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).
Being underweight (BMI under 18.5) can reduce a woman's fertility by causing hormone imbalances that affect ovulation and the chance of getting pregnant. Compared to women in the healthy weight range, women who are underweight are more likely to take more than a year to get pregnant.
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)
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%.
Normal ovary size & chances to get pregnant
However, the egg size also matters in conceiving because it has to be of the right size for fertility. The minimum egg size to get pregnant is 18-20mm (1.8 – 2.0cm), otherwise, the normal egg size is 22 to 24mm (2.2 – 2.4cm).
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.
The ideal BMI for getting pregnant is between 18.5 and 24.9. This is known as the healthy range. If you have a high BMI, bringing it closer to the healthy range before trying for a baby will help you get pregnant as well as improving the health of your future pregnancy and child.
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).
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.
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. It takes longer for obese women to become pregnant, which can be a mentally debilitating factor.
In general, you have a better chance of conceiving if your BMI is between 20 and 25 than if it's below or above this range. If you have a BMI of less than 18.5, you are considered to be underweight.
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).
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).
If you're eating a healthy, varied diet, it's fine to lose weight while you're trying to conceive, as long as you don't become underweight. Just make sure you take it slowly and that your body is getting all the nutrients it needs from a balanced diet.
Having a high BMI can harm fertility by inhibiting regular ovulation. Even in women who regularly ovulate, the higher the BMI , the longer it may take to become pregnant. Some research also suggests that a higher BMI is associated with an increased risk of unsuccessful in vitro fertilization (IVF).
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.
Ovulation can be switched back on by consuming more food and aiming for a daily intake of at least 2500 total calories and 200 grams of starch. With increased calories and starch, ovulation should resume within six months.
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.
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].
If you're overweight, it can be more difficult for the person doing the ultrasound scan (sonographer) to get a clear picture of your baby. This is because of the way ultrasound scans work. A scan sends high-frequency soundwaves through your womb (uterus).
If your menstrual cycle lasts 28 days and your period arrives like clockwork, it's likely that you'll ovulate on day 14. That's halfway through your cycle. Your fertile window begins on day 10. You're more likely to get pregnant if you have sex at least every other day between days 10 and 14 of a 28-day cycle.
For example, if you are 160cm tall, your ideal weight range is between 51.2 and 64.0 kg, and you are obese if you are above 76.8 kg.