Researchers looked at 24 studies involving nearly 8,000 women who were trying to get pregnant to figure out which lifestyle changes work best. They found that while healthy lifestyle programs don’t necessarily increase pregnancy rates overall, they do help women lose weight and improve their blood sugar levels. The most effective programs had multiple sessions (at least 10), included in-person meetings, and provided practical support like healthy food or exercise equipment. This research helps doctors understand how to design better programs for women planning to have a baby.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether lifestyle programs (like diet and exercise changes) help women who want to get pregnant have better chances of conception and healthier pregnancies
  • Who participated: Nearly 8,000 women from around the world who were trying to get pregnant, mostly from wealthy countries. About two-thirds had been struggling with infertility
  • Key finding: Lifestyle programs didn’t increase pregnancy rates overall, but they did help women lose an average of 3.9 kilograms and improved their blood sugar control. Programs with 10 or more sessions and in-person meetings showed better results
  • What it means for you: If you’re planning to get pregnant, lifestyle changes like diet and exercise can help you get healthier and lose weight, which may improve your overall fertility. The most effective programs involve regular in-person meetings with a coach or counselor

The Research Details

This is a meta-analysis, which means researchers combined results from 24 different studies to find patterns. They looked at randomized controlled trials—the gold standard in research where some women received lifestyle programs while others received standard care or nothing. The researchers carefully examined what made some programs work better than others, looking at factors like how many sessions women attended, whether meetings were in-person or online, and what specific behavior-change techniques were used. They used a detailed checklist to make sure the studies they included were trustworthy and used proper research methods.

By combining results from many studies, researchers can see the bigger picture that individual studies might miss. This helps identify which program features actually make a difference, so doctors can design better interventions for women planning pregnancy. Understanding what works is important because pregnancy planning is a critical time when healthy habits can benefit both mother and baby.

Most studies (15 out of 24) had some concerns about their methods, while 7 were high-quality and 2 had significant problems. The researchers used strict standards to evaluate trustworthiness. However, because studies were different in important ways (different types of women, different program designs), the results should be interpreted carefully. The evidence certainty is moderate to low for most findings

What the Results Show

The main finding was surprising: lifestyle programs didn’t increase the overall chances of getting pregnant or having a live birth compared to standard care. However, when researchers looked more closely at specific program features, they found important differences. Programs with 10 or more sessions more than doubled the odds of pregnancy (2.17 times higher) compared to shorter programs. This suggests that intensity and consistency matter. Additionally, programs that provided practical support—like giving women healthy foods or exercise equipment—showed much higher pregnancy rates (3.51 times higher). Weight loss was consistent across all programs, with women losing an average of 3.9 kilograms, and blood sugar levels improved significantly. Programs specifically designed for weight loss achieved greater results (4.2 kilograms lost) compared to programs with other goals (0.8 kilograms lost).

In-person meetings were more effective for weight loss than programs combining in-person and online components. Women in face-to-face programs lost 6 kilograms compared to 2.2 kilograms in mixed programs. Blood sugar improvements were consistent across all program types. The research showed that programs targeting women with infertility and those in wealthy countries made up most of the evidence, which may limit how well these findings apply to other populations

This research builds on earlier studies showing that lifestyle changes help with fertility and pregnancy health. However, it provides new insight that the way programs are delivered matters as much as the content. Previous research suggested lifestyle changes always improve pregnancy rates, but this comprehensive review shows the relationship is more complex. The finding that program intensity and practical support matter most is relatively new and helps explain why some previous programs worked better than others

The researchers note several important limitations. First, the studies they reviewed were quite different from each other, making it hard to draw firm conclusions. Second, most studies involved women with infertility in wealthy countries, so results may not apply to all women. Third, the studies that showed the best results (more sessions, practical support) had fewer participants, so these findings need confirmation in larger studies. Finally, the researchers couldn’t always tell if improvements came from the program itself or from women’s motivation to get pregnant

The Bottom Line

If you’re planning to get pregnant, consider joining a structured lifestyle program that includes at least 10 sessions with in-person meetings. Programs that provide practical support (like meal plans or exercise equipment) and focus on weight loss appear most effective. Even if pregnancy doesn’t happen immediately, these programs help you lose weight and improve blood sugar control, which benefit your overall health. Confidence level: Moderate for weight loss benefits; Low to Moderate for pregnancy benefits

Women planning to get pregnant should consider these findings, especially those who are overweight or have blood sugar concerns. Women with infertility may benefit most from structured programs. However, these findings are based mostly on research from wealthy countries, so women in other settings should discuss applicability with their doctor. Men planning to become fathers should also consider lifestyle improvements, though this review focused on women

Weight loss and blood sugar improvements typically appear within weeks to a few months of starting a program. Pregnancy benefits, if they occur, may take several months to a year to become apparent, as fertility improvements often develop gradually

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly weight and waist measurements, plus daily food intake and exercise minutes. Monitor fasting blood sugar if you have access to testing. Log session attendance and completion of program activities to ensure you’re hitting the 10+ session threshold shown to be effective
  • Use the app to schedule and remind you of in-person program sessions (at least 10 sessions). Set up a food logging feature to track meals aligned with program recommendations. Create an exercise tracker for daily activity. Use the app to request practical support features like healthy meal delivery or exercise equipment recommendations
  • Check weight weekly (same day/time), track blood sugar monthly if applicable, and monitor overall program adherence. Set milestone goals at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks. Use the app to identify which program components you’re using most and adjust based on what’s working. Share progress data with your healthcare provider quarterly

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your doctor or fertility specialist. While lifestyle changes can improve overall health and may support fertility, they are not guaranteed to increase pregnancy rates. Individual results vary based on many factors including age, health conditions, and underlying fertility issues. Before starting any new diet, exercise, or lifestyle program, especially if you’re trying to conceive, consult with your healthcare provider. If you have been trying to get pregnant for over a year (or 6 months if over age 35), seek evaluation from a fertility specialist. This review was published in 2025 and reflects evidence available at that time.