Fit 4 Fertility Programme
Why is weight and BMI (Body Mass Index) so important ?
The production of female hormones is affected by your body fat. If there is too much or too little fat, the hormones oestrogen and progesterone may become imbalanced, and for some women these changes can stop them ovulating (releasing an egg).
A BMI below 30 is recommended to stay fit and healthy, and is the usual eligibility criteria to receive NHS funded Specialist Fertility Treatment.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be particularly important when trying to conceive, either naturally or with IVF, so making sure you are at a healthy weight is key. A high BMI in women can impact ovarian function and the way that your body responds to any medication. Studies have shown that a higher BMI can also affect the quality of your eggs.
To ensure you have the best possible chance of getting pregnant either from IVF or naturally, it’s important to ensure that you are at as healthy a weight as possible. The National Institute of Clinical Evidence (NICE) guidelines recommend that you make sure your BMI is between 19-30, so that you have the best chances of getting pregnant when going through fertility treatments.
Check your BMI here using this helpful calculator
How we can help you?
If you are a current NHS patient of the Hewitt Fertility Centre and your BMI is between 30 and 40, it will mean you are unable to proceed with NHS funded fertility treatment. The good news us that you may be applicable to join our FREE Fit for Fertility programme.
Our friendly and highly skilled practitioner Natalie is a qualified health and fitness trainer and is here to support patients who have been referred to Hewitt Fertility Centre for NHS funded treatment, but whose BMI is too high to proceed.
Throughout the programme Natalie will support you to become more active, show you how you can become aware of food labels and ingredients, and work with you to change lifestyle habits that may be contributing to your weight.
The programme asks you to commit to 12 weeks of sessions that may include low impact exercise and activity, yoga, food and nutrition awareness. Sessions are held each week and will be a mixture of face to face and online. Fit 4 Fertility a great way to feel better about yourself and meet other people who are on a similar IVF journey. The programme includes indoor and outdoor group activities, and always in a supportive and non-judgemental environment.
How to register your interest for Fit 4 Fertility
You must be a current NHS patient of the Hewitt Fertility Centre to self refer.
We run the free 12 week programme from our Liverpool clinic twice a year, so depending on the next start date, please note that you may have a longer wait. If you would like to be considered for the Fit 4 Fertility programme, please compete the online self-referral form and the short health and well-being questionnaire below and submit.
Please add your BMI to the form in the box provided. If you are unsure of what your BMI is you can use this helpful calculator by adding your height and weight BMI calculator | Check your BMI - NHS | Please fill in your details (www.nhs.uk)
*By completing this form you are agreeing to us sharing this information with Natalie so she can assess your suitability.
You will hear from our team or Natalie to confirm you meet the criteria and you will be invited to come to the next induction evening at The Hewitt Fertility Centre, Liverpool Women’s Hospital.