IVF & Weight Gain: How to Keep Your Weight Under Control During (and After) IVF

IVF has a significant physical impact on patients, with weight gain being one of the most lamented side effects. Slight increases in weight during IVF are generally not a problem, and minor IVF weight gain is even encouraged after embryo transfer, as it’s a positive sign of implantation and pregnancy.

Discover more about a normal weight-gain range during IVF, and what to do if you’ve suddenly put on weight.

Losing weight before IVF

If you’re wondering whether weight can affect your health (and your baby), then you’re absolutely right. Obesity may put you at risk of developing a variety of health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and even cancer. It can also affect your fertility in a way that makes pregnancy more difficult to achieve or sustain. Being overweight or obese may cause your menstrual cycles to become infrequent and may even prevent eggs from being released during ovulation.

Due to the positive correlation between obesity and IVF success, BMI has become an important factor when estimating the probability of success for a treatment cycle.

In IVF patients, obesity is linked to higher medication doses, longer days of stimulation, a lower percentage of retrieved/fertilised eggs and higher cancellation rates. Moreover, women with excessive body mass are more likely to experience pregnancy complications like pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and miscarriage.

If you have a BMI of over 35, some clinics may deny access to infertility treatment, and your doctor may ask you to lose weight before starting. To qualify for free IVF, the NHS also requires patients to have a BMI under 30. However, health providers and organisations should understand that adhering to rigid BMI cut-off values can be counterproductive (and may actually damage a patient’s reproductive health).

Does IVF increase weight?

Slight weight gain during IVF treatment (5–10 pounds) is considered absolutely normal. Contrary to popular belief, an increase in body weight is most often caused by hormonal changes and water retention during ovarian stimulation (not IVF itself). Fluctuating body weight during your treatment cycle may also occur due to irregular exercise patterns and food cravings. Some patients experience IVF weight loss, especially once they stop medications or start experiencing post-cycle depression.

Rapid weight gain is considered abnormal and may indicate serious health conditions like ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Common symptoms of OHSS include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath and sudden weight increase. If you experience breathing problems — or moderate-to-severe abdominal pain — immediately call your doctor.

How to exercise during IVF?

If you’re thinking about losing some weight during your IVF procedures, it isn’t the best time to hit the gym. Strict exercise regimes can affect hormone levels and decrease your chances of conception. Opt for light-to-moderate exercises instead:

Should you avoid sex during IVF?

There are several instances where sexual activity is not recommended:

Before IVF

If your partner is preparing for an upcoming sperm analysis test, it’s important to abstain from any form of ejaculation — via sex or masturbation — for 2 to 5 days.

During ovarian stimulation

Having intercourse while undergoing IVF may be acceptable, provided that you use non-hormonal contraceptives (such as a condom).

Hyperstimulation

In the case of OHSS, patients are not recommended to have intercourse as it can increase the risk of ovarian torsion (twisting) or cyst rupture.

After embryo transfer

Try to avoid sex for two weeks as it can interfere with embryo implantation. Check with your doctor before resuming normal sexual activity.

Diet for IVF success

The best IVF diet is one that keeps your body and reproductive system healthy. Skipping meals results in signals being sent to the body, telling it that it isn’t the right time to conceive.

Instead, be consistent. Use the plate method to focus on eating good-quality, natural foods in appropriately-sized portions.

Best foods to eat during IVF

Try to avoid any major dietary changes (like going vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free). Stick to a healthy, well-balanced diet that incorporates all five food groups to provide your body with all the necessary nutrients, especially the following foods:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Lean proteins (e.g. fish, shellfish, poultry)
• Legumes (e.g. chickpeas, peas, lentils, beans)
• Whole grains (e.g. brown rice, whole-wheat bread, whole cereal grains)
• Healthy unsaturated fats (e.g. avocado, extra-virgin olive oil, nuts, seeds)
• Low- or non-fat dairy products

A Mediterranean diet may be an optimal IVF diet plan for many women as it has been positively associated with higher success rates and lower risks of obesity.

Foods to avoid during IVF

While preparing for — or undergoing — IVF, try to eliminate the following foods and drinks:

• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Red meat
• Refined sugar
• Refined grains
• Highly-processed foods
• Trans fats
• Excessive sodium

Healthily losing weight after IVF

Once pregnant, weight gain is inevitable and absolutely normal. If you’re looking to decrease your weight healthily, follow the general dietary guidelines from above and try to incorporate physical activity into your everyday life. Talk to a fertility doctor or registered nutritionist to help you create an optimal eating plan that’s tailored to your medical and nutritional needs.

Be proactive with your diet and weight loss!

A well-balanced diet can provide a solid foundation for IVF success. Schedule a consultation with a fertility specialist who can help you choose the right diet/weight-loss program based on your needs — all from the comfort of your home!

Originally published at https://blog.fertilityconnected.com on October 11, 2019.