Weight Management and Conception
Joel Bernstien, MD posted:
Weight loss can be a periodic or lifelong struggle for many women. And it's certainly not easy to lose weight and keep it off. If you are thinking about conceiving, there is no better time than the present to initiate healthier lifestyle choices.
There is some evidence that an increasing BMI is associated with what we call subfertility, or a decrease in fertility without being infertile. Most commonly this subfertility is due to anovulation, or not producing an egg each month. Other theories suggest that an altered hormonal environment due to obesity can adversely affect the ovarian function, as well as the lining of the uterus where an embryo would need to implant. Even for women who ovulate regularly, obesity decreases the chance of conception. When obese women do conceive there is even a slight increase in the risk of miscarriage. Also, for obese women who conceive successfully, there are a variety of pregnancy complications that are even more common.
You hear it over and over again; diet and exercise, diet and exercise, diet and exercise. Caloric restriction is probably the most important part of weight loss if you are obese. Adding exercise to a diet is also very helpful and healthy. For women who are severely obese and who qualify for bariatric surgery, this too can be a good starting point to a healthier life -- possibly an even more fertile one. If you are planning bariatric surgery, it is strongly recommended that you wait 12 to 24 months after the surgery before conceiving. The reason is that there is a rapid weight loss in this time frame and it is better to not have the ongoing rapid weight loss while pregnant.
How have you worked toward maintaining a healthy -- or healthier -- weight? Have you found that changes in your weight seem to affect your experience in trying to conceive?
There is some evidence that an increasing BMI is associated with what we call subfertility, or a decrease in fertility without being infertile. Most commonly this subfertility is due to anovulation, or not producing an egg each month. Other theories suggest that an altered hormonal environment due to obesity can adversely affect the ovarian function, as well as the lining of the uterus where an embryo would need to implant. Even for women who ovulate regularly, obesity decreases the chance of conception. When obese women do conceive there is even a slight increase in the risk of miscarriage. Also, for obese women who conceive successfully, there are a variety of pregnancy complications that are even more common.
You hear it over and over again; diet and exercise, diet and exercise, diet and exercise. Caloric restriction is probably the most important part of weight loss if you are obese. Adding exercise to a diet is also very helpful and healthy. For women who are severely obese and who qualify for bariatric surgery, this too can be a good starting point to a healthier life -- possibly an even more fertile one. If you are planning bariatric surgery, it is strongly recommended that you wait 12 to 24 months after the surgery before conceiving. The reason is that there is a rapid weight loss in this time frame and it is better to not have the ongoing rapid weight loss while pregnant.
How have you worked toward maintaining a healthy -- or healthier -- weight? Have you found that changes in your weight seem to affect your experience in trying to conceive?
9 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Weight Management and ConceptionWeight loss can be a periodic or lifelong struggle for many women. And it's certainly not easy to lose weight and keep it off. If you are thinking about conceiving, there is no better time than the present to initiate healthier lifestyle choices. <br /><br />There is some evidence that an increasing BMI is associated with what we call subfertility, or a decrease in fertility without being infertile. Most commonly this subfertility is due to anovulation, or not producing an egg each month. Other theories suggest that an altered hormonal environment due to obesity can adversely affect the ovarian function, as well as the lining of the uterus where an embryo would need to implant. Even for women who ovulate regularly, obesity decreases the chance of conception. When obese women do conceive there is even a slight increase in the risk of miscarriage. Also, for obese women who conceive successfully, there are a variety of pregnancy complications that are even more common. <br /><br />You hear it over and over again; diet and exercise, diet and exercise, diet and exercise. Caloric restriction is probably the most important part of weight loss if you are obese. Adding exercise to a diet is also very helpful and healthy. For women who are severely obese and who qualify for bariatric surgery, this too can be a good starting point to a healthier life -- possibly an even more fertile one. If you are planning bariatric surgery, it is strongly recommended that you wait 12 to 24 months after the surgery before conceiving. The reason is that there is a rapid weight loss in this time frame and it is better to not have the ongoing rapid weight loss while pregnant.<br /><br />How have you worked toward maintaining a healthy -- or healthier -- weight? Have you found that changes in your weight seem to affect your experience in trying to conceive?
Mrs62610 responded:
I have about 15-20 pounds to lose. I just joined a gym to try and get into better shape!
Me-24 DH-37 TTC 1 for 13 months. 3 rounds of Clomid all BFN's. Switched to RE. Took one cycle break, AF due June 22nd. If AF shows then starting Femara, Ovidrel, Luteal Phase Progesterone next cycle.
Report This| Share this:Weight Management and ConceptionI have about 15-20 pounds to lose. I just joined a gym to try and get into better shape!
Excellent. Keep up the good work.
Haylen_WebMD_Staff replied to Mrs62610's response:
Good job Mrs62610!
For more motivation, information and expert support check out our Diet Community and Fitness & Exercise Community
Love your profile pic - so beautiful!
Haylen
For more motivation, information and expert support check out our Diet Community and Fitness & Exercise Community
Love your profile pic - so beautiful!
Haylen
Report This| Share this:Weight Management and ConceptionGood job Mrs62610!<br /><br />For more motivation, information and expert support check out our <a href="http://exchanges.webmd.com/diet-exchange">Diet Community</a> and <a href="http://exchanges.webmd.com/fitness-and-exercise-exchange">Fitness & Exercise Community</a> <br /><br />Love your profile pic - so beautiful!<br /><br />Haylen
Mrs62610 replied to Haylen_WebMD_Staff's response:
I will have to check those other communities, thanks for the info.
Thank you! That was taken 20 pounds ago.
Thank you! That was taken 20 pounds ago.
Me-24 DH-37 TTC 1 for 13 months. 3 rounds of Clomid all BFN's. Switched to RE. Took one cycle break, AF due June 22nd. If AF shows then starting Femara, Ovidrel, Luteal Phase Progesterone next cycle.
Report This| Share this:Weight Management and ConceptionI will have to check those other communities, thanks for the info.<br /> <br />Thank you! That was taken 20 pounds ago.
Alma07 responded:
Hi!
I am in a weight loss program that consists of pills(water retainage & hunger depresent) & shots (B6 & fat burner (optional)) will this affect pregnancy if i conceive while i am on it? how will it affect? i have lost 20 lbs while in this program along with excersie.
I am in a weight loss program that consists of pills(water retainage & hunger depresent) & shots (B6 & fat burner (optional)) will this affect pregnancy if i conceive while i am on it? how will it affect? i have lost 20 lbs while in this program along with excersie.
Report This| Share this:Weight Management and ConceptionHi!<br />I am in a weight loss program that consists of pills(water retainage & hunger depresent) & shots (B6 & fat burner (optional)) will this affect pregnancy if i conceive while i am on it? how will it affect? i have lost 20 lbs while in this program along with excersie.
Hard to say. Most of those type of products are not well studied in pregnancy. Ideally, you would be done with this particular program before conception.
Report This| Share this:Weight Management and ConceptionHard to say. Most of those type of products are not well studied in pregnancy. Ideally, you would be done with this particular program before conception.
ezswifey responded:
will be trying to conceive in the next few months but i have been working out for 3-4 days for the past 5 years. i weighed myself this morning and its slightly higher than normal. i eat healthy, work out, what gives??? its depressing me and its more weight than i have ever weighed. what is the problem. please help!!! thanks in advance
Report This| Share this:Weight Management and Conception<i>will be trying to conceive in the next few months but i have been working out for 3-4 days for the past 5 years. i weighed myself this morning and its slightly higher than normal. i eat healthy, work out, what gives??? its depressing me and its more weight than i have ever weighed. what is the problem. please help!!! thanks in advance</i>
Unfortunately, weight loss is HARD. It comes down to calories in versus calories out. Exercise is excellent and I am happy you are doing this. Women who are trying to lose weight usually need to consume 1200 calories a day and sometimes less. This is FAR less than most people consume (over 2000 calories a day)
My patients who are trying to lose weight by far have the most success with Weight Watchers. If the WW diet is adhered to, then you will intake about 1200 calories a day.
Keep exercising too.... this only helps!
My patients who are trying to lose weight by far have the most success with Weight Watchers. If the WW diet is adhered to, then you will intake about 1200 calories a day.
Keep exercising too.... this only helps!
Report This| Share this:Weight Management and ConceptionUnfortunately, weight loss is HARD. It comes down to calories in versus calories out. Exercise is excellent and I am happy you are doing this. Women who are trying to lose weight usually need to consume 1200 calories a day and sometimes less. This is FAR less than most people consume (over 2000 calories a day)<br /><br />My patients who are trying to lose weight by far have the most success with Weight Watchers. If the WW diet is adhered to, then you will intake about 1200 calories a day. <br /><br />Keep exercising too.... this only helps!
I am *not* an expert, but from my personal experience - I have to measure quantities and track what I'm eating (and the total calories) for a couple of weeks every few months to maintain my weight. Even without noticing, my portion sizes slowly grow over time, and I slowly start eating more calorie dense (but maybe healthy) foods. It's a good reality check. If I'm really trying to lose weight, then I have to track for even longer.
Report This| Share this:Weight Management and ConceptionI am *not* an expert, but from my personal experience - I have to measure quantities and track what I'm eating (and the total calories) for a couple of weeks every few months to maintain my weight. Even without noticing, my portion sizes slowly grow over time, and I slowly start eating more calorie dense (but maybe healthy) foods. It's a good reality check. If I'm really trying to lose weight, then I have to track for even longer.
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