Introduction & Background

What Is Weight Gain?

Weight gain refers to the increase in body mass, typically due to an increase in fat, muscle, or water retention. For women, weight gain can occur due to various factors like hormonal changes, lifestyle choices, medical conditions, or even genetics. Understanding these factors and how they impact women’s health is crucial for addressing the causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of weight gain.

Why Weight Gain Matters for Women

For women, maintaining a healthy weight is essential not only for aesthetic reasons but also for overall health. Weight gain, especially when it involves an increase in body fat, can lead to several serious health conditions, including:

• Heart Disease: Excess fat can strain the cardiovascular system and increase the risk of heart disease.
• Diabetes: Excessive weight, particularly abdominal fat, is a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes.
• Joint Pain: Increased body weight can place additional stress on the joints, leading to pain and mobility issues.
• Sleep Apnea: Excess weight, especially around the neck, can block the airways and interfere with breathing during sleep.

Women face unique challenges and experiences with weight gain due to their hormonal fluctuations, reproductive health stages (like pregnancy and menopause), and societal pressures.

Causes of Weight Gain for Women

Several factors can contribute to weight gain in women, including biological, environmental, and lifestyle-related causes.

1. Hormonal Imbalances

Hormones play a crucial role in regulating metabolism, appetite, and fat storage. Fluctuations in hormones like estrogen, thyroid hormones, and insulin can contribute to weight gain.

• Estrogen: Decreased estrogen during menopause can lead to weight gain, particularly around the abdominal region.
• Thyroid Hormones: Hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones, can cause a slowing metabolism and weight gain.
• Insulin Resistance: Insulin resistance often leads to weight gain, especially around the abdomen. This is common in conditions like PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).

2. Pregnancy

Pregnancy naturally leads to weight gain due to increased blood volume, breast tissue, and fat storage for breastfeeding. However, excessive weight gain during pregnancy can increase the risk of gestational diabetes and other complications.

3. Menopause

During menopause, estrogen levels decline, which can result in weight gain, particularly in the abdominal area. The metabolism tends to slow down, and fat storage increases, making it harder to maintain a healthy weight.

4. Sedentary Lifestyle

Lack of physical activity is one of the primary contributors to weight gain. When women do not exercise regularly, their metabolism slows, and the body stores excess calories as fat. The modern sedentary lifestyle, characterized by long hours of sitting and less physical labor, is a major factor.

5. Poor Diet

A diet high in processed foods, sugary drinks, and refined carbohydrates can lead to weight gain. Women are particularly prone to emotional eating and cravings, which often contribute to unhealthy food choices.

6. Stress and Mental Health

Stress can trigger the release of cortisol, a hormone that increases appetite and promotes fat storage, especially in the abdominal area. Depression and anxiety can also lead to overeating or lack of motivation for exercise.

7. Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions, including hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and insulin resistance, can lead to weight gain or make it more difficult to lose weight.

8. Medications

Some medications can cause weight gain as a side effect. These include:

• Antidepressants
• Corticosteroids
• Antipsychotics
• Birth control pills

Indications of Weight Gain Issues for Women

Weight gain may not always be immediately noticeable, but there are specific indicators that suggest weight gain could be problematic:

• Increased Size of Clothing: A noticeable increase in body size often results in a need for larger clothing.
• Fat Distribution: Weight gain often accumulates around the abdomen, thighs, or hips. This redistribution of fat can be a sign of hormonal imbalances.
• Fatigue or Low Energy: Sudden weight gain can be linked with low energy levels and general sluggishness.
• Breathing Issues: Extra weight can lead to respiratory problems, including sleep apnea.
• Elevated Blood Pressure: Weight gain, especially in the form of abdominal fat, can increase the risk of hypertension (high blood pressure).
• Joint Pain: Added weight can lead to pain in the knees, hips, and lower back due to increased pressure on the joints.

Symptoms of Weight Gain

The symptoms of weight gain may vary depending on the cause, but common signs include:

• Increased Weight: The most obvious symptom of weight gain is a significant increase in body weight.
• Changes in Body Composition: Weight gain may result in changes in body composition, such as increased fat and decreased muscle mass.
• Appetite Changes: Weight gain may be associated with an increase in appetite or cravings, particularly for sugary or fatty foods.
• Stretch Marks: Rapid weight gain can cause the skin to stretch, leading to stretch marks, particularly on the abdomen, hips, and thighs.
• Difficulty Sleeping: Excess weight can make it difficult to sleep, leading to fatigue during the day.
• Breathing Difficulties: Excess fat around the neck and chest can obstruct the airways, leading to conditions like sleep apnea.

Prevention Strategies for Weight Gain

Preventing weight gain involves lifestyle modifications and paying attention to both physical and emotional health.

1. Balanced Diet

Eating a balanced diet with the right proportion of macronutrients (proteins, fats, and carbohydrates) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) is essential. Focus on whole, minimally processed foods, including:

• Lean proteins (chicken, tofu, fish)
• Whole grains (quinoa, brown rice)
• Healthy fats (avocados, nuts, olive oil)
• Vegetables and fruits

2. Regular Exercise

Exercise helps maintain a healthy weight by burning calories and promoting muscle mass. A combination of cardiovascular exercise (like running, cycling, or swimming) and strength training (such as weight lifting) is recommended.

3. Adequate Sleep

Getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night is crucial for metabolic health. Poor sleep can disrupt hormonal balance and increase cravings for unhealthy foods.

4. Stress Management

Learning to manage stress through relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises can reduce emotional eating and hormonal fluctuations.

5. Hydration

Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps control appetite and supports metabolic function. Sometimes, thirst is confused with hunger, leading to overeating.

6. Regular Monitoring

Keeping track of food intake and exercise routines through apps or journals helps create awareness and accountability. This can help prevent unhealthy habits from developing.

7. Consultation with Healthcare Providers

It is vital to see a doctor for regular check-ups, particularly if there are symptoms of weight gain due to underlying health conditions such as thyroid problems or PCOS.

Myths and Facts About Weight Gain for Women

1. Myth: Weight Gain is Only Due to Overeating

• Fact: While overeating plays a role, hormonal imbalances, stress, and certain medical conditions can also contribute to weight gain.

2. Myth: Women Should Lose Weight Quickly for Health

• Fact: Rapid weight loss can lead to muscle loss, nutrient deficiencies, and other health issues. Gradual weight loss is healthier and more sustainable.

3. Myth: Intermittent Fasting Works for Everyone

• Fact: Intermittent fasting may work for some but is not suitable for everyone. Its effectiveness depends on the individual’s body type, lifestyle, and metabolism.

4. Myth: Weight Gain Only Happens with Age

• Fact: While age-related hormonal changes can contribute to weight gain, unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise are significant factors at any age.

Treatments and Therapy for Weight Gain

Medication-Based Treatments

Some women may benefit from medications designed to manage weight gain. These include:

• Appetite Suppressants: Drugs like phentermine may reduce hunger and promote weight loss.
• Hormonal Therapy: Hormonal treatments may be used for conditions like PCOS or hypothyroidism.
• Fat Absorption Inhibitors: Medications like orlistat block fat absorption in the digestive system.

Surgical Treatments

For individuals with extreme weight gain, bariatric surgery may be an option:

• Gastric Bypass: A surgical procedure that reduces the size of the stomach and reroutes the intestines, leading to reduced food intake and absorption.
• Sleeve Gastrectomy: A portion of the stomach is removed, leaving a smaller stomach pouch.
• Liposuction: A cosmetic procedure that removes fat from targeted areas.

Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

For women dealing with weight gain-related joint pain or mobility issues, physical therapy can help. Rehabilitation programs tailored to individual needs can restore strength and mobility.

Lifestyle and Behavioral Interventions

Programs like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help individuals address emotional eating and develop healthier food and exercise habits. Support groups and individualized therapy can also play a crucial role.

Alternative and Complementary Medicine

Certain alternative treatments like acupuncture, herbal remedies, and mindfulness practices may assist in reducing stress and promoting healthier weight management strategies.

1. What are the main causes of weight gain in women?

• Weight gain in women can be caused by a variety of factors, including hormonal imbalances (like those during menopause), sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, stress, medical conditions (e.g., hypothyroidism or PCOS), and certain medications.

2. How do hormonal changes affect weight gain in women?

• Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can significantly impact a woman’s metabolism, fat distribution, and appetite. Estrogen and progesterone fluctuations, for example, can cause weight gain, particularly in the abdominal region.

3. Can stress cause weight gain in women?

• Yes, stress can lead to weight gain, especially if it results in emotional eating. The body releases cortisol during stress, which increases appetite and can lead to the storage of abdominal fat.

4. How does menopause contribute to weight gain?

• During menopause, the body experiences a decline in estrogen, which can lead to fat being redistributed to the abdomen. Additionally, a slower metabolism makes it easier to gain weight and harder to lose it.

5. Can medications lead to weight gain in women?

• Certain medications, including antidepressants, corticosteroids, and birth control pills, can cause weight gain as a side effect. It’s important to discuss this with a healthcare provider if you suspect medication is affecting your weight.

6. Is weight gain common during pregnancy?

• Yes, weight gain is a normal part of pregnancy as the body supports fetal growth, increased blood volume, and fat reserves for breastfeeding. However, excessive weight gain during pregnancy can increase risks for both mother and baby.

7. How can I manage weight gain during pregnancy?

• A healthy, balanced diet with controlled portions, regular light physical activity (as advised by your doctor), and staying hydrated are essential for managing weight gain during pregnancy. Always follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations.

8. What are the most effective exercises for weight loss in women?

• Cardiovascular exercises (running, swimming, cycling) and strength training (weight lifting, bodyweight exercises) are effective for weight loss. Combining both helps burn fat while building muscle mass, which boosts metabolism.

9. Is it possible to lose weight without exercise?

• While exercise is beneficial for overall health and weight management, diet plays a major role in weight loss. A calorie-controlled, nutrient-dense diet can contribute to weight loss, but incorporating exercise will accelerate the process.

10. Can a poor diet contribute to long-term weight gain?

• Yes, a diet high in processed foods, sugary beverages, refined carbs, and unhealthy fats can lead to long-term weight gain. Consuming too many calories without balancing them with physical activity will result in weight gain over time.

11. Can I lose weight quickly?

• While rapid weight loss may be possible, it is not sustainable or healthy. Quick weight loss often results in muscle loss, nutritional deficiencies, and a slower metabolism. A gradual, steady approach is the most effective and healthiest way to lose weight.

12. Does breastfeeding help with postpartum weight loss?

• Breastfeeding can help some women lose weight after childbirth by burning extra calories. However, weight loss varies by individual, and it is important to focus on a balanced diet and regular exercise.

13. What role does sleep play in weight management?

• Lack of sleep disrupts hormones that control appetite (such as ghrelin and leptin), leading to increased hunger and cravings. Poor sleep is also linked to slower metabolism, making it harder to manage weight.

14. How does age affect weight gain in women?

• As women age, their metabolism tends to slow down due to hormonal changes (especially during perimenopause and menopause). Additionally, muscle mass decreases, leading to a higher percentage of body fat and weight gain.

15. Can I still lose weight after menopause?

• Yes, it is possible to lose weight after menopause. Although hormonal changes make it more challenging, adopting a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management can help manage weight effectively.

16. How do I know if I have an underlying medical condition that is causing weight gain?

• Symptoms like unexplained weight gain, fatigue, changes in skin or hair, or mood swings could indicate an underlying condition such as hypothyroidism or PCOS. It’s important to consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.

17. What is the role of genetics in weight gain?

• Genetics can influence how your body stores fat, how your metabolism works, and how easily you gain or lose weight. Some people are genetically predisposed to store more fat or have a slower metabolism, but lifestyle factors still play a significant role.

18. Can weight gain be prevented with a healthy lifestyle?

• Yes, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, regular physical activity, stress management, and proper sleep can significantly reduce the risk of weight gain and help you manage your weight effectively.

19. Is intermittent fasting effective for weight loss in women?

• Intermittent fasting can be effective for some women by reducing calorie intake and improving metabolism. However, it may not work for everyone, and it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any fasting regimen.

20. What are the best foods to prevent weight gain?

• Eating whole, nutrient-dense foods can help prevent weight gain. This includes fruits, vegetables, lean proteins (such as chicken, fish, and tofu), whole grains (like quinoa and brown rice), and healthy fats (such as olive oil, nuts, and avocados). Avoiding processed foods and sugary snacks is key to maintaining a healthy weight.

Conclusion

Managing weight gain is a multifaceted issue that involves understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatments. For women, weight gain is influenced by a complex combination of hormonal, genetic, and lifestyle factors. By making conscious dietary and lifestyle choices, addressing underlying health conditions, and seeking professional support, women can achieve a balanced weight and improve overall health.

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The use of a keto diet, which involves high fat and low carbohydrate levels, is controversial and not usually recommended during pregnancy.

A ketogenic diet is a high fat, low carbohydrate, and adequate protein diet. It is a popular lifestyle diet for weight maintenance and body building. In addition to weight loss, the keto diet can help regulate blood sugar levels and normalise menstrual periods.

It is more difficult for the body to use fats as fuel in comparison to carbohydrates. For this reason, people who are on the keto diet are advised to eat less than 50 grams of carbohydrates per day, whilst increasing the fat requirement. The reasoning for this is to obtain most of your daily calories from fats in order to stimulate the natural burning of body fat.

Doctors sometimes recommend the keto diet for people with medical conditions, including diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and epilepsy. However, choosing to remain on a keto diet during pregnancy is controversial since it involves burning fat through ketosis. Ketosis is when fats are used to burn energy rather than carbohydrates. This causes the liver to produce ketones, which replaces glucose as an energy source.

Here we provide an overview of the potential benefits and risks of a keto diet during pregnancy:

There is some suggestion that a keto diet can be beneficial during pregnancy, particularly for women who are overweight or obese.  

Eating a low carbohydrate, high fat diet, including foods such as celery, cauliflower, eggs, fish, meats, avocado, and cheese, has been associated with a reduced frequency of morning sickness, nausea, miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, and gestational diabetes.

There is some evidence to suggest that a keto diet may help manage seizures in pregnant women who suffer from epilepsy. A study published in Seizure found that symptoms of epilepsy were able to be controlled using keto therapy in two pregnant women. These women had normal, healthy pregnancies with reduced seizure frequency. Mild side effects included lowered vitamin levels and raised cholesterol levels. However, more investigation is required to evaluate the benefits and risks, as well as long term side effects, of using the keto diet in the management of epilepsy.

Risks of a keto diet during pregnancy

Although the keto diet is normally used to lose weight, a diet during pregnancy is not advised. Eating a balanced diet becomes even more important during pregnancy as the growing baby requires foods that are rich in vitamins, nutrients, minerals, iron, and folate. Since fruits and vegetables are high in carbs and natural sugars, their consumption has to be limited in the keto diet. An inadequate level of nutrient intake can lead to problems in the baby’s growth and development.

Eating carbohydrates during pregnancy is important since grains like wheat flour, rice, and pasta are rich in folic acid, which is critical for fetal development. Since protein is part of the keto diet, it can cause people to eat foods that are higher in saturated fat. Although healthy fats are vital for pregnant women and the growing baby, excessive saturated fat can lead to health problems, including higher cholesterol levels.

Animal studies have found that a keto diet during gestation can lead to changes in embryonic organ growth, such as a larger heart and a smaller brain. This may be associated with organ dysfunction and behavioural changes. A study published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth found that a low carbohydrate diet in pregnant mice caused smaller brain development and neurobehavioural changes in offspring. Another study published in Brain and Behavior discovered that pregnant mice on a keto diet had babies that were more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression in adulthood.

The keto diet can cause side effects, known as the ‘keto flu’. This can consist of fatigue, dizziness, nausea, headaches, and muscle cramps. This adds to the side effects that already exist in pregnancy.

A keto diet increases the risk of starvation ketoacidosis, which is a metabolic issue caused by a dangerously high level of ketones. This usually occurs after the body is deprived of glucose as the primary source of energy for a sustained period of time and leads to acidity in the blood. Since ketones can pass freely through the placenta to the baby, a keto diet is generally not advised during pregnancy.

There is evidence that a low carbohydrate can aid the management, treatment, or prevention of gestational diabetes, which is a type of high blood sugar that occurs during pregnancy. A study published in International Journal of Case Reports and Clinical Images found that a low carbohydrate diet lowers the need for insulin. However, it may not be necessary to completely adhere to a keto diet to reduce your risk of gestational diabetes.

It is essential that pregnant women eat a balanced diet with a combination of fats, protein, and carbohydrates. Eating a low carbohydrate diet that has an adequate level of healthy fats, protein, fibre, fruits, and vegetables may be more suitable than a keto diet during pregnancy. The health and development of the fetus should always be the priority. Please consult a doctor if you are planning on following a keto diet or other eating plan during pregnancy.

Written by Albina Babu, MSc

References:

Is low carb and keto safe during pregnancy? (2019). Diet Doctor. Retrieved from: https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/keto

van der Louw, E.J., et al. (2017). Ketogenic diet therapy for epilepsy during pregnancy: a case series. Seizure, 45, pp.198-201.

Sussman, D., et al. (2013). Effects of a ketogenic diet during pregnancy on embryonic growth in the mouse. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 13(1), pp.109-120.

Sussman, D., Germann, J. and Henkelman, M. (2015). Gestational ketogenic diet programs brain structure and susceptibility to depression & anxiety in the adult mouse offspring. Brain and Behavior, 5(2).

Tóth, C. and Clemens, Z. (2014). Type 1 diabetes mellitus successfully managed with the paleolithic ketogenic diet. Int J Case Rep Images, 5(10), pp.699-703.

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• Definition
• How it’s measured and why
• Measuring large
• Measuring small
• Bottom line

Congratulations, you’re expecting! This exciting and sometimes nerve-wracking time can mean browsing dream strollers, finding fashionable maternity wear — and lots of doctors’ appointments.

Regular doctor checkups and tests during pregnancy are important for your health and your baby’s too. If you’re a pregnant person anywhere in the world, you’ll probably have your belly measured several times during your pregnancy.

As your belly starts to blossom, your doctor will measure your growing bump regularly with a measuring tape. This measurement is called fundal height.

Here’s more on what fundal height means and why it’s an important part of your pregnancy checkups.

Fundal height is a vertical (up and down) measurement of your belly. It’s the distance from the pubic bone to the top of your womb (uterus).

Your doctor might also call it the symphysis-fundal height (SFH). Symphysis is the scientific name for bones that are joined together, like in the pelvis.

Fundal height is always measured in centimeters. To begin, you’ll lay flat on your back on the exam table, just like you’re getting an ultrasound scan.

Your doctor will use a flexible measuring tape to measure the distance from your pelvis area to the top of your uterus. This is about where your belly slopes downwards after going over the highest point of your bump.

Around 24 weeks of pregnancy, the fundal height usually matches the number of weeks you’ve been pregnant. This quick measurement is not just a really good party trick —measuring the fundal height can help tell a few important things about your pregnancy:

• Your doctor will have a better estimate how far along you are in the pregnancy (gestational age).
• Your doctor can chart fundal height over time to make sure you’re gaining weight and your baby is growing consistently.
• Fundal height helps to show how large your baby is (fetal growth) because your bun in the oven is making that belly bump after all!

So if your fundal distance is about 26 centimeters (plus or minus 2 centimeters), you are probably around week 26 of your pregnancy. Of course the fundal height can’t give an exact number of weeks or show the exact size of your baby, but it’s a good estimate.

Measuring the fundal height is especially important in places where there isn’t an ultrasound machine available or if you’re at a checkup at your doctor’s office between ultrasound scan appointments.

The fundal height is used by doctors around the world to help check both mama’s pregnancy health and baby’s growth easily and quickly and without needing any expensive, high-tech equipment.

The fundal height is so important that researchers made an international formulaTrusted Source to help better estimate pregnancy weeks and baby size with this measurement.

The formula takes into account that measuring a pregnant person’s stomach won’t always be accurate, and some mothers-to-be might show more or have a bigger belly than others.

If you’re in week 25 of your pregnancy but your fundal height measurement estimates that you’re in week 28 or 29, don’t worry. There are several reasons why this might happen:

• You may have been pregnant earlier than you or your doctor calculated according to your missed period cycle or first ultrasound.
• Your baby might be bigger than average.
• Your body shape or type might just mean that your stomach is sticking out a bit more.
• You might have a full bladder or really need a bowel movement. Yes, both these things can sometimes make your stomach stick out about 3 centimeters higher!

If your fundal height is too long, your doctor will double-check the measurement and may also give you an ultrasound scan. Some babies are just longer or bigger than average.

If your baby is larger than other babies at that stage in pregnancy, it might be due to:

• Genetics: You, your partner, or both of you may have tall or large genes in your family that are passed down to your baby.
• Weight gain: If you’ve gained excess weight during your pregnancy or before pregnancy, your baby may gain more weight too.
• Diabetes: If you have gestational diabetes or another kind of diabetes, your baby might be larger than usual.

Sometimes fundal height is shorter than it should be and doesn’t match up with how far along your pregnancy is. There are several reasons why this might happen:

• Your pregnancy might have happened later than you or your doctor estimated. For example, you might estimate that you’re in week 28 of your pregnancy, but you’re actually in week 26 or 27.
• Your baby might be smaller than normal.
• Your body shape or type might just mean that your belly doesn’t show as much.

Your doctor may be more concerned if your baby is smaller than normal or is not gaining weight. A lack of weight gain in utero may lead to low birth weight.

Causes of small babies in the womb include:

• Genetics: You, your partner, or both of you may have shorter or small genes in the family.
• Genetic conditions: Certain chromosomal conditions can cause smaller babies early on in the pregnancy.
• Nutrition: Your baby may not be getting as much oxygen, blood flow, and nutrients as they should be.
• Uterine issues: A problem with the placenta might be limiting how much blood and oxygen your baby is getting.
• Mama’s nutrition: If you aren’t taking in adequate healthy foods, or have a body weight of under 100 pounds, baby may not grow as quickly as hoped either.
• Alcohol and drugs: Alcohol, cigarette smoking, or drug use can all affect your baby’s growth and development.
• Mama’s health: Your health matters for your baby’s health and weight gain. A number of conditions that you might have can affect your baby’s health and growth. These include:
  • high blood pressure
  • anemia
  • infections
  • diabetes
  • kidney disease
  • lung disease
  • heart disease

Checking your fundal height is just one way that your healthcare provider can check your pregnancy health and your baby’s growth and development.

It’s not always accurate, but along with ultrasound scans and other tests, measuring the fundal height can help keep your pregnancy and baby healthy.

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EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF HUMAN REPRODUCTION AND EMBRYOLOGY

Women have a good chance of having a second child with the help of fertility treatment after the birth of their first child born this way, according to the first study to investigate this, published today (Friday) in Human Reproduction [1], one of the world’s leading reproductive medicine journals.

Researchers in Australia calculated that after a woman successfully achieved a live birth using in vitro fertilisation (IVF), also known as assisted reproductive technology (ART), the chances of a second ART baby were between 51% and 88% after six cycles of treatment. These calculations depended on whether or not previously frozen embryos were used or fresh embryos from a new ovarian stimulation cycle, and on assumptions made about the likely success rate for women who discontinued treatment.

The chances of a second ART baby decreased with increased maternal age. Compared to women younger than 30 years, the likelihood of women aged 35-39 having a second ART-conceived baby reduced by 22% if they recommenced treatment with a frozen embryo from a previous cycle and by 50% if they recommenced treatment with a new cycle and a fresh embryo. Factors that improved their chances of a successful second pregnancy included requiring only one cycle and a single embryo transfer to achieve a first live birth, and where infertility was caused by factors affecting the male partner.

Although many parents would like more than one child, there has been no published report on the chances of achieving a second ART-conceived baby after a first ART child until now. The researchers hope that this information can be used to counsel patients.

Professor Georgina Chambers, director of the National Perinatal Epidemiology and Statistics Unit at the University of New South Wales (Sydney, Australia), looked at data from 35,290 women who received ART treatment between 2009 and 2013 in Australia and New Zealand and had a live baby during this time. These women were followed for a further two years to 2015, providing between two and seven years of follow-up data, and live births up to October 2016 were included.

“We calculated two measures: what is a woman’s chance of achieving a second live birth in a particular cycle of treatment if previous cycles have failed, for instance in cycle three if the first two cycles have failed; and what is the overall, or cumulative, chance of a woman achieving a live birth after a particular number of cycles, including all the previous cycles. For example, what is the overall chance of a woman having a baby after up to three cycles,” said Prof Chambers.

A cycle includes the stimulation of the ovaries to mature multiple eggs, the collection of eggs for fertilisation in the laboratory to create embryos, and then all embryo transfer procedures that use the embryos from the egg retrieval procedure. This can include fresh embryo transfers and frozen embryo transfers.

Prof Chambers and her colleagues calculated estimates of cumulative live birth rates (CLBR) for women who were trying for a second ART baby that took account not only of the women who continued treatment, but also those who discontinued treatment. The conservative CLBR assumed that women who dropped out would have no chance of achieving a second live birth if they had continued treatment. The optimal CLBR assumed these women would have the same chance of a live birth in a particular cycle as women who had continued treatment. The range between the conservative and optimal estimates gives a realistic idea of success rates.

Just over 43% (15,325) of the 35,290 women, with an average (median) age of 36, returned for treatment to conceive a second child by December 2015.

Among these women, 73% used a frozen embryo from the egg retrieval cycle that had resulted in their first child, and for them the CLBR ranged from 61% (conservative estimate) to 88% (optimal estimate) after six cycles. Among the women who had a new stimulation cycle and used a fresh embryo, the CLBR ranged from 51% to 70%.

“Overall, 43% of women who recommence treatment with one of the frozen embryos from a previous stimulation cycle will have a baby after their first embryo transfer procedure. Between 61% and 88% of these women will have a baby after six cycles,” said Prof Chambers. “Among those who recommence treatment with a new stimulation cycle and a fresh embryo transfer, 31% will have a baby after their first cycle and between 51% and 70% after six cycles.”

Although success rates declined with female age, the researchers found that after three cycles of treatment, the conservative and optimal CLBRs in women aged 40 to 44 years were 38% and 55% respectively in those that started with a frozen embryo, and 20% and 25% in those recommencing with a new stimulated cycle and fresh embryos. [2]

Prof Chambers said: “Couples can be reassured by these figures. Our findings also underline the fact that ART treatment should be considered as a course of treatment, rather than just one single cycle of treatment: if couples don’t achieve a pregnancy in the first cycle, it could very well happen in the next. However, it would be best not to wait too long, especially if a new stimulation cycle is needed.”

Co-author, Dr Devora Leiberman, a fertility clinician at City Fertility, Sydney, added: “These results can be used to counsel patients, but it is important to note that these are population estimates and every couple is different. Our analysis does not take account of all individual factors that affect a woman’s chance of ART success, including duration of infertility, and body mass index. Whether ART treatment should be commenced or continued should ultimately be a decision for the fertility clinician and patient, taking into account all medical and non-medical factors. But this study provides the range of results that could be expected.”

Another limitation is that in Australia and New Zealand, couples are funded to have treatment for infertility with no restrictions on the number of cycles or on the mothers’ age, numbers of previous children and factors such as body max index and smoking. Therefore, the findings may not be generalisable to other countries with less supportive funding provision for ART.

Dr Christos Venetis, a fertility clinician and clinical academic from the research team at the University of New South Wales, concluded: “As the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic on the provision of non-urgent ART services are gradually being lifted in many countries, including Australia and New Zealand, many people are considering expanding their family through ART. This study can provide reassurance that, in most cases, the chance of them having a second baby through ART is quite favourable.”

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In the early 2000s, Marcy Holmes and her husband were ready to start their family. They didn’t expect it to be such a difficult journey.

When Marcy didn’t become pregnant after about six months of trying, her doctor discovered a problem with her reproductive tubes. She had surgery to correct the issue, but still never became pregnant.

That’s when Marcy’s doctor referred her to Dr. John Storment at Fertility Answers. Storment put Marcy on a medication to enhance fertility. That didn’t work either. Six months of artificial insemination followed. Still no pregnancy.

The repeated failed attempts were emotionally draining for Marcy and her husband. It was also difficult for Marcy’s mother, Barbara Bloomer.

“She was so devastated,” Bloomer recalled. “I think I was even more devastated because I had to watch my child go through this. But when we found Dr. Storment and got a little hope, she perked up. When she perked up, I perked up.”

Eventually, Dr. Storment recommended Marcy and her husband try in vitro fertilization.

“We went through our first cycle and we were so incredibly blessed that it worked the first time,” she said. The result was Grant, born in February 2004.

“We were just thrilled beyond belief,” Marcy said. “He was the first grandchild in the family, so it was really exciting for everybody.”

A few years later, Marcy and her husband wanted to add to their family. Knowing that other methods hadn’t worked, they opted to immediately begin with in vitro fertilization. Two embryos were successfully transferred, and twins Reese and Carter were born in May 2007.

The twins were born 11 weeks premature. Reese was tiny and needed time to grow, but Carter spent eight weeks in the hospital so doctors could address breathing issues and other problems.

Today, the twins are healthy teenagers.

“I still have moments when I flash back to being in the NICU,” Marcy said. “I would think to myself, ‘Someday they will be in kindergarten and this will be a distant memory.’ Now they are about to start eighth grade and they are doing great.”

Holmes comes from a close family and is the oldest of four daughters. One of her sisters, Rebecca Gilley, was considering starting her own family not long after her nephew Grant was born. When she and her husband began trying, they realized there was a problem.

Doctors discovered Rebecca’s husband had fertility issues. They tried different medications and methods, none of which worked. Seeing the success her sister had with Dr. Storment encouraged Rebecca and her husband to meet with him as well.

“It encouraged me because I saw she had a family, and that was my goal,” Rebecca said. “That’s who I knew I wanted to see because I remembered everything she went through and how much she loved him.”

After consulting with Dr. Storment, Rebecca and her husband learned their only option was in vitro fertilization. Rebecca was “devastated” when the procedure didn’t work, even after multiple tries.

“We thought about stopping,” she said. “It was so difficult on us, mentally, physically, emotionally and financially. We prayed about it and decided to try one more time.”

For Bloomer, seeing another daughter and son-in-law struggle to conceive was “surreal.” But she was determined to keep the faith.

“We had been through it once and had success, so we felt confident,” Bloomer said. “I always told both of them, ‘One way or another, you girls are going to become moms. We are going to figure this out. At the end of this, we will all be okay.’”

That last try for Gilley and her husband was successful. Their son Grayson was born in 2009.

“I was good. I was thrilled,” Rebecca said. “But then, after a couple of years, we started thinking about it again. I told my husband that I wanted to try one more time because I wanted to be able to tell our son we did try to give him a sibling.”

The process worked, and twins Liam and Sarah Kate were born in 2012. The event was especially momentous for Rebecca, who herself is an identical twin.

Rebecca and her husband thought their family was complete. But in 2013, they were shocked with Rebecca became pregnant naturally.

“It took me nine full months to believe it,” she said with a laugh. “I called Dr. Storment and everybody was shocked. I ended up having my fourth child (a daughter, Greer) in 2014. It just goes to show that you have to have faith.”

Barbara and her husband Daniel are now the proud grandparents to 10 grandchildren, six of whom were conceived with help from Fertility Answers. The brood includes six boys and four girls, ages six to 16.

“They are the joy of our lives,” Barbara said. “To me, God gave doctors the ability to help people make families. It’s just awesome to have a big family.”

Barbara said she also encourages families and couples who may be struggling.

“People say, ‘Look where you are now,’” she said. “But we were where they are, too. It wasn’t always easy. I just want people to know there’s a lot of hope out there.”

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Having high blood pressure in a first pregnancy quadruples a woman’s risk of heart attack or death from heart disease, a new study finds.

About 2 percent to 8 percent of pregnant women with previously normal blood pressure develop a condition called preeclampsia, which includes high blood pressure that usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

In this study, Rutgers University researchers analyzed heart disease in 6,360 women in New Jersey, aged 18 to 54, who were diagnosed with preeclampsia during their first pregnancy between 1999 and 2013. These women were compared to pregnant women without preeclampsia.

Women with preeclampsia were four times more likely to suffer a heart attack or heart disease-related death, and more than two times more likely to die from other causes during the 15-year study period.

The findings were published online recently in the Journal of Women’s Health.

“Women who were diagnosed with preeclampsia tended also to have a history of chronic high blood pressure, gestational diabetes and kidney disease, and other medical conditions,” said study author Mary Downes Gastrich. She’s an associate professor at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and a member of the Cardiovascular Institute of New Jersey.

The findings suggest that all women should be screened for preeclampsia throughout their pregnancy and that treatment should be given to those with preeclampsia within five years, Gastrich said.

“Medication such as low-dose aspirin also may be effective in bringing down blood pressure as early as the second trimester,” Gastrich added in a Rutgers news release.

A single cause of preeclampsia — which causes 15 percent of premature births in the United States — hasn’t been pinpointed, but it’s believed to be related to insufficiently formed blood vessels in the placenta.

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Issues persist even when drug treatments for gestational diabetes are given, U of A study shows.

Pregnant women diagnosed with diabetes who have elevated fasting (pre-meal) blood sugar levels are more likely to face complications than those who have only elevated post-meal glucose levels, according to a new study by a University of Alberta research team.

“The women who had elevated fasting glucose, adjusted for all other risk factors, were almost three times more likely to have a big baby than women who had normal fasting glucose levels but elevated postprandial sugar levels,” said cardiology professor Padma Kaul, who is also an adjunct professor in the School of Public Health.

The women with high fasting blood sugars were also found to be at 1.5 times higher risk for high blood pressure during pregnancy, and had a higher likelihood of needing an induced labour, having a caesarean section or having a preterm birth.

Kaul said large babies are at risk for complications during birth and obesity later in life, and high blood pressure during pregnancy can place extra stress on the heart and kidneys of a mother.

The researchers found that the adverse outcomes for women with high fasting blood sugars persisted even when the women were given diabetes drug treatments such as insulin or metformin.

“Why the women who have fasting glucose are less responsive to treatment is a very important question,” Kaul said. “It may indicate some other mechanism that requires further study.”

Kaul said further research is needed to determine whether earlier or more aggressive diabetes treatment for women with high fasting glucose levels would reduce or prevent the adverse outcomes. 

The researchers examined health records for more than 250,000 pregnancies in Alberta between 2008 and 2014. Nearly 13,000 of the mothers were diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Four thousand had elevated fasting blood sugars of 5.3 mmol/L or higher, whereas the others had normal blood sugars while fasting but showed elevated levels following an oral glucose tolerance test. 

Kaul explained that nearly all pregnant women in Alberta undergo a two-step screening process for gestational diabetes. The first test, done between 20 and 24 weeks of gestation, is a 50 gram oral glucose tolerance test, taken at any time of the day. If the woman’s blood sugar is found to be higher than 7.8 mmol/L one hour later, she is sent for the second test, which involves giving a blood sample after 12 hours of fasting, usually first thing in the morning, then ingesting 75 grams of glucose and giving more samples one and two hours later. 

Kaul said that about 15 per cent of pregnant women in Alberta receive the second test and about one-third of those tested are diagnosed with gestational diabetes. As trends in older maternal age and higher weight in pregnancy continue, rates of gestational diabetes are also on the rise.

The study was conducted at the Canadian VIGOUR Centre, where Kaul is co-director, and was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

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New Delhi: Heart diseases are one of the leading causes of death all around the world. A recent study also showed that women are at a higher risk of heart diseases, as compared to men. Women go through various changes in their body, especially during and after pregnancy. Gestational diabetes, which is described as high blood sugar during pregnancy, which goes back to normal levels after the delivery of the baby is a common condition that pregnant women suffer from. High blood pressure is also pretty common in pregnant women. 

A recent study has shown that blood pressure rises more quickly in women than in men. According to the study, this is because women’s blood vessels age more quickly. Apart from these factors, pregnancy can also lead to hypertension. 

Hypertension when expecting a baby – All you need to know

Hypertension during pregnancy can increase the risk for both the mother and the baby. It can cause problems even after delivery of the baby. Therefore, it is important to prevent and treat the condition at the earliest.

According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, USA, it was found that hypertension during pregnancy is experienced by 1 in every 12-17 women, of the age 20 to 44.

What are the causes of high blood pressure during pregnancy?

The first measure to prevent a condition is to understand its causes and risk factors. Factors like obesity, lack of physical activity, smoking, drinking, or autoimmune disorders like type 1 diabetes can be contributing causes of hypertension during pregnancy. Other factors include age, multiple babies, first-time pregnancy, assistive reproductive technology, or family history of hypertension can also contribute as a risk factor. 

How can high blood pressure be prevented during pregnancy?

For the prevention of high blood pressure during pregnancy, it is important to get the right treatment for blood pressure problems before you get pregnant. If you are planning to have a baby and have high blood pressure, you must consult your doctor for treatment. Even after getting pregnant, it is important to continue treatment during and after the pregnancy as well. 

Apart from treatment, regular exercise or physical activity that ensures a healthy weight can help in preventing high blood pressure before and during pregnancy. During pregnancy, you must keep a check on your blood pressure regularly, and consult your doctor for medicines for the condition, which will not interfere with the baby and its development.

What complications can occur due to high blood pressure during pregnancy?

Hypertension can cause various complications for the mother and the baby, both during and after the pregnancy. The mother can be at a high risk of stroke, kidney damage, and seizures. The mother may also be in need of labour induction, due to high blood pressure. 

For the baby, high BP can lead to preterm birth, which comes with its own set of complications and risks. Low birth weight is also common in babies born to mothers with high blood pressure. The mother’s high BP makes it difficult for the baby to get enough oxygen and nutrients, and the baby may need to be delivered early.

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American women are having fewer children than ever before, a trend some medical experts have attributed to delayed child rearing. Others disagree and say the drop is due to stifling socio-economic factors, including rising childcare costs and a lack of supportive government programs for working mothers.

The US’ total fertility rate, the number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime, hit a record low in 2018, according to a new report released on Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

That year, the average woman in the US was projected to have a total of 1.7 children in her lifetime. In order for the current generation to replace itself, women need to have at least two. Since 2008, fertility rates have dipped below that level, according to the CDC.

Fertility rates may be falling due to delayed childbirth and financial factors

Medical and economic experts are divided as to why fertility rates have been declining consistently.

Some experts in reproductive medicine say the drops are largely due to women waiting to get pregnant and being unable to have a baby once they decide they’re ready.

But some economic experts disagree, and say many women have no choice but to have fewer children than they thought they would, or no children, because of stifling financial factors, and the fact that there aren’t sufficient government programs to support mothers.

“Economic instability and unaffordable care could be factors for people deciding to have children later in life, or not at all,” Josie Kalipeni, policy director of Caring Across Generations, a healthcare advocacy campaign, told the Atlantic last year.

But even with major advances in assisted reproductive technology, some medical experts think that women can’t afford to wait much longer than past generations typically did to have children.

Dr. Eve Feinberg, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University, has joined that camp of experts.

She told Insider last year that part of the reason why fertility rates have declined is because there’s misinformation around the efficacy of assisted reproductive technology, and that women of advanced reproductive age often expect more from treatments, including in-vitro fertilization, than they can actually offer.

“People overestimate the success of fertility treatment,” Feinberg told Insider last year. “While it is successful, it has limitations at older ages.”

After 35, a woman’s chances of getting pregnant through IVF drops

Women younger than 35 have a 21.3% chance of getting pregnant using assisted reproductive technology, and having a full-term baby of normal weight, according to a 2015 CDC report. But those numbers steadily drop as women get older. After 35, a woman’s chances decline to 17% and after 38, it’s 11%.

Despite those figures, some population experts disagree with Feinberg and say that the falling fertility rate isn’t a reflection of a risky waiting game. Rather, the data snapshot isn’t able to accurately capture the true trend, which is that women aren’t having fewer children, they’re just having them when they’re older.

“The women are going to have children, just later in life,” Alison Gemmill, assistant professor of population, family, and reproductive health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told ABC News.

In 2018, birth rates increased for women 35 and older, and dropped for all other age groups

From 2010 to 2018, the birth rate, or number of live babies born in a year, increased by 14.6% among women who were 35 to 39, according to the CDC. Over that same period, the birth rate increased by 15.7% for women between the ages of 40 and 44. Birth rates for teenagers and women in their 20s steadily declined.

But many women often have no choice but to put off motherhood, considering what the alternative could look like for them.

The number of mothers who work outside the home has dramatically increased over the past few decades. Despite these sharp increases, women are often penalized at work once they become mothers, and at the same time, they can’t rely on government programs, like subsidized childcare, for help.

In 2018, 65% of US mothers with children under 6 were employed, up from 39% in 1975, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The ‘motherhood penalty’ costs women about $16,000 a year in wages after they become mothers

Still, the US remains the only developed country in the world that does not have mandated paid maternity leave. Once a woman has a child in the US, she’s likely to suffer the “motherhood penalty,” which could translate to losing $16,000 annually in wages, according to the National Women’s Law Center. Childless women can expect their income to remain on pace with that of men’s earnings.

While pregnancy discrimination, a form of employment discrimination, was outlawed in 1978, many women say the practice is still rampant. That means women will get passed over for promotions while pregnant, or that managers will unabashedly ask about a woman’s plans to have children during a job interview.

No mother, from hourly-wage server as a restaurant to a top level finance executive, is safe from pregnancy discrimination or pushback after having a baby, research shows.

When Erin Murphy, a senior employee at finance firm Glencore, was eight months pregnant, she approached her boss about her future at the company. He was quick to dismiss her.

“You’re old and having babies,” Murphy told the New York Times last year of how her boss reacted, “so there’s nowhere for you to go.”

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A healthy mom often means a healthy baby. But according to one study, the number of pregnant moms with chronic high blood pressure is on the rise. Chronic high blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition in which the force of blood pushing against the blood vessel walls is too high.

Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), shows 1 in 3 American adults has high blood pressure.

“What we’re seeing is more and more women have chronic hypertension before they’re even pregnant,” says Salena Zanotti, MD, who did not take part in the study. “There was an almost 6% rise per year in women with chronic hypertension during the study.”

Why high blood pressure is even worse for pregnant women

Uncontrolled hypertension greatly increases a person’s risk for heart disease and stroke – but the risks are even higher for pregnant moms.

Dr. Zanotti says chronic hypertension, at the start of pregnancy, increases a woman’s risk of developing preeclampsia – a severe and significant disease that is harmful for both mom and baby.

She says it’s important for women to be the healthiest they can be before they conceive, because everything about a mom’s health affects the health of her baby. Getting chronic health conditions under control before pregnancy helps keep women healthy for years to come.

“The important thing for women to also realize – if you have high blood pressure and you’re pregnant and develop more blood pressure problems – it affects you down the road too,” says Dr. Zanotti. “It increases your risk of stroke and heart attack 10, 20 even 30 years down the road.”

Dr. Zanotti says many times, blood pressure can be controlled with a good diet, exercise and not smoking, but there are times when a person needs medication too. There are some blood pressure controlling medications that are safe to take while pregnant, so it’s important for women with chronic hypertension to talk with their doctors.

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A new tool appears to be more accurate than commonly used indexes for predicting the likelihood of successfully giving birth for women with endometriosis who undergo surgery followed by assisted reproduction (ART).

This model could be useful for counseling couples on the best fertility strategy to follow, including whether egg donation should be considered.

“Predicting the likelihood of a live birth for women with endometriosis-related infertility,” the study detailing this tool, was published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology.

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Women who develop preeclampsia, a form of dangerously high blood pressure during pregnancy, are 5 times more likely to develop end-stage kidney disease later in life than women who have normal blood pressure during pregnancy, a Swedish study suggests.

Preeclampsia has long been linked to an increased risk of events like heart attacks and strokes years later, and some previous research also suggest that this form of high blood pressure might also be one reason why women are more likely to develop advanced kidney disease than men.

For the current study, researchers examined data on almost 2.67 million births among 1.37 million women between 1982 and 2012. A total of 67,273 women, or 4.9%, developed preeclampsia during at least one pregnancy, and 410 women developed end-stage kidney disease.

Women who had preeclampsia in two pregnancies were more than seven times more likely to develop end-stage kidney disease than mothers who never had preeclampsia, the study found.

“This study shows that pre-eclampsia is a sex-specific, independent risk factor for the subsequent development of end-stage kidney disease,” said lead study author Ali Khashan, a public health researcher at University College Cork in Ireland.

“However, the overall end-stage kidney disease risk remains small, and women with a history of preeclampsia should not be overly concerned,” Khashan said by email.

Women who develop preeclampsia earlier in pregnancy – before the halfway point – are more than nine times more likely to develop end-stage kidney disease than mothers with normal blood pressure during pregnancy.

The challenge with preeclampsia is that women often don’t experience symptoms until they have a life-threatening problem, especially when they’re otherwise healthy and have uncomplicated pregnancies.

Kidney failure, also called end-stage kidney disease, is most commonly caused by diabetes or high blood pressure. Other causes can include autoimmune diseases and genetic disorders or chronic urinary tract problems.

With kidney failure, people require an organ transplant or dialysis.

The connection between preeclampsia and kidney failure in the study persisted even after researchers accounted for other factors that can impact maternal health like age, education, and pre-pregnancy health problems like existing kidney disease or cardiovascular disease.

Women in the study who had preeclampsia were older on average and had a higher body mass index (BMI).

Among women with no preeclampsia in the first pregnancy, 14.2% were overweight and 4.9% were obese. Among women who did develop preeclampsia in their first pregnancy, 20.1% were overweight and 11.8% were obese.

The study wasn’t a controlled experiment designed to prove whether or how preeclampsia might lead to kidney failure later in life.

It’s possible that risk factors like obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes contribute to both preeclampsia and kidney failure down the line, researchers note in PLoS Medicine. It’s also possible that some women who had preeclampsia might have had undiagnosed kidney problems at the time.

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Women who develop preeclampsia, a form of dangerously high blood pressure during pregnancy, may face a wide variety of heart problems long after they give birth, a research review concludes.

Preeclampsia has long been linked to an increased risk of events like heart attacks and strokes years later, but women often don’t experience symptoms until they have a life-threatening problem. For the current analysis, researchers examined results from 13 previously published studies that assessed women’s hearts with echocardiography to look for early warning signals.

“Previous studies had demonstrated cardiac dysfunction in women with a history of pre-eclampsia but this paper brings together the results of those studies to try and better understand the extent of the problem and the patterns of dysfunction,” said lead author Archana Thayaparan, a researcher at Western Health in Victoria, Australia.

“This is important for patients as no large studies have been done to investigate this, and most women with pre-eclampsia are unaware of the potential long-term consequences and increased risk of heart disease and stroke,” Thayaparan said by email.

So-called gestational hypertension, when women who normally don’t have high blood pressure develop it during pregnancy, is fairly common, affecting 6% to 8% of pregnant women. This condition can progress to a more serious and potentially life-threatening version of high blood pressure known as preeclampsia later in pregnancy.

Women with preeclampsia are more likely to develop “diastolic dysfunction,” which happens when the heart doesn’t fill with blood properly and is a precursor to a form of heart failure.

In the study, about 19 percent of women with a history of preeclampsia developed diastolic dysfunction, compared with 5.4% of women with uncomplicated pregnancies.

With a history of preeclampsia, about 25% of women went on to develop heart failure within 4 to 10 years of giving birth, compared with 7% of women with uncomplicated pregnancies, researchers note in the Australasian Journal of Ultrasound Medicine.

This suggests that women with a history of preeclampsia should get regular echocardiograms to monitor their hearts for changes that might not yet be causing any symptoms, the study authors conclude.

The study wasn’t designed to determine whether preeclampsia directly causes later heart problems, or if it might be an early sign of existing problems that emerge under the pressure of pregnancy on a woman’s body.

“Previous research has shown that traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as BMI and blood pressure play a central role in the development of cardiovascular disease in women who experienced preeclampsia,” said Eirin Haug, a public health researcher at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, who wasn’t involved in the study.

Doctors currently advise women with a history of preeclampsia to make lifestyle changes like losing weight, exercising, and eating a heart-healthy diet and to get regular blood pressure checks, Haug said by email.

“We still lack evidence for the effect of screening and lifestyle modifications on reducing cardiovascular risk in these women,” Haug said. “More research is needed to tailor effective strategies to prevent cardiovascular disease in this group of women.”

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In addition to being widely popular in the mainstream of healthy eaters, the ketogenic diet has also been known to improve some health conditions, too.

One such condition is now thought to be infertility, which affects about nine percent of men and about 11 percent of women of reproductive age in the United States, according to the Nat ional Institutes of Health. 

A functional medicine dietitian, Ali Miller, tells MindBodyGreen that the high-fat, moderate-protein and low-carb diet may be a natural alternative to fertility treatments that can influence the body’s fertility and ability to conceive.

In a column on the health and wellness website, Miller writes that the keto diet may help with four fertility issues: insulin resistance (less insulin is required to maintain blood sugar in ketosis), pituitary dysfunction (the diet optimizes leptin levels to help the body release the appropriate reproductive hormones), elevated levels of the hormone androgen and DHEA (the diet can effectively reduce DHEA levels, balance hormones, and counter androgenic excess), and body composition (keto can help people lose weight, reduce inflammation and promote the healthy production of hormones.)

“The standard American diet, filled with refined carbohydrates and sugar, has been associated with poor sperm health, negatively impacting sperm motility, morphology [shape], and shape count,” Will Cole, a doctor of chiropractic and a functional medicine expert in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, told CCRM Fertility. “Conversely, diets rich in healthy fats, like nuts, seeds, and omega fatty-acid-rich fish, have been shown to improve sperm health.”

Cole noted that even a fertile woman may have trouble getting pregnant if her partner’s sperm is low-quality.

Everyday Health notes that while the ketogenic diet can help someone looking to conceive to “kick-start a new health routine and lose weight,” experts agree that the body should not be in ketosis — the process of the body running on fat, instead of carbs — at conception or at any part of pregnancy.

The Mediterranean diet — which emphasizes fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, whole-wheat carbs and healthy fats — is thought to be ideal for preconception, the time before a woman gets pregnant because carbs are the primary source of fuel for a growing baby, according to Everyday Health.

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Rhiannon Bending, Becki Elliott and Louise Jarvis all live in Wales, in what is probably a 25-mile radius. But they say they’ve all experienced completely different attitudes, treatments and care for the same disorder.

Endometriosis affects 1.5 million women in the UK, but with little funding into research and education, it takes nine years on average for Welsh women to be diagnosed.

Some myths still exist about treatment – pregnancy or hysterectomy is not a cure for endometriosis. But two of these women say that’s what they’ve been told.

Becki complained to her GP when she first noticed endometriosis symptoms. She was referred to a gynaecologist straightaway and says they “have been brilliant.” Her endometriosis is extensive and she has a temporary colostomy bag, but is happy with her treatment. She lives in Cardiff.

Rhiannon says her doctors didn’t believe the amount of pain she was in and she went to a private hospital in Swansea to find answers. She lives in Penarth and was being seen by medics in Caerphilly, where her mum lives.

Louise would faint on a regular basis because of the pain. When she was at the end of her tether she dropped her trousers in the GP’s office to prove how bad things were.

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