February 15, 2023
Everything You Need to Know About BMI in Malaysia (BMI Malaysia)

What is Body Mass Index (BMI) and how does it affect your ability to get pregnant? (BMI Malaysia) Body Mass Index or BMI is a measurement or tool used to estimate your body fat. It is calculated based on your height and weight. BMI is often measured to determine if you are underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. However, do note that BMI does not accurately measure your body fat but only provides the estimated percentage of the body fat. The calculation is done by dividing your weight in kilograms (kg) by the square of heights in meters (m2). Alternatively, you can also use a BMI calculator, where you have to key in your weight and height to get the results. After getting the results, you can check your measurements in the standard weight categories. According to the BMI Malaysia chart, the measurement for normal BMI is 18.6 – 25.0. If your BMI measurement is below 18.5, then it is considered underweight. If it is around 25.1 – 30.0, it is categorised as overweight. Meanwhile, you are considered to be obese If the numbers show 30.1 or higher. It is no secret that weight problems may impact your fertility. If you are in the category of overweight or obese, do not lose hope as pregnancy is very much possible despite the fertility issues that you may face. It is advisable to consult a fertility doctor if you have trouble getting pregnant within six months of trying. The fertility team will then help you to plan your journey to achieve your dreams to be parents. I have been consulting and helping many patients who had overweight issues to get pregnant over the years. Thus, I believe with proper fertility treatment plans and a weight loss strategy, you have a brighter chance to conceive and welcome a bundle of joy in your life this year. What is The Ideal BMI To Get Pregnant? A healthy weight with a normal BMI helps to lessen the time and health complications so that you can have a smooth delivery and a healthy baby. If your BMI is high or low, you can still get pregnant. However, it is risky and may reduce the chances of conceiving. Being overweight or having a high BMI is often associated with other medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and more. It can independently affect fertility too. Hence, some women may need to treat these health conditions before undergoing fertility treatments. You are advised to always consult your doctor before opting for treatments. How does the weight problem affect fertility in women? Weight problems can affect your fertility in several ways. Being overweight or obese can disrupt the hormone balance and may cause difficulties to ovulate. Additionally, it also increases the risk of infertility-related conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometrial hyperplasia. Being underweight can also cause problems in ovulation. Hence, it is commonly advised to maintain a normal BMI when you are planning to get pregnant.      How does weight problem affect male fertility? Being overweight or obese can affect male fertility in several ways. Excess weight may lead to decreased testosterone level and causes sperm count to be low. Some researches have shown that men with a higher body fat percentage tend to have lower sperm counts, and lower sperm motility. These conditions can make it difficult for the couple to conceive naturally. Additionally, weight gain may increase the risk of metabolic disorders such as diabetes that can lead to infertility issues. Obesity may also decrease libido and cause erectile dysfunction in men. Thus, it is important for men to maintain a healthy weight to preserve their fertility. Can Maternal Obesity Cause Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes? (High BMI & Malaysia Overweight Rate) Maternal obesity refers to a woman being overweight or obese during pregnancy. Obesity or overweight problems, in general, is a growing concern in Malaysia. According to statistics from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) conducted by the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia, the prevalence of obesity among women of reproductive age increased from 15.1% in 1996 to 22.8% in 2015.  Being overweight or obese can lead to a number of complications for both the mother and the baby if the pregnancy is not well-monitored. Pregnant women with a high BMI can suffer from pregnancy complications like miscarriages, stillbirth, and gestational diabetes. Furthermore, maternal obesity can increase the risk of health problems for the baby such as having a higher risk of getting congenital disorders, growth problems, childhood obesity, or type 2 diabetes.  Getting good pregnancy care such as regular monitoring of weight changes and practicing a healthy lifestyle helps to lessen pregnancy complications. Thus, do not worry if you are currently obese or have a high BMI while pregnant. Always consult your doctor and follow their advice carefully so that you can lead a healthy pregnancy journey.   Is it possible for an obese woman with PCOS to get pregnant?  Yes, it is possible. However, your pregnancy journey may be quite difficult. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS is a common condition that affects menstruation and ovulation which leads to difficulty in conceiving. While it is possible for overweight women with PCOS to get pregnant naturally, many of them require additional help to ease their fertility journey. Thus, it is best to consult a fertility specialist and discuss viable options once you are ready to start a family. Having good fertility care and a personalized treatment plan based on your health conditions increases the chances of healthy pregnancy.   What Are the Available Fertility Treatment Options for Couples with High BMI?  Several fertility treatment options can be considered by couples facing overweight or obesity problems to help them conceive. Some of the treatment options are ovulation induction, Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), and In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF). The doctor may also suggest men with obesity or overweight problems opt for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) treatment to increase the fertility treatment’s success rate. Thus, do not

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February 3, 2023
Wondering What is IVF Treatment?

What is IVF Treatment and how it helps couples with infertility issues conceive? Many couples facing infertility issues might have heard about fertility treatments such as IUI and IVF. But many are still wondering about what is IVF treatment and how exactly this treatment can help them to get pregnant. In Vitro Fertilization commonly known as IVF or test tube baby is a type of assisted reproductive technology that fertilises an egg with sperm outside the body in a laboratory dish. Upon fertilisation, the embryo will be transferred to the woman’s womb to help her achieve a successful pregnancy. Getting IVF treatment can be an emotional roller coaster ride for many couples with fertility issues. Thus, the couple needs to understand the process and procedures involved in the treatment so that they can be physically and mentally prepared to undergo the treatment.   Getting to know the 6 Basic Steps of IVF Treatment Step 1: Consultation and Fertility Assessment Typically, the journey to IVF starts with consultation and fertility assessment with a fertility specialist. During the consultation, the fertility specialist will conduct a review of the couple’s medical history and ask them to undergo a physical examination and fertility assessment. The assessments may include pelvic and abdominal ultrasound scans, semen analysis, and blood tests. These assessments are done to check the overall health and find the potential cause of the couple’s inability to conceive. After reviewing the results of the medical assessment, the doctor may suggest the couple to opt for IVF treatment depending on the severity of the fertility problem. During the consultation, the couples are encouraged to ask as many relatable questions as possible to understand their condition better. Step 2: Ovarian Stimulation The next step in an IVF cycle is to stimulate the ovaries to allow multiple eggs to mature. This process is done by taking daily injections of hormones in certain dosages as instructed by the doctor. The hormonal injections typically start on the 2nd day of the woman’s menstrual cycle. It will be taken continuously for five days. After the 5th day, the doctor will do an ultrasound scan to check the growth of the eggs. Subsequently, the doctor will continue the injections for another five days, making a total of 10 days of injections. Then, the doctor will do another ultrasound scan to check the best time to retrieve the eggs. The retrieval process will only happen when the eggs reach 17mm and above. Step 3: Egg Retrieval Once the eggs are matured, the egg retrieval process will be done. The patient will be given a form of anaesthetic that helps her to relax and be pain-free during the procedure. The matured eggs are retrieved using a transvaginal ultrasound. A long thin needle is inserted through the vagina and guided to the ovaries using ultrasound imaging. Then, the eggs are removed from the ovarian follicles and placed in a dish containing a special solution. The dish is then put in an incubator before proceeding to the next steps. The egg retrieval process usually takes about 10 – 15 minutes. After the egg retrieval, some patients may experience mild cramping, bloating, bleeding, or spotting. These side effects should resolve within a few days. It is advisable to talk to the fertility doctor if the effects are severe. Step 4: Fertilisation On the same day of egg retrieval, the male partner will have to give a sperm sample. After getting the sample, the embryologist will proceed to choose the best egg and sperm and fertilise it in the lab. The first step of fertilization process involves insemination. It is the process of combining the egg and sperm in a petri dish which will then be placed in an incubator to form an embryo. Step 5: Embryo transfer This step is done once the embryo is formed and ready to be implanted in the uterus. Before the embryo transfer, the woman will be given medications to prepare the uterus lining. The embryos are then placed into a thin catheter, inserted through the cervix, and into the uterus. The embryos are gently pushed out of the catheter and into the uterus. The entire procedure is commonly done without using any sedation. After the embryo transfer, the patient will be advised to rest for a few hours and to avoid strenuous activity for the next few days. What to do after the Embryo Transfer? Typically, there is a two-week waiting period before taking the pregnancy test. This time can be emotionally and physically challenging for many couples. Understanding what is IVF treatment and procedures helps to keep the couple remain calm and mentally prepared to face the result. Here are a few things that the couples may be advised to do after the embryo transfer: Take a good rest Getting IVF treatment is a potentially life-changing procedure, so it is better to relax and take it easy for the next couple of days. After the transfer, the patient will be advised to rest well and reduce strenuous physical activity. They will be encouraged to priorities self-care and do enjoyable things that do not involve vigorous movements such as watching movies or reading. It is important for them to pamper themselves and keep their mind relaxed and calm during the waiting period.   Continue the medications Doctors may prescribe progesterone tablets or pessaries, or even injections. The patient should continue these medications at the appropriate time. It helps with the embryo implantation process. Although, it isn’t very pleasant to take these medications but hang in there for this may help to ensure a successful pregnancy. Eat healthily It is important to stay healthy during this time. Practice healthy eating habits and continue taking the multivitamins and folic acid prescribed by the doctor. Getting more information about what is IVF treatment, prenatal care and diet is vital to a healthy pregnancy journey and can make a big difference.  Be in a Supportive Environment It is advised for the patient to

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