I will never forget my journey at Shady Grove Fertility. I remember going into the office just thinking my only challenge would be my age and the fact that I had a tubal ligation. Since I had conceived naturally three times prior, I thought this time would be a cinch.
Well during my initial consult, Dr. Simon Kipersztok gave me a shocker: I needed to lose weight because my BMI was over the allowable amount for IVF. That first day I expected to hear anything but “I needed to lose weight.” It was devastating to me. I knew I was overweight but I never thought it would affect my ability to have a child. I mean hey, what’s a few pounds? I see plus size women pregnant all the time! Heck, I had been one three times in the past.
Over the next year (yes, YEAR) I struggled with weight loss. Since my goal was only 10–15 pounds, I thought it would be a piece of cake. Boy, oh, boy was I wrong. I would lose a few pounds, then schedule a follow-up. By the time I got to the office, the pounds just magically reappeared! Almost like the scale in the office was permanently registered at “overweight.” I would leave in tears feeling devastated to get turned away once again. Dr. Kipersztok would always smile and just say, “Tameenah, you will get there. Just a little more work to go.” He believed in me more than I did.
Tools for Weight Loss Success
Everyone at SGF was like my own personal cheerleading team. One day while leaving the office I noticed a sign about the SGF Facebook page. I checked it out and started participating. I found out that I wasn’t the only one struggling and realized how losing weight gave other women success. Through the page I gained a sisterhood with women who understood my path. Some of them had either lost weight or needed to lose weight. It was great!
We joined My Fitness Pal online and tracked our daily caloric intake and exercise. I cut back my carbs, started eating six small meals a day, cut out all beverages except for water, started exercising three days a week for an hour and said goodbye to the McDonalds double cheeseburger! There’s also a daily calendar on the SGF facebook page where we post our steps in the infertility journey and cheer each other on. I wanted so badly to have my name posted, so it was a great motivator. And in June 2012, my name was on listed!
When I went into the office, Dr. Kipersztok said I was ready, and I felt like I won the lottery. I had lost the weight. The other “Shady Grove Sisters” (that’s what we call each other on the page) were so excited, it felt great. I was on my way!
So now it seems like Cinderella should get the glass slipper, right? Unfortunately, my first IVF turned into a non-viable pregnancy, plus being on the medications prescribed, I packed on a few pounds. When Dr. Kipersztok spoke with me to discuss my results I said, “Okay, it gives me time to lose some more weight.” I lost additional weight and within 60 days I achieved my miracle! I am now 29 weeks pregnant with a girl rightfully named Journey Semira which translates to ‘Journey Fulfilled.’
Thanks to SGF for encouraging me to change my lifestyle, I am beating the odds. I am in advanced age now with diabetes and hypertension, but have had a completely normal, healthy pregnancy! No complications, no illness, not even morning sickness. My OB told me just two weeks ago how I am one of the best patients to have ever come through.
I will be forever grateful to the staff at SGF for their encouragement and support. Those changes I made — I still keep up today! I don’t even miss that double cheeseburger!
Patient Story Update
After a year of trying, Tameenah gave birth to her daughter, Journey.
Watch Tameenah on NBC4 discuss her journey.
Dr. Simon Kipersztok sees patients at the Shady Grove Fertility office in Waldorf, MD. If you have been trying to conceive without success and would like to schedule a new patient consultation, please call 1.877.971.7755.
