I’ll always cherish the experience I had at the fertility clinic. Walking into the office, I thought my only hurdle would be my age and the fact that I had undergone a tubal ligation. Given that I had previously conceived naturally three times, I figured this time would be a breeze.
However, during my initial consultation, Dr. Alex Thompson delivered some surprising news: I needed to shed some pounds because my BMI exceeded the limit for IVF. I was shocked. I was aware that I was a bit overweight, but I never imagined it would hinder my chance of having a baby. After all, I often saw plus-size women with babies, and I had been one myself before!
Support for a Healthier Me
The team at the clinic became my cheerleaders. One day, I stumbled across a post about their Facebook group. I joined and began participating, realizing I wasn’t alone in my struggles. I connected with other women who were also on their weight loss journeys. Some had succeeded, while others were still working toward their goals, and it felt amazing to have that sisterhood.
We started using My Fitness Pal to monitor our meals and workouts. I reduced my carb intake, switched to six small meals daily, eliminated all drinks except water, and committed to exercising three times a week. I even bid farewell to my beloved fast-food cheeseburgers! The Facebook group also had a daily calendar where we shared our progress and cheered each other on. I was so eager to see my name on that list, and in June 2012, I finally made it!
When I returned to the clinic, Dr. Thompson congratulated me on my weight loss. It felt like winning the lottery! The other women from the Facebook group were thrilled for me, and I felt reenergized.
But, as life often goes, my first IVF attempt resulted in a non-viable pregnancy. To make matters worse, the medications I was on caused me to gain a few pounds back. When Dr. Thompson and I discussed the results, I thought, “At least this gives me time to lose more weight.” I did just that, and within 60 days, I achieved my miracle! I’m now 29 weeks pregnant with a girl we’ve named Hope, symbolizing our fulfilling journey.
Thanks to the clinic for pushing me to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Despite my age and health challenges, including diabetes and hypertension, I’ve experienced a completely normal pregnancy! No complications, no illnesses, not even morning sickness. My OB recently remarked that I’m among the best patients she’s ever had.
I will forever be grateful to the wonderful staff for their unwavering support and encouragement. The changes I made are now a part of my everyday life, and I don’t even miss that cheeseburger!
Summary
Mia’s weight loss journey was filled with obstacles, but with encouragement from her fertility clinic and a supportive community, she achieved her goals. Despite setbacks, she embraced a healthier lifestyle and is now joyfully expecting her daughter, Hope.