NHS Funding BMI 36, age 38 with low AMH

[Papillonblue]

Hi, so I'm looking for a bit of support. I've read that Hammersmith & Fulham won't offer IVF funding if your BMI is over 30. My partner whilst wonderful in lots of ways can be a bit autistic and has been very honest he already has an issue with my weight.

I'm dreading telling him we won't get NHS funding. We are fortunate that we can afford treatment privately (and with the potential delays in the NHS were expecting to) But it feels like another blow, I realise that I need to shift some weight (and this year has defiantly not helped!) but I don't think I've ever in my adult life had a BMI of <32 it feels completely unachievable.

[Lovemylion]

I don't think private clinics are quite as fussy about BMI being below 30. Might be worth asking around clinics. However I think treatment is meant to be more successful and if u did get pregnant...less risk of gestational diabetes, larger birthweight etc etc. However many people who have a higher Bmi do get pregnant all the time naturally 🤷🏼‍♀️ so does seem a little unfair to be discriminated against IVF treatment. Lockdown has not helped any of us! Lol. Might be worth having a nutritionist consultation to help. I had one and was really useful for tasty healthy meals and exercise suggestions. Wishing u all the luck xx

[Papillonblue in reply to Lovemylion]

Thanks, I'm aware that its defiantly preferable to get my BMI down and statistically better for any baby if I get lucky enough to get pregnant, but I've battled with my weight for years and have just got to a point where I wasn't letting it define me or be my focus so it feels like another kick.

[Lovemylion in reply to Papillonblue]

Yeh I can understand that being really frustrating for you. Hope you get some luck researching privately! Xx

[Kookypie]

Do you have PCOS as that might be one reason you struggle with your weight and it also affects fertility?

[Papillonblue in reply to Kookypie]

Thanks, no indication of PCOS my cycle is like clockwork so we had no reason to think we would have issues. I'm going to ask my GP for a thyroid check to rule it out as I've saw this article healio.com/news/endocrinolo... "Compared with their euthyroid peers, women older than 35 years who have subclinical hypothyroidism may have reduced ovarian reserve, indicated by lower antral follicle count and anti-Müllerian hormone level"

[Kookypie in reply to Papillonblue]

Yes that sounds like a good idea.

[LCharlton]

I was in a similar position - also 38, BMI just under 35 - when our infertility was diagnosed and the consultant said to me that if we could afford it, he would recommend doing the IVF privately at 38 instead of waiting. I wish we had - I finished losing the weight 2 months before my 40th birthday but they wouldn't fund us as the waiting list was too long to complete treatment before my 40th birthday and we ended up having to remortgage the house to go private anyway. I was healthy and active, just big, and I think the consultant was right we'd have had a better chance of success doing it 2 years earlier tbh x

[Papillonblue in reply to LCharlton]

Thank you for your honesty, my partner knows waiting is more of an issue, so hopefully he will understand especially as he can see I’m trying. I realise I’m very fortunate we can afford to go privately I can’t imagine how difficult it would be if we were dependent on NHS treatment.

[Han10]

Morning I am in the same position. The nhs cut off where I live is 30 bmi, private it’s 35. Even when I lost weight in my early 20s and was a size 10 my bmi has never been below 30 so it seems impossible.

Due to my low AMH I’ve been advised not to wait but due to Covid the private clinics are being really strict on the bmi requirement. I do understand why it’s so important and I’ve given myself two months of throwing everything at losing weight to get my bmi down under 35 and then we’ll go private. I know losing weight can be difficult, but I’m sure you’ll do it. Good luck with it all x

[Queenr]

Hello hun,

I was told that obesity is just a factor that can affect fertility, just like smoking and alcohol. I have pcos and my BMI is just under 40 and a private clinic did accept me. My amh is quite high though and I have got pcos. The gynaecologist suggested that the later you leave it you will have other fertility related issues and so he’s encouraged me to start as soon as possible. Good luck hun & go Private ❤️

[StaffyMummy87]

Hi papillonblue

I wanted to share my experiences with this just to give you some hope maybe?

When our fertility journey started it was 2 years ago. My BMI was 46 (yes I know I couldn’t believe it).

I’m a nurse for NHS in Scotland and overall reasonably healthy and we all know BMI is NOT an accurate measurement for health however they had to define something for funding rules.

In the space of 9 months my BMI went from 46 to 32. This was done with getting a PT, never going on a diet, they don’t work. Calorie count and be in a deficit. I bought a spin bike and do that at home with cheesy dance music twice a week. I walk my dogs daily and drink at least 2 litres of water a day.

I was 4lbs away from my BMI target in March 2020 and lockdown happened and all the cakes were eaten!

With COVID there are delays maybe use this time to get some of it shifted. Whether you go private or not you will absolutely feel better for it.

It does seem like a long and frustrating road but trust me after a week if you start to see losses it gives you a wee boost. I always tell myself everytime I reach for something junk food or whatever it’s not gonna help have a baby put the fork down 🤣

Also depending on where you live your NHS clinic may also offer private rounds ours does prices work out roughly £5000 per round, ish, they advised you still may be entitled to your NHS round if the private round is unsuccessful.

I hope things work out for you xxx

[AmbieLondoner]

I would wholeheartedly second StaffyMummy87 's suggestion to get a PT if you can afford it. Will help give you motivation and a confidence boost. Alternative is to follow a free exercise programme on Instagram and join in. Mark Wright's is excellent. Good luck!!

[treezuk]

It depends on the clinic as some do go up to bmi of 35 i had to self fund and chose to go abroad (greece) my BMI was 37 when i started and 36 when i fell pregnant with twins i was never weighed and weight was never an issue all they said was if you can lose anything thats great which i think i lost about half a stone or something - had a complication free pregnancy no issues and the boys are now 22m old.

[Papillonblue]

Thank you everyone StaffyMummy87 you are inspiring! I’ve just started couchto5k and am watching what I’m eating more (my issue with food has always been more portion size I’m a keen cook and don’t like junk generally) hopefully the pools will be allowed to open soon and I can start swimming again- pre covid I would enter a couple of big outdoor swims to keep me motivated.

It’s reassuring to hear of others in the same position.

[Hidden]

My bmi was around 34 I didn’t lose weight for ivf because I didn’t get offered any treatment but I just decided to lose weight as clothes were getting tighter I was top end of a 16 at 14’7. I did slimfast as my friend had done it the year before and lost about 2&1/2 stone so gave it a try. I only had 1 shake for breakfast then calorie control the rest I lost 3 stone got to 11’7 bmi 26.8 was easy I was never hungry I did exercise a lot but I’ve always have done in the past. I maintained for 7 mths then fell pregnant again I’m now 25w & gained 2 stone 😂😩 I’m positive I can lose it again by doing what I had before. Also my friend has kept the weight off since 2018 still doing Slimfast.

[Rosey2020]

Both me and my partner worked hard to get to BMI's of 30 in time for our GP to do an NHS referral, but turns out we weren't eligible anyway due to my FSH/AMH results. His results were also bad, but they are ok to help with this (seems unfair but there you go!).

Also, our CCG specifies you have to be trying for 3 years so even if my AMH was ok we'd be waiting another 1.5 years and given our ages this wouldn't have felt like an option anyway. Maybe you could look at your CCG rules for IVF eligibility and you may find other information that can be included in the conversation with your partner so it's not all about your weight.

I think both private clinics we looked at had a BMI limit of 35, but the one we went with has never weighed me.

The weight thing is a tough one though. I emotionally eat and infertility and lockdown is emotional!! Can't reach for the drink cabinet either. I realised I've got into some bad habits again recently so I'm trying to just keep treats to the weekend now and make them small and eat healthily the rest of the time. I do lots of walking while listening to podcasts too. I see some others have recommended PT. I wish I'd done more weight training when i could as apparently this is very good for weight loss for a number of reasons (my partner keeps telling me!). I'll give that a go if this cycle doesn't work. Whatever works for you and you can stick to is probably the one. Wish you the very best with it! xx