I have a long story but will try to keep it somewhat short. Some preliminary information: I am 25 years old, 5'3'' tall, 106 pounds and have been trying to conceive my first child for one year.
I began restrictive eating around the age of 14. My periods became irregular/infrequent around age 15. By 17, I was 90 pounds and my periods had stopped completely. I began seeing a nutritionist and got up to about 98/100 pounds by the time I was 18, but my periods did not return until I was 20 and about 102 pounds. When they did they return, they were still irregular/infrequent. Thankfully, I got my weight up a few more pounds to 105 or so when I was 23 and my cycles became very, very regular, 21-21 days long like clockwork.
In Feb 2011 when I was 24, my husband and I began trying to conceive. I have never been pregnant, and we have had no luck this past year. Last month, I went for preliminary day 3 blood work, and everything was normal. My husband had a semen analysis; this was also normal. My doctor even ordered an HSG to make sure my fallopian tubes were clear - everything was fine here also. I don't have endometriosis, PCOS, or a history of STD's that could impact fertility.
My question is - at 5'3'' and 105/106 pounds, am I still too thin to have a good ovulation, especially given my eating distorder history? I am small framed and don't think I am underweight (and my Obgyn has said my weight is fine), but if anyone has any insight into this it would be MUCH appreciated. Thank you!
Hi Dae
From my experience - you can definitely conceive!
I have a ED history of Anorexia and Bulimia (14+years)
I gained to a BMI of between 20-21 just prior to conceiving - so i knew my body was super healthy.
We fell pregnant the second month we tried!
So - from my experience - a healthy BMI of about 20.5-21 - definitely worked (im now just over 16 weeks pregnant!)
All the best - PM me if you like!
Hi,
You will get there!
I still really have an ED (last 15yrs) and I concieved on 2nd cycle of trying at a BMI of 18. I was having regular periods at that weight as I am 'lucky' enough to menstruate regularly down to very low weights. I decided to TTC even though technically still underweight because it was the right time for us and the best weight I had been at for a decade.
Plenty of couples take up to 2 years to concieve. I would keep plugging on. Your BMI is still pretty low (I make it 18.8) - there is definately a group of people who struggle to concieve below BMI 20-21 (or their set point). If you continue to not fall pregnant you could try gaining a bit. I guess it depends on your priorities.
I gained loads of weight in pregnancy - it all came off with breastfeeding afterwards, so don't worry about that!
Sheepie xx
