Maintaining a healthy body weight is essential for getting your body ready for pregnancy. According to studies, being overweight or underweight can affect a woman's chance of getting pregnant. Obesity does affect fertility, although other things are often too responsible for ovulation issues.
If you are overweight or obese:
Obesity (BMI greater than 30) increases the risk of experiencing irregular ovulation and menstrual periods, although being overweight may not increase your risk of ovulation issues. You are more likely to experience a longer gestation period if you are obese.
Body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher at the beginning of pregnancy significantly raises the risk of pregnancy problems. Your chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy baby can be increased with a small weight loss of 2–5 percent. An underlying metabolic disorder in polycystic ovarian syndrome patients can result in obesity and ovulation issues.
If you are underweight:
A BMI of 18.5 or lower may make it more difficult for you to get pregnant and raise your chance of giving birth prematurely. Numerous women with a BMI under 18.5 experience irregular or absent periods and may not be ovulating regularly. Even a small weight gain could have an impact on your ability to conceive. Ask your doctor for advice on how to put on weight by discussing with them.
Does obesity affect a woman's ability to become pregnant and have a healthy baby after she gets treatment?
Obesity lowers the success rates of in vitro fertilization (IVF), according to good research. According to studies, obese women had higher risks of miscarriage and lower rates of conception. Obese women are more likely to acquire high blood pressure and pregnancy-induced (gestational) diabetes (pre-eclampsia). Obese women are also more likely to give birth via caesarean section. Children of obese mothers are more likely to experience various birth abnormalities and have high birth weight.
High BMI and Risks to Pregnancy
Obesity with a body mass index of 30 or more have a lower chance of experiencing regular ovulation. Additionally, obesity may affect the success of in vitro fertilisation (IVF). When a result, as BMI rises, so does the chance of an unsuccessful IVF cycle. In fact, being obese during pregnancy increases your risk for a number of pregnancy-related complications, including gestational diabetes, heart dysfunction, sleep disorders, difficult vaginal deliveries, C-section complications like wound infections, and many others.
A woman's risk of pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy illness that can be harmful for both mother and baby, is doubled if she has a BMI of 35 or above at the beginning of her pregnancy.
If you have a high BMI, you are more likely to experience the following pregnancy issues:
Thrombosis (blood clots)
Diabetes in pregnancy
Birth prematurely (where the baby is born before they are fully developed)
An extended labour
Urgent caesarean section
Heavy bleeding following delivery
Due to the increased risk of complications, women with BMIs over 30 may require additional antenatal appointments (visits to the midwife) throughout their pregnancies. Some birth options, such as a home birth, may also be avoided.
A high BMI puts your baby at risk for the following things:
Miscarriage
Premature childbirth
Stillbirth
High birth weight of the baby
Diabetes and obesity later in life
If your BMI is high, lowering it—even by one or two points—can help you have a healthy pregnancy and deliver a healthy child. Your chances of having a safe pregnancy increase as you get closer to a healthy weight.
Maintaining a healthy body weight is therefore essential to managing infertility. In order to monitor weight growth and maintain one's health, one should be sure to engage in at least 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic activity or cardiac exercises, or even 75 minutes per week of aerobic activity. Combining moderate and strenuous physical activity with the guidance of a certified expert may also be necessary. This routine is applicable to both men and women in this circumstance.
One should also eat healthily and stay away from junk food as much as possible. One can aim toward a healthier weight and increase their chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy baby by including a balanced diet, introducing and consuming grains, vegetables and fruits, and exercising regularly.
Final Words
Regardless of the fact that every woman is unique, research show that weight loss increases the chances of pregnancy for women who are overweight or obese. Menstrual periods were also able to revert to normal after weight loss. Ask your doctor or nurse for advice on safe weight loss techniques.
If a woman has to put on weight before becoming pregnant, she should do so gradually and discuss safe weight gain techniques with her doctor or nurse.