Low BMI and conception

[Funnyoldfolkestone]

Hello! I was wondering, my BMI (18), puts me at officially a little bit underweight. I'm actually trying to put on a few pounds but really struggling to do so, no idea why and I guess normally I'd be delighted. But I'm TTC and wondering whether this might have any impact? I have regular periods and I think I am ovulating (just started charting to make sure what's going on), so if that's all fine is there any reason that I should worry about this?

[DUSTIN]

I had the same BMI as you when I was ttc my 1st child. It did take us about 3 years and 2 mc's to have DS so I also worried about my weight being an issue so I just started to eat really healthy foods. Lots of fruit and veg.I also sprouted my own seeds and beans and ate those. I also took preconception multivit/ mineral tablets.

I think all this must have helped as I have just had my 2nd child.

Good luck x

[Funnyoldfolkestone]

Hi Dustin. Thanks - and congratulations! I'm trying to eat more but am finding the only way to put on weight is to eat some unhealthy stuff too (although trying to do that alongside healthy stuff)! I find it a real struggle to eat enough, I think it's because I'm so tired, it seems to make me sort of lose my appetite/feel a bit sick a lot!

[Momdeguerre]

Hi Funny,
My BMI has been 18 for years - first time TTC only took us a month (!) - this time round it is taking a bit longer but I don't believe it is effected by my BMI.

My GP said that it is not a problem if I have regular periods and am fit/well and not sstarving myself or dieting to extremes.

[ApuskiDusky]

I was able to conceive quickly with a BMI of 16, as my periods continued as normal. I did then put on 4 stone in pregnancy though! I'm now trying to conceive again, and my BMI is now 19, and 6 months on we're still trying. I do think I was very very lucky to get pregnant the first time with the weight I was, though.

I'd agree with Dustin, make sure you're eating healthily / supplement if need be. If you are having periods and ovulating, then you just need to make sure that you are getting the right amount of nutrition, which may not be the case if your food intake is lower than average.

[Funnyoldfolkestone]

Thanks Momdeguerre and Apuski. I was a bit heavier when I conceived first time round, only a few pounds, but it felt like a slightly 'healthier' weight, although maybe I was just less tired so felt healthier all round! I also got pregnant really quickly then. I've not been trying long this time but, I don't know, I have this weird feeling it's not going to be so easy so am concentrating on things I can do to help, like trying to eat more. Unfortunately there's nothing I can do about being two years older!

[babyboom1979]

Hi funny........my BMI is 19 and both my gyne and my nutritionist said I should try to get it to 20. It's a good sign that your periods are regular. However, as my doctor explained, body fat plays a very important role in regulating a woman's hormones and too little can cause slight hormonal changes that we aren't even aware about -- especially if one is getting normal periods. This is why underweight and overweight women can find it more difficult to conceive and a also can suffer more complications in pregnancy.

I went to see a nutritionist because I had no idea how to increase my calories without gorging on junk food. She was super helpful and basically suggested that I switch to whole dairy products (apparently consuming high quantities of low-fat dairy products can cause annovulation in women), eat more nuts and seeds, incorporate more grains and pulses, and that i use olive oil more abundantly. All pretty healthy stuff.

I think feeling fatigued all the time is a huge sign that you need to take care of yourself (don't we all!). It isn't normal to feel tired all the time or to lose your appetite so easily. Why not have a quick check-up? Perhaps you are suffering from something as simple as anemia which can be fixed very easily.

[Funnyoldfolkestone]

Hi Babyboom. That's really interesting, thanks. I think that I only had a slightly higher BMI when I conceived my DD - I was 8 stone basically, as opposed to about 7 stone 9lb now, so was still under a BMI of 19. But I've always felt that when I drop much below about 8 stone I don't feel the same, and that's why I think that this might be a problem for me now, although I don't have any evidence for that as such. I will take that advice about dairy, nuts and seeds and put some concerted effort into putting on some pounds! I did go to the doctor a few months ago and they did some blood tests, I think for iron and thyroid but when I called they said all was fine.

[Scorps]

My BMI is 17 and im 19 weeks...MW says all fine (this is my 4th baby at this weight, 2 of which have been well over 8lbs birthweight). MW just says to take pregnacare daily and watch for tiredness as she may need to test my iron levels a bit sooner than 28 weeks, maybe 24 weeks. She also stresses to eat well, muesli, fruit, baked potatoes....dairy things, meat.

Good luck

[Funnyoldfolkestone]

Thanks Scorps and congratulations! I've read somewhere that BMI can be a bit of a rough and ready measure of what's healthy or not, but as I said, quite apart from BMI I know I don't feel quite right below a certain weight. It's comforting to know that low BMI wasn't a problem for you.

[Cosmosis]

My BMI is 19 and my gynaecologist didn't seem to think that was a problem as long as you are still having regular periods etc.

[katster37]

I had worried about this when TTC. My BMI was 18.5 and I did used to do quite a lot of exercise - quite often 2hrs a day. When we didn't conceive in the first 3 months, I cut down the amount of exercise I was doing and made a concerted effort to eat a bit more - not a massive amount more, but just have a few more snacks etc, and we conceived on the 4th month. I am not sure if BMI/exercise/food had anything to do with it though, it could well have been down to chance! Good luck by the way.

[mosschops30]

No, if youre going to concieve, you will. Plenty of skinnies and fatties have babies.

Each time ive concieved my BMI has been about 17-18.

Am currently pg with no.3 and BMI is deffo more than that at the momeent

[OracleInaCoracle]

im going to be a bit controversial here, I have typical BMI of 17.5 and have had to put on weight while ttc. the fact is that while some women are naturally slimmer etc it isn't conducive to a healthy pg for mum or baby to be either over or under weight. and if you struggle ttc then a cons will tell you to piut on weight before treating you. my cons only prescribed clomid once my BMI got up to 20, and won't even look at us for ivf without me maintaining this weight.

yes, lots of people conceive whether they are over or under weight, just as lots of people continue to smoke and/or drink while pg without any negative effects (not the same i know) but while ttc you do need to be in the best possible condition.