PCOS, Pregnancy & Insulin Resistance: What It Means and How to Support Yourself
Pregnancy is always a mix of excitement and worry — and if you have PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), you may have even more questions. What does PCOS mean for your pregnancy? Does it raise your risks? And most importantly — what can you do about it?
This post will lay out the basics, gently and clearly, so you feel informed, reassured, and supported.
What is PCOS?
PCOS is a common hormonal condition,
affecting around 1 in 10 women of reproductive age (WHO).
It’s not just about the ovaries though
— it’s a whole-body condition involving hormones,
metabolism, and sometimes inflammation.
PCOS often includes:
Irregular or infrequent ovulation (so cycles may be unpredictable)
Higher androgen (“male-type”) hormone levels, which can cause acne or excess hair
Small, immature follicles on the ovaries (not always visible on scan)
What PCOS Means in Pregnancy
The good news: many women with PCOS conceive naturally and carry healthy pregnancies.
The realistic news:
research shows PCOS is linked to a higher chance of certain complications,
so extra awareness and support can help.
Miscarriage:
For women without PCOS, around 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage.
With PCOS, it’s closer to 1 in 3.
(These are usually in the first trimester,
and becomes much less likely after 14 weeks)
That means the majority of women with PCOS still go on to have healthy pregnancies.
Pre-eclampsia:
In the general population, pre-eclampsia affects about 3–5% of pregnancies.
In women with PCOS, it may be nearer 7–10%.
That’s still fewer than 1 in 10, but it is a higher risk to be aware of.
Gestational diabetes:
PCOS roughly doubles the chance of developing diabetes in pregnancy,
because of its close link with insulin resistance.
Preterm birth:
Rates are slightly higher in women with PCOS,
but most pregnancies still reach full term.
⭐️ It’s important to remember: ⭐️
these are risks, not guarantees.
💜 With support, monitoring, and lifestyle care,
many women avoid complications altogether.💜
Insulin Resistance Explained Simply
One of the biggest links between PCOS and pregnancy risks is insulin resistance.
Think of insulin as a key that unlocks your cells, letting sugar (glucose) in for energy.
In PCOS, the cells are a little “deaf” to insulin’s knock on the door.
The body responds by making more insulin.
⚠️ High insulin feeds back on the ovaries → increasing androgens.
⚠️ It also fuels inflammation and can affect how the placenta implants.
This is why PCOS is linked to conditions like pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes.
But here’s the empowering part:
⭐️ Insulin resistance is totally reversible⭐️
🧘🏽♀️ with gentle, consistent steps 🧘🏽♀️
3 Gentle Ways
to Support Insulin Sensitivity
in Pregnancy
Balance your meal
Pair carbs with protein and healthy fats — for example, fruit with yoghurt and nuts instead of biscuits alone.
2. Move a little after eating
A short walk, gentle stretching, or pregnancy yoga can help your muscles soak up glucose without needing so much insulin. Even five minutes counts.
3. Rest & reset
Stress hormones and insulin go hand in hand.
Even a 5-minute breathing pause or Yoga Nidra can reduce the load on your body.
These are not strict rules.
They’re small kindnesses you can offer yourself — and they add up.
Working With Me
If you’re anything like me - knowing I should do something is one thing,
but what really makes a difference
thing thing that makes it possible to make changes
is having someone to walk besides me
a community…
So that is exactly what I offer through my work:
✨ 1:1 Doula Support
(in person & virtual)
You can have my continuous support 1:1
throughout pregnancy, birth,
and those first tender weeks,
helping you feel informed,
held, and never alone.
✨ Pregnancy Yoga Community
Gentle classes to connect with other mums
that ease aches,
calm your mind,
and naturally support insulin sensitivity.
✨ Free Pre & Postnatal Community Drop-ins
A welcoming space on our gorgeous Forest Garden Allotment,
to share tea, ask questions, be in nature
and meet other local mums-to-be.
(Older children welcome too)
✨ Online Courses
(PCOS Pregnancy course coming soon!)
Blending clear science with guided Nidra,
gentle yoga,
and simple lifestyle shifts,
so you can practice real change,
not just read about it.
Final Thought
Your body is wise. PCOS doesn’t mean you can’t have a healthy pregnancy — it simply means you may need more support, more awareness, and more nourishment. With the right care and continuity, you and your baby can thrive.
Warmly,
Emma
References
World Health Organization. (2023). Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Fact Sheet. WHO
Mayo Clinic. (2023). Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic
Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Cleveland Clinic
Palomba, S., et al. (2015). PCOS and pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of miscarriage risk. Reproductive BioMedicine Online, 30(6), 708–720.
Sang, J., et al. (2024). Risk of miscarriage in women with PCOS: a meta-analysis. Nature Communications, 15(1), Article 3549. Nature
Baczewska, B., et al. (2022). Pregnancy complications in women with PCOS: a population-based study. Ginekologia Polska, 93(4), 303–308. Ginekologia Polska
Palomba, S., et al. (2024). PCOS and risk of pre-eclampsia: systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(6), 1774. MDPI
Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2022). Pregnant women with PCOS at higher risk of heart complications during delivery. Johns Hopkins