Trying to conceive

heather101279
heather101279 Posts: 1 Member
edited November 17 in Chit-Chat
Weight gain, loss, maintenance... so much conflicting info out there, I'm a nurse and can't figure it out ughhh. Any dietitians on here wanna throw me a bone?

What I've read:

"Obesity lowers pregnancy rates"
"don't diet when trying to conceive"
"Eat pineapples"
"diet doesn't effect conception, eat a balanced diet"

Replies

  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    Never heard the pineapple thing in connection with ttc! I'll second the recommendation for Taking Charge of Your Fertility. A prenatal vitamin and extra folic acid are pretty standard advice. If you're overweight, a sensible approach to weight loss is good (no crash diets, but achieving a normal weight can help regulate your hormones).
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I went to a fertility specialist and he told me to lose weight because it would be tough to carry twins with my weight... that's pretty much it. I'm not sure it really has a big impact on fertility otherwise.

    I was put on vitamins, baby aspirin, and something else I forgot about though.. so just make sure to eat a balanced diet I guess.
  • johnnylakis
    johnnylakis Posts: 812 Member
    heather101279 wrote: »
    "Eat pineapples"
    This one made my day
  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,590 MFP Moderator
    edited March 2017
    my understanding (not a doc and not super well versed in this) was to try to lose weight prior to TTC to be at a healthy(ier) body weight when TTC. But durring TTC to eat maintenance.

    I have heard a bit about being overweight making it harder to conceive. (please no one take the following statement offensively, just a scientific observation) There has been alot of research in livestock that supports being overweight lessens conception rates. That doesn't necessarily translate to humans, but it could. There is also the fact that there may he a higher prevalence of underlying conception issues in the overweight population (PCOS, hormonal issues, thyroid issues) so is being obese the problem, or do people who would have conception issues anyways tend to be obese?

    However, from what I have heard dieting while TTC can also cause problems as the body may not want to add extra stress when it is already under stress (weight loss).

    However; if you want a useless anecdotal evidence story: I was at about a 1lb/week loss calorie goal when I got pregnant. Keep in mind, for me that was about 1700 cals/day. So we aren't exactly talking extreme restriction. And still at a BMI 30+, so not exactly healthy weight.

    Anyways, sorry I don't have any super concrete information to add, but thought it was in interesting topic. Good luck to you!
  • Unknown
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  • Chadxx
    Chadxx Posts: 1,199 Member
    I always heard pineapples were for improving flavor, not fertility.

    Good luck and have fun.
  • SomebodyWakeUpHIcks
    SomebodyWakeUpHIcks Posts: 3,836 Member
    @heather101279 wrote: »
    Weight gain, loss, maintenance... so much conflicting info out there, I'm a nurse and can't figure it out ughhh. Any dietitians on here wanna throw me a bone?

    What I've read:

    "Obesity lowers pregnancy rates"
    "don't diet when trying to conceive"
    "Eat pineapples"
    "diet doesn't effect conception, eat a balanced diet"

    I'm not an expert but I don't think any of those will make you pregnant. I think you have to have sex.
  • brxtt
    brxtt Posts: 23 Member
    i think the risk of being overweight comes into play more WHILE being pregnant because that's when it makes you more at risk for gestational diabetes, high BP/pre-eclampsia, etc. as far as actually getting pregnant? i recommend getting to know your cycle. get some ovulation tests. definitely start taking some pre-natals. they have lotsa different "tricks" on the internet that supposedly help. google "pre-seed" and also robitussin for ttc. my cousin swears by the robitussin thing. good luck!
  • FreyasRebirth
    FreyasRebirth Posts: 514 Member
    edited March 2017
    March of Dimes:
      If you’re overweight or obese during pregnancy, you’re more likely to have these complications:
    • High blood pressure, preeclampsia and blood clotting problems. High blood pressure is when the force of blood against the walls of the blood vessels is too high. Preeclampsia is a condition that can happen after the 20th week of pregnancy or right after pregnancy. It’s when a pregnant woman has high blood pressure and signs that some of her organs, like her kidneys and liver, may not be working properly. Clotting problems are when blood clots partly or completely block the flow of blood in a blood vessel.
    • Gestational diabetes. This is a kind of diabetes that some women get during pregnancy. Diabetes is when your body has too much sugar (called glucose) in the blood.
    • Being pregnant past your due date and problems during labor and birth, including problems with anesthesia (pain medicine). You also may need to stay in the hospital longer after having your baby than women at a healthier weight.
    • Cesarean birth (also called c-section). This is surgery in which your baby is born through a cut that your doctor makes in your belly and uterus (womb). If you’re obese, you’re more likely to have complications from a c-section, like an infection or losing too much blood.
    • Miscarriage or stillbirth. Miscarriage is when a baby dies in the womb before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Stillbirth is when a baby dies in the womb after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
    • Trouble losing your pregnancy weight after giving birth


      If you’re obese, you’re more likely to have other complications, including:
    • Infections during pregnancy, like urinary tract infections
    • A sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea. This is when your breathing stops while you’re sleeping.
    • A dangerous blood clot problem called venous thromboembolism (also called VTE). This is when a blood clot breaks off and travels through your blood to organs like the brain, lungs or heart. This can cause a stroke or heart attack.
    • Needing to go to the hospital earlier in labor, having longer labor and needing to have your labor induced. Inducing labor is when your provider gives you medicine or breaks your water (amniotic sac or bag of waters) to make your labor begin.
    • Problems with breastfeeding
  • From_Within_
    From_Within_ Posts: 44 Member
    That ^^ or direct massage me any questions
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