In this episode of VBAC Home Birth Stories, we’re diving into a topic that deserves real talk and respect—plus size pregnancy and birth. If you’ve ever been made to feel like your body is a medical condition rather than a life-giving force, this episode is for you.

I share my personal experiences navigating the maternity system as a plus-size woman, from early pregnancy bias to the constant fear-mongering around birth choices. We also explore how plus-size women can reclaim their power, whether choosing a home birth or hospital birth, and what size-friendly care should actually look like.

If you’ve ever been told you can’t have a VBAC, must be induced, or will develop gestational diabetes simply because of your size—this episode will challenge everything you’ve been led to believe.

What We Cover in This Episode:

🔹 The Biases Plus Size Women Face in Pregnancy & Birth

• How plus-size women are treated in the hospital system (and what needs to change).

• The constant weight-based assumptions about fertility, pregnancy, and birth outcomes.

• Why BMI is an outdated and unreliable indicator of health.

• Myth #1: It’s harder to get pregnant if you’re in a bigger body.
  

• Myth #2: Plus-size women must be induced because of the risk of a “big baby.”
  

• Myth #3: You can’t have a home birth if you’re plus-size.

• Why hospitals use the “big baby” scare tactic to push unnecessary inductions and C-sections.
  

• Respectful, individualised care based on actual health markers—not weight.
  

• A provider who listens to your concerns instead of making assumptions.
  

• Informed consent over coercion—you deserve to make your own choices.
  

• How to find a provider who truly supports plus-size pregnancy (including home birth options!).
  

• Why some doctors assume plus-size women have GD before even testing.
  

• How some women are forced into unnecessary interventions based on weight alone.
  

• The importance of tracking actual health markers rather than relying on BMI.
  

• How to tell if your midwife, doula, or OB is truly size-inclusive.
  

• The red flags that a provider is not supportive of plus-size birth.
  

• Why plus-size women sometimes feel more comfortable with lived-experience providers.
  

• Why your body is NOT broken—regardless of what the system tells you.
  

• How judgment and bias impact care and what you can do about it.
  

• The power of plus-size birth advocates & community support.

🎧 Listen now for an empowering conversation that will shift your perspective on plus-size birth and give you the tools to advocate for yourself with confidence!

📖 Book: Plus Size Pregnancy by Dr. Sara Wickham 📱 Instagram: @ashleylwinning 👩‍👩‍👧 Community: Follow plus-size birth accounts & find size-friendly providers

💌 Share Your Story! If you’ve had an experience (good or bad) as a plus-size pregnant woman, I’d love to hear from you. Send me a message on Instagram or via email!

Enjoy this podcast episode!

More from Ashley:

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Disclaimer: The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only. The stories and opinions shared are personal experiences and should not be considered medical advice. Every birth journey is unique, and we encourage you to research, trust your intuition, and consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care.

The host and guests of this podcast are not liable for any outcomes resulting from the information shared. By listening, you acknowledge that you take full responsibility for your own health and birth choices.