If you’re a woman who is either seriously overweight OR underweight, you may want to get your diet in check before moving forward with fertility treatments.

Weight plays a definite factor in how well a woman’s body will respond to all types of fertility treatments, from Clomid to IVF.  So it’s important to prepare if you predict that fertility treatments will be in your future.

How can you make sure your weight is in line?  BMI is often used by physicians as a measure of how appropriate your weight is based on your height.  While it’s not always perfect (if you have a lot of muscle mass or are unusually short or tall, the results can be skewed), it’s a good starting point.

Another measure can be just how you look and feel.  Most people in the obese and underweight categories are aware that their bodies are out of proportion from where they should be.  In this case, a diet and exercise regimen may be warranted.

As with all lifestyle change programs, it’s a good idea to talk with your family doctor first.  Explain to him or her that you’re going to be considering fertility treatments and that you want your weight to be in your favor, not against you.  Then, you can proceed as he or she suggests.