Losing weight when trying to conceive - will it affect fertility?

[HermioneKipper]

I’ve just started a 1200 calorie diet. Have put on 1.5 stone since having my daughter 2 years ago - has crept on and I’m really not happy with how I look. Avoid pictures, lots of clothes don’t fit etc

I had a miscarriage about a month ago (at 8 weeks) and I’m hoping to conceive again soon although my period hasn’t come back yet.

Will being on a calorie restricted diet affect my chances of conceiving?

I’m 5ft 8 and weigh 12 stone - I was 10.5 before my daughter and a size 10/12 which I was happy with.

I’m eating - porridge with skimmed milk for breakfast. Lunch of homemade veg soup and a slice of toast. Dinner of something like Quorn bolognese with small portion of spaghetti. Yoghurt for pud and fruit/raw veg for snacks. Water and a few teas/coffees (no sugar) for drinks

I think this sounds quite well balanced diet and am certainly not starving myself but my mum was worried and said she thought it could affect my chances of getting pregnant again. It won’t will it??

[Tirednessandmoretiredness]

It might actually make it better. One of the first things that fertility clinics often say is get yourself to the right bmi. I was losing weight both times I've got pregnant. As long as you are making sure your diet is varied and has everything you need and you aren't just starving yourself but losing in a healthy way you should be fine.

[ronniemipperton]

Keep an eye on your cycles. Hypothalamic amenorrhea is a thing (and it’s bloody annoying)

[HermioneKipper]

@ronniemipperton what is this?

[Aquamarine1029]

Being overweight can hugely affect your chances of conceiving. Eating a healthy, lower calorie diet is a good thing.

[Mouikey]

So when I went for my appointments for bariatric surgery about 10 years ago, I was told to take precautions as the weight came off as the chances of getting pregnant were increased. Even though those having surgery shouldn’t (in the first 12-18 months) there were very very many little babies in the waiting room!

I understand it can also help PCOS.

[ronniemipperton]

@HermioneKipper it’s when your periods stop because you’re not eating enough, or doing too much exercise, or both. I had it and couldn’t work out why I wasn’t having periods for years, turned out to be too much exercise. I wasn’t underweight but was sometimes eating 1200-1400 calories and doing a fair amount of cardio (like a 10k run or a long spin class). It didn’t feel like loads but apparently it was enough to mess up my body. Obviously a problem when ttc!

This woman has written a book about it, her website has some useful info: www.noperiodnowwhat.com

[jb1305uk]

Sorry for your loss OP.

I lost 2 stone when TTC, I weighed 12 stone but I’m 5ft 4. As a pp has said, getting into the right BMI range helps. I also felt fitter, healthier and ate better throughout pregnancy.

Good luck.

[Fiveredbricks]

Low calorie is shit for fertility. You want healthy fat and dairy and low carb. Full fat dairy aids egg quality and conception.

Weight loss helps but it depends how you do it.

[Fiveredbricks]

Or and real meat is 1000x better for you than quorn or veggie mince 🤢

[HermioneKipper]

Thanks for the replies all. And @ronnie probably not enough time to squeeze in lots of exercise with work and small person! I do quite a bit of walking though (usually with tea and cake rewards which is stopping!) but def something to keep in mind

[Hunter037]

Being very overweight can affect fertility, as can being underweight.
If you weighed 10.5 stone you would br in the "healthy" weight range so probably ideal for fertility.

[HermioneKipper]

Hoping my period comes back soon. Doctor told me it could be 6-8 weeks after miscarriage. Feels so weird as I’ve always had a very regular cycle

[HermioneKipper]

@fiver am vegetarian. Not always Quorn (which i actually like) but lentils etc too

[HermioneKipper]

Thank you @jb1305uk

[HermioneKipper]

@jb1305uk did you keep up the dieting while pregnant? My friend was told she couldn’t do WW/slimming world while preg I’d want to try and keep it up a bit if all goes to plan. Although felt so sick with first pregnancy I’d eat anything that didn’t make me want to vom which was marmite on toast or doughnuts!

[loubielou31]

I would suggest that 1200 calories is too low but that losing weight in a healthy way will definitely not inhibit your fertility. If you wanted to follow Slimming World you can continue to go throughout a pregnancy if you wish to, (they tweak the eating plan a little to ensure you get what your body needs.) I reached my target weight and found out I was pregnant in the same week. I didn't want to pay a weekly fee when gaining weight was an expectation so stopped going to SW I have never been that weight since DC is 10!

[Popc0rn]

My friend started slimming world while pregnant, her midwife recommended it. She lost 2 stone during her pregnancy and had a healthy baby girl.

www.rcm.org.uk/slimming-world