Posted on January 1, 2025 - 12:59 pm by API Support

PCOS and Pregnancy: Preparing Your Body for Motherhood

Thinking about starting a family? If you have PCOS, there are a few key things to focus on before trying to conceive. One of the most important is lowering insulin levels.

Most people don’t realize that insulin plays a major role in fertility. High insulin levels don’t just affect metabolism—they impact ovulation, embryo implantation, and even the health of the placenta. Addressing insulin resistance before pregnancy can significantly improve your chances of conceiving and carrying a healthy baby to term.

This applies to both parents. While PCOS is often discussed in terms of female fertility, insulin resistance also affects male fertility. If you and your partner are trying to get pregnant, it is important that both of you work toward optimizing insulin levels.

Let’s dive into why keeping insulin low before pregnancy is one of the most important things you can do for your future baby.

How High Insulin Levels Affect Fertility

Most people with PCOS already struggle with insulin resistance, which means the body has to pump out more insulin to compensate. This high insulin environment can interfere with reproductive health in several ways.

Egg Quality Suffers – High insulin levels can negatively impact egg quality, making it more difficult for fertilization and healthy embryo development.
Ovulation Becomes Irregular – Insulin resistance can throw off the delicate balance of hormones that regulate ovulation. High insulin levels signal the ovaries to produce more androgens (male hormones), which can lead to irregular or even absent ovulation. If you are not ovulating regularly, getting pregnant becomes much more difficult.
Embryo Implantation is More Difficult – High insulin levels also affect the lining of the uterus. The endometrium needs to be thick and receptive for an embryo to implant successfully. Insulin resistance can make the uterine lining less favorable for implantation, leading to lower chances of conception and a higher risk of early miscarriage.
Abnormal Placental Development – High insulin levels can also interfere with proper placental development, increasing the risk of complications during pregnancy.
Higher Risk of Gestational Diabetes – If insulin resistance is present before pregnancy, it often worsens during pregnancy. This increases the likelihood of developing gestational diabetes, which can lead to excessive fetal growth, delivery complications, and a higher risk of metabolic issues for the baby later in life.

Why Insulin Levels Matter for Pregnancy Outcomes

Even after conception, keeping insulin low in early pregnancy is just as important as getting it low before pregnancy. High insulin levels in the first trimester have been linked to pregnancy complications, including:

Miscarriage, as high insulin levels can disrupt placental development and trigger an overactive immune response, leading the mother’s body to mistakenly reject the pregnancy.
Gestational diabetes, which can lead to a larger baby, delivery complications, and long-term metabolic issues for the child.
Preeclampsia, a dangerous rise in blood pressure that can lead to serious complications for both mother and baby.
Preterm delivery, which increases the risk of respiratory and developmental challenges for the baby.

The good news is that these risks can often be reduced by improving insulin sensitivity before pregnancy.

Insulin Resistance Also Affects Male Fertility

This is not just about moms—dads’ health matters too.

Insulin resistance in men has been linked to:

Lower testosterone levels, which can reduce sperm production and quality.
Increased DNA damage in sperm, leading to lower fertility rates and higher miscarriage risk.
Genetic changes in sperm that can influence the long-term metabolic health of the baby.

Both partners should focus on lowering insulin levels before trying to conceive.

How to Improve Insulin Sensitivity Before Pregnancy

If you are planning for a baby, following a Low Insulin Lifestyle is one of the best things you can do for fertility.

Here are some key strategies to get insulin under control:

Prioritize protein and healthy fats. Lean meats, eggs, nuts, seeds, and healthy oils help stabilize blood sugar and reduce insulin spikes.
Eat non-starchy vegetables and whole fruits. These provide fiber and nutrients without spiking insulin.
Avoid high-insulin foods. Starches like bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes, along with most dairy products and added sugars, all raise insulin levels.
Incorporate movement. Walking, strength training, and yoga improve insulin sensitivity and support hormone balance.
Monitor insulin levels. Checking fasting insulin to help keep track before and during pregnancy.

The Bottom Line

If you are trying to get pregnant, addressing insulin resistance should be one of your top priorities. Lowering insulin levels before conception can improve ovulation, increase implantation success, and lower the risk of pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.