Effect of clomid on birth weight

I'm really not sure whether this is the right place for this thread... but in the absence of a better idea - here goes!

Basically, we are looking to start clomid soon, and we see the specialist at the end of this week. DH has been given some information that now has him thinking that it's not going to be such a great idea.

He was worried about the increased risk of multiple births, but he's now satisfied that while it is an increased risk over the general population, the risk is really not that high.

The thing that has him most concerned is being told that clomid increases the risk of a low birth-weight baby. I haven't been able to find any information on this one at all. Can anyone shed some light on this matter for me? Please?

BW

Hmmm... dunno about that...

Seth was a clomid baby and he was 9lb 12... paris wasn't a clomid baby and she was 9lb 1oz... so I'd say that blows that theory out of the water!

Goodluck!

*hugs*
Cailin

My gf's bub was a clomid baby and he was nearly 10 pound and that was 2 weeks early too :)

OK, I've not heard of that! I did some quick research and basically what I've found is that Clomid just stimulates the ovulation hormones, which you already know, but women who need help in this area smoetimes have "environmental" problems - such as where they work (eg dangerous chemicals), or smoking, and THIS leads to low birth weight babies, not the Clomid per say. But PCOS Clomid women who get pregnant don't appear to have any difference in birth weight to other women. In fact, PCOS sometimes leads to high birth weight... could be that the two balance each other out?

There have been studies as to metals like copper and zinc, the effect of Clomid on them and their effect on birth weight, but basically so long as you don't have a big discrepency between your levels and "normal" then there shouldn't be a problem. The difference has to be huuuuuuge for a statistically significant difference though.

More studies have been done with Metformin, as that can be taken well into the pregnancy, and that has not shown any adverse effects; in fact there are some benefits to women taking Metformin in early pregnancy.

Good luck BW and HTH!

Hi BW!

Where did your DH get that info. about low birthweight from? As far as I am aware, clomid has nothing to do with the birth weight, as it only affects ovulation.

I never heard about it affecting birth weight either. Kynan was 6lb 10oz at birth which wasn't too bad considering he was born at 37w5d!

DH got the information from a Bowen therapist. This is the same person that referred us to the acupuncture place that has been helping me so far.

I suspect she's just very pro-natural. I find the risk of gestational diabetes as a result of my PCOS to be pretty scary myself (not much chance of a small bub there), but DH has come around to the line of we will ask the specialist tomorrow and see what they say, but at this stage it's not a reason to not use clomid.

I'm thinking that with the luteal phase defect I had after the one time acupuncture made me ovulate, the clomid is going to help on more than one level here.

BW

BW - I had been using a combination of acupuncture and clomid (although not this cycle - no time to fit it in!!) The acupuncture assists with the endometrial lining development and stimulation of ovulation as well as working on the pelvic blood stagnation (as you know) but it can also help with some of the side effects of clomid (like decreased CM production). My acupuncturist was happy for me to be on the both as I had corrected my body as much as was possible after Caitlyn's birth so the clomid was the next step on a combined journey.

I did (and still do) lots of research into clomid and have not yet found anything relating to low birth weight. The role of clomid is the stimulation of ovulation (and consequently progesterone which helps with LP issues) but after that it plays no role that I am aware of.

Good luck!! And be proud your DH is such an involved and interested member of the team!!

Thanks for that, Michelle. I've been so busy lately I just haven't had the time or energy to research as extensively as I'd have liked to, and I keep forgetting to email my OB friend.

I'm fairly convinced that the clomid is the way to go. I know my acupuncturist has worked with women on clomid before, and I know that it will help correct the hormonal imbalances after ovulation.

Good luck with your own journey, Michelle, thanks once again for your assistance here.

BW

No problem BW - anytime. And thank you!! :)

I just want to thank everyone again for their answers to my questions.

We had the appointment with the gynecologist today and I've come away with my script for clomid and blood test forms. DH is being sent for a SA, and I've escaped further testing for now.

My doctor stated quite emphatically that clomid will have no effect on the baby as it's taken before ovulation even occurs, which is what I was thinking!

Next cycle will be clomid on days 5-9, and he's insisting that should be enough to make me ovulate on day 14... we'll see...

BW

Interesting BW.. I wouldnt worry about it, I had to go for a scan this week to check on my baby's birthweight as they thought she was too large by measuring my fundus height (from her head to her feet).. and when I had a ultrasound they said she is currently 5 1/2 pounds at 35 weeks, so she will at least be 7-8 pounds when she is born and I took Clomid for 4 months and metformin.

Bel
xxx