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Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

Original poster

IVF and high BMI

42 replies

InanimateCarbonRod · 14/04/2015 13:16

I'm waiting for our first appointment to have IVF. We had treatment in the last two year that resulted in 2 pregnancies. Due to complications we have zero chance of natural conception so we're on to IVF.

The history is that I've underactive thyroid so am overweight. I've a BMI of nearly 40. That being said I exercise daily and my diet is excellent. I don't eat dairy or gluten and eat home made good quality food every day. My weigh problems are directly caused by my thyroid which is under control.

Does anyone else have experience of this? I'm so afraid that the consultant will take one look at me and say no way. IVF is our only hope now.

OP posts:
eurochick · 14/04/2015 13:18

I think many PCTs have a policy of no IVF if your bmi is over 30. Success rates are higher with lower bmi women, I believe.

ThisOneAndThatOne · 14/04/2015 13:23

I have a high BMI and was successful first time round in my early 40s

The (private) consultant did not mention my weight at all.

Take a look at the Lister website. It used to have a success calculator where you could type in your stats and it would come up with a success probability.

From memory, I don't think weight is on it.

Good luck!

eurochick · 14/04/2015 13:26

Private is usually different.

SolomanDaisy · 14/04/2015 13:36

Is it funded? If it's private there won't be a problem. If it is funded you will be asked to get your BMI to below whatever their cut off number is before you begin treatment (usually 29 or 30). You can be on the waiting list while you lose weight though, and they are very used to people in this situation.

Original poster
InanimateCarbonRod · 14/04/2015 13:47

It's a private fertility clinic. 100% paid by us.

Congratulations thisone!

OP posts:
Jelliebabe1 · 14/04/2015 15:52

Yep My BMI is now 40 and I'm pregnant with twins! Due to various factors we went with donor egg treatment (on our 3rd go) and we are now going to be a family of four! Grin to be fair our consultant did mention my weight but only in a pregnancy will be easier for you if you were slimmer kind of way.

The thyroid will be something they will want to look at closely - the number you have it at may not be low enough for them.

As you are self funding - look at treatment abroad it is a lot cheaper and quite often better - we went to Prague and it was great.

Jelliebabe1 · 14/04/2015 15:53

Also I did get pregnant on our first go but I sadly had an early miscarriage so don't be put off. You can do this! Smile

Original poster
InanimateCarbonRod · 15/04/2015 08:04

Thanks Jelliebabe. Congratulations on your impending arrivals!

My TSH is below 2 which was criteria for our former fertility treatment. I get monthly bloods to check the levels so it's tightly controlled. We did hear about Prague having a good rep and being cheaper.

We're you asked to prepare in any specific way? Diet etc?

OP posts:
miamiaMo · 09/10/2015 13:19

Jelliebabe1- agree, as you are self funding -make proper Internet research on fertility clinics abroad (Czech Rep, Poland (e.g. Invicta-46% success rate, PGD NGS, eggs freezing, etc) or a more expensive directions but worth considering- Greece or Spain.

Tootsiepops · 09/10/2015 13:31

I had a bmi of 36 when I started (private) IVF.

I was successful first time, and they kept a very close eye on my tsh (blood tests every two weeks - which was just as well as tsh climbed to 8 for no apparent reason whilst I was in my tww).

My consultant did not once mention my weight - I realise however that the stats do show marginally higher success rates for those with in-range bmi, but at 36, I didn't have time to fanny about losing three stone. Private clinics have a vested interest in having you as a client, so if you're able to pay, I feel they're less likely to turn you away. Having said that, if bmi had such a detrimental impact on success rates, perhaps they would say no as clinics trade on their success rates...

Difficult one.

At the time I started treatment, I was in the gym three times per week with a personal trainer, and was on a high protein, low carb diet and was mostly gluten free.

On the dairy though, I was persuaded to start drinking milk, and eating some cheese as I'd read some studies that suggested those who eat / drank full fat dairy had higher fertility rates.

RooibosTeaAgain · 09/10/2015 17:57

I had private IVF and the clinic would not treat anyone with a bmi over 35 even if paying due to being a stand alone clinic and not attached to a hospital ( that was their reasoning). Also encouraged to get bmi lower for moreover outcome - I got mine down by 3, thinking is every little helps.

Hope you find a clinic and treatment that is successful for you.

lugo40 · 12/10/2015 07:16

This is interesting for me. We have male infertility factor but my bmi is high. It was 47 and now 40 due to weight loss. I'm aiming to get it to 34 as all the private clinics I spoke to (all UK) said 35 was the cut off due to being able to see effectively on scans (the extra fat obstructs the view). Be interested to hear of you find a UK clinic that will do it. For NHS funded our Ccg said bmi of 29 for 6 months before treatment! But as the male infertility is unexplained we aren't entitled to funding anyway. Good luck!!

GMeister · 14/10/2015 00:38

I was kept on the NHS waiting list until I could get my BMI below 30. The day I got it down to 29.9, they were able to release funding. The problem is that I struggle to keep my weight down and my BMI has crept up to 32 again just as I've started my meds. My high BMI is unsettling me more than the treatment. Also, does anyone know if they check your weight again once you've started the process?

Tootsiepops · 14/10/2015 07:07

GMeister - they may check your weight, but I doubt they would stop treatment once started as increased bmi could at that point be down to fluid retention. I put on 10lbs during IVF. Most of it was water weight.

Alsmals · 23/03/2018 20:49

Hi, I know it’s been a long time since anyone posted on here but I’m interested to know if anyone has found a ‘fat girl’ friendly IVF clinic (private)? My bmi is about 38 at the moment and I’m 45 so time is against us!!! Any comments welcome and any recommendations welcome too...

Blondeshavemorefun · 24/03/2018 14:44

Most clinics even if paying private rarely go above 35bmi but not to say they won’t

Maybe email several and ask for their policy bmi advice

Mine was 30 when I first started. 4 attempts later it was 35 and some
weight gain to drugs. Other due to failure and eating bad stuff :(

They did mention be good to lose some weight but didn’t say anything else

Abroad are usually more flexible over stuff

Also at 45 May be worth thinking about de

Have your amh and fish done and we what results show

Good luck

Rubyshoes2 · 26/03/2018 22:57

Mine was 38 at initial consultation but the clinic never asked or weighed me. I used CRGW. Successful first time IVF.

mayawatson · 29/03/2018 18:02

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ringorabbit · 20/02/2019 09:56

Hiya! I've just joined to give some information!
I have a high BMI (over 40)
And we were accepted by Concept Fertility in London. I've had 2 fets and so far I've had a blighted ovum and chemical pregnancy. I'm sure my weight will affect my fertility, but I've always had regular periods and have no issues. (My husband has a zero sperm count).

I definitely recommend you get in touch just in case it's something they can help you with. I'm from Derbyshire so I have to travel (it's a pain) but obviously if it's a success it's worth it!

MuddlingThrough1724 · 25/02/2019 10:45

Just popping in to say hello since I am currently working on my weight to give us the best chance when we try ivf (hopefully next year). We are struggling with secondary infertility so will be self funding. Would be really interested to hear your experiences of the process, initial tests etc, and of individual clinics, especially those less weight focused!

physicskate · 25/02/2019 11:20

The thing is, there are very good reasons for the concern about bin during ivf. The overweight and obese women have a higher risk of complications. Studies also show they have lower success rates of ivf working - so it hits you coming and going.

www.univfy.com/fertilitychronicles/IVF-success-body-mass-index

www.manchesterfertility.com/learning-centre/blog/post/ivf-faqs-all-about-age-health-bmi-and-fertility-treatment/

ViolaD77 · 25/02/2019 22:46

My local NHS require a bmi of 28. Mine was 36 and there was no way I'd lose weight that quick so I tried the keto diet and only lost 22lb but lost more inches than actual pounds on the scales so my bmi went down to 32 which is still 'obese'...we ended up going private and was told to keep an eye on my bmi. I do believe this diet has helped me so much with my egg quality though with eating high fats and protein and cutting out sugar. I'm in my second icsi attempt at the moment and the Dr's were very surprised with my higher egg count and egg quality from last time. I even had a few to freeze this time which we were all shocked at!

SamM84 · 08/05/2019 17:15

Ringorabbit, after seeing your post I have contacted Concept Fertility and they are willing to see me to discuss treatment and my bmi is currently 40. Really hoping they accept me. Hope your treatment is going well.

Alebg · 10/04/2020 08:58

Samm84 I was just wondering how you got on with concept? I am thinking of trying them also

SamM84 · 18/10/2020 11:10

Hi Ringorabbit. I want to thank you. After reading your post last year I contacted Concept. They accepted me straight away, I started IVF in August and it worked first time. I couldn’t believe it. We now have a beautiful 4.5 month old little boy. If I hadn’t read your post I would never have found Concept so thank you. I hope you have had success too.