Is being fat bad during TTC / pregnancy?

[chunkyttc]

NCed as I have recognisable info under my usual username.

Is it bad to be fat and TTC or pregnant? I'm 5"5 and about 79kg, so overweight. I was anorexic and I had a major swing to the other side of being unhealthily overweight, during which I almost doubled my body weight.

I'm planning on TTCing next year and worried about being overweight, but also worried about controlling my diet (or overstressing). As soon as I'm actively TTC I will sort my diet out to get the best nutrients for the baby, but I'm concerned I will be overweight throughout potential pregnancy (and have additional risks due to this).

Is this a valid worry or is it something I need to calm down about?

I think it's always best to be as healthy as possible, but I know 2 people who were very over weight and have had perfectly normal pregnancies.

I'm sure others will be along with more first hand info soon.

Good luck with your TTC journey x

Thank you @Belle1983. I want to do the best for the potential baby and myself, but I'm worried about swinging too far into either extreme. Gestational diabetes and other potential health conditions attached with being overweight and pregnant also scare me a lot.

Gestational diabetes can be a risk, but overweight isn't the only cause. I just learnt that a very slim colleague was at risk due to genetics and nationality.

I have no experience of eating disorders (but well done for coming through that. That alone must show immense strength of character and determination).
Could you contact your GP (or even a support group through hospital etc) to talk through ways to become healthier in your diet without risking triggering and issues around food.

Forgive me if any of that is showing ignorance- I have no idea what support is available.

The outcomes for women who have a BMI of 25 to 30 (yours is around 29?) are no different from women who have BMI of 20-25. It’s only once you get over 30 or 35 that pregnancy related complications become more common.

I was very very overweight on all of my children (8 stone overweight). No issues trying to conceive, no issues with gestational diabetes etc. I'm aware I am lucky and it's always best to be as healthy as possible but it doesn't mean you can't have healthy pregnancies.

Being overweight has more health risks than not being overweight, and this is true during pregnancy as well as not. But that should absolutely not put you off of trying to get pregnant. There are health risks for smoking, for rock climbing, for so many things. Your doctor can help you manage anything like gestational diabetes that might arise. Yes, it's true we should all try to be as healthy as possible for pregnancy to minimize risk, but don't let anyone tell you you can't have a healthy, successful pregnancy just due to your weight. Get good medical advice and go for it.

My dsil was overweight at the start of her pregnancy and the midwife was really supportive. With healthy eating she didnt put any more weight on during the pregnancy so afterwards it was much easier to lose the baby weight.
She was very well throughout.

I have always been very overweight. When I first tried to conceive I asked my gp about it, expecting her to tell me I just had to lose x amount of weight, but all she said was to look after myself as my body would become my baby's mife support. So I did - no massive changes, just eating the right things and cutting out the crap. I even went to see a nutritionist, private as the nhs will tell you you're a fat cow but won't actually refer you to get help. Conceived after 5 months of trying. Pregnancy went super well. Midwife was really annoying (fat shaming, predicted an overweight baby, made me test for diabetes several times) but my daughter was born weighing a perfect 50th percentile. No diabetes, no hypertension, nothing.
So don't worry too much. Even if you have an increased risk for complications it doesn't mean you automatically will get complications. And even if you do, a pregnancy with complications is not the end of the world - complications are what doctors are there to help you with.
One thing though, maybe start taking folic acid and vitamin D earlier rather than later. Best of luck x

At your weight, there are no extra anticipated issues with conception, pregnancy, or birth for you or baby.

There are negative outcomes associated with the obese BMI category (whereas you are in the overweight BMI category- me too!).

Worth mentioning there are also anticipated issues with TTC and potentially fetal health if you were underweight.

Best thing you could do whilst TTC is a health NOT kcals focus. Eat as many fruit and veg a day as you can, drink plenty water, exercise a few times a week.

Meant to say also that dietary restriction is known to negatively impact your likelihood of conceiving - so no strict diet whilst TTC!

There are significantly increased odds of child obesity when the mother has pre-pregnancy obesity. If you can, lose weight before you start trying to conceive. Seek support as you have identified a previous eating disorder.

You can have problems if seeking referral for fertility treatment as for IVF for example they will require you to have a healthy BMI (it can impact on the success of the treatment)

I'm in the same boat as you and trying to lose weight for this reason!