The question of a woman's weight and her fertility is a frequent hot topic among circles of friends who are trying to conceive. Study after study points to connections between body mass index and ovulation. Treatments like IVF are now known to be more successful in women who are at a healthy weight. But "healthy" doesn't have to mean competition-level fitness. Women are often left wondering where the balance is:
"I used to run a few miles every day, but my fertility doctor said that I was actually too thin for healthy ovulation. We don't have a swimming pool, and biking around this city is out of the question for me. I was wondering if yoga might be okay for helping me stay in shape while trying to get pregnant?"
Dr. Sonja Kristiansen, Medical Director of Houston Fertility Center responds:
I'm personally very interested in maintaining my own physical fitness. The best thing about staying in shape, for me, is the boost in energy level it gives me. I have a full life with a lot to accomplish, and when I'm not at my best fitness-wise, it's tougher to get through every day.
Some of my patients swear by yoga, because it strengthens their muscles in a gentle way. No pounding the pavement, worrying about joint injury. And it helps them maintain a weight that seems to be just right.
There are different kinds of yoga, and not all are recommendable to women who are trying to conceive. Generally, I encourage patients to stick to moderation in the level of their exercise, whether it's yoga or running or weights or any other, but the key is making it a regular part of your life.
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