Conceiving with high BMI

[Gkb90]

Hi ladies,
I’m wondering if anyone who has a high BMI have been successful conceiving, I’ve been TTC for over 2 years and have tried everything like letrozole etc but I’ve just not been successful there just seems something to be always going wrong and I do think the underlying condition is my weight.. I have really struggled losing weight and honestly it’s so depressing that I just can’t get my body to do what it’s ‘meant to’

thank you in advance for your insight xx

How high is your BMi? Could you have PCOS? X

Sorry, meant to add, how are your cycles? Are you ovulating, and has your partner been tested?

4 successful pregnancies with BMI over 40. My pregnant midwife (who was bigger than me) said the NHS massively exaggerate the problems excess weight can cause. By all means, lose some weight, be as healthy as you can be, exercise, and eat well. Much more important than a number on a scale. Good luck!

I conceived at a BMI of 38.2

We tried unsuccessfully for about a year, went to see my GP and he told me it was most likely my BMI and to lose weight before trying or else I would be looking at risk of death, miscarriage etc . In hindsight I feel like he was scaremongering a bit. .

I did have a healthy DC but I developed gestational diabetes and my recovery was not great. It could just be me but I do feel like if I was healthier it would be easier for me right now as sometimes I feel so knackered and achy and unfit with looking after my DC

@Gkb90 sorry to hear you are having difficulty with this. it might be worth getting checked as you could have other issues affecting your fertility perhaps? or your partner?

having said that, I would seek advice from a dietician to try and lose at least some weight. pregnancy and child birth can be very challenging for high BMI patients. there is a significantly increased risk of complications. I worked in a labour unit with large numbers of high BMI patients, and every part of it becomes a challenge - even getting a cannula in and recovery is also more challenging. I know you have been trying and I do feel for you because I am also struggling to lose weight so definitely not judging you!

I have /had very regular cycles and had NO issues getting/staying pregnant. I did take coQ10 as I am fairly old (not sure it did anything for my eggs but... 🤷‍♀️)

I was pretty overweight for first and current pregnancy as I gained in lockdown -> had baby.
Go back to weight I was pre DD and got pregnant again (there will be a <2 year gap)

My pregnancy felt hard but compared to some slimmer NCT mum's it was a breeze. So I think it's fairly individual....
I have ALOT to lose once no 2 is born.

Are you tracking your cycles? If they are regular and not super short it'saybe not you?
I'd say first step is testing partners sperm then you get blood tests.

Hi ladies thank you all for your replies, I’m 33 and have a BMI of 31. I have regular periods and have had all my bloods done and tubes checked my DH had his sperm check all came back well.. during cycle monitoring I was finding my folicles were not growing to the sufficient size same with my lining, I would get a peak LH levels too. I also find my periods are getting a lot lighter.. when I’ve done the dreaded Google searches on why it does say weight has a lot to do with it.. I’ve never been a super skinny girl but my health did decline during lockdown which made me gain that extra weight I can’t seem to shift!

@NorthCliffs wow that’s amazing to hear, I honestly do feel like doctors put such pressure on weight, my sister is on the bigger side also she’s conceived twice naturally

@Jelllytot thats great to hear you successfully conceived, did you have to lose anything to conceive or was this still the same BMI? X

Still the same BMI. I think when the Gp told us it wouldn't be great to conceive we stopped trying a nd tracking ovulation etc and I guess the pressure was off. I feel like it's sods law but I was really surprised when I found out I was pregnant because we werent tracking anything.

Maybe there's something in there about being less stressed etc?

Keep trying and have faith in yourself x

@therealcookiemonster thank you for your insight! This has definitely given me food for thought and I do really need to get a move on with trying to drop some weight but it’s so much easier said than done. I’m taking a months break from the meds etc my doctor has put me on so this month will defo try give myself that extra push. Me and DH have had all our checks done when we hit that 18 month mark of TTC all came back well, he’s at a healthy weight it’s just me!

@Totalwasteofpaper im happy to hear you conceived successfully! I’ve had all my bloods and checks done even had that dreaded procedure getting my tubes checked, DH had his sperm checked too and all is well. During cycle tracking we noticed my folicle wasn’t growing to the sufficient size neither was my lining and my periods have started getting lighter so I’m just at whits end!

When your fat cells shrink they release oestrogen, so it's definitely worth trying to drop a couple of stone - it may give your fertility a kick-start. Eat high protein, low carb. Check your TDEE and eat 500kcals below that. You can do it!

Losing 10% of your body weight can have a huge impact on fertility. I have PCOS and needed letrozole to conceive my first DD. My BMI was 28 at the time. For my 2nd DC, my BMI was 32 so i wasnt eligible for fertility treatment, but i did the Fast 800 diet + intermittent fasting to try and lose weight for treatment. I lost 12kg in 12weeks, my BMI went down to 29 and i conceived naturally for the first time in 5years. When we spoke to our fertility doctor to tell her about our pregnancy, she said that the 10% body weight can reset or kickstart your hormones. It can be so hard but it is really really worth trying! Good luck! 💪

BMI of 31 isn't much higher than the NHS criteria for fertility treatment. I personally wouldn't worry at that level that it's affecting my fertility, but there's no harm in getting it under 30.

I have a BMI of 32 and TTC. I'm getting under 30, purely for if we need a referral on the NHS to a clinic. I'd rather be in that space ready to go, than have to lose it when they're ready to refer.

My GP has said they're happy to refer once I'm under 30BMI and it's been 6months of trying.