Although you may not be able to control all the factors that affect your fertility, one area you can address is weight. Many women don’t realize that being overweight can hurt your chances of conceiving. As well, carrying extra weight can make pregnancy and childbirth harder on your body. Research indicates that being overweight or obese increases insulin levels, which can interfere with hormone levels, contribute to issues such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and lead to ovulation disorders.
As part of planning for a pregnancy, talk with your obgyn about your weight and find out if you fall within a healthy range for your height. You should also figure out your body mass index (BMI), which is calculated using your weight and height. This number correlates to the amount of body fat you are carrying. Ideally, your BMI should fall between 18 and 25. Any number higher than that is considered overweight. Dr. Douglas will also check your weight as part of your fertility evaluation.
If you need to shed a few pounds, follow these tips to achieve your goal:
Set reasonable expectations
To take off weight and stay fit, you need to lose a pound or two a week. It’s also important that you talk with your obgyn or Dr. Douglas before trying any diet plans, medications or supplements as part of your efforts.
Watch what you eat
When you are trying to get pregnant, you need to eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and lean protein because it will help with the baby’s development. Making these foods your primary intake will also help you start to lose the extra pounds.
Take time to exercise
Your diet is a key component to taking off weight, but so is exercise. You don’t have to join a gym to get fit. Ride your bike a few times a week or plan daily walks with a friend. Typically, you will see the best results when you combine healthy eating and regular exercise.
At IVF Plano, we don’t want anything to stand between you and a healthy baby, so we encourage our patients to stay in their healthy weight range. If that isn’t enough to accomplish pregnancy, Dr. Douglas offers compassionate care and advanced therapies like intrauterine insemination and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) to help you and your partner become parents.
For more information, please visit www.ivfplano.com. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Douglas, contact our office.
difficulty getting pregnant, infertility, ovulation disorder, pcos, weight and infertility | Female Infertility
