Fertility Blog

Fertility treatment can make every health decision feel high-stakes, especially when new research raises questions about weight and pregnancy outcomes. Here, we explain what the latest findings show and how to plan your next steps without shame or pressure. AT A GLANCE → This large retrospective study examined 14,990 patients undergoing their first single euploid frozen embryo transfer (FET). → Early pregnancy loss occurred in 19.5% of patients with obesity and 15.9% of patients without obesity—a difference of 3.6 percentage points. Approximately 4 out of 5 patients in both groups did not experience early pregnancy loss. → The study found an association between BMI and miscarriage but does not prove that higher BMI caused the losses or that losing weight before IVF would prevent them. → BMI does not capture metabolic health, nutrition, body composition, sleep, stress, or individual medical circumstances, so treatment decisions should be personalized. + Table of Contents The Impact of Weight on IVF Success 2026 Embryo Transfer Study Findings Does a higher BMI increase your chance of miscarriage? What This Research Means for Fertility Patients What This Study Can’t Tell Us Beyond the Scale How Illume Supports Your Health Do I have to lose weight before IVF? Frequently Asked Questions

Medically reviewed by Dr. Spencer Richlin AI and robotics are changing what's possible in IVF — making treatment safer, more precise, and more personalized. But these tools are only as good as the experts behind them. Read on to discover what they can (and can't) do, and the questions every patient should be asking.

At a glance → Research links higher stress to lower IVF success rates. Reducing psychological burden, through acupuncture, therapy, or both, may positively influence outcomes → Acupuncture has strong evidence for reducing anxiety and stress during IVF, with measurable improvements in physiological markers like cortisol → Newer 2024–2025 meta-analyses show that acupuncture may improve pregnancy and live birth rates, particularly when timing and treatment frequency are considered → Research suggests acupuncture may be more beneficial when performed as a series of treatments rather than as a single session Millions of people going through IVF turn to acupuncture, but the question of whether it works is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. In this article, we'll break down what we know, what is still being investigated, and how acupuncture can support your fertility care plan.

Ovulatory dysfunction is one of the most common causes of infertility — yet its genetic roots remain largely unexplored. In this article, Senior Embryologist Dr. Erin DiPietro shares what inspired her to investigate this topic and what her research reveals about the intricate role genetics can play in reproductive health.