It’s a big YES…..
It’s a well known fact for everybody that obesity is a major factor for causing health problems like hypertension, heart diseases, diabetes, etc. But, many are still unaware of the fact that obesity or being overweight affect your chances of getting pregnant and also chances of having a healthy pregnancy.
In fact, obesity is the cause of fertility struggles in 6% percent of women who have never been pregnant before, says the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
What is Obesity???
Ideal body weight is decided according to your height, this gives a calculation of BMI. If BMI is in the range of 25-29.9, it is considered as overweight. For labelling somebody as obese, the BMI should be >=30.
How does, obesity affects fertility???
Unhealthy weight affects women’s fertility by causing
- Hormonal imbalances
- Problems with ovulation( release of egg)
- Menstrual irregularities
Obesity is also linked to very common hormonal problem i.e. polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is known to influence any girl’s fertility quotient.
Overweight and obesity affect assisted fertility treatments outcome as well. It affects all types of treatment outcome like ICSI/IVF, IUI, ovulation induction.
Obesity and risks to pregnancy and baby:
If you have a higher BMI, your pregnancy might get some complications like
- Thrombosis(blood clots)
- High blood pressure
- Longer labor
- Emergency Caesarean section
- Increased chances of miscarriage
- Premature birth
What’s the solution for this?….
Many girls come and ask this question, that what can they do for improving their chances of getting pregnant… answer is simple and clear …if you are planning your pregnancy, then following healthy lifestyle and aiming for healthy weight is definitely a key factor….
But, loosing weight and going through its process is not that simple, rather it is quite daunting.
Good news is… loosing even 5% of your body weight helps in correcting your hormonal imbalances and in turn improves your chances of conception.
Studies and research says, for achieving your target BMI, go for activities that fits your lifestyle… never over do anything. Excessive exercise can impact your ovulation indeed. That’s why anything in moderation is always the best.
Involve combination of activities like cardio, aerobics, strengthening, and flexibility exercises. Do some form of exercise or activity which excites you like dancing, swimming, jogging, etc., rather than following something blindly which creates boredom for you. Everybody’s body is different. There is no single rule for everyone. Make your own plan with some professional help.
When it comes to diet, follow healthy, balanced diet. You should not get trapped in fancy and impractical diet plans. Even low carb or keto diets are not good for couple trying to get pregnant. Follow regular, healthy meal plans. Cut down on junk, sugary foods, alcohol. Take help of professional dietician, and customise your diet plan as per your regular dietary habits.
Being active is important element of being healthy. Set realistic weight goals and stay motivated to achieve it with positive approach.
Underweight and fertility:
Being underweight is also a challenge for couples trying to conceive. Underweight girls are more likely to have hormonal imbalance compared to girls who are normal weight.
Take dietician help to improve on diet and health.
Make a positive move….
If you are planning to conceive in near future… make a positive move towards following healthy lifestyle. Even if doesn’t lead to weight loss, it will make a difference in your overall health. This might be your year……..
