Weight gain

[Montgomery2]

Hi 👋

Back when we started this process 2.5years who I was almost 2 stone lighter I am gaining again on this round to do the era/Emma/Alice, I’m exercising for an hour, doing 10k steps a day and tracking my food but it’s still piling on. Making me feel so self conscious and down about it especially when there’s no baby to show for it.

It’s making me think what’s going to happen if I do get pregnant I’m going to get even bigger and what happens after what if I can’t shift any of the weight.

Any tips? Just generally feel fat, bloated and down.

Thanks chubby mcchuberson 😂

[cmbxm]

Following, I think it’s worse when people that don’t know you’re trying ask if you’re pregnant, like “nope, Im just gaining weight because I eat my feelings every time my period starts” that’s happened a few times 😂🙃

[Montgomery2 in reply to cmbxm]

Or people who have no problem conceiving try and talk to you about going the gym etc when you say you’re struggling. Saying “I’ve heard it really helps boost your chances” I know they’re trying to help but seriously do they think we’ve not tried everything going 🙃 I was a slim size 12 when we started this on the verge of a 16 now I’ve managed last year to lose 6kgs but it’s piled straight back on after 2 back to back cycles.

[cmbxm in reply to Montgomery2]

Honestly, don’t think quarantine is helping, I gained the most in the first few weeks because we just couldn’t source healthy options, my diets improved now the stock piliers have calmed down xx

[Montgomery2 in reply to cmbxm]

It’s been the opposite for me! I was going to the local butchers and fruit and veg shops before now I’ve landed back in the supermarkets making questionable snack choices 😂 x

[Hidden]

I think a lot of it is the drugs - I have definitely put on over a stone since we first started ivf and I just can’t shift it 🤷🏼‍♀️ I have tried limiting my food but it’s not shifting so now going to try and up the exercise but struggling with mojo

I am not sure that’s helpful just wanted to say you are not alone. Xx

[Montgomery2 in reply to Hidden]

I feel better knowing I’m not alone! It’s rediculous how hard the weight is to shift I read it’s water but it can’t be because it’s all not shifted. I was thinking about when we turn our hormones off for transfer it’s essentially the menopause I’ve done that 3 times now that’s 3 middle aged spreads 😅

[Ranchu90 in reply to Montgomery2]

If this makes you feel any better I am size 6 and trying for 5 years and still not pregnant. When there are no other reasons why this is not happening then we are starting to pretending that weigh is an issue... if you are healthy in general than weight shouldn’t be a problem. I saw many ladies in my life being too slim or too fat and they were pregnant.

Don’t stress too much, just try to have a healthy lifestyle that will help more ❤️

Take care

[Lavender96]

Oh I totally get this. I’ve also gained a lot of weight during this process and it’s just another frustration to add to an already difficult journey. I think it’s definitely the drugs and I’ve also been advised to cut down on my exercise which hasn’t helped. I actually have ‘IVF treatment clothes’ now (consisting of a smock dress, leggings and baggy jumper) because I get so bloated during treatment nothing fits.

In February I came to the conclusion that I wasn’t going to lose anything until whilst I’m still going through treatment and I didn’t know how much longer I’d be doing this so I decided to have a proper wardrobe tidy. I took out everything that doesn’t fit and boxed it up, then I treated myself to some new jeans and a dress. It has helped a little. I think I was obsessing over what didn’t fit me anymore so moving them out of sight stopped that xx

[Caitlin-m]

Hi, I really sympathise with this. I Put on a stone in a year due to a miscarriage & then a failed IVF cycle, I ate and drank my emotions after that and then went on to have IVF when was told not to exercise intensely which didn’t help things. I then amazingly got pregnant naturally, a month after the IVF hadn’t worked. So even despite being heavier my little miracle happened. I’ve had one baby before (she’s 3.5 now) and the good news is the weight came off very easily through breast feeding. So I would say - in the grand scheme of things - your weight does not matter a jot. Be kind to your body - it has been through a lot. Buy clothes that make you feel good as you are now. Do your hair; nails; make up. Nourish your body with good food. Move for the endorphins. Be kind to yourself. It will all be ok in the end xx

[Montgomery2 in reply to Caitlin-m]

Hope this is true for me too. See what the era test comes back with 🤞🏻 X

[shia001]

Fert medicines does put impact on weight and health, I was always size 8 and normally considered slim but when I started these drugs I actually stop being hungry and lost weight and get bit weak and doctor said these medications can put impact either way as on some people it help gaining weight and some people may loose weight, but one thing is sure that these medications are not fun and they definitely put impacts on our bodie

[mimisquiz77]

Hi

I’ve read your post and couldn’t walk away without saying anything.

Ivf journey is hard and our bodies go through a lot. Maybe some of the weight is a lot of fluid.

If I may say, be kind and patient with your body. It will come off at some points.

Put make up on, wear nice clothes, eat things that make you happy. Nurture all this endorphins. It’s so important especially during this confinement.

During my ivf journey I also put on weight. The more I tried to loose it, the less I succeeded. So I decided to forget about it and loose it after I had a baby. So I became kinder to my body.

That is when I got pregnant. I was at my heaviest and lost everything through breastfeeding and even more.

I hope this will reassure you and gives you hope.

I wish you all the best with your treatment and hope you will get pregnant soon

Take care xx

[Nuszkahope]

Hello,

I have gained 6kg since starting the process, I have done 4 cycles so far and was put on steroids to lower my NK cells activity.

I was eating healthy foods (I do not like sweets and my only weakness are crisps), working out 3 to 4 times a week and saw no change. 2 months ago I went to a dietician and had a diet plan written for me, I also upped my working out to 5 times a week. I am losing weight and I almost have my pre ivf body back. I think it might help seeing a specialist and getting a diet plan suitable for you x

[Sammy246]

Hi Montgomery2,

I can so relate to this and have also gained over a stone in weight since I've started the IVF and my miscarriage but I cant seem to shift it.

I know lately my food choices haven't been great either. I emotionally eat. But the pessaries had really bloated me all over and I felt there was alot of water retention in my body.

With lockdown I'm not motivated to do any vigorous exercise but I have started walking after my miscarriage. I am walking upto 2 hours a day now/ 5 days a week. Light walk. I had started with 30 minutes intially and have build it up. I haven't lost any weight not even a lb but my legs look slightly toned from the jelly looking they were before!However for me the fresh air makes me feel better.

I was following a pcos Instagram page and read that ladies who suffer from pcos tend not to lose weight with vigorous excersize but lighter excersize. So maybe that's where I was going wrong not like I've lost any weight now but not sure if 2 hours of walking falls in the vigorous category. Not sure if this is something you have.

Generally we ladies do forget to be kind to ourselves.

Good luck with your treatment xx

[Hidden]

I’ve not had ivf but I’ve always been a yo-yo with my weight when I was pregnant with my first 14 years ago I was so scared of putting on a tonne of weight but in the end I put on 14lb and with my second 8lbs I was around 13/14 stone to start with. Last July I started slim fast because my friend had started in Jan and by July she had lost 3 stone I was jealous lol so by Jan20 I had lost 3 stone too easiest diet I’ve done and exercised nearly everyday. Lockdown has been challenging as the gym is closed so I’ve not exercised like I was but I’m not gaining which is good. Being a healthier weight in general is better for you but hasn’t made a difference for me conceiving I’ve always been a bit heavier when I’ve conceived.