ivf and overweight?

Question

I want to start ivf but I'm very obese. I'm scared to even go in for a consultation because I'm worried they will turn me away and break my heart. I'm trying to do everything I can to get my wrought under control but I don't want it to stop me from having a future. had anyone else gone through this?

Answer

Don't let your weight stop you!. I've been losing weight for years so I could get pregnant, finally at the beginning of 2016 I lost enough weight (about 40lbs) and felt great, so we started trying but almost the whole year went by and nothing, finally my husband was checked and it was confirmed that we had male factor infertility, during this time I had started to gain some of the weight back (even when I was eating healthy and exercising), I thought it was stress but our fertility Dr diagnosed me with hypothyroidism and was put on medication, still losing weight was not happening but at least I stopped gaining more, I started our first IVF/ICSI cycle  at about 234lbs. Now I'm 16.5 weeks, my thyroid is under control and I'm still 234lbs, give it a try, you never know.

Answer

If I can suggest one thing that worked for me - I cut out meat and all dairy, reduced sugar intake and processed foods (quick cooking, frozen, etc).  I opted for whole grains, lots of veggies, fruits, organic when possible. I lost 40pounds in 3 months. My clinic does recommend the ketogenic diet for everyone, I love bread though, so trying to do that is a bit rough for me right now.  You can make lifestyle changes as you go along that will help you lose weight and be healthier.

Answer

My clinic never mentioned BMI. My doc recommended the keto diet to help heal my autoimmune issues and said that weight loss could help.  However, even when I had a BMI under 30, I couldn’t get pregnant easily.  I’m 41 with unexplained infertility, my clinic never made me feel it not possible. And I know that they’ve worked with many people that were counted out.

Answer

Go to the consultation. You never know. I heard some doctors don't mention it. Mine only asked that I lose 20lbs.  I lost a few of those pounds and she was ready to move forward.

Answer

You can do it!  I lost 85 lbs within the last year and just went through my first IVF cycle.

Answer

I was refused for ivf. they say a BMI of less than 40 is a requirement.  my Re saps even some people will weigh you before the procedure. I think they were trying to scare me. the reason is the risk with anesthesia...is not the procedure. however....when I said I would do it without anesthesia the new excuse was that they were afraid they couldn't reach my ovaries.

Answer

im in scotland and just been told from my fertility doctor that i need IVF after failed clomid and various tests.  before we can even be referred for IVF cosultation on NHS my BMI needs to be below 30 (its 34 now) so i need to lose around 35/40lbs to get bmi of 28/29. my partner also needs to be 3 months off cigarettes so i wont even be referred until jan or feb at earliest depending how quick i can get my BMI down. its so upsetting knowing my weight is the buggeat factor in not getting a baby sooner! its been an emotional 2 years since starting TTC!

Answer

None of my docs ever mentioned my weight as an issue but I wanted to lose weight for a healthy pregnancy knowing I may gain weight in the IVF process. So after failed IUIs I hade a few months before IVF and my doc prescribed me a appetite suppressant called Phetermine and it really helped I lost about 15 pds in a month. My RE said he want me to stop taking it before I begin IVF next month but that short period of time on it helped. Ask you doc about options to help you lose weight.

Answer

Have you considered doing weight loss surgery first?  I know its unconventional but that would be helpful in dropping some weight.  But you will need at least a year before ttc.

Answer

How old are you if you don't mind? Some doctors see age as a more important factor than weight.

ivf and overweight?

Let’s Glow

Glow is here for you on your path to pregnancy

25+ million

4.8 stars

20+

Getting Pregnant

Pregnancy

1st Year (Baby & You)

Baby Products