Human body weight can be a reason for being both healthy and unhealthy. Being overweight can invite many troubles like obesity, heart problems, and hypertension. Being underweight has its cons, such as reduced immunity and hormonal imbalance, fertility, and the chances of conception. In this article, we have discussed a few points on how being overweight or underweight affects your ability to get pregnant.
In This Article
- How Does Overweight or Obesity Affect The Ability to Get Pregnant?
- How Does Being Underweight Affect The Ability to Get Pregnant?
- What BMI is Safe For Pregnancy?
- FAQ’s
How Does Overweight or Obesity Affect The Ability to Get Pregnant?
Being overweight or obese brings in numerous troubles and makes it harder to get pregnant. Obesity may increase the chances of developing PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), in which the ovaries produce multiple cysts. PCOS can occur due to hormonal imbalance in the body, reducing the chances of healthy egg production or ovulation. Irregular periods and inhibited ovulation lead to failed attempts at conception.
Obesity can also lead to an increased risk of gestational diabetes and thyroid disorders. It may also be a reason for congenital problems in babies. Being overweight may lead to irregular menstrual cycles. It becomes hard to track fertile days and decreases the chances of conception. Obesity may lead to poor egg quality, resulting in failed IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) cycles. Being overweight may also increase the chances of miscarriage in many women.
Obese women are at higher risk of developing high blood pressure during pregnancy, called pre-eclampsia. It may lead to emergency C-Sections or stillbirths. It is vital to reduce some weight to avoid complications. Note that even a small reduction in weight can increase the chance of a successful pregnancy.
To avoid complications
- Increase physical activity
- Get a diet chart from your nutritionist
- Reduce junk.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking
- Intake high nutritious foods.
Following these not just helps you conceive but can also reduce pregnancy complications and lets you lead a healthy pregnancy.
How Does Being Underweight Affect The Ability to Get Pregnant?
Unlike being obese, women with underweight have fewer problems related to fertility. But being underweight may have an effect on your menstrual cycles. Being underweight implies that you have fewer fat cells, which reduces estrogen production. Less amount of estrogen inhibits ovulation and leads to irregular menstrual cycles making it harder to track your fertile days.
You can get the help of your gynecologist and nutritionist to increase the chances of your pregnancy. Good nutrition may help in healthy weight gain, which increases the chances of natural conception. Being underweight may also lead to miscarriages and preterm births after pregnancy.
To avoid complications
- Increase your food intake.
- Eat healthy and high-nutrition food.
- Take the help of your doctor and nutritionist to prepare a diet chart for you.
- Take supplementary vitamins if your doctor prescribes them.
What BMI is Safe For Pregnancy?
It is simple to check if you have a healthy weight. Calculate your Body Mass Index or BMI, which helps you understand the nature of your body. Each body is different and may react differently. Some women may get pregnant without facing difficulty, even if they are obese or underweight. Nevertheless, maintaining a healthy body weight can always have multiple health benefits, including pregnancy.
- Body Mass Index or BMI between 19-25 is considered normal.
- A BMI lower than 19 counts as underweight
- Body Mass Index between 25-29 counts as overweight
- Higher than 30 is obese.
Maintaining a healthy BMI can increase the chances of pregnancy and aid in healthy baby birth. It is also vital to choose the right path for losing weight. Lifestyle changes, like healthy food consumption and avoiding junk, can impact and increase the chances of pregnancy in women with overweight. Rapid weight loss and weight gain may lead to other health problems. However, losing or gaining weight under the supervision of your doctor and a nutritionist is a better approach.
Hormones play a vital role in the conception and healthy baby birth. Bodyweight can affect them in more than predicted ways, and hence it is crucial to have a balanced BMI. An ideal body weight reduces the chances of pregnancy complications, resulting in a healthy baby birth. It will reduce the chances of gestational diabetes and C-Sections. A healthy body weight helps you lead a stress-free life.
FAQ’s
1. How Much Should I Weigh Before Getting Pregnant?
You can attain a successful pregnancy easily by maintaining a healthy BMI. The BMI for a healthy body should be between 19-and 25.
2. Does Weight Affect Egg Quality?
Some chances of being overweight and obese may cause Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, which affects the quality of the egg.
3. Can Being Underweight Affect The Ability to get pregnant?
Being underweight means having fewer fat cells. A decrease in estrogen production may lead to irregular menstrual cycles, making it harder to track your fertile days.
