How important is BMI

[patooti]

Hi all,
So just starting on my TTC journey and now that I BD'd this month and am feeling nausea and some other weird symptoms (probably nothing but "got me thinking"), I am kind of feeling bad about my weight. What I worry about is if I get pregnant and it is unhealthy for baby. But I'm posting on here because I'm 38yo, we have never TTC before and I now that time is of the essence.

I'm 5'1" (155cm) and currently weigh 169lbs (76.7kg, 12st) so I would need to lose 11lbs to get below BMI 30 and 37lbs to get in the healthy range.

I know that being my weight it might be harder to get pregnant so I'm dieting and exercising now. But if I do on the off chance "get lucky" quickly am I being irresponsible risking complications. While I'm overweight I am generally quite healthy, normal blood sugar, blood pressure etc.

What do you think? How worried should I be about my weight? I we end up needing to try for 6 months or more I'll probably have a good chance to lose a good bit of weight and I guess if I knew it would happen quick I would go ahead and wait but since I can't possibly know or expect that... I'm at a loss.

We decided to TTC because it's finally sunk in that we don't really have the luxury of waiting until the situation is right but I really wish now I would have focused more on losing over the last few years while we were (for whatever reason - doesn't seem to make sense now) waiting .

I'm putting this ? on the +35 board because I wanted people to "weigh in" (pun intended) that would take that into account but aren't already thinking I'm over that hill. OMG I feel so conflicted but I guess that feeling is part of what made me wait this long and in hindsite it seems it will never be perfect.

 

[twinkle1975]

I would suggest trying to lose some weight as that's the thing that any specialist will tell you to do before they'll give you any treatment you may need. However I wouldn't let it stress you out - ttc is stressful enough - I don't think you're irresponsible for trying now at all - look at my ticker!!

 

[Macwooly]

Hi, BMI can be important to TTC and also yours and the baby's health when pregnant but you aren't massively overweight and you're trying to correct it so try not to worry too much

I'm 40 and TTC #1 and my BMI was nearly 40 but I have brought it down to 36 so far. When I started TTC and losing weight I was 100lb overweight I do worry about risks but my doctor assures me I'm doing the best by trying to correct it (and better late than never) and if I do get pregnant then they will monitor me closely but I can continue the healthy eating plan I have and I can continue with much of my exercise as I have tried to choose pregnancy friendly exercises and I'll hopefully find no issues. I personally have not stopped TTC as I don't feel I have the time to lose weight then TTC.

Weight & TTC is slightly different for all but you have done the most important and bravest thing which is acknowledge you are at a weight which is not ideal for you and you are working towards changing that. But maybe speak to your doctor about your weight and they will be able to advise exactly on your individual situation and answer any worries you have.

Good luck with both the weight lose and TTC

 

[Macwooly]

I would suggest trying to lose some weight as that's the thing that any specialist will tell you to do before they'll give you any treatment you may need. However I wouldn't let it stress you out - ttc is stressful enough - I don't think you're irresponsible for trying now at all - look at my ticker!!

She's right

 

[sukisam]

I have the same issue my BMI is just under 35 and I'm seeing FS next week and I'm sure it'll be mentioned then
I don't think you're irresponsible at all it sounds like you're being very sensible exercising and having a sensible diet.
Good luck with it all
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[Indigo77]

Studies have shown that women whose BMI is below 20 or above 30 have a harder time getting pregnant.

You are doing the right thing!

 

[sarahincanada]

My BMI is just under 30, but Im in the overweight category. My clinic has not mentioned it at all, I guess the cut off is 30. I read on online once that if your body is losing weight that it wont think it can sustain a pregnancy, so check with your doctor that its definitely ok to try to lose weight while TTCing.

A nurse at my clinic said no, concentrate on being healthy and forget about weight (trouble is Im 5'10 so my weight is distributed evenly and so I dont look that overweight, so I wasnt sure if she was just saying that because I dont look overweight, but technically I am overweight).

I havent been able to lose weight as Im a comfort eater and this TTC thing is stressful! also Ive been on medications for a few months and felt tired/nauseous for 2 weeks of the month so havent worked out.

Funny thing is, once Im pregnant I think I will be really healthy as I will be thinking about the baby so not comfort eating. but somehow I cant seem to make myself be healthier now as Im sad/stressed about TTCing and that makes me want nice foods

 

[Macwooly]

Sarah does make a good point over losing weight and TTC

But my doctor said it was drastic diets whilst TTC that are a no no.

I'm losing weight under medical supervision and doing it through healthier eating and reducing fat and sugar and moderate exercise so more of a lifestyle change than a diet so I was given the ok to keep TTC.

I really think speak to your doctor about it

 

[Indigo77]

As long as you are losing weight in a healthy way, by eating healthy foods and avoiding crap and drastic dieting techniques, it should not be an issue.

 

[readyformore]

At 5'1" and 169 pounds, I wouldn't really be worried.
Personally, I could afford to loose 15# (or more), but I'm not working on doing it at all. I would love to be thinner, but it's a lot of work, lol.

I eat well and exercise regularly. If I want a donut (about 20 minutes ago) or a calorie and caffeine laden coke (will have in 30 minutes with lunch), then I'll do it.

You are not being irresponsible at all.

 

[patooti]

Funny thing is, once Im pregnant I think I will be really healthy as I will be thinking about the baby so not comfort eating. but somehow I cant seem to make myself be healthier now as Im sad/stressed about TTCing and that makes me want nice foods

This is a good point. I think it will be easier to eat well when preg. I don't know if it is helpful but I've just started playing a mind game with myself. I try to imagine that I'm eating for the baby now. I try to think about the eggs that are still forming and yet to be released and my nutritional "stores" (whatever they are I'm making that up). It is helping me right now but the novelty might wear off. I'm trying to do yoga and a bit of light exercise too also thinking it means it will be easier to do it then when pg but also easier to gain strength etc. now before pg hormones start wreaking havoc.

I hear you on the stress. I'm in the same boat. I stress eat and boredom eat. I am working on finishing my PhD dissertation which is really stressful for me and involves sitting a lot which I know won't be good for pg either so I wear a pedometer and try to get up and move around every half hour.

It isn't easy, this weight loss thing. My first goal is to get to 158 which puts me just under BMI 30, so I have 11lbs to go to get there. If anyone wants to keep in touch and be weight loss "buddies" let me know .

 

[patooti]

Sarah does make a good point over losing weight and TTC

But my doctor said it was drastic diets whilst TTC that are a no no.

Okay that is good news. I'm being pretty reasonable I think. I track all my food in an online tracker and watch my calories and most days I get high marks in all the vitamins and minerals department.

 

[HappyAuntie]

I think you'll be fine. My BMI is 34 blush and I've asked three different Drs about it (two OBs and an RE) and all three said it was not an issue in terms of conception. The first OB even said I was smaller than his average patient (which shocked the hell out of me!). From what I've read, being severely underweight is much more of a problem when ttc than being overweight. There are lots of stats out there showing that overweight women have more trouble conceiving than healthy weight women, but those stats include women who are so overweight that it affects their cycles and they aren't ovulating because of their excess body fat (the fat secretes estrogen). But as long as you're ovulating regularly, you don't fall in to that category, and your weight should not affect your odds of conception. (And with your BMI, you're not going to fall into that category - if you're not ovulating regularly, I'd lay money on it having nothing to do with your weight.) That said, though, losing some weight and being in good health is always best for your future baby and will definitely make some things easier.

Being overweight in pregnancy does pose some specific risks - we are at greater risk of gestational diabetes and of preeclamspia, and both of those lead to a higher rate of c-sections in overweight women.

 

[NorthStar]

I've struggled with my weight in the past at times of major stress, and I know once you get into a vicious cycle of comfort eating, and not exercising it's hard to change direction, so well done on starting to make those changes.

I think it's important to also acknowledge and deal with the reasons for the comfort eating which caused the weight gain, sounds like you have already thought about this.

As Macwooly says as long as you are getting enough food in terms of nutrition and eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables it shouldn't affect TTC except in a positive way.

As for exercise, I would recommend you step this up now, as you can't really start any new exercise routines once pg, other than those designed for pregnant ladies.

Yoga is a good start but introducing some cardio and some weightbearing exercise now would be really beneficial and would stand you in good stead for a healthy pregnancy. It would also help maximise the benfits of a healthy eating plan and increase the weightloss.

What does your partner eat, do they have a sweet tooth also, because your healthy lifestyle would be a lot easier to maintain if they were supportive too (and didn't bring home loads of chocolate!)

 

[Macwooly]

Patooti I'm happy to be a weight lose buddy with you

 

[NorthStar]

Yay! and I'll be cheering you ladies on, I've been there myself (and now I'm a BMI 24 )

 

[pigsy]

I don't want to worry you but my specialist wouldn't refer me to the clinic until i was under a bmi of 30. At my last appt i was 30.5 and she did put me through but she said if i was the same they clinic wouldn't see me. I am not saying it was right, but i knew i had to do it, and it was definately hard. I managed to get mine to 28.5 through WW as i regularly exercise anyway - with combat and attack. The clinic keep weighing me on an adhoc basis and that is even with me doing injections etc. good luck with it

 

[Macwooly]

Pigsy I'm in the same situation you were in.

My doctor can't refer me for any further testing till my BMI is under 30 which is a way to go. I'm just hoping my weight lose will give me my BFP and stop me needing treatment - FXed

 

[HappyAuntie]

I think that's a difference between the NHS and US health care - because it's pay as you go over here, doctors will generally treat anyone who can afford it. (At least, I don't know of anyone over here who's been denied treatment because of BMI.) On the NHS, they have to have some arbitrary cut-off for deciding who gets treatment and who doesn't, because the system can't afford to treat everyone. Neither system is perfect, IMO - both deny some people the treatment they need....

 

[patooti]

I don't want to worry you but my specialist wouldn't refer me to the clinic until i was under a bmi of 30. At my last appt i was 30.5 and she did put me through but she said if i was the same they clinic wouldn't see me. I am not saying it was right, but i knew i had to do it, and it was definately hard. I managed to get mine to 28.5 through WW as i regularly exercise anyway - with combat and attack. The clinic keep weighing me on an adhoc basis and that is even with me doing injections etc. good luck with it

I actually understand this stance though. It doesn't make it any easier to take but because obesity can be such a factor in making it harder to get pregnant I think the clinics require that you get the BMI under that because some times losing the weight is enough to have someone that previously could not, fall pregnant without assistance.

What I was more concerned about is that if I do manage to fall pregnant at this weight how much will that affect the baby.