Three years ago, a woman from the U.K. was told the devastating news that conceiving naturally would be extremely difficult.
Natalie Rose Edwards, from Birmingham, was diagnosed with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) in her early twenties.
PMOS is a hormonal and metabolic condition formerly known as PCOS.
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It can affect fertility by disrupting ovulation, meaning eggs may be released irregularly or not at all, which can make becoming pregnant more difficult.
"I’d always dreamed of becoming a mother, and suddenly that future felt uncertain," Edwards told Newsweek.
Looking back, Edwards said she had been experiencing symptoms of PMOS for years including irregular menstrual cycles, stubborn weight gain, bloating, and hormonal imbalances.
Despite being a professional dancer and personal trainer, she said that she felt like her body was working against her.
"But rather than accepting that motherhood might never happen for me, I became determined to understand my body better," Edwards said.
She took a proactive approach and began researching the relationship between PMOS, insulin resistance, inflammation, exercise and reproductive health.
Instead of focusing on burning calories and weight loss, she started prioritizing strength training, Pilates, barre and regular walking.
This became the foundation of what she calls her 3-2-8 Method, which combines three Pilates or barre sessions, two strength workouts, and around 8,000 steps a day.
Nutrition was also a key pillar. Edwards said that she adopted a predominantly anti-inflammatory, protein-rich diet, reduced refined sugars and focused on balancing carbohydrates with protein and healthy fats to support blood sugar regulation.
She also introduced supplements such as myo-inositol, magnesium, and vitamin D, while prioritizing sleep, stress management, and recovery.
"For me, it wasn’t about finding a quick fix," Edwards said. "It was about creating an environment where my body felt healthier, stronger and more supported."
Edwards started to see gradual improvements to her energy, bloating, body composition, and overall wellbeing.
Her menstrual cycles also became more regular, and follow-up blood tests showed improvements in her testosterone and prolactin levels.
High prolactin levels can interfere with how the ovaries function, disrupting or stopping ovulation and causing irregular or absent periods, which can make it harder to conceive.
"For the first time in years, I felt like I was beginning to understand my body rather than constantly fighting against it," Edwards said.
By the time she was in her thirties, Edwards became conscious of her fertility.
Her boyfriend is also 13 years her senior.
With her PMOS diagnosis and their ages, she was concerned that time was running out.
Edwards was 32 when she decided to try for a baby. She conceived naturally on her first attempt.
"I was completely overwhelmed," she said. "After spending years worrying that my body might never allow me to experience pregnancy, seeing that positive test was one of the most emotional moments of my life."
Now 34, Edwards and her boyfriend have a 9-month-old son.
For the new mom, it's hard to put what this experience means to her into words.
"There was a time when I genuinely questioned whether I’d ever experience motherhood," Edwards said. "Now I get to wake up every morning and see the little boy I spent so many years dreaming about."
Through her online studio Body By Barre and the 3-2-8 Method, she hopes to empower women to better understand their bodies, particularly those navigating PCOS, hormonal challenges and fertility concerns.
"If sharing my story gives even one woman hope, or encourages her to seek the right support, then it’s worth telling," she said.
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Charlotte Nisbet and Paul Donnelley.