Fat And Pregnant

"Once a cesarean, always a cesarean"-- a myth that continues to limit the birthing options of hundreds of thousands of people every year. Join me and Lizzy Morris, as she discusses her two birth stories: her first ending with a primary cesarean and her second, as she prepared for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean)-- with loads of drama along the way!

In this episode, we discuss:

• Lizzy's stor...

Chances are, if you're plus size and pregnant, you have been told that your pregnancy is automatically "high risk." Join me and birthkeeper, hypnobirthing teacher and all around birth nerd, Jenine Ellis, as we explore the continuing disappearance of "low risk" pregnancies in modern maternity care.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How maternity care has changed over time and become more int...

Join me and Dr Jess Michaels as we discuss everything osteopathy and how being upright can positively impact your labor and birth! 

In  this episode we discuss:

• The benefits of being upright during labor and birth
• Myths surrounding upright birth and how weight bias can influence movement recommendations
• How pain and discomfort act as signals during labor
• What osteopathy is and how it can be beneficial during pregnancy, bir...

Join me and journalist, midwife and author Amity Reed as we discuss the important topic of obstetric violence and how it impacts both families and those working within the maternity system.

In this episode we discuss:

• Amity's journey to midwifery
• How working as a midwife was not what Amity thought it was going to be
• What obstetric violence is and how it is deeply rooted in power and control
• How maternity ca...

I'm so happy to share this episode featuring Amy Arnold, who discusses her journey with multiple pregnancy losses, an ectopic pregnancy and how she decided to access alternative options for fertility support to meet her rainbow baby.

You'll hear us discuss:

• Amy's story of loss and how she found support
• Why Amy chose to take an alternative path with fertility support
• The weight stigma Amy experienc...

I'm so excited for you to hear Ashley's THREE birth stories. Have a listen to her journey through two challenging experiences ending in surgical birth, followed by her decision to take radical responsibility when she stepped outside of the maternity system in Australia.

Ashley's journey to parenthood was definitely filled with bumps along the way, including medical anti-fat bias that impacted the care she re...

Join me and Jojo Hogan as we explore the important topic of postpartum planning and all of the ways we are getting it wrong in the West. Jojo is a peri-natal care specialist, yoga teacher and founder of Slow Postpartum, an international movement which educates as to the importance of honoring the weeks following birth.

In this episode we discuss:

• The typical challenges many new families face
• The importance...

There is so much wisdom in Alice's story of pregnancy and birth. Have a listen to learn how she found the right support for her after she was continually met with weight-biased care.

You'll hear us discuss:

• How Alice was "risked out" out midwife-led care
• The weight bias Alice experienced during pregnancy
• The reasons why Alice decided to have a home birth
• Alice's journey through labor, in...

Join me and breastfeeding specialist Sterling Grey-Simmons as we explore the topic of breastfeeding and considerations for plus size folks.

In this episode we discuss:

• Common challenges associated with breastfeeding
• Ways you can prepare for feeding your little one
• The importance of support and education  
• How misinformed professionals and loved ones can negatively impact feeding
• Products that may be helpful for fo...

Join me and intuitive eating coach Stephanie Dodier as we explore the topics of diet culture, intuitive eating and how you can regain body trust.

In this episode we discuss:

• What diet culture and the "thin ideal" are
• The difference between body neutrality and body positivity
• How diet culture and modern maternity care promote a lack of body trust
• Ways you can begin working toward body trust
• How you can b...

Hello folks! Tune into this wonderful conversation I had with Tessa Bryant, a full spectrum doula and first time mom from Tennessee.

Tessa experienced what so many others suffer with in silence during pregnancy-- severe sickness, AKA hyperemesis gravidarum. We explore how she navigated that misery while also preparing for her birth.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Tessa's journey through severe preg...

Join me and birth trauma specialist Teela Tomassetti as we explore the topic of birth trauma, often called obstetric violence.

In this episode we discuss:

• What birth trauma is and how it can occur
• I share my personal story of birth trauma 
• Teela explains the fight, flight, freeze and fawn responses-- which are experienced during trauma
• Ways family and friends can support those who have experienced trauma
• Where yo...

I'm excited for you to hear Rebecca's story of pregnancy, birth and navigating the UK maternity system.

 Have a listen to learn how Rebecca's options were limited during her pregnancy simply because of her weight. Her pregnancy came to an unexpected (and exciting!) end and I simply cannot spoil the surprise!

You'll hear us discuss:

• Rebecca's diagnosis of gestational diabetes a...

Join me along with doula, birth coach and birth nerd Kyleigh Banks for this episode where we chat all about questioning the status quo in the birth world and finding your own unique path!

During this episode we discuss:

• Kyleigh's journey into parenthood and how she questioned modern maternity care that does not promote autonomy
• The ways Kyleigh prepared for her planned home birth
• Why Kyleigh believes birth...

October is Pregnancy, Infant and Child Loss Awareness Month which makes sharing this episode even more special. Join me as Alisha shares her stories of ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage and her journey to conceiving her rainbow baby.

 Have a listen to learn how Alisha had to advocate for herself while navigating these experiences with the support of her family, friends and community.

Resources

• Pregnancy After...

Today Isadora Ambrose joins me to share her incredible work and the information she has found regarding co-sleeping (and bedsharing) when you're plus size. We explore this topic in depth and look at the research surrounding safety and risk reduction.

You'll hear us discuss:

• What co-sleeping and bedsharing are (and aren't!)
• Ways to improve safety when co-sleeping or bedsharing
• The research looking ...

I'm excited for you to hear Kayleigh's journey to an autonomous home birth, after she opted out of standard maternity care in Spain.

 Have a listen to learn how she navigated a maternity system fraught with weight stigma and how she found the ideal support for her and her family.

You'll hear us discuss:

• Maternity care norms in the Canary Islands of Spain
• The weight stigma Kayleigh exper...

Today Nicola Salmon joins me to share her incredible work as a fat positive fertility coach, fat activist and author.

You'll hear us discuss:

• Weight stigma experienced by those who are trying to conceive
• Barriers fat folks may face when seeking support with their fertility
• What size inclusive / weight neutral fertility support looks like
• Ways plus size folks can advocate for themselves when seeking care
• The r...

I'm excited to share the very first episode of the Fat & Pregnant Podcast with you all! Ange Wakeling joins me to share her incredible story of expecting TRIPLETS!

Ange's journey to meeting her babies was filled with bumps along the way, including weight stigma. Have a listen to learn how she navigated these experiences and how finding the right provider made all the difference.

You'll hear us ...