A woman who was told she could not adopt because of her weight was overjoyed when she fell pregnant.
Jodie Griffiths, 28, dreamed of starting a family with husband, Phil, 36, but struggled because of a rare condition.
The pair turned to adoption but she claims was told it was impossible because of her waistline, so she turned to junk food and ballooned to 22st 6lb thanks to a diet of takeaways.
Desperate to turn her life around, Jodie forked out £8,500 on a private gastric sleeve operation and lost nine stone.
Two months after the operation, Jodie fell pregnant naturally and the excited couple welcomed Freya Griffiths on June 17 2022, weighing 5lb 8oz, Cambridgeshire Live reported.
Jodie, a sales service coordinator, from Northwich, Cheshire, said: “My mum was adopted, so I always liked the idea of doing that. But I was told my BMI was too large and I couldn’t have a child due to ‘health concerns’. It was really heartbreaking to hear.
"I would never have believed a year ago that I would be having my own baby. For a while, I thought being a mum wasn't on the cards for me.
“I often ate to feel better - having a takeaway every night and a full family-sized galaxy bar to myself. I was easily spending £300 a month on takeaways.
"I pay back less a month on my loan for the surgery than I used to spend on food, so it was worth every penny. I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat to have Freya in our lives."
Jodie started gaining weight in her teens and saw her weight go up and down over the years. She met her partner, Phil, in 2013, and the pair were excited to start a family after getting engaged in 2016.
For the next few years, Jodie struggled with her mental health and battled anxiety and depression. She often turned to food for comfort and saw the weight starting to creep on.
Supportive husband Phil spoke of his pride he felt after the arrival of their little girl. He said: "It was heartbreaking watching your wife blame herself after many failed meetings with various people who never seemed to offer any type of constructive help.
"It took a huge toll on our marriage as she felt she couldn't give either of us what we both wanted and often referred to herself as a 'broken woman'.
“The strength and will power I have seen my wife have and the troubles she has overcome in the past year has been truly breathtaking.
"Now we have little Freya to love and adore due to Jodie's determination and will power.”
