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If You’re Overweight but Want A Baby – Consider IVF

By Vincent Hughes posted 11 May, 2020 10:08

  

Obesity is a risk to falling pregnant. Not only does being overweight impact hormone production, it can cause life-threatening health complications during your pregnancy. Up to 44% of women in the US in their childbearing years are either obese or overweight, resulting in problems with becoming pregnant. 

If you fall into this group, there are several options to consider should you wish to start a family. Losing weight is the most obvious option available. In the absence of being able to get your weight down to a realistic level, IVF may be an option to consider. Even with IVF, weight loss is recommended for health reasons.

Obesity, fertility and IVF choices

Use a BMI chart to evaluate whether you are overweight or not. Even the best IVF clinics in the country will offer the IVF option to fall pregnant, while cautioning women about the risks of becoming pregnant while obese. Further risks are linked with IVF success rates, such as health and age, but weight is one of the top concerns that impact successful pregnancies. 

Leptin production goes into override if you’re overweight. Obesity also interferes with ovulation predictions. Insulin resistance is another factor that may disrupt conception. 

All these elements impact hormone balance and egg quality, which in turn affects conception. Some overweight women don’t experience any problems with becoming pregnant, but the majority of those who are overweight do struggle. 

Should you decide to go ahead with IVF when you’re overweight, note that your chance of falling pregnant and having a natural birth is reduced by 9%. 

Obese mother’s chances of achieving a natural birth rise to a concerning 20%. IVFAuthority.com addresses risks, concerns, health, costs and options to help you make informed decisions.

Pregnancy, obesity and threats to the mother’s health

Health risks for aspirant mothers grow in alignment with excess fatty tissue. Health issues further tend to be long-term and permanent should you elect to fall pregnant when overweight. 

Preeclampsia has a negative effect on internal organ function, together with elevated blood pressure that increases the potential for strokes and heart disease. Blood clotting potential is yet a further health risk that women should consider when wanting to fall pregnant.

Specialized prescription medications are frequently required to manage these negative side-effects, which then threaten fetal health. 

Gestational diabetes may persist and develop into full-blown diabetes in overweight mothers. Additional complications encompass sleep apnea, thromboembolisms, UTI and other infections due to the need for a cesarean birth.

Excess weight and the threat to your baby

Besides the health risks to the mother from being overweight, risks to your baby also exist. Miscarriage rates rise in women who are overweight. Birth defect threats also rise such as heart, brain and spinal defects including development problems with the neural tubes (NTDs). 

When you’re overweight, the results of diagnostic tests are also impacted because it becomes more difficult to obtain a clear reading due to excess fatty tissue.

Infant Macrosomia can develop, which causes your baby to grow larger than its expected weight. Giving birth to a baby that weighs more than 10 lbs. causes health risks for the mother. 

An overweight mother is also at greater risk of passing diseases such as diabetes and heart problems onto their children as they grow. Stillbirths occur after 20 weeks of pregnancy, which is a further threat that excess weight poses to your child.

Speak to the specialists 

Speak to your medical professional about IVF or natural pregnancy if you’re overweight. Take all possible steps to lose weight, so that you protect your health and that of your baby. Make healthy lifestyle choices now, and create new habits to share with your child to give you both the best life possible.

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