A woman who was told she was too heavy for IVF has lost five stone and is now expecting her first baby - a dream come true for the mum-to-be.
Anna Rodrigues, 34, a nurse practitioner from Andoversford, Gloucestershire and her husband Elvio desperately wanted a baby but struggled to conceive.
After the couple was told in February 2017 that Rodrigues’ weight at 15 stone was too high to be considered for IVF, and that Rodrigues should consider cutting out carbohydrates, she decided to make a change.
Rodrigues, who had polycystic ovarian syndrome, researched her options and found the Cambridge Weight Plan and Tewkesbury consultant Sarah Hall.
“I poured out my heart to her in a really long message,” Rodrigues said. “I always struggled with my size but I didn’t realise I had polycystic ovaries which were holding me back.”
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that causes enlarged ovaries. Symptoms include difficulty getting pregnant, weight gain, and excessive hair growth, according to the NHS.
Rodrigues said her diet was also partly to blame: “I would eat all the wrong things - a wrap, crisps and chocolate bar for lunch and takeaways for tea.”
But the mum-to-be was set on having a baby - so she changed her lifestyle.
“I was determined to change so I could have a baby, it has always been my dream,” she said.
By following a personalised nutritionally-balanced weight plan created by Hall and attending the gym, Rodrigues was able to lose three stone within four months.
After completing transformation, Rodrigues returned to the fertility consultant at 10st 2lb.
“She couldn’t believe how much weight I had lost in a few months. But I was so determined. I wanted to get the ball rolling and I was delighted they put us forward for IVF,” the 34-year-old said.
Shortly after, the couple learned they were expecting a baby girl - due on November 12, a day before the birthday of Hall, Rodrigues’ weight loss consultant.
Of the coincidence, Hall said: “This will be my first Cambridge Weight Plan baby. Anna was a perfect advert for what we are trying to achieve. She turned her life around.”
