Home Reproductive system - female. Weight, fertility and pregnancy health. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Ideal weight for conception varies Overweight and fertility in women Overweight and fertility in men Overweight and pregnancy health Getting ready for pregnancy Tips for a healthier weight before pregnancy Underweight and fertility Where to get help.
Ideal weight for conception varies The ideal weight for conception depends on how tall you are. This is likely due to a combination of factors including: hormone problems problems with erection other health conditions linked to obesity. Overweight and pregnancy health Getting closer to a healthy weight before conception increases the chance of the baby being healthy at birth and into adulthood.
These include increased risk of: miscarriage high blood pressure pre-eclampsia gestational diabetes caesarean birth stillbirth. Getting ready for pregnancy If you are planning to get pregnant, starting a healthy eating and exercise plan now improves your chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy baby. Tips for a healthier weight before pregnancy Try these steps to a healthier weight: Follow a healthy balanced diet drawn from the 5 food groups: vegetables and legumes; fruits ; wholegrain bread and cereals ; milk, yoghurt, cheese and alternatives ; lean meat, poultry , fish , eggs, seeds and nuts.
Cut back on discretionary foods including chips, biscuits, fatty meats, pastries, cakes, fast foods and confectionary and only eat them in small amounts. Eat regular meals and limit unhealthy snacking. Swap sugary drinks and alcohol for water. Make half your plate vegetables at lunch and dinner. Use a smaller plate to help reduce your portion sizes. Get moving every day. Fit in regular physical activity like walking to the shops, taking the stairs and walking with a friend.
Spend less time sitting by getting up regularly while using a computer or mobile device, and swapping screen time for other activities.
In men, obesity is also associated with lower fertility. This is likely due to a combination of factors. These include hormone problems, sexual dysfunction and other health conditions linked to obesity such as type 2 diabetes and sleep apnoea which are both associated with lowered testosterone levels and erectile problems. Read more: Why men need to think about their fertility too. A review of studies on the effects of paternal obesity on reproductive outcomes found obese men were more likely to experience infertility and less likely to have a live birth if they and their partner used assisted reproduction technology ART such as IVF.
This is thought to be because obesity not only reduces sperm quality, it also changes the physical and molecular structure of sperm cells. While the facts about obesity and fertility can seem daunting, there is some good news too.
Weight-loss interventions, particularly those that include both diet and exercise, can promote menstrual cycle regularity and improve the chance of pregnancy. The symptoms may be worse if a woman is obese. Sometimes addressing fertility challenges starts with getting to a healthy weight.
If changing your diet and exercising have not worked, you may want to talk to your doctor about bariatric surgery. It may be worth considering if you:. He or she will consider all factors, including your age and any other infertility factors, before making a recommendation about whether you should try to lose weight first.
Changing your diet and lifestyle for example, exercise combined with a program that may provide group support is an effective step, but not always the appropriate first step if your age or your BMI is above Weight loss surgery bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for weight loss in women with a BMI greater than A low-calorie diet and exercise may lead to weight loss, regular menstrual cycles, and ovulation.
However, women with PCOS may require additional treatment to get pregnant, including medications to decrease insulin resistance. These women should seek the assistance of a reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist.
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