Q&A: Getting Pregnant if You're Overweight?

You’re smart to want to get your weight closer to its ideal before you get busy TTC. If you’re overweight when you get pregnant, it ups your chances of dangerous pregnancy complications like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. And if you don’t have  healthy food and  fitness habits pre-conception, you’re more likely to pack on too many pounds once you’re eating for two — and have a hell of a time shedding the post-baby flab. (Reality check: It’s not as easy as Heidi Klum makes it look.) Plus, studies show that overweight women have a harder time getting preggo, so losing a few pounds might make TTC easier.

That said, don’t put your family planning on hold indefinitely while you chase the ideal physique. Give yourself a set period of time (say, between three and six months) to focus on getting fit and eating right, and see how you do. Even if the scale doesn’t quite get down to your goal weight, your new healthy habits will have body in a much better position for baby making.