Fat And Pregnant

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, including a transfer to the hospital
• The reflections Alice has had since giving birth and what she would do differently

Follow Alice: @betweenearthandmoon and @beamwitchery
Website:  betweenearthandmoon.com
Facebook: facebook.com/betweenearthandmoon

Love Alice's birth story and ready to read more? 

Get Your Free Guide! Seven Ways Weight Stigma Can Sabotage Your Pregnancy

Click here to get my book, Fat Birth: Confident, Strong and Empowered Pregnancy at Any size-- It is the go-to resource for plus size pregnancy that will help you tune into your intuition, trust your body and teach you those oh so-important advocacy skills so you can have the autonomous birth you desire!

Leave a review and submit your screenshot here to receive a gift directly to your mailbox!

Connect with Michelle
Instagram: @fat.and.pregnant
Website: www.fatandpregnant.com

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 folks preparing to breastfeed
• Hints & tips for breastfeeding in public

Follow Sterling: @loyallactation
Website:  loyallactation.org
TikTok: loyallactation

Resources: 

• La Leche League International
• Co-Sleeping When You're Plus Size Podcast Episode

Get Your Free Guide! Seven Ways Weight Stigma Can Sabotage Your Pregnancy

Click here to get my book, Fat Birth: Confident, Strong and Empowered Pregnancy at Any size-- It is the go-to resource for plus size pregnancy that will help you tune into your intuition, trust your body and teach you those oh so-important advocacy skills so you can have the autonomous birth you desire!

Leave a review and submit your screenshot here to receive a gift directly to your mailbox!

Connect with Michelle
Instagram: @fat.and.pregnant
Website: www.fatandpregnant.com

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 begin to change the way you think about food and your body

Follow Stephanie: @stephdodier
Website:  stephaniedodier.com
Linked In
Facebook

Get Your Free Guide! Seven Ways Weight Stigma Can Sabotage Your Pregnancy

Click here to get my book, Fat Birth: Confident, Strong and Empowered Pregnancy at Any size-- It is the go-to resource for plus size pregnancy that will help you tune into your intuition, trust your body and teach you those oh so-important advocacy skills so you can have the autonomous birth you desire!

Leave a review and submit your screenshot here to receive a gift directly to your mailbox!

Connect with Michelle
Instagram: @fat.and.pregnant
Website: www.fatandpregnant.com

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 pregnancy sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum)
• Tips for coping with HG (and Michelle's cannabis story!)
• How Tessa needed to pivot her home birth plans 
• Ways to prepare for a cesarean birth
• The importance of finding a size inclusive provider

Follow Tessa: @thistleandirisbirth
Website: thistleandirisbirth.com


Resources: 

(Cannabis)

• The Cannabis Doula
• @cannabirth

(Hyperemesis)

• HER Foundation
• Pregnancy Sickness Support UK
• The Sick Film (documentary)

Also Mentioned:

• Spinning Babies

Get Your Free Guide! Seven Ways Weight Stigma Can Sabotage Your Pregnancy

Click here to get my book, Fat Birth: Confident, Strong and Empowered Pregnancy at Any size-- It is the go-to resource for plus size pregnancy that will help you tune into your intuition, trust your body and teach you those oh so-important advocacy skills so you can have the autonomous birth you desire!

Leave a review and submit your screenshot here to receive a gift directly to your mailbox!

Connect with Michelle
Instagram: @fat.and.pregnant
Website: www.fatandpregnant.com

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 you can find support if you have experienced birth trauma

Follow Teela:  @theteaonbirthtrauma
Website:  theteaonbirthtrauma.com

Resources:

Postpartum Support International

Get Your Free Guide! Seven Ways Weight Stigma Can Sabotage Your Pregnancy

Click here to get my book, Fat Birth: Confident, Strong and Empowered Pregnancy at Any size-- It is the go-to resource for plus size pregnancy that will help you tune into your intuition, trust your body and teach you those oh so-important advocacy skills so you can have the autonomous birth you desire!

Leave a review and submit your screenshot here to receive a gift directly to your mailbox!

Connect with Michelle
Instagram: @fat.and.pregnant
Website: www.fatandpregnant.com

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 and how this impacted her care
• Maternity care norms in the UK and how weight stigma comes into the picture
• How Rebecca experienced anxiety during her pregnancy and how she sought support
• The importance of listening to your intuition, even if no one believes you!
• How Rebecca's views and beliefs on birth have changed since her challenging experiences

Resources

• The Midwive's Cauldron Podcast: check out the two episodes on gestational diabetes
• Home Birth Support Group UK (Facebook) with Samantha Gadsden (Doula)

Love Rebecca's birth story and ready to read more? 

Get Your Free Guide! Seven Ways Weight Stigma Can Sabotage Your Pregnancy

Click here to get my book, Fat Birth: Confident, Strong and Empowered Pregnancy at Any size-- It is the go-to resource for plus size pregnancy that will help you tune into your intuition, trust your body and teach you those oh so-important advocacy skills so you can have the autonomous birth you desire!

Leave a review and submit your screenshot here to receive a gift directly to your mailbox!

Connect with Michelle
Instagram: @fat.and.pregnant
Website: www.fatandpregnant.com

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 is mostly about our mindset
• The five pillars of an autonomous birth
• Kyleigh's transition to birth work and how she now helps other birth professionals support families *without* experiencing burnout, while making $$$

Follow Kyleigh: @theautonomymommy  and  @birthworkerpodcast
Website:  www.birthworker.com

Get Your Free Guide! Seven Ways Weight Stigma Can Sabotage Your Pregnancy

Click here to get my book, Fat Birth: Confident, Strong and Empowered Pregnancy at Any size-- It is the go-to resource for plus size pregnancy that will help you tune into your intuition, trust your body and teach you those oh so-important advocacy skills so you can have the autonomous birth you desire!

Leave a review and submit your screenshot here to receive a gift directly to your mailbox!

Connect with Michelle
Instagram: @fat.and.pregnant
Website: www.fatandpregnant.com

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 Loss Support
• Miscarriage Association UK
• Féileacáin: Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Association of Ireland

Get Your Free Guide! Seven Ways Weight Stigma Can Sabotage Your Pregnancy

Click here to get my book, Fat Birth: Confident, Strong and Empowered Pregnancy at Any size-- It is the go-to resource for plus size pregnancy that will help you tune into your intuition, trust your body and teach you those oh so-important advocacy skills so you can have the autonomous birth you desire!

Leave a review and submit your screenshot here to receive a gift directly to your mailbox!

Connect with Michelle
Instagram: @fat.and.pregnant
Website: www.fatandpregnant.com

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 at co-sleeping when you're plus size (note BMI mention and stigmatizing language is used when referencing studies)
• Our own personal journeys with co-sleeping
• The cultural differences seen with co-sleeping and bedsharing messages

Follow Isadora: @happycosleeper
Facebook: Happy Cosleeper
Website: happycosleeper.com


Research One:
Carroll-Pankhurst C and Mortimer EA
Jr. 2001, Sudden infant death syndrome, bedsharing, parental weight, and age at death, Pediatrics, vol. 107, no. 3, pp.
530-536

Research Two:
Chen at al 2009, Maternal Obesity and the Risk of Infant Death in the United States, Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.) vol. 20, no.1, pp. 74-81

Research Three:
Mitchell, E and Thompson, J 2006, Who cosleeps? Does high maternal body weight and duvet use increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome when bed sharing?, Paediatrics & Child Health, vol. 11, suppl A, pp. 14A-15A

Get Your Free Guide! Seven Ways Weight Stigma Can Sabotage Your Pregnancy

Click here to get my book, Fat Birth: Confident, Strong and Empowered Pregnancy at Any size-- It is the go-to resource for plus size pregnancy that will help you tune into your intuition, trust your body and teach you those oh so-important advocacy skills so you can have the autonomous birth you desire!

Leave a review and submit your screenshot here to receive a gift directly to your mailbox!

Connect with Michelle
Instagram: @fat.and.pregnant
Website: www.fatandpregnant.com

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 experienced during her pregnancy
• Kayleigh's experience in finding body acceptance / positivity and how this impacted her pregnancy
• The birth of Kayleigh's baby boy
• Hints and tips for preparing for your own birth

Love Kayleigh's birth story and ready to read more? 

Get Your Free Guide! Seven Ways Weight Stigma Can Sabotage Your Pregnancy

Click here to get my book, Fat Birth: Confident, Strong and Empowered Pregnancy at Any size-- It is the go-to resource for plus size pregnancy that will help you tune into your intuition, trust your body and teach you those oh so-important advocacy skills so you can have the autonomous birth you desire!

Leave a review and submit your screenshot here to receive a gift directly to your mailbox!

Connect with Michelle
Instagram: @fat.and.pregnant
Website: www.fatandpregnant.com