Best weight/fat % for conception

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Would like some guidance.

I'm currently about a stone lighter than I was when I conceived DD1. I wasn't at all overweight then (BMI of around 22.5), but have been ill recently and lost quite a of weight. Before getting ill (ie after having DD) I was about half a stone heavier than I am now.

We're hopefully going to start TTC another baby in the new year, and I was wondering whether I need to put on some weight. I'm currently a healthy BMI (20.5 ish) and my body fat is over 20% (had it measured), but I'm aware that I'm a lot lighter than I was when I fell pregnant before.

What are people's views/experiences? If I'm ovulating at this weight then do I need to put on any more? Does the fact that I conceived (easily) at a higher weight suggest that I should try to get back up to that weight? I realise there's nothing to lose in putting on the weight, but I don't want to put on weight for no reason if I'm already healthy.

Thanks.

Your BMI is in the normal range so you should be OK - it is when it dips to 17 or below or if your normal regular cycles stop or become erratic that you need to worry.

However if you TTC for a few months and nothing happens you could try and gain a bit to see if it helps. However it sounds OK to me. For IVF treatment your BMI needs to be 19-29.

Don't know about the body fat, sorry!

i am currently pregnant and got pregnant with no difficulties with a BMI of the same as yours and weighing half a stone less than last time. I am sure you will be fine.

I wouldn't expect it to be a problem, especially if you know you are ovulating. As others have said, although it may be thin for you and not your ideal weight, from a health point of view it is still in the normal range.

Thank you - that's really reassuring. I lost mainly muscle over my illness so am trying to put some of that back on, but am finding it really difficult: feel like I'm constantly eating! I obviously am prepared to put on weight if I need to in order to get pregnant, but didn't want to put myself through that unless I needed to.

Thanks.