We are PREGNANT!

We are now in late May, and I’ve finally started my second trimester. We are ready to announce to the world that we are pregnant! The newest addition to our family will arrive in early December, and Ji is the most excited. I plan to celebrate every single milestone no matter how overdone as may seem. Being able to conceive a second child while dealing with PCOS is something although not impossible is something to be celebrated. Today we celebrate both of my babies!

Lots of love,

-Ruby

P.S Check out my Pinterest Board for PCOS friendly recipes, exercises, vitamins, natural approaches and more!

Disclaimer:

Please note that the above is my story. I do recommend that you consult with your doctor as all PCOS patients are different.