Obesity and Pregnancy

Obesity can stop ovulation and the capacity for pregnancy. Additionally, obesity increases the risk of miscarriage and other complications of pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, etc. Lifestyle modification, i.e., weight loss, exercise, etc., may improve ovulation and increase the likelihood that a woman can become pregnant and maintain the pregnancy. Should changes in one's lifestyle be insufficient, ovulation induction should be considered as the first line of treatment. Should clomiphene citrate fail to help conception, the second stage of treatment could include exogenous gonadotropins or laparoscopic ovarian surgery. Finally, IVF should be considered. However, Metformin, which is used in polycystic ovarian syndrome, should be used exclusively by women who have a glucose intolerance.