Overweight

[Liam2018]

Not sure if this is in the right place but need advice. I am ttc and have stupidly irregular periods. Usually as long as 77 days. I am also overweight. I am 5ft 3 and weigh 230 pounds. I have a doctors appointment and just feel like I'll be told to lose weight. Ofcourse I am going to the gym and eating well but feel like itll never happen cause I dont know if I am ovulating. I've tried opks but they're always dark and almost positive and I just feel like its never gonna happen. Couldnt find the right place to put this but any advice or similar stories will be helpful :)

Ps I have been told I dont have pcos

Hi! Being overweight (or underweight) can effect regulation of certain hormones, which in turn effects fertility, cycle length etc etc. I feel like its always assumed that if someone is overweight and is struggling to conceive (I know you havent specifically said you're struggling) then its PCOS, but thats not always the case.

FWIW, ovulation tests strips never, ever worked for me. I never once got a positive reading like others do. I know I do ovulate though, as im now 33 weeks pregnant. Just wanted to say that OPK kits arent always great for everyone. although they seem to work for the majority.

Wishing you all the best on your TTC journey.

Hi @Liam2018

That’s great that you don’t have PCOS, it will make your fertility less complicated.

Unfortunately, your weight will have a big impact on your fertility and there’s no way around that. It’s going to take time and hard work to drop weight and there are no shortcuts or cheats unfortunately. Even if you do get pregnant, you’re at high risk of complications to yourself and your baby at your current BMI.

I lost 3 stone in 1 year with slimming world, which I found SO much easier than any other diet I’ve tried. I’d highly recommend it and it’s the diet plan advises by the midwifery council for you to follow in pregnancy too.

Good luck. I know it’s tough, but at least this is within your control, rather than having a condition where you have to rely on medications etc

Plenty of people conceive when overweight (me included). Try and take it easy on yourself. They say age is a factor but then people have a baby at 40, smoking can reduce fertility but you see them outside hosp smoking so all these 'factors' are just statistics. TTC can be such an emotional and difficult time so I personally think that looking at reasons that you can't immediately change might make you stressed and that is another bloody 'factor' (easy to say I know but it sounds like you're already doing so well). I never used any kits. Personally I'm a big believer in nature and the fact that people have gotten pregnant forever without needing to be told when to try so if they are not helpful for you then maybe just back off them. I just want to encourage you that its certainly possible to get pregnant while overweight without knowing when you're ovulating and I really hope that you have a successful journey! x