Get out your baby onesies. Finally, you feel it’s time to have a baby. But as the months go by without a pregnancy test showing a positive result, your patience begins to fade. What could be the problem? Could your weight affect your ability to get pregnant?
Even losing 10 pounds can make a big difference to your chances of getting pregnant. Ob/Gyn Rebecca Starck MD breaks down the link between Weight and Fertility. She also explains what you can to do give your body the greatest chance of pregnancy.
Does having a BMI that is in the range of overweight or obesity affect your ability get pregnant?
Being obese or overweight can make it more difficult to get pregnant.
Dr. Starck explains that “it’s a complicated dance between your progesterone levels and the hormones which trigger ovulation.” “Fat cells produce more estrogen, which can be harmful to your body’s ovulation process.
It is important to note that obesity can affect your reproductive health and make it difficult for you to become pregnant.
While hormonal imbalances don’t necessarily mean that you will have difficulty getting pregnant, they can cause irregular ovulation or menstrual periods.
What is the best place to carry extra weight?
central obese refers to the weight around your abdomen. This is considered a higher risk of ovulation problems and diabetic. These can impact on your ability to become pregnant.
If you are “apple shaped,” meaning that you carry the majority of your weight on your stomach, you may be centrally obese.
“People with more weight in the lower extremities, buttocks or hips tend to be at a slightly lower risk,” says Dr. Starck. They may have a genetically determined body type. Central obesity, however, is usually the result of lifestyles and habits.
Healthy BMI for pregnancy
Doctors use Body Mass Index or BMI to determine whether a patient is obese or overweight. BMI is calculated by using height and weight. It’s all about the numbers: A BMI of 25-30 is considered overweight and a BMI above 30 is considered obese.
discussions and concerns regarding BMI is more complex. BMI can be a good starting point when trying to get pregnant.
Dr. Starck explains that, to optimize your health, you should aim for a BMI of less than 25, but the best BMI during pregnancy is different for each person.
A person with a BMI in the ideal range could have a hormonal imbalance causing irregular. A person with obesity may ovulate every month, have regular periods and have a high chance of getting pregnant.
How much weight can you lose in order to increase your fertility?
Dr. Starck explains that there are many factors to consider when it comes to weight loss, and even conception. “While there isn’t a magic number, starting with 10 pounds can be a good start.”
Make sure you make healthy choices every day to help you achieve your goal. This can make a big difference to your body’s ability to ovulate.
What is the best way to lose fat to increase fertility?
Dr. Starck advises her patients that they should focus on their diet first, before attempting to conceive. She warns, “Don’t focus on the end result too much. It can be overwhelming.”
1. Make healthy diet changes
Every day, do something healthy:
- Consume a lot of whole, natural foods.
- Food labels should be read carefully.
- Avoid ultra-processed and raw sugars.
- Consume more proteins throughout the day to keep you energized.
- Eat complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, beans, and vegetables.
Don’t be fooled by diets that promise quick weight loss.
Dr. Starck, a long-time Ob/Gyn says: “I’ve seen people try yoyo dieting year after year. It is very difficult.” A fad will never be as successful as healthy habits.
2. Enjoy your workouts
Exercise hard most days of your week to keep your heart rate up.
You can maintain and gain momentum if you find an activity that you enjoy. Start an exercise program with a warm-up phase, conditioning phase, and cool-down.
3. Ask for help without fear
You don’t need to go it alone. Speak to your doctor, or a nutritionist who can create an exercise program and a diet plan that you will be able to follow.
Dr. Starck recommends that you and your partner sign up together for a fitness class or plan a menu.
Medicines that increase fertility
metformin, a medication that is prescribed for people with Type 2 diabetes or who are not ovulating, is often used. It can be helpful, but it is not a miracle cure.
“Achieving healthy weight is a better investment, especially when you consider the risks associated with being overweight while pregnant,” says Dr. Starck.
Start Now!
A healthy weight can help you to conceive, and will make your pregnancy more comfortable. Even if you are not planning to have children for many years, adopting healthy habits will help you be in the best position possible for pregnancy.
Dr. Starck: “I am a strong believer in prevention, and I encourage young people to develop good lifestyle habits.” Working on developing healthy eating and exercising habits will benefit you for the rest of your life.
You can never be too young (or late) to start making smart, sustainable lifestyle decisions that will keep your family healthy and strong.
