A WOMAN who had to shed nearly a third of her body weight to have a baby is enjoying the first few days of motherhood – after 13 years of trying.
Adele Bracewell, of Waddington Road, Accrington, was told she had to lose over five stone to have IVF treatment and to lower her body mass index to safe levels.
Her determination to improve her health has been rewarded at the age of 37 as she gave birth to bonny little girl Molly-Mae earlier this month.
Weighing in at a bouncing 7lb 15oz, Adele and husband Paul’s new arrival is "doing fine".
The Royal Blackburn Hospital nursing assistant achieved her weight loss with weekly visits to the Slimming World group at Enfield Cricket Club, Dill Hall Lane, which she has attended with her mum and brother Pat and Ian Eddleston for the last five years.
Adele also stepped up her activity levels with regular walking, running and swimming.
She said: "We’ve been doing IVF for two years – it was the second cycle – but I’ve been trying for a baby for 13 years in all. I’ve tried numerous diets and they’ve never worked before.
"I knew that I would have to lose weight but when I went to fertility clinic there were girls there who were bigger than me and they were pregnant."
She added: "Words cannot describe how it felt when I found out I was pregnant. I think they did about six tests and I still couldn’t believe it."
Carolyn Hall, Adele’s slimming group consultant, said: "Everyone at the group is over the moon because Adele and her husband Paul have been trying for a baby for such a long time.
"It’s amazing. We didn’t think it would happen but we’re so proud of her for achieving her target. Five-and-a-half stone is an extreme amount to have to lose."
