Diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and an under-active thyroid at 15 years old, Rachel McMullin was told she would need medical intervention to have children.

But today Rachel, from Stalybridge, is the proud mum of two girls.

Her first daughter, Elisabeth, is six years old and Mabel Francesca was born in July this year.

Rachel and her husband of 12 years, Ashley, had been trying for 18 months to conceive Mabel before reaching out for help in 2019.

They turned to Norah Cozens, the author and founder of the PCOS diet.

Rachel explained: “The programme was like no other diet I’d tried before, and the emphasis was on healthy eating and encouraging my metabolism to work efficiently.

“I knew if I was to start seeing Norah that it would be a lifelong change to the way I approached food and the way I ate.

“In my first session with Norah I also learnt more about my condition than I had over the 14 years since I’d been diagnosed. For the first time in years, I felt optimistic about going forward and managing my condition.”

Seventeen months into the programme and Rachel received the news she was pregnant.

Mabel is also significant as she became the 2021st PCOS baby Norah has ‘helped’ into the world.

Rachel said: “To find Norah has been genuinely life changing. When she told me there was a possibility that Mabel could be the 2021st PCOS baby, I wanted to spread the word to all PCOS women who need help.

“I want them to feel like I do, a very happy and contented mum.”

Norah researched and created her PCOS programme over a two-year period in 1999 and 2000.

Out of 100 volunteers who took part in the programme, 97 became pregnant after 12 months, with the very first PCOS baby born in 2001.

Norah said: “It’s been amazing watching all these PCOS women share the joy of becoming a mum after many years of disappointment.”

PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is a devastating medical condition which affects one in four females. It can cause infertility, obesity, hormonal imbalances, facial and bodily hair, mood swings, depression and, if, not addressed, with a healthy diet and lifestyle changes, can cause more serious medical conditions, like diabetes, thyroid problems and even ovarian cancer.

Norah’s latest book ‘The Answer to PCOS’ is a best-seller and is available by contacting her direct at norah.cozens@yahoo.co.uk.

She is offering free books to the first 20 who get in touch.

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