Bigger Than Birth

When does a "normal" pregnancy become high-risk? For Sydney, a first-time mom from Texas, that shift happened overnight at 30 weeks pregnant. What followed was a month of strength, patience, and unwavering focus as she navigated a month-long antepartum hospital stay with one goal in mind: reaching the 34-week milestone.

In this episode, Sydney shares the incredible highs and lows of her journey, starting with her experience navigating plus size pregnancy. We dive deep into the reality of a sudden preeclampsia diagnosis, the peaceful 34-week planned C-section she fought so hard for, and the unexpected challenges that surfaced during a 32-day NICU stay.

Sydney speaks candidly about discovering a newborn brain bleed late in the journey and how that diagnosis transformed her into a fierce advocate for her daughter’s health. We discuss the "wait and see" nature of neurological healing, the importance of physical and feeding therapies, and how they are moving forward with their care team.

Whether you are a plus-size mama, a preemie parent, or someone looking for a story of hope amidst medical uncertainty, Sydney’s perspective on "grieving the plan while loving the reality" is a must-listen.

Resources:

What is Pre-Eclampsia?

Connect With Us!

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Youtube

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe! Your support helps us reach more plus-size women and share the stories that matter.

Medical Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only.

This episode is a powerful look at the spectrum of birth experiences—from a smooth vaginal delivery to an emergency twin C-section under general anesthesia. Host Victoria Gaba sits down with Anjelica Otto, a mother of three living in Texas, to discuss her 11-year age gap journey.

Anjelica opens up about her first pregnancy at age 20, which involved low amniotic fluid and a successful induction. Fast forward a decade, and she shares the "Fertile Myrtle" surprise of a twin pregnancy. We dive deep into the complexities of managing gestational diabetes with insulin, the frustration of medical bias in larger bodies, and the terrifying moment her water broke at 37 weeks.

Anjelica recounts her emergency C-section where her daughter was footling breech, the pain of waking up from general anesthesia, and the emotional "newborn trenches" of a two-week NICU stay. If you’ve ever felt like your weight defined your care or struggled with the "mom guilt" of a NICU separation, this episode is for you.

Connect With Us

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Youtube

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe! Your support helps us reach more plus-size women and share the stories that matter.

Medical Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only.

This episode is a profound look at the resilience required to navigate a high-intervention fertility journey. Victoria sits down with Nicky to discuss her four-year path to motherhood, involving failed IUIs, multiple IVF rounds, and the emotional complexities of using donor eggs. Nicky opens up about the intersection of plus-size pregnancy, Crohn’s disease, and hypothyroidism, and how she advocated for a care team that saw her as a person, not a BMI.

We dive into the reality of an emergency C-section after a sudden water break at 37 weeks, the stress of a 10-day NICU stay for her "little but mighty" son, and her current "miracle" natural pregnancy that occurred after years of medical assistance. This conversation is a testament to the fact that while the road to baby might look different than planned, every birth is a victory.

Connect With Us!

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Youtube

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe! Your support helps us reach more plus-size women and share the stories that matter.

Medical Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only.

This episode is a deep dive into the intersection of mental health and medical advocacy. Victoria sits down with Sarah to discuss a pregnancy journey marked by the challenges of high blood pressure and prenatal anxiety. Sarah opens up about the emotional toll of being hospitalized twice before her baby arrived and the ultimate decision to prioritize safety through a scheduled C-section.

Beyond the birth, we explore the reality of postpartum life, including the physical healing process and managing blood pressure issues after returning home. Sarah leaves us with a powerful reminder to tune out societal noise and trust the one person who knows your body and baby best: you.

Connect With Us!

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Youtube
  

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe! Your support helps us reach more plus-size women and share the stories that matter.

This episode is a masterclass in self-advocacy and resilience. Victoria is joined by Nikki, a mother of two from South Georgia, who shares the starkly different experiences of her two pregnancies. Nikki discusses her first pregnancy at 500+ lbs, the jarring experience of being "fired" by her OB-GYN at 12 weeks, and navigating a four-day induction during the peak of the 2020 pandemic.

We then pivot to her second pregnancy, which followed a 200-pound weight loss after bariatric surgery. Nikki explains the unique medical considerations for bariatric patients—from alternative glucose monitoring to medication restrictions—and describes her "redemptive" second birth.

From surviving severe Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) twice to advocating for bariatric-sized hospital equipment, Nikki proves that body size does not define your birth outcome.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

1. Dress to Deliver – Maternity/Labor gowns (sizes up to 32) that unbutton for epidural access.
2. Maven – A maternity/family benefits platform (used by Nikki for overnight breast milk shipping).
3. Sneak Peek – Early gender DNA test.
   
   Connect with Nikki on Social Media @FatPositiveMotherhood
   • Instagram
   • Tiktok

Connect With Us!

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Youtube

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe! Your support helps us reach more plus-size women and share the stories that matter.

Medical Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only.

Welcome to the very first episode of the Bigger Than Birth podcast! Host Victoria Gaba kicks things off by sharing her raw, honest, and deeply personal journey through fertility with PCOS, a smooth pregnancy, and her birth as a plus-size woman.

In this episode, Victoria discusses the realities of being labeled "high-risk" due to BMI, the pressure of medical inductions, and how she advocated for herself when doctors used fear-based language. From a 30-hour induction to a positive C-section experience with an apron belly, Victoria shares the highs and lows of her transition into motherhood, including the often-untold struggles of breastfeeding and postpartum mental health.

Whether you are trying to conceive, currently pregnant, or a fellow plus-size mom, this episode is a reminder that your body is capable, your voice matters, and you deserve compassionate, evidence-based care.

Resources Mentioned

1. Ina May's Guide to Childbirth Book by Ina May Gaskin
2. Expecting Better Book by Emily Oster
3. Plus Size Pregnancy Book by Dr. Sarah Wickham
4. Evidence Based Birth Website
5. Two Doulas and You Atlanta
6. Buckhead Acupuncture and Herbal Center – Wendy

Connect With Us

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Youtube
  

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe! Your support helps us reach more plus-size women and share the stories that matter.

Medical Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only.

Bigger Than Birth is a podcast dedicated to celebrating bigger bodies and beautiful births! Through honest, real-life conversations, we share pregnancy and birth stories from people in bigger bodies. Creating space for representation and connection.

We are building a village where every body is celebrated. Stay connected, share your story, and join the conversation on our social platforms:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok
• YouTube
• Email Us: [email protected]