How does being overweight effect the chances of getting pregnant?
Research has shown that being overweight can cause hormone imbalances that can result in conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, lack of ovulation and sub-fertility (which is where conception takes significantly longer than normal). It can also affect the effectiveness of fertility drugs and IVF which is usually why overweight women in need of fertility treatment have to get their weight down to a “target weight” before that treatment is administered. The same is true for people who are underweight. We’re all put together differently though and it won’t affect everyone, it just increases the chance that you’ll have difficulty conceiving. Being over (or under) weight can also have health implications once you’re actually pregnant so it’s wise to get as healthy as you can before conceiving in order to see you through the nine months with as few problems as possible. Best of luck to you and speak to your doctor if you have any worries about conception.
