Overgewicht en zwanger worden: Wat je moet weten - Verloskundigen PuurBegin in Kampen

Being overweight can affect your chances of getting pregnant and can bring additional risks during pregnancy. That is why it is important to live a healthy life and have a healthy weight, especially if you want to get pregnant. We at Midwives PuurBegin in Kampen We understand that this can be a sensitive topic and we are here to support you with personal guidance and advice.

What is obesity?

Overweight is determined by the Body Mass Index (BMI). You calculate your BMI by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared.

BMI between 18.5 and 25: healthy weight
BMI between 25 and 30: overweight
BMI between 30 and 35: obesity
BMI between 35 and 40: severe obesity
BMI over 40: morbid obesity

Being overweight and your menstrual cycle

Overgewicht kan je hormoonhuishouding beïnvloeden. Dit kan leiden tot een irregular menstruation of het uitblijven ervan. Zelfs als je regelmatig menstrueert, kan overgewicht het moeilijker maken om zwanger te worden.

How being overweight affects fertility

A higher BMI means a lower chance of getting pregnant. Women with a healthy weight have a better environment for the maturation of an egg and the development of a fertilized egg.

At a BMI of 35, the chance of pregnancy is 26% lower than at a BMI between 21 and 29.
At a BMI of 40, the chance of pregnancy is even 43% lower.
On average, each BMI unit above 29 reduces the chance of pregnancy by approximately 5%.

What are the causes of obesity?

Most often, the cause of being overweight is that you consume more calories than you burn. This can be caused by:

Unhealthy eating: Irregular eating, skipping meals and an incorrect composition of your diet.
Underexercise: A decrease in physical activity while your calorie intake remains the same or increases.
Psychological causes: Low self-esteem, low self-confidence, tension, frustration and sadness can lead to overeating.

How Obesity Reduces Fertility

Being overweight can reduce fertility in several ways:

Too many sex hormones: More belly fat causes more hormone production, especially testosterone, which is converted into estrogen. An increased amount of estrogen can disrupt the menstrual cycle.
Disturbed sugar metabolism: Your body produces more insulin to keep sugar levels at the right level. This can negatively affect fertility.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): In this syndrome, the hormone balance is disturbed, which causes follicles to not develop properly. There is a relationship between obesity and PCOS.

The risks of being overweight during pregnancy

During pregnancy, being overweight increases the risks of:

Miscarriage: The risk may increase to as much as 75% in overweight women.
Gestational diabetes: The risk is at least 3 times higher in overweight women.
High birth weight: This can lead to a difficult birth or a caesarean section.
Zwangerschapsvergiftiging: De kans verdubbelt wanneer de BMI-waarde met 5 eenheden stijgt.
Higher blood pressure
Abnormalities in the child, such as heart defects or spina bifida.
Infant mortality: The risk of a baby dying after birth is higher in overweight women.

What can you do yourself?

Fortunately, there is also good news! Losing weight, even a little, can have a positive effect.

Losing weight helps: Even 5-10% weight loss can have a beneficial effect on hormone balance and the menstrual cycle.
Healthy Weight Gain: Try not to gain too much weight during pregnancy. The ideal weight gain depends on your BMI before you became pregnant.
BMI less than 19: 12.5 – 18 kg
BMI 19-26: 11.5 – 16 kg
BMI 26-29: 7 – 11.5 kg
BMI over 29: Maximum 6 kg

Midwives PuurBegin and Kampen are ready for you

We understand that it can be difficult to lifestyle to adjust. We are here to help and support you through this process. Together we can look at your nutrition, exercise and mental well-being. We offer personal guidance that is tailored to your situation.

Feel free to contact us for an introductory meeting. Together we will ensure a healthy start to your pregnancy!

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