PCOS Warrior Shares 10 Things They Don't Tell You About Miscarriages

Going through a miscarriage is understandably devasting for the men and women that spent months anticipating the arrival of their little one. You've likely picked out baby names, decorated the baby's room and imagined what life will be like with a new addition. Now you are challenged with coping with the loss of a child and wondering how you'll bounce back from such a devasting loss that will forever leave a hole in your heart.

Twitter user Ciara, who goes by the name Business Bae on Twitter, describes herself as a PCOS warrior and advocate. Ciara knows the pain of going through a miscarriage, so she decided to get on Twitter on Mother's Day to share what they don't tell you about miscarriages. Her hope is that women who have had a miscarriage and/or are struggling to conceive know that it is okay "to mourn on a 'happy' day!" She adds that, "It’s okay to remember and celebrate your journey!"

Here are Ciara's top 10 things they don't tell you about miscarriages:

Your body doesn’t recognize that your baby(ies) aren’t there for a while.
You’re breast milk doesn’t just go away and you don’t get to get slim because of breastfeeding.
Your hips and back still hurt for about a month because you are readjusting at an extreme.
The bonding hormones you produced are still in effect and you wake up searching and touching your belly at times.
You feel guilty because it was “literally your job”.
Watching everyone’s emotions seems underwhelming because their life hasn’t changed much.
You have to walk the Earth with people not knowing what happened to you and still having opinions on your body.
You're terrified to disappoint your current or future partners again.
You want to hide future pregnancies and excitement because you are afraid that you will “fail” again.
No one says Happy Mother’s Day because technically …well ya know.

"I'm not saying this for sympathy but to encourage those living with an unforgettable experience to feel normal on a day where everything feels surreal!," Ciara concludes.

You can read the whole thread below.

The things they don’t tell you about miscarriage…

(A THREAD) pic.twitter.com/z3scp8DePp

— Business Bae (Blazer Edition IYKYK) (@Businessbaec) May 14, 2023

What is PCOS?

According to John Hopkins Medicine, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in which the ovaries produce an abnormal amount of androgens, male sex hormones that are usually present in women in small amounts.

Many women with PCOS are at risk of suffering from miscarriages or an early loss of pregnancy. In fact, women with PCOS are three times as likely to miscarry in the early months of pregnancy as are women without PCOS.

PCOS often develops after puberty, however, in some cases, it can appear later. The most common symptoms of PCOS include:

Irregular menstrual cycle (though you can still have PCOS if you have a regular period)
Acne
Excessive hair growth on the face or other parts of the body
Thinning hair on the scalp
Weight gain
Prolonged vaginal bleeding (occasionally)
Insulin resistance or prediabetes (impaired glucose tolerance), which develops in more than 1 in 2 women with PCOS before the age of 40

These symptoms also affect many women who don't have PCOS so it is important to consult with your doctor if you have irregular periods or suddenly develop any of the symptoms above.

Getting pregnant with PCOS

If you are living with PCOS or any other condition that may be making it challenging for you to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term, it is important to prepare your body and keep it in a healthy condition.

According to several studies, following a healthy lifestyle reduces pregnancy-related complications. Avoiding drinking alcoholic beverages and stopping drinking if you are planning to conceive is a great place to start.

If you are already pregnant, it is important to work closely with your doctors and PCOS care team. Your obstetrician or fertility specialist, endocrinologist, and dietitian will also play an important role.

Your healthcare providers can help guide your medical care before, during and after your pregnancy journey. If you feel changes in your well-being or have any questions or concerns, contact your healthcare provider immediately. He or she can help you determine the best way to address them.