IS YOUR WEIGHT OPTIMUM?
In medical practice weight is compared using a person’s Body Mass Index, called as BMI. It is calculated using weight and height ratio. A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered normal. BMI less than 18.5 is considered underweight. BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight and greater than 30 is categorised as obese. (ARSM).
Most of the underweight, overweight, and obese women have difficulty getting pregnant naturally, often due to ovulation problems (failure to release eggs from the ovaries) and hormone imbalance.
A BMI less than 18.5 (underweight) often causes irregular menstrual cycles and may cause ovulation to stop altogether. A BMI of 17.5 or less could indicate an eating disorder. Women at less than normal BMI should work with their doctor to understand the cause of this situation, and develop strategies to correct it.
A BMI in the obese range (BMI 30 and above) may also lead to irregular menstrual cycles, absent ovulation and lower pregnancy rates than normal weight women. A visit to a healthcare professional before becoming pregnant can help identify other hormonal disorders related to obesity that impact pregnancy such as thyroid disease, insulin resistance, high blood pressure and diabetes.
ARE YOU BEING ACTIVE?
Australian and international guidelines recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking, gardening or dancing, on at least 5 days a week. If possible, some vigorous activity, such as running, fast cycling or fast swimming could be beneficial. For men and women who are overweight and obese exercise can help maintain weight and a modest weight loss which improves general health and fertility.
- Start with achievable goals and build up to the recommended levels over time
- Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day
- Minimize sitting and if you have to sit for long, move around as often you can.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet
Are you addicted to smoking, alcohol?
Alcohol affects conception and implantation and increases the risk of early pregnancy loss. There are several reasons for this:
- In women, even 1-2 drinks a week can affect ovulation, cycle regulation and depletes ovarian reserve. Alcohol prevents pregnancy by stopping establishment of embryo in the uterus.
- In men, excessive drinking decreases the hormones needed for sperm production.
Research varies when it comes to how much is too much— all agree that it is best to avoid alcohol for the best chance of conceiving.
