Natasha Woodward, 34, suffered 14 miscarriages over five years, but naively had no idea her weight was the cause.
It was only when she suffered ectopic pregnancies – where a fertilised egg attaches itself outside of the uterus – that doctors warned her her weight was affecting her pregnancies, and she took the drastic step of having a gastric bypass in June last year.
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Since then, 5ft 8 Natasha has lost over 10st, going from 29st 4lbs and a size 32 to 18st 10lbs and a size 18.
Now Natasha – who has three children from previous relationships – hopes her healthier weight will help her add to her family.
Worryingly, Natasha’s situation isn’t uncommon. Recent statistics show a surge in the proportion of obese women having children. In 2004-5 it was 0.12 per cent, while in 2013-2014 it rose to 7.4 per cent. Obesity during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, babies dying shortly after being born and youngsters developing health problems later in life.
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Natasha, from Birmingham, says: “The miscarriages were so traumatic. I kept hoping I’d become a mum and the disappointment was crushing. It sounds naive, but I didn’t realise weight was to blame.”
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