A lot overweight women find it difficult to conceive as weight tends to affect hormonal levels. i.e.: Excess body fat converts the female hormone oestrogen into male hormone androgen.

The excess androgen affects your ovulation process and reduces the amount of eggs produced.

Even a slight variation in oestrogen and progesterone levels could cause complications.

The most common cause for infertility problems in women is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). It is very closely linked to weight problems as well. So be sure to get checked for it.

Even if you manage to conceive, you may face many complications like hypertension and diabetes during pregnancy. So it is best to make sure that you are fit before you try for a baby.

Lose Weight the Healthy Way

You need to get your weight on track before you try for a baby. Enrol for a weight loss program and get yourself in right shape.

Follow a healthy diet. Eat the right kind of food. Eat lot of vegetables, fruits and protein rich food. Have green vegetables. They carry lot of folic acid in them. Folic acid helps in conceiving.

Consume lot of Vitamin C rich food. Eat plenty of fruits like orange, lemon, sweet lime, grape fruit and grapes and so on. Avoid alcohol and smoking as far as you can if you plan to conceive.

If you have an irregular cycle or a problem ovulating, then your doctor will prescribe ovulation-inducing drugs. It is a five day course that starts from the second day of your period.

Your doctor will then do a follow-up to monitor the production of eggs.

In severe cases of PCOS, your doctor may opt for a laparoscopic procedure.

Again, it is best if you maintain an ideal weight, before trying for a baby. So exercise regularly and follow a healthy diet.

(With inputs from Gynaecologists, Dr. Reshma Rafi and Dr. Ravindra Narsapur)