Monica used to dream of becoming so fat that she would be rendered bed-bound
'After the miscarriages though, I was so scared that something would go wrong and she wouldn't make it. I was terrified to be fully happy and accept the fact that I was pregnant and had a baby in me and she was still growing.'
Through gentle exercise and overhauling her diet, Monica dropped from 700lbs (50st) to 520lbs (37st).
Despite the weight loss, Monica still suffered health complication and eventually baby Michelle was delivered through emergency C-section at 33 weeks.
The tiny 4lbs 9oz baby had difficulty breathing and was whisked away by doctors.
Monica said: 'She came out and I didn't hear a cry and I was terrified. I was thinking "Is she okay? Is she alive?"