In this episode of The Pulling Curls Podcast: Pregnancy & Parenting Untangled, Hilary Erickson sits down with Dr. Tori O'Daniel, an experienced OB GYN, to discuss critical considerations for plus size pregnancies and births. Sponsored by Laborie Medical, the episode delves into the challenges and solutions related to monitoring, C-sections, and postpartum care for moms living in larger bodies. Tune in to learn about innovative products like traxi® and ABBy™ that enhance safety and comfort during and after childbirth.

Big thanks to our sponsor Laborie Medical their ABBy™ Postoperative Panniculus Retractor:

• Preserves the patient's dignity during the 4th trimester
• Allows easier skin-to-skin contact
• Does not interfere with breast feeding
• Can be adjusted and/or reapplied
• Can be worn while showering
• Gentle to the skin and hypoallergenic

Today's guest is Dr. Tori O'Daniel. She is a Board-Certified OB/GYN whom has been practicing for 14 years. For the past 11 years she has been an OB/GYN Hospitalist in OKC, Oklahoma. Dr. O'Daniel is the Medical Director for the OB Hospitalist and women's services. She also is the Medical Director for Women's Health Services at Mercy Hospital. She instructs educational classes and facilitates the OB Emergency Simulations for the nurses and physicians within her department. As an Adjunct Faculty at Oklahoma State University, she is the Director of the Medical Student Clinical rotations at her institution.

She has been actively involved in the Society of OB/GYN Hospitalists (SOGH) for the past several years. She co-chaired the Simulation committee in 2020 & 2021 and Co-Chaired the ACM 2022 & 2023. She currently serves on the Board of Directors.

Dr. O'Daniel is passionate about education and advocating for women's safety in health care. Thus, she actively teaches across the country about vacuum assisted deliveries, treating post partum hemorrhage and other OBGYN Emergencies.

Links for you:

My full post on plus-size pregnancy.

My episode on aspirin in pregnancy.

Timestamps:

00:00 Discussing reactions to "obese" in medical documentation.

03:53 Avoid judging health solely by BMI.

08:03 Importance of acknowledging weight in medical care.

10:08 Monitoring adjustments are common in labor delivery.

13:12 Post-C-section care advocacy and practical advice.

16:23 ABBYY is a reusable, hypoallergenic medical binder.

21:03 Allow air, reduce moisture for optimal healing.

22:42 Communication is crucial for effective postpartum care.

Keypoints:

• Hilary Erickson and Dr. Tori O'Daniel discuss the unique considerations of plus size pregnancy and birth.
• They introduce traxi®, a product by Laborie Medical, designed to aid in plus size c-sections.
• Plus size pregnancies come with higher risks for diabetes, hypertension, and preeclampsia.
• Importance of understanding and dealing with "redundant tissue" (or panis) during pregnancy and c-sections is emphasized.
• Dr. O'Daniel explains the benefits of the Abbey, a device designed to promote healing by allowing air to reach the incision site.
• Discussion on the psychological impact of terminology and how to approach weight-related documentation sensitively.
• Emphasis on the importance of continuous weight monitoring throughout pregnancy to detect any significant changes.
• Challenges in fetal monitoring for plus size patients and potential solutions, including internal monitoring.
• Encouragement for plus size moms to ask questions and advocate for their needs with healthcare providers.
• Hilary and Dr. O'Daniel highlight the advancements in medical technologies that improve the care and dignity of plus size mothers during and after pregnancy.

Producer: Drew Erickson

Keywords:

plus size pregnancy, pregnancy considerations, birth considerations, Pulling Curls podcast, plus size birth, maternal health, OB-GYN, women's healthcare, pregnancy nurse, labor and delivery, newborn health, maternity devices, neonatal devices, obstetrics, Laborie Medical, traxi device, ABBy postpartum product, C-section recovery, maternal safety, birth plan, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, prenatal care, postpartum care, labor induction, surgical incision, redundant tissue, body mass index (BMI), breastfeed challenges, pregnancy and exercise.