Some women with PCOS worry that they’ll have trouble – or won’t be able to – conceive children. While PCOS can lead to infertility, in most cases, women with PCOS can have healthy, successful pregnancies, including with the help of lifestyle changes and infertility treatment when necessary. 3
If you’re struggling with PCOS, you should speak with a GP about possible conception options because these may vary depending on your health status (and that of your partner).3 It’s important to note that having PCOS can increase the risk of some complications during pregnancy, including high blood pressure, gestational diabetes and premature birth. With your doctor’s help, you can minimise these risks through monitoring your PCOS symptoms and taking extra care during your pregnancy.
The following interventions may help some women fall pregnant:3
- PCOS medication. A doctor may recommend tablets to help with ovulation.
- Surgery. There’s also a range of surgical procedures available that can increase your chances of falling pregnant.
- IVF. In-vitro fertilisations can be expensive, but many have success through this avenue. Hospital insurance policies that include cover for the clinical category of ‘Assisted Reproductive Services’ may pay a benefit towards IVF and other fertility treatments if you’re treated as an inpatient.
You’ll also need cover for pregnancy and birth related services if you want to take advantage of private hospital insurance benefits for the pregnancy and birth itself, such as choosing your own available doctor when you’re treated as an inpatient and having access to a private hospital room (subject to availability). Keep in mind the waiting period for pregnancy and birth services is 12 months; this means you’ll need adequate cover before you even fall pregnant.
Our guide to health insurance for pregnancies may help answer your questions about how to cut costs for these services