True story: I shed over half my weight to have a baby

As told to Louise Evans 

After seven years of trying for a family, Nichola took drastic action - and a massive gamble with her life - to fulfil her dream. 

“When I sat on the bus, I took up two seats. At the age of just 27, I weighed 152kg and wore size 32 clothes. Strangers would stare at me and I felt self-conscious and depressed. In the bedroom at home, looking at myself in the mirror, I was disgusted with the reflection I saw. But I was caught in a vicious cycle of self-loathing - depressed because I was fat, then eating more to combat my feelings. 

An unhealthy diet of fatty foods and no exercise meant the weight just piled on. And it wasn’t just affecting my self-esteem - it was ruining my life. I had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at 21, and prescribed a concoction of 16 tablets a day to help reduce my cholesterol and keep my diabetes at bay.
Even worse, my husband Stephen and I had always dreamed of having a family - after seven years of trying, nothing had happened. Tests revealed I wasn’t ovulating. Doctors believed my diabetes or my size was to blame, and I was told to try to lose weight. I was so desperate that I asked about in vitro fertilisation (IVF), but I didn’t qualify because of my size. 

I tried to make more of an effort to lose weight. I went on a diet programme and took weight-loss tablets ? but even after dropping 6kg, I got depressed again thinking about how far I still had to go. 

I began to believe that I was never going to shift the weight. Then, I came across a procedure called a gastric bypass, where your stomach is stapled to make it smaller, so you can’t physically eat so much. So Stephen and I remortgaged our house and paid £11,000 ($24,000) to have the procedure done. The operation was scheduled for just four weeks later, and I had counselling sessions to make sure I fully understood the implications of the surgery and the risks involved. There is about a seven per cent risk of complications arising from the surgery. 

When the day of the operation arrived, I was incredibly scared. Stephen and I said our goodbyes and I was whisked off to the operating theatre. Two hours later, it was over. My stomach had been stapled and it was now only the size of an egg cup. I had pulled-through the surgery - the rest was up to me. The procedure was non-reversible and it meant I’d absorb less calories from food, but couldn’t eat foods high in fat or sugar again. 

At first, I really missed chocolate, but I got used to the new healthy eating regime. I wouldn’t say I shed the weight immediately - it was a gradual process - but a year after the operation, I felt like a different person, physically and mentally. I’d lost 70kg and felt fantastic! I was no longer diabetic and didn’t need to take any more tablets. 

We’d been told not to start trying for a baby for at least a year after the operation to give my body time to recover. I was desperate to find out if I’d started ovulating again, though, so we were disappointed when tests revealed I wasn’t. I felt so much healthier and really thought we stood a chance after I’d lost the weight. I was booked in for more tests. 

While waiting for the appointments, I realised that my period was late. I bought two home-pregnancy test kits - more to rule out pregnancy than anything - so imagine my surprise when a faint line appeared! I made Stephen go out and buy a more expensive home-pregnancy test kit, and that was positive too! 

A trip to the doctors confirmed that I was six weeks pregnant. I had an ultrasound scan - it was only when I saw my baby’s heart beating on the screen that I realised after seven long years, my dream of becoming a mum was finally set to come true. 

I sailed through my pregnancy and at 20 weeks, we found out we were having a girl. I was constantly grinning. At 26 weeks, we went for a 4D scan at the hospital, which was a real eye opener. We could see our developing baby’s features clearly - she had my nose and lips - and we watched her yawn and suck her thumb. It was amazing! 

During the pregnancy, I put on 12kg, which is normal, and I had to be induced at 37 weeks because I’d developed gestational diabetes. But Alexandra was born weighing a healthy 2.8kg. 

She’s now 2 months old and she’s my little angel. I’m loving motherhood and living life to the fullest. I’ve lost 6kg since the birth and I’d like to lose 12kg more, to get down to 70kg eventually. 

My dramatic weight loss has left me with lots of saggy skin and I would consider a tummy tuck, but my priority is being a good mum to Alex. I never imagined that life would be so great ? I feel like the luckiest person in the world.” 

Nichola Wallace, 29, lives in the UK with her husband Stephen, 37, and their daughter Alexandra, 2 months.

OBESITY: THE FACTS - Women with a BMI (Body Mass Index) over 30 are classified as obese. The ideal BMI is between 19 and 24. Women who are underweight can also have problems conceiving. (BMI = weight in kg/height2 in m2.) - Obese women often stop ovulating or suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome, which affects fertility. - If you’re overweight and pregnant, you’re at risk of pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and labour difficulties. Your baby is more likely to suffer from neural tube defects and childhood obesity. - Personal trainers in gyms are more than willing to draw up an exercise and diet regime for overweight individuals keen on losing weight. For sever cases, consult your doctor to enquire about surgical procedures such as Lap-Band and gastric bypass surgeries.

If you have any comments or practical suggestions, write to us at editor@family.sg 

- Mother & Baby
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