Since studies have shown that obese women struggle to conceive naturally and face higher risks of medical complications through in-vitro fertilization (IVF), Canadian doctors are considering barring such women from obtaining fertility treatments.
Already some clinics are refusing patients with a Body Mass Index (a measurement of weight relative to height) of more than 35 (a BMI of 30 is considered obese).
“We've had many angry patients say to us, 'This is discriminatory' and I say, 'Yes, it is' But I still won't do it," said Arthur Leader, co-founder of the Ottawa Fertility Centre.
On the other hand, denying fertility treatments to obese women only further stigmatizes against those most in need.
“We don’t say, ‘Oh sorry you smoke, so we can’t treat you – it could result in pre-eclampsia, or small babies.’ It doesn’t mean we have this blanket policy where we say we can’t treat (smokers),” said Anthony Cheung, a fertility expert at the University of British Columbia and Grace Fertility Centre.
When the country’s fertility doctors meet this week, Dr. Cheung will argue that IVF does not pose unacceptable risks for heavy women, and that BMI alone is not a good measure of which patients face the highest risks. Age, he claims, is a bigger risk factor.
Research has shown that women who are severely overweight have a greater chance of developing high blood pressure and gestational diabetes, which can endanger both mother and baby.
While doctors' advice may be wise, is it ethical? Should fertility treatments be open to all women, regardless of size?
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