Losing weight to become pregnant??

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mdalton802
mdalton802 Posts: 13 Member
in Motivation and Support
Anybody else out there??

I see so many posts about losing weight after pregnancy, during pregnancy, etc. Anybody else out there losing weight to be healthy and become pregnant? My husband and I have been TTC now for about a year, to no avail.

My "I need to change" moment came when visiting the doctors office for my pre-conception check up. Everything looked good, and then my doctor sat me down to discuss how my weight could affect my chances of getting pregnant. I had always thought of myself as chubby or curvy, but I suppose until that moment I had thought I had it under control. Unfortunately I didn't take the advice immediately, but it kept creeping up from the back of my mind. Finally, I just had this moment where I overwhelmingly felt that I was ready to do this. Anyhow, that's me... Anybody else out there??
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  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
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    Was this physician stating this due to a hormonal imbalance? Being overweight is one of the higher listed causes in complications becoming pregnant, although this is typically observed in high BMI individuals.
  • discretekim
    discretekim Posts: 314 Member
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    Yeah there is a group for this! I don't think I can invite you though. I'm not currently ttc but probably in the next year or so. I've read ideal bmi for conception is 20-25. So I'm aiming for about 23.
  • mdalton802
    mdalton802 Posts: 13 Member
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    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Was this physician stating this due to a hormonal imbalance? Being overweight is one of the higher listed causes in complications becoming pregnant, although this is typically observed in high BMI individuals.

    Yeah. She didn't want to do testing just yet since we hadn't been trying for that long, but I have inconsistent cycles which she said could be due to hormones.
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
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    Pretty sure that's not how it works.
  • mdalton802
    mdalton802 Posts: 13 Member
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    discretekim wrote: »
    Yeah there is a group for this! I don't think I can invite you though. I'm not currently ttc but probably in the next year or so. I've read ideal bmi for conception is 20-25. So I'm aiming for about 23.

    I'll see if I can find it, thank you!! Baby dust to you when you start trying! :smiley:
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
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    mdalton802 wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Was this physician stating this due to a hormonal imbalance? Being overweight is one of the higher listed causes in complications becoming pregnant, although this is typically observed in high BMI individuals.

    Yeah. She didn't want to do testing just yet since we hadn't been trying for that long, but I have inconsistent cycles which she said could be due to hormones.

    Request a full hormone panel if you can. Note that if you are overweight this makes is more difficult for your hormones to be optimal, so it's a terminal cascade - hormone imbalance makes it easier to gain weight -> being overweight causes hormones to be out of balance.

    None of this overrides the principle of CICO. Good luck and here's to the stork visiting you soon!
  • lckiehl
    lckiehl Posts: 68 Member
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    I started trying to lose to be as healthy as possible when we did start trying. Now we are at that point and I am 53 pounds lighter and in a healthy BMI range now (though the high end of it). Now that I have lost the weight I will admit I am a little stressed about how I will do mentally putting the weight back on. I know it will be necessary but I feel I have been so focused on losing the weight it will be hard. Now I also think about how happy I will be putting weight on starting at a healthy weight and not adding 20-30+ pounds (or more) on to the 50+ pounds I was at before. That's how you might want to think of it. You might feel okay where you are right now, but how will you likely feel 30 pounds heavier. I think it is worth it for my health and the baby we want to be as healthy as possible at conception.
  • mdalton802
    mdalton802 Posts: 13 Member
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    CSARdiver wrote: »
    mdalton802 wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Was this physician stating this due to a hormonal imbalance? Being overweight is one of the higher listed causes in complications becoming pregnant, although this is typically observed in high BMI individuals.

    Yeah. She didn't want to do testing just yet since we hadn't been trying for that long, but I have inconsistent cycles which she said could be due to hormones.

    Request a full hormone panel if you can. Note that if you are overweight this makes is more difficult for your hormones to be optimal, so it's a terminal cascade - hormone imbalance makes it easier to gain weight -> being overweight causes hormones to be out of balance.

    None of this overrides the principle of CICO. Good luck and here's to the stork visiting you soon!

    Thank you so much! I'll definitely look into it :)
  • mdalton802
    mdalton802 Posts: 13 Member
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    lckiehl wrote: »
    I started trying to lose to be as healthy as possible when we did start trying. Now we are at that point and I am 53 pounds lighter and in a healthy BMI range now (though the high end of it). Now that I have lost the weight I will admit I am a little stressed about how I will do mentally putting the weight back on. I know it will be necessary but I feel I have been so focused on losing the weight it will be hard. Now I also think about how happy I will be putting weight on starting at a healthy weight and not adding 20-30+ pounds (or more) on to the 50+ pounds I was at before. That's how you might want to think of it. You might feel okay where you are right now, but how will you likely feel 30 pounds heavier. I think it is worth it for my health and the baby we want to be as healthy as possible at conception.


    To be honest that's always been my fear. Losing weoght, putting it back on, etc. But the thought of being overweight then putting more on and then trying to lose weight and be healthy with a new baby and a new lifestyle change is a major reason for my commitment now. Congrats on your weight loss! And thanks for sharing your story :)
  • MrsR130
    MrsR130 Posts: 66 Member
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    Sent you a friend request! My doc told me to lose the weight before we even started tying. Tough love, but it's been the only thing to motivate me recently. 15lbs down, 35-40 to go.
  • im3va
    im3va Posts: 6 Member
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    Losing about 20lbs of weight, maintaining a healthy diet, and getting regular cupping done was what helped me conceive after many many years of trying. I wish you all the best in your baby journey!
  • teacherbowden
    teacherbowden Posts: 8 Member
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    I am currently trying to lose weight and conceive. I had my first child almost 2 years ago so we want to start trying for another. I have to have medical help to conceive so I went to my doctor and he gave me everything to try but was concerned about my weight. So here I am; I join MFP and a gym near by. I want to lose weight and become healthier so I will have a higher chance at conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy. I gained so much weight last time and have not lost any of it. I'm hoping I can do it all this time. Lose weight but stay healthy.
  • adreal
    adreal Posts: 229 Member
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    I can speak from experience and being big all my life and tried for years to get pregnant 10 plus years. After a rough Drs appointment I set out and lost 70 pounds came off BC and was pregnant the next month. So I am a firm believer that between God and weight loss I have my miracle now. And we may try again next year but I am ahead of the game :) good luck add me if you need support. I have walked this tough road.
  • North2001
    North2001 Posts: 6 Member
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    Omg Me too! I thought I was the only one :'(
    The Dr told me I would have to lose weight in order for my body to get pregnant because I am to big so now I have to lose 150lb but I do believe with the help of the Lord I will and I can , it has been hard but I would rather have a beautiful baby then a donut that turns to more lb lol
  • MsWendyDarling
    MsWendyDarling Posts: 138 Member
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    I would check out the Facebook page called, "Fit for Fertility" :smile:
  • kutedaisy
    kutedaisy Posts: 41 Member
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    yes! that's what I'm trying to do now. feel free to friend request me. It's like I know I want to do this and I get frustrated and mad at myself when I go over calories.
  • leanlicorice
    leanlicorice Posts: 84 Member
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    Yes, I've been TTC for a year and now I'm on a mission to lose weight for conception. Happy to offer support on your journey.
  • fidangul
    fidangul Posts: 673 Member
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    Hi, I was in your shoes a couple of years back. Our GP said the usual, "loosing weight will help bla bla bla" which is sooooo irritating to hear. As soon as I left the surgery my mind was set. I thought "I am no longer going to let my weight be the reason for everything especially not to have children."

    Cut a long story short (too much drama) I did loose my weight (45kgs in 10months, at the time I didn't but now I'm thinking wow) and fell pregnant at a moment when I had no hope left. Had a beautiful girl and then fell pregnant again when she was only 7-8 months and had a beautiful boy.

    I used MFP then, and I'm back on hear to lose weight again. Only this time its because I want to be a good role model for my kids (2yr & 9mnth old).

    What I would like to say is that right now you have the biggest motivation to lose weight and you can do it. It is possible. Don't ever give up or look back. Always think positive! Morale is very important.

    Feel free to add me.
  • ogmomma2012
    ogmomma2012 Posts: 1,520 Member
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    That has been my goal since around this time last year. My son was conceived when I was around 210. I lost all the baby weight fast, but started smoking again and quitting on my own I ballooned to 262, my highest recorded weight. Now, I am 187 and still going until we finish remodeling and repairing the house. :) I am confident I can handle the next pregnancy with the tools I have and the skills I've learned to keep from becoming enormous again.
  • sarieth05
    sarieth05 Posts: 313 Member
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    I can't vouch for this being the main reason, but I was getting fertility work up done because we had been TTC for 2 years with no luck. Decided for myself that I wanted to lose weight on the off chance I did get pregnant so that I could be as healthy as I could be. I had started my weight loss journey about 3 months before starting fertility consultation - and my body was not ovulating at all for at least 2 months of back to back appointments. Right when they were talking about our VERY slim chances of getting pregnant without pills (and when I was down about 71lbs), we got pregnant with no pills or medical intervention. I probably only went to the specialist 5 months in a row, and after dropping weight, my body started ovulating every month after those first two of nothing happening and them claiming I had PCOS and whatnot. I tell my husband I'm 100% convinced I was the culprit for our problems because once I felt healthy and lost weight (not even anywhere CLOSE to what my weight should be either), we got pregnant right away.

    As for the gaining weight thing after being in weight loss mode for so long, it's definitely an adjustment! :p I'm currently almost 26 weeks pregnant and every week I weigh myself, I have to calm my brain down a bit. Good luck!

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