I'm a big girl. Is there a risk?

[Welshgirl1991]

Hi everyone. So a small back ground. We started trying to conceive this month but were unsuccessful.

We have been geared up to try again next month. However I am now at my heaviest I've been in a long time. I'm overweight and I'm concerned as I have 46 day cycles and that I could potentially not be ovulating to start with, but also nervous that if we were successful next month, am I putting myself at risk because I'm overweight? I just want some advice on whether or not we should hold back? And wait for me to get to a healthy weight? Any success stories or advice would be great. We want to start a family more than anything, and we have already had to miss out on our wedding this year for the 3rd time and move it to next year due to covid. So we want a baby however we want to be sensible with regards to my health too. Please help 😔😔

I guess it depends on how overweight you are?

The NHS website says:

*If you are overweight, the best way to protect your health and your baby's wellbeing is to lose weight before you become pregnant. By reaching a healthy weight, you increase your chances of conceiving naturally and reduce the chance of problems associated with being overweight in pregnancy.

If you get pregnant before losing weight, try not to worry – most women who are overweight have a straightforward pregnancy and birth and have healthy babies. However, being overweight does increase the chance of complications for both you and your baby.*

If your BMI is over 30 there's a 5% more chance of a miscarriage, you're 3 times more likely to develop gestational diabetes, 2-4 times more chance of pre-eclampsia, 14% chance of having a baby weighing more than 8lb 14oz rather than a 7% chance if BMI was under 30, 1 in 100 chance of a stillbirth rather than 1 in 200.

If you've got time on your side and have a BMI over 30 I would try and lose weight first xx

Hey!

Ideally, you would be at a healthy BMI, do you know what yours is?

There are lots of risk factors for pregnancy (such as age), not just weight and there have been plenty of people who have had healthy pregnancies while being overweight.

You can still try to get pregnant and lose weight at the same time- remember in the first 3 months of pregnancy you shouldn't really gain any weight and a lot of people actually lose weight due to morning sickness.

It may be worth speaking to your gp- they would be able to take a full look at your health records and say whether they think you should wait or not.

Also just a side note, have you been checked for PCOS? Longer cycles and weight gain can be symptoms. X

Dont wait! Diet and Ttc. If you are not a healthy weight when you fall pregnant, diet while pregnant. Just dont wait x

I had three kids with great uncomplicated births all being obese. And I got pregnant all three times on some form of birth control. I was lucky so it's possible.

However that being said I gained more with each birth, I set a poor example for my kids one is now struggling with weight also. I found it hard to keep up with them etc. I've lost most the weight now and feeling better for it but I'm not slim slim.

I'd say it was harder to.loose after birth than before so if you want to lose do it before so you go into it best you can can only help but I guess unless you are maybe more morbidly obese I'd go for it. All the best I know struggle x

I don’t have a lot of experience of this at all however from what I’ve read and nhs website info I would say to make sure you start dieting now. I wouldn’t hold off ttc though.

Just eating healthier, reducing portion sizes and going for a walk every day will help loads with weight loss. I’ve found in the past that shunning sugar (apart from in fruit) helps massively. After a few weeks you don’t crave it at all xxx

How big is big though? People's perception of big differ.

I think it really does depend on how overweight you are OP.

If it's a lot it probably is a good idea to start eating more healthily. Lots of fruit and veg which have natural folic acid are your friends ( as well as the supplements). I'd fill up a lot with those and talk to your doctor about it too for support, even if it's just over the phone .

Good luck x

I would say try and loose weight while ttc. It's not a given that you will fall quickly and hopefully ttc will give u the motivation to eat health and get some exercise also lots of dtd will get some calories Burt off 😉😉

Wow thank you so much for the response everyone. You are all so lovely ❤ I just want to do what's best you know? We are more than ready but I guess its the unknown that worries me. I have been doing the 5:2 diet in the past and it works for me cos I'm very lucky that when i diet and walk and put my mind to it the weight loss goes right down. Xx which is fab. Just need to stick to it xx