Yesterday, Dr. Ding Caifei, Director of the Reproductive Medicine Center at Hangzhou Red Cross Hospital, appeared as a guest speaker at the 46th edition of our newspaper's "Famous Doctors Lecture Series." She shared insights with readers aspiring to start a family on how to conceive a healthy baby. Being either overweight or underweight can hinder conception. While folklore suggests "women with larger hips are better at childbearing," Dr. Ding's over two decades of reproductive medicine practice reveal that excessive weight actually impedes pregnancy.
He Xi, who runs a street food stall in Hangzhou, is a close friend Ding Cai Fei met through her practice. Living in a luxury home and driving a BMW, this female entrepreneur in her early 30s lacks nothing materially. Yet the one thing missing from her life is motherhood. After five years of marriage, she and her husband still await the joyful news.
"She was 155 cm tall, weighed 200 jin, and hadn't had a period in four years," Dr. Ding recalls her friend's initial condition.
"The moment I met her, I knew her inability to conceive stemmed from her extreme obesity," Ding Cai Fei explained. For cases like He Xi's abnormal weight gain, the root cause often lies in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Persistent amenorrhea significantly increases the risk of four major complications: endometrial cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. This not only hindered her pregnancy but also posed a serious threat to her health.
"I gave her a meal plan right then and told her one thing: if she wanted to be a mother, she had to lose weight," Ding Cai Fei recalled.
After six months of weight loss and treatment, He Xi shed a quarter of her body weight, successfully conceived, and ultimately gave birth to a healthy daughter.
While excessive weight hinders conception, it's crucial to note that being underweight also impairs fertility.
"Fat provides raw materials for hormone production. Extremely thin individuals often experience endocrine disorders," Ding Cai Fei explains. For women seeking to conceive quickly, achieving a healthy weight is optimal.

Excessive hair growth in women may indicate
excessive androgen secretion
Everyone has some body hair—hair on the head and limbs is called terminal hair, while facial hair and hair around the nipples are known as vellus hair. The amount of vellus hair in women directly reflects their androgen secretion levels, which naturally impacts the practical matter of conception.
"There was a patient from Qiandao Lake—I don't recall her name, but I called her 'Hairy' because of her distinctive feature," Ding Caifei recounted. She was of average height and slender build, entering the clinic for the first time with her hand covering her chin.
Maomao's behavior piqued Ding Caifei's curiosity. Upon inquiry, she learned Maomao had a full beard on her chin, rivaling that of any man.
Of course, everyone who sought out Ding Caifei’s clinic shared the same goal: to conceive a child. Mao Mao was no exception. After a thorough consultation, Ding explained, "Typically, only men grow facial hair. Based on your test results, we can confirm elevated levels of androgens in your body. This disrupts your endocrine environment and, consequently, interferes with normal ovulation—which is why you’ve been unable to conceive."
Fortunately, after treatment to regulate her endocrine system, Mao Mao conceived within six months and eventually gave birth to a son.
History of Miscarriages Can Impede Conception
Yu Limin, aged 40, was arguably the most heartbroken woman residing at the Red Cross Hospital's Reproductive Medicine Center. "She had been pregnant twelve times before, yet none resulted in a live birth. Especially in the past two years, she desperately wanted a child but couldn't even achieve pregnancy,"" said Ding Caifei.

Of her previous 12 pregnancies, the first nine ended in induced abortions, the tenth was a miscarriage, the eleventh another induced abortion, and the twelfth another miscarriage.
"Our examinations revealed severe hydrosalpinx in both fallopian tubes, making pregnancy impossible," Ding Caifei explained.The root cause of her fallopian tube issues lies in her previous multiple abortions. Whether induced or spontaneous, these procedures inevitably impact the fallopian tubes."
Therefore, Ding Caifei advises women to start their families early, as various health issues become more prevalent with age. The optimal childbearing years are between 25 and 30.
Additionally, Ding Caifei wants to tell couples who haven't yet succeeded in conceiving that infertility is not a terminal illness; with scientific treatment, there is hope.
Beyond treatment, she also offers three pieces of advice.
Advice 1: Both partners should maintain a positive and optimistic mindset.
Recommendation 2: Maintain a regular schedule and healthy lifestyle, with both partners adopting good habits.
Recommendation 3: Eat a balanced diet with a mix of meat and vegetables, consume adequate fruit, and minimize fried foods. Men should avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and eating celery and radishes to prevent sperm quality issues. Women should steer clear of strong tea and coffee, as long-term consumption can suppress ovarian function.
Q&A Session
Netizen "For That Patch of Green": How harmful is radiation from computer screens to a baby's development? Should exposure be avoided entirely?
Ding Caifei: While the exact harm of radiation to babies isn't quantified, it's clear that minimizing exposure is best. My advice is for pregnant women to take breaks after one hour of computer use. During the first trimester, computer exposure should be avoided as much as possible.
Netizen "Little One": My wife is pregnant with a November due date. I'd like to ask if eating crab, crayfish, or ice cream could affect the baby.
Ding Caifei: Given the special circumstances of pregnancy, I recommend limiting crab and crayfish consumption. These foods are highly allergenic, and managing allergies during pregnancy can be complicated.As for ice cream, its cold temperature makes it best consumed sparingly. If you really crave it, try holding it in your mouth longer before swallowing.
Netizen "Yuan": I previously carried a baby with a heart condition. What should I be mindful of in this pregnancy?My husband has a congenital ventricular septal defect and underwent surgery. Could this affect the pregnancy?
Ding Caifei: Your husband's condition is not hereditary and should not be related to the previous pregnancy with a baby having a heart defect. If you wish to conceive again, it is advisable for both partners to undergo chromosomal and viral testing at a hospital to identify the cause of the previous pregnancy outcome as soon as possible.