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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

Too fat for nhs fertility treatments

13 replies

Kate2020 · 03/10/2021 20:10

Hello
We’ve been TTC for nearly 2 years
Had a miscarriage over a year ago at approx 7 weeks (conceived naturally)
I’m overweight with a BMI of 40 had an appointment with the fertility clinic- bloods and scan all ok. The dr said I need to lose weight before he would consider clomid, need to get down to BMi of 35. I’ve been trying to lose weight but finding it very difficult
And the more depressed I get about not conceiving the more I eat…
Just wondered if anyone has had any success with private fertility clinics prescribing clomid in BMi of 40
Thanks

OP posts:
Idontlike · 03/10/2021 20:33

I’m sorry for your loss Flowers

There is a website here, the first clinic they list accepts patients with a BMI of 40, there are a couple of others too but they are in Surrey, London, Glasgow and Republic of Ireland.

nicolasalmon.co.uk/fat-positive-fertility-clinics-high-bmi/

hamstersarse · 03/10/2021 20:35

What is it you are doing to try and lose weight? What are you finding hard about it?

I think for your own health and that of your future baby, it is worth really cracking your weight issue

LacksAnyImaginationAtAll · 03/10/2021 20:44

I am in exactly the same situation - been TTC for over 2 years and had one MMC last september. I've got my BMI down to 33 now (lost 5 stone so far) but unless I get it down to under 30 I won't be able to access treatment on the NHS - no discussion. I find it really hard that there's such a hard and fast rule about having a BMI under 30 - my GP said that being overweight can affect fertility but only because being heavier can mean I might not ovulate - but getting pregnant shows I probably already am.

It's really hard, I know. I lost most of the weight with semaglutide but you shouldn't TTC while you're on it. Now I'm just tracking calories as I couldn't face putting off TTC again any longer.

Original poster
Kate2020 · 03/10/2021 20:50

@LacksAnyImaginationAtAll

I am in exactly the same situation - been TTC for over 2 years and had one MMC last september. I've got my BMI down to 33 now (lost 5 stone so far) but unless I get it down to under 30 I won't be able to access treatment on the NHS - no discussion. I find it really hard that there's such a hard and fast rule about having a BMI under 30 - my GP said that being overweight can affect fertility but only because being heavier can mean I might not ovulate - but getting pregnant shows I probably already am.

It's really hard, I know. I lost most of the weight with semaglutide but you shouldn't TTC while you're on it. Now I'm just tracking calories as I couldn't face putting off TTC again any longer.

That's fantastic Well done on your weight loss Did your GP prescribe semaglutide xxx
OP posts:
Original poster
Kate2020 · 03/10/2021 20:50

[quote Idontlike]I’m sorry for your loss Flowers

There is a website here, the first clinic they list accepts patients with a BMI of 40, there are a couple of others too but they are in Surrey, London, Glasgow and Republic of Ireland.

nicolasalmon.co.uk/fat-positive-fertility-clinics-high-bmi/[/quote]
Thanks for your kind message
Will check out that link x

OP posts:
Original poster
Kate2020 · 03/10/2021 20:51

@hamstersarse

What is it you are doing to try and lose weight? What are you finding hard about it?

I think for your own health and that of your future baby, it is worth really cracking your weight issue

I'm counting calories and exercising regularly I understand what you are saying but tbh your response is not helpful... I am aware of the weight issues and risk but that doesn't make it any easier
OP posts:
Twizbe · 03/10/2021 20:52

Infertility sucks and I'm sorry for your loss.

The rules about BMI are there for a few reasons. One being that the success rate for treatment goes down the higher your BMI. While a private clinic might prescribe drugs / treatments it could be a huge waste of money if your weight stops it working.

I lost loads of weight easily with slimming world. I highly recommend it and you can do it while pregnant or breastfeeding.

LacksAnyImaginationAtAll · 03/10/2021 20:58

I got the semaglutide on a private prescription. Your GP can prescribe if you have type 2 diabetes, but I don't think it's licensed for weight loss otherwise. It was approx £200 a month.

JoborPlay · 03/10/2021 21:47

Just be aware that it's unlikely to work with a high BMI, regardless of whether you can get it prescribed. Fingers crossed for you.

Justthoughts · 03/10/2021 21:58

Since you are willing to spend the money on private fertility treatment, could you perhaps spend some money getting some help with the weight issues instead?

Losing weight can be so hard. Especially since being significantly overweight is usually a symptom of other problems.
Have you had the chance to reflect on what the problem(s) might be? If you have, it might be beneficial to seek some counseling for this. And if you haven't then it might be beneficial to get some help with getting to the root problem of it.

You mention that the fertility issues are making you depressed, which in turn makes you eat more. This is a vicious cycle that is so hard to get out of. Being overweight messes up your hormones, which wrecks your energy and worsens your depression. Losing the weight would help you with much more than just conceiving.

And you can of course get all kinds of help with nutrition and training. But to be honest it sounds like the problem lies a little deeper than that.

As pp mentioned and as I'm sure you already know, it could greatly help your fertility success. Obesity also increases the risk of various pregnancy complications.
It might be a good idea to spend some money helping yourself and then doing fertility treatment through the NHS after.

Justthoughts · 03/10/2021 22:02

Also, I'm so sorry for your loss. 💐

IsabelHerna · 29/04/2022 08:24

I am sorry for your loss x

So many of us have heard the "you need to lose weight in order to proceed with IVF" line, and no matter how many times you hear about it, it still remains gutting! Technically there is validity, since a lower bmi does help with conception, but it can be annoying and really stressful trying to lose weight just to start your treatment. There are fertility nutritionists that can help you out with it, and there are a few amazing support groups here. Search for the "weight loss for IVF" one.

magnoliasinbloom · 29/04/2022 09:07

Hi @Kate2020 I'm sorry for your loss, and for the fact that you're feeling so low, infertility is so sad and stressful :( I don't have advice about fertility clinics. I wondered if because you are considering Clomid whether your doctor has ruled out PCOS by blood test/ultrasound? A symptom of PCOS is irregular ovulation, which Clomid would treat. But I am also asking because PCOS is caused by genetic hormone imbalance called by insulin resistance and one of the side effects is weight gain, especially around the middle area. Adjusting your diet to one higher in protein and good fats and lower in carbs (but still eating carbs - just lower GI ones) can do wonders for PCOS women and weight loss/improving ovulation.

For context, I have PCOS. Weight is not one of my symptoms (I have others) and my BMI is healthy but even doctors have said to me in the past that I could ovulate by losing 5 kilos even though that would make my BMI underweight! I did eventually conceive with Letrazole. Wishing you lots of luck!

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