Being overweight or obese can affect a couple's ability to get pregnant. In fact, obesity is the cause of fertility struggles in six percent of women who have never been pregnant before, says the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
In most cases, being overweight does not affect your ability to get pregnant. However, being obese (rather than overweight) can decrease your chances of getting pregnant. That's because weight can have an effect on your hormones and can prevent your ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation).
Many women who carry excess weight still ovulate, but it appears the quality of the eggs they produce is reduced. The evidence for this is that among women who ovulate, each unit of BMI above 29 reduces the chance of achieving a pregnancy within 12 months by about 4%.
A new study finds that weight loss does not help women who are obese become pregnant. Women who are obese and struggling to become pregnant are often advised to lose weight, but a new study finds no fertility benefits from weight loss.
women in the normal weight range (BMI of 18.5-24.9) are recommended to put on between 37-54 lbs (16.8-24.5kg) women who are overweight (BMI between 25 and 29.9) are recommended to put on between 31-50 lbs (14.1-22.7kg)
Excess weight affects female fertility
This can disrupt the hormone balance and lead to reduced fertility. The quantity and distribution of body fat affect the menstrual cycle through a range of hormonal mechanisms. The more excess weight and the more abdominal fat, the greater the risk of fertility difficulties.
On February 13, 2007, Simpson gave birth to a baby girl named Jacqueline via cesarean section. She became the heaviest woman ever to give birth. At the time she weighed 532 pounds (241 kg). Six months after giving birth, she decided that her target weight would be 800 pounds (454 kg).
Obese women can also experience problems producing the desired amount of reproductive hormones. This can be reversed by weight loss. A 5 to 7 percent decrease in body weight, or about 10 to 20 pounds, by an obese woman will increase her chances of getting pregnant.
If you're overweight, doctors advise losing the extra pounds before you conceive, if possible. Going into your pregnancy overweight means you could put your own health and your baby's health at risk, and potentially set your child up for a lifetime of health issues.
The sonographer likes to be able to see all of your baby's organs and physical structure. Scanning the unborn baby of a woman with a BMI over 25 can be more difficult as some of the power of the ultrasound waves can be absorbed by the mother's tummy before they reach the baby.
Limit processed food like ready meals and when you do have fat, stick to healthy unsaturated fats like olive oil. Physical activity is also key for weight loss, and for all-round good health . You'll find it easiest if you build exercise into your everyday life.
The normal range (a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9) is the sweet spot for getting pregnant, as far as body weight is concerned. A study from 2022 looked at fertility ranges based on BMI. The authors found that conception was affected by both overweight and underweight women, and fertility was highest at a BMI of 19.5.
You should aim for a BMI of between 20 and 25, as this will optimise your chances of conception. Even in these modern times, nature knows best. If a woman's BMI falls below 19, the body senses famine and ovulation is switched off to prevent the risk of having a baby with malnutrition.
Losing weight while pregnant, other than in the early weeks, is not healthy for you or your baby. Dieting, trying to stay the same weight or losing weight in the second or third trimester of your pregnancy can deprive your baby of nutrients needed to grow and develop.
National guidelines on obesity and infertility are very clear; your weight can affect your fertility. Guidelines indicate that your chances of getting pregnant with IVF are better if your BMI is between 19 and 30. A BMI over 30 has a significant negative effect on IVF pregnancy success rates.
The ideal BMI for getting pregnant, either naturally or through IVF, is between 19 and 25; typically, IVF can be less successful in women with a BMI over 30. High BMI can also be associated with anesthetic risks during egg collection, and pregnancy complications such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Are You Ready for IVF? Although some doctors continue to recommend weight loss programs before providing IVF treatment, studies have shown that there is no sufficient evidence to show that losing weight will significantly improve your chances of conceiving through IVF.
Overweight and obese pregnant women are at a strongly increased risk of miscarriage, whether they conceived after natural conception or assisted reproductive measures [9]. The risk of miscarriage and pregnancy loss before the first liveborn child is 25-37 % higher in obese women [10].
Studies have shown that losing just 5% of one's body weight can help restore normal ovulation and menstruation, and in turn, increase your ability to conceive.
Extra weight can make it hard for you to get pregnant. For example, polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is one of the most common reasons for infertility in women and can also cause obesity. Overweight and obesity affect fertility by: Preventing ovulation.
If your BMI is 30 or above, you are advised to take a higher dose of folic acid (5 mg per day).
Is there a preferred weight/BMI limit for IVF? We treat patients who have a BMI of 40 and below through our Bulk Billed IVF Program. However, we do not have a BMI restriction of our Full Service Fertility Treatment Program through Life Fertility.
Infrequent Periods
The greater your BMI (particularly in the obese range over 35), the more likely you are to miss your period. It is even possible to stop bleeding altogether, a condition known as secondary amenorrhea.
Obese Women are Less Likely to Get Pregnant
IVF pregnancy rates are lower in obese women. The age-adjusted odds of live birth are reduced in a BMI-dependent manner by 37% (BMI, 30.0– 34.9 kg/m2), 61% (BMI, 35.0–39.9 kg/m2), and 68% (BMI, >40.0 kg/m2) compared with women with a BMI of 18.5– 24.9 kg/m2.