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What is BMI and why is it important?
Potential Surrogates frequently ask "what is BMI and why is it important for surrogacy?" It's an important question and one that needs to be explained in full in order to know if you meet the requirements. In this article, we'll explain what BMI is, why it's important for surrogacy, and offer tips on how to maintain a healthy BMI in order to become a Surrogate.
What is BMI?
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute explains that body mass index or BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women. BMI is determined using your height and weight. It is an estimate of your body fat and a possible indicator of diseases that can occur with more body fat.
How do I calculate my BMI?
To calculate your BMI, simply following the link here to be taken to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Insititute's website. Once there, enter your height (feet and inches) and your weight (pounds) and click on the button marked 'Compute BMI'. You will instantly be shown your BMI number alongside a range of BMI categories:
Why is BMI important for surrogacy?
Natural pregnancy is very different than pregnancy via IVF. As a Surrogate, a created embryo is transferred into the uterus, requiring specialized fertility medication protocols to assist in the successful implantation. These medications used to prepare the body for pregnancy work best when the Surrogate's body is within a specific mass index range.
A study published in August 2018 in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics found that women with a BMI above the normal range had a higher risk for IVF cycle cancellation and lower rates of ongoing pregnancy.
Based on recent research and evidence, BMI is not a true indicator of overall health, but is still an important measurement for certain fertility treatments that work optimally on women with a BMI between 18.5-24.9.
At GSHC, we accept surrogates with body mass indexes up to 31!
Class II Obesity, a BMI above 35, can be a negative factor for a successful pregnancy. Additionally, an individual with a particularly low BMI (less than 19) may take up to four times longer to conceive. There are also associated risks that come with having a higher BMI during pregnancy. According to Peter Kovacs, MD, PhD, “Women in obese class I and obese class II-III had lower clinical pregnancy rates compared with normal-weight women.” These women may be at a higher risk for gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and other pregnancy-related conditions.
How can I lower my BMI?
Lowering your BMI is an excellent goal, not just for surrogacy but for an overall healthy lifestyle. The first step to lowering your BMI is to stop the weight gain. This requires steady monitoring and guidance to ensure that you are establishing healthy eating habits moving forward and canceling unhealthy habits like fast food or late-night snacks. Once a routine is established, it's far easier to introduce the next steps into your routine.
Self-monitoring can be a helpful tool for lowering your BMI. Keep a record of what you eat and when as well as your weight during regular self check-ins. Be honest. Acknowledging your eating habits and recording them can do a great deal to keep you focused and motivated.
Learn about nutrition and meal planning. There are too many diets out there to choose from but the key is simple: minimize calories while maximizing nutrition. It's not enough to simply eat less. You must choose what you're eating to ensure that your body is getting the vital nutrients it needs to lose weight in a healthy manner. Speaking with a dietician or doing your own research can help you establish a diet that will help lower your BMI.
As much as we'd like to deny it, exercise is vital to maintain weight loss and to prevent weight gain. The recommended amount is 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise. But be mindful of your own abilities at the start and work up to it. Be mindful of your schedule to determine the best times to work out. Ideally, your routine will include aerobic exercise (like walking, biking, swimming) and resistance training, like lifting weights. This is important to burn calories, maintain your muscles, and stay active doing everything you want to do. But, again, start where you are and then work your way toward the recommendation – the most important thing is to get started.
Next steps
For more information on our surrogate requirements, visit our page here. And, if you’re interested in becoming a surrogate with GSHC Surrogacy Agency, please complete our Surrogate Intake Form.