I cannot express how much it pains me to tell someone with a BMI of 36 that she is not qualified to become a surrogate mother especially when she is qualified in every other way! I know agency owners feel the same way. Many times, a wonderful woman, mother of 4, loves being pregnant, mid 30s, responsible and caring, no medical issues other than she is overweight is rejected because she needs to lose 30 lbs. Who made up these “rules”? The Reproductive Endocrinologist and the findings within the fertility community! And why, you ask? Because, for Intended Parents, surrogacy is their last best shot at having a family of their own and statics show that overweight people often don’t do as well via IVF as women within the normal range.
A high BMI indicates obesity:
A standard medical definition of "normal" body weight is a BMI of about 18.5 - 24.9
A BMI under 18.5 indicates that the person is "underweight"
A BMI of 25.0 - 29.9 indicates that the individual is "overweight", but not obese
A BMI over 30 indicates obesity
A BMI over 40 indicates extreme obesity
Obesity is associated with increased risk for several serious disease processes and that isn’t good for the surrogate or the baby she is carrying. The suggestion I often give out to women in the mid 30 BMI range is to start changing their eating profile and make some lifestyle changes. I hate saying “diet” because this weight has to stay off and healthy choices have to be maintained throughout the pregnancy. Give yourself 3-6 months to lose the weight and then try applying again to the agency of your choice.
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