Obesity
Exceeding the ideal body weight has been associated with a 30% reduction in fertility potential, both in natural conception and in IVF. Obesity is also thought to have an aggravating effect during pregnancy as it is related to an increased risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and other complications during pregnancy.
An accurate way to determine the relationship between weight and pregnancy risk is body mass index or BMI. This index is derived from the following mathematical formula:
BMI = kg/m2 where kg is a person’s weight in kilograms and m2 is their height in metres squared. A BMI of 25.0 or more is overweight, while the healthy range is 18.5 to 24.9. For example, if a patient weighs 55 kg and measures 1.6 meters in height then her BMI is 55/(1,6) 2 =21,4 kg/m 2.
The ideal BMI is between 18 and 24 kg/m2, the overweight person is defined as having a BMI more than 25 and under 30, and obesity refers to BMI more than 30. It is true that to obtain the best IVF result, the BMI needs to be in the normal range from 18 to 25 kg/m2. It is therefore especially important to have at least tried to control one’s weight before conceiving or seeking for some assisted reproduction solution.
Underweight person
On the other hand, low body weight in female athletes and patients with nutritional problems such as anorexia nervosa, also seems to have a dramatic effect on fertility. In fact, most of these women suffer from chronic absence of ovulation and amenorrhea. In these cases, a weight gain of 10% is sufficient for normal ovulation cycles to be restored.
