If you watched The Biggest Loser...

tew213

and saw the woman saying her obesity is why she has had m/c's (seemed to be coming from her dr. telling her that), what is your reaction?

I completely understand having a healthy body is best for you, your pregnancy and your baby. I am just not sure how much a role obesity plays in having a m/c?? Anyone with knowledge on this - or opinion? Didn't know if this was fact or TV being, well TV...?

I am overweight, but have never been told that it could/would affect my fertility or that it played any role in my m/c. I've begun to lose a solid amount of weight during TTC and now TTCAL so maybe my OB knew I was trying and didn't bring it up for that reason? Has anyone had this convo with their OB?

Thanks for the HUGE guilt Biggest Loser!

Pachita

Someone from PGAL mentioned this last night. I saw the show, but I missed that part.

I think being morbidly (sp?) obsese can affect your fertility. I don't think being overweight affects it.  I've seen big girls have healthy pregnancies, so I know it's possible.  Can there be more complications, like GD?  Most likely. 

I'm not 100% sure, but they always emphasize on eating right and exercise while TTC and during pregnancy...but that should be done your whole life, not just this phase of your life.

sisterrael

I just watched the show myself and I feel you on the HUGE guilt trip.  I burst into tears (again) during her segment and those comments.  My doctors NEVER said a thing to me about my weight contributing to our troubles getting pregnant or our miscarriage.  But everything about my health seems to be an anomoly from thyroid issues, to being obese, to having crohn's disease (and the last two don't usually go together).  The research I've read on these issues is somewhat split and the numbers that indicate obesity inversely impacting fertility seem somewhat small.  But I am no expert.  I will admit that when I finally did get pregnant, it was after a 33 pound weight loss.  I'm interested in finding out more though...

MrsR25

I haven't read any research on it, but I can see it being the case. If you are obsese, you are very unhealthy which I'm sure isn't going to be good for a pregnancy.

emeraudecephiro

Being a LOT overweight can put you at a bigger risk to have PCOS, but usually to effect your fertility you have to pretty very overweight... I wouldn't worry if you are just on the big side

EDIT: To note, I am over 200 lbs and my doctor said I had nothing to worry about that way.  

LaraGaudess

I think what we should probably keep in mind is that the people who compete on that show are BIG! Bigger than probably most people. At the size that they are, their hormones are probably doing crazy stuff to their bodies because they are being over taxed.

Are you as big as any of those women? If not, I probably wouldn't worry too much about it, although it doesn't hurt to be mindful. If it really bothers you, talk to your doctor, or go see a trainer and a nutritionist. It will be an investment in yourself, as well as your future children. For the record, I have known many heavy women who have been able to give birth to healthy children. Stay positive and healthy  

tew213

Thanks Ladies. No, I am not 'biggest loser' big. I guess my point is I know many women my size or larger (some much larger) who seem to have healthy pregnancies. So the comment on the show I guess I was just sensitive to because it seemed like a blanket statement overweight/obese= m/c. I know, I know I was being sensitive.

Then randomly lurking on another board I found a thread on this topic. Someone compared being overweight was like smoking while pregnant (obviously not their exact comment, but how I took it). I was sensitive to that comment also. Like I said, I am working on a healthier me, just wanted to know how others felt on this topic - specifically overweight women who may have talked to their doctor or researched this topic. Thanks for your input!