Obesity leads to a number of fertility problems

Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above.  An example would be a 5-foot-6 woman weighing 186 pounds.

While obesity rates continue to climb in the United States, reproductive experts weigh-in on the effects of obesity on fertility.

Here is a summary of their report:

Obese women have higher rates of cesarean sections, large babies and gestational diabetes;

Obesity is linked to depression in pregnant women and higher rates of postpartum depression in new moms;

Obese women experience longer labors and may require more medical interventions to induce or augment labor;

Due to an increased failure to progress, many obese women require c-sections.  In a Utah study, 36% of obese women had to have c-sections, compared to 18.5% of normal-weight women;

Not only does maternal death rate increase with obesity, but rates of infant mortality were two times higher for obese women;

Physicians recommend that women aim to lose weight before trying to conceive.  Maintaining a healthy weight will increase fertility and support a healthy pregnancy.




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