Fertility struggles are something women of all sizes face. Yet, women who are plus size have a unique set of obstacles, including a societal bias against people of size. Below we\u2019ll break down some of the myths about plus size fertility to help plus size women feel less isolated while navigating their fertility struggles.<\/p>\n
Before we dive in, we need to first address how body sizes are categorized. The Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculator is what all care providers use to classify people as the following; underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. If you don\u2019t already know what your BMI is, you can find out<\/a>. If your BMI is over 30, you\u2019ll be classified as obese (but we prefer to say plus size).<\/p>\n Now it\u2019s time to break down some myths about plus size fertility. You deserve to know what\u2019s real and what\u2019s\u2026 well\u2026 not!<\/p>\n It sure can seem this way when you\u2019re actively trying to conceive. Despite this all too common feeling, the reality is that it can take an average, healthy couple one year to conceive<\/a>. So, if you\u2019ve been seeing that dreaded single line on pregnancy tests for months on end, you might just need more time\u2026and a little more practice<\/em>.<\/p>\n Though for some plus size women, regardless of how much practice or how many ovulation predictor kits<\/a> they use, there are real reasons why they aren\u2019t able to conceive. Being overweight can cause hormonal imbalances that can play a role in disrupting your menstrual cycle<\/a>. In addition, ovulatory disorders can make conceiving either more difficult or near impossible without medical interventions.<\/p>\n Fertility complications for plus size people aren\u2019t limited to just women, as men who are obese can have lower testosterone levels<\/a> as well as complications with producing healthy sperm.<\/p>\n With all of this said, many plus size women conceive without any difficulty at all! Do your best to enjoy the journey while trying to conceive but know that it\u2019s also okay to seek support when you think you might need it.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen my husband and I made the decision to start a family, a lot of the information we read online made me fearful of how long it would take. I was pleasantly surprised to find out we were expecting three months after we started trying!\u201d \u2013 Sarah <\/em><\/p>\n We mentioned hormonal imbalances above and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common female endocrine (hormone) disorders. PCOS is also the leading cause of female infertility for women of all sizes, but it should be noted that plus size women do have higher incidences of PCOS<\/a>.<\/p>\n This condition can cause irregular periods, mood swings (including depression), weight gain, acne, facial and body hair growth, as well as hair loss. PCOS can also prevent a woman from conceiving by causing the absence of ovulation called anovulation. Sadly, women with PCOS face a higher rate of miscarriage<\/a> for which the exact reason is unknown.<\/p>\n While all of this can be difficult to read, having PCOS doesn\u2019t mean you won\u2019t be able to have a viable pregnancy. Many women require assistance with medication or other interventions to become pregnant so if you\u2019re previously diagnosed, don\u2019t be afraid to ask your care provider about your options.<\/p>\n \u201cFinding out I had PCOS was extremely emotional but with the help of a medication called Metformin and a supportive care provider, I\u2019m now 8 months pregnant.\u201d \u2013 Tiffany <\/em><\/p>\n Significant weight loss is often the standard recommendation when a plus size woman talks to her care provider about conception. Yet, when women go to extreme measures to lose weight, they can cause harm to their bodies, including dehydration, physical fatigue, hunger pains, gallbladder disease, and so on. Weight loss surgery also has many risks and a required wait time of one year or more <\/a>before becoming pregnant following surgery.<\/p>\n Studies do show that even a 5% or 10% reduction in weight<\/a> can improve fertility. One suggestion that many women have found helpful, is to start treating their bodies as if they are already pregnant while they are trying to conceive. Focus on eating a nutritious diet, being physically active, and taking daily vitamins. These efforts toward overall health, whether they lead to weight loss or not, will support optimal mental and physical health before, during, and after conception.<\/p>\n While this is technically <\/em>a myth since doctors do<\/em> work with women of size, the sad truth is many refuse to do so.<\/p>\n \u201cFinding a fertility specialist willing to support me was really hard. I was turned away a few times but when I finally connected with a size-friendly provider, I got the help I so desperately needed to start a family.\u201d \u2013 Janet <\/em><\/p>\n As Janet shared, connecting with a size-friendly provider was the key to getting the support she needed. If you\u2019re in search of a size-friendly provider, you can start by calling local fertility specialists and inquiring about any BMI restrictions they may have. Consider asking your plus size friends about their experiences with care providers and fertility specialists. Websites like plussizebirth.com<\/a> and haescommunity.org<\/a> have lists of size-friendly providers as well.<\/p>\n If you happen to connect with a care provider who makes you feel ashamed of your size or is unwilling to support you, remember that you have the right to fire your care provider at any time! Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect.<\/p>\n It\u2019s upsetting that this even needs to be listed; however, some women are told they shouldn\u2019t become mothers because of their size. We often experience judgment from our family, the general public, and even from ourselves <\/em>because of our size.<\/p>\n Furthermore, it\u2019s still socially acceptable to (publicly or privately) shame people of size. This doesn\u2019t just happen via social media but also within doctors\u2019 offices. That\u2019s why, once again, we\u2019ll reiterate the importance of connecting with a size-friendly care provider who will support you.<\/p>\n Please read these words carefully \u2013 you have just as much right to become a mother like everyone else! Your yearning for motherhood is something you\u2019re entitled to. Your body is not flawed. Your body is amazing!<\/p>\n Your body truly is incredible and we hope this article helps you along your path to motherhood. Remember these myths are just that \u2013 myths. You are not a statistic and your fertility experience is as individual as you are, plus size or not! Above all, we believe you should have fun practicing, focus on good nutrition, find a physical activity that makes you feel good about your body, and connect with a size-friendly care provider!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Fertility struggles are something women of all sizes face. Yet, women who are plus size have a unique set of obstacles, including a societal bias against people of size. Below we\u2019ll break down some of the myths about plus size fertility to help plus size women feel less isolated while navigating their fertility struggles. Before […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11723,"featured_media":75430,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"topic":[2898,2891],"pp_force_visibility":null,"pp_subpost_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_force_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_subpost_visibility":null,"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nMyth 1: Because I\u2019m plus size, I will automatically have a difficult time conceiving<\/h2>\n
Myth 2: If I have PCOS, I\u2019ll never be able to have a child<\/h2>\n
Myth 3: I have to lose a significant amount of weight to increase my odds of becoming pregnant<\/h2>\n
Myth 4: Infertility doctors won\u2019t help plus size women<\/h2>\n
Myth 5: I shouldn\u2019t become a mother if I\u2019m obese<\/h2>\n