Obese woman loses eight and a half stone and falls pregnant after being told she was too fat to conceive naturally

By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated:


Tipping the scales at over 19 stone, Rachel Denton was told by doctors she'd need IVF treatment if she wanted another baby. But now the 35-year-old is celebrating after losing eight and a half stone and conceiving a much longed for baby naturally.

The teacher from Southend, Essex, discovered she was pregnant on the same day she reached her goal weight of 10 stone 10lbs.

She said: 'We are in shock. It's a long time to wait when months of trying turns into years. You think it's never going to happen but now it has and I'm thrilled.

Rachel Denton

Super slimmer: Rachel Denton, now size 12 and expecting her second child, poses with her old size 22 skirt, which she wore when she weighed 19 stone 3lbs and was told she was too fat to conceive naturally

'Losing so much weight made my body start working normally.'

Mrs Denton, who lives with her husband Neil and their four-year-old daughter Naomi, was plagued with health problems including polycystic ovaries and an under active thyroid.

A doctor advised the mum-of-one to lose some weight before embarking on IVF treatment and she managed to lose eight and a half stone in just 12 months by joining a slimming club.

The teacher shrunk from a size 22 to a size 12 and the day she reached her goal weight she found out she had fallen pregnant naturally. She is now 15 weeks pregnant.

Rachel Denton before weight loss

Before the weight loss: Desperate for another baby Rachel Denton embarked on a diet and exercise regime in order to qualify for IVF treatment

She said: 'I didn't realise I was pregnant and kept losing weight during the first four weeks as I was still going to the gym four times a week.

'If you think you can't have children, never give up hope.'

She added: 'We were giving it until Christmas and then were going to have IVF but it happened without any drugs. I just couldn't believe it.

'I stood on the scales at my class and I was 10st 10lb. I was so happy. It was also the day I found out I was pregnant. I was so thrilled and told everyone at the group. They were so pleased for me as they knew having a baby was the reason I joined Slimming World.'

Mrs Denton has been voted woman of the the year at her Slimming World Club and is due to give birth on February 14 next year.

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