IVF and BMI: Hi Folks My wife and I... - Fertility Network UK

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IVF and BMI

Irishwolfhound profile image
10 Replies

Hi Folks

My wife and I are going for private IVF in Edinburgh and have previously had 5 attempts through 2 cycles of IVF but been unsuccessful at the hands of the NHS. Do you know if private IVF have the same strict rules for BMI as the NHS like less than 30 BMI before treatment can start.

Thanks in Advance and Merry Xmas!

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Irishwolfhound profile image
Irishwolfhound
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10 Replies

Just depends on your clinic, the private clinic we are going too will treat you if your bmi is less than 35, they still do drop the bmi less than 30 is best for sucsess rates into the conversation though.

Merry Christmas x

Irishwolfhound profile image
Irishwolfhound in reply to

Yeh we have been told that Bmi of under 30 will increase our chances and help produce a healthy child and we have been keeping to that all along the NHS funded route but was wondering what the private route was like out of curiosity, thanks for the response.

Sorry I have no idea but I am also Edinburgh based so happy to chat. Wanted to wish you all the best too xx

Irishwolfhound profile image
Irishwolfhound in reply to

No problem, thanks for reaching out, all the best with your ongoing treatment x

in reply to Irishwolfhound

You too xx

Hi I think it depends on clinic but the two I went to it’s under 30. Research does show a higher bmi can effect ivf or conception in general. Good luck x

Irishwolfhound profile image
Irishwolfhound in reply to

Didn’t realise it was clinic dependant, yeh was advised at the start of NHS treatments that it was under 30 as it gives the embryo the best chance of implantation and ensures the embryo and baby remain healthy to birth, reducing the risk or diseases, makes complete sense, thanks. X

Saya85 profile image
Saya85

Hi

As others have said above it can vary Nd of course it gives you the best chance of a healthy pregnancy

Also if your wife has any other conditions like Pcos or family history of diabetes then BMI is even more important - they often say those patients need to be around bmi25 to have the same chance

Saying that I was BMI 27 with first two cycles and they failed

Then I was bmi30 with this cycle and I'm pregnant 😊

However due to the steroids I'm on my blood sugar's have been consistently high and I actually.lost half a stone during IVF (!) Which has brought my BMI back to 27 and blood sugar's are still.high due to the meds

Of course if my BMI was lower than the side effects of the meds would.be mitigated somewhat

As hard as it is if your wife can lose as much as possible it really would be best all round - I wish I had lost more prior to this !

Good luck to you both

Irishwolfhound profile image
Irishwolfhound in reply to Saya85

Hi

My wife does indeed have PCOS and has tried loads of different diets, cutting out bread and carbs. I’m very proud of her and her resilience in terms of wanting to be a mum I sometimes feel useless because all I can do is provide support. I do have my own issues that have contributed to us not being parents so hopefully it happens soon. Knowing where we stand in terms of BMI will help us and in turn if possible baby when it hopefully arrives.

Thanks for the advice.

Fareena1904 profile image
Fareena1904

As mentioned by others here all depends on your clinic, ours will go ahead as long as Bmi is under 35.

But then again the reason some clinics are so focused on BMI is due to success rate, healthy baby & due to preventing complications occurring with being overweight.

Mind you saying all this with my first pregnancy I had a BMI of 21 & healthy weight but still got gestational diabetes.

Varies with each individual

Goodluck & hope your 3rd attempt goes well. X

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