S1, Ep 2 - Being Pregnant in a Bigger Body
Season 1, Episode 2, Nov 01, 2021, 12:00 AM
In this week’s episode I’m talking to fat-positive fertility coach Nicola Salmon and founder of the non-profit website Big Birthas Amber Marshall about what it’s like to experience pregnancy in a bigger body.
In this episode we’ll be discussing the experiences of those in bigger bodies, from trying to conceive, through their pregnancy journey, and to their labour options and beyond. Amber and Nicola have spent years researching, and sharing their findings, surrounding fertility and pregnancy for those with a higher BMI, and this was a fascinating episode.
Pregnancies associated with a higher BMI are often classified as high-risk, and with this label can come a lot of anxiety and shame. Weight stigma has been shown to have negative impacts on the health of an individual in a bigger body, so there’s no wonder it can affect how someone experiences pregnancy – a time that should be positive and exciting.
Nicola and Amber try to break down some of the information, and advice, given to pregnant women in bigger bodies, and help show that you can have a positive pregnancy experience, no matter your size.
I hope you enjoy what they have to say and can use what you learn to support others or yourself.
Guest Bios
Nicola Salmon
Nicola Salmon, a fat-positive fertility coach and author of “Fat and Fertile”, helps fat folks navigate getting pregnant in a weight-obsessed world and advocates for change in how fat people are treated whilst accessing help with their fertility. Nicola uses her unique fat positive framework to support people in finding their own version of health without diets, advocate for their bodies, relearn how to trust their body and believe in their ability to get pregnant.
In this episode we’ll be discussing the experiences of those in bigger bodies, from trying to conceive, through their pregnancy journey, and to their labour options and beyond. Amber and Nicola have spent years researching, and sharing their findings, surrounding fertility and pregnancy for those with a higher BMI, and this was a fascinating episode.
Pregnancies associated with a higher BMI are often classified as high-risk, and with this label can come a lot of anxiety and shame. Weight stigma has been shown to have negative impacts on the health of an individual in a bigger body, so there’s no wonder it can affect how someone experiences pregnancy – a time that should be positive and exciting.
Nicola and Amber try to break down some of the information, and advice, given to pregnant women in bigger bodies, and help show that you can have a positive pregnancy experience, no matter your size.
I hope you enjoy what they have to say and can use what you learn to support others or yourself.
Guest Bios
Nicola Salmon
Nicola Salmon, a fat-positive fertility coach and author of “Fat and Fertile”, helps fat folks navigate getting pregnant in a weight-obsessed world and advocates for change in how fat people are treated whilst accessing help with their fertility. Nicola uses her unique fat positive framework to support people in finding their own version of health without diets, advocate for their bodies, relearn how to trust their body and believe in their ability to get pregnant.
Amber Marshall
Amber Marshall created bigbirthas.co.uk to provide information and support for people experiencing pregnancy with a BMI 30+. Having had two healthy, unremarkable pregnancies and births with a BMI 40+, she is a firm believer that having a high BMI is not necessarily a barrier to a great pregnancy, or a healthy one!
- BigBirthas.co.uk
- Follow Big Birthas on Twitter HERE
- Follow Big Birthas on Facebook HERE
Useful links:
- Making decisions in pregnancy - using your B.R.A.I.N. – click HERE
- High BMI but Low Risk? – click HERE
- Water Birth for Plus-Size Pregnancies -click HERE
- High BMI waterbirth – time for trusts to take the plunge? – click HERE
A Word From Our Sponsors
The Bump Plan
This episode of Bun in the Oven is sponsored by The Bump Plan.
Given the theme of this podcast I imagine that some of you are currently pregnant or planning a family. So many women I know just aren’t sure how to move their body safely during this changing time? Or they want to stay active but need someone to show them the way and hold their hand? That’s where the Bump Plan comes in. The Bump Plan is a holistic prenatal fitness plan that allows you to work out with confidence at each trimester of your pregnancy.
Founded by myself, Hollie Grant, The Bump Plan has already helped over 30,000 pregnant women stay active safely, and feel empowered throughout their pregnancies. Through its trimester specific workouts in which I am always at the same stage of my pregnancy as you will be in yours, hypnobirthing subscription, and extensive Education Hub, you’ll feel supported and part of a welcome community.
Let me help you move safely through your pregnancy, maintain your fitness and strength, and enter parenthood strong and prepared for all the demands it poses.
As a listener of Bun in the Oven I am offering you £5/month off the cost of your monthly subscription to The Bump Plan simply by entering the code 'bun' at checkout. To get started today simply head here and enter the code 'bun' at checkout.
Join our community today and stay strong throughout your pregnancy
Follow The Bump Plan on Instagram HERE
Sprout
This episode of Bun in the Oven is also sponsored by Sprout!
Sprout is the first ever discount club for pregnancy and parenthood. Born out of the reality of just how expensive having a baby can be, Sprout is here to help you save at what we know to be a truly expensive time.
Founded by Sophie, Mum to 2 - Sophie found the adjustment to statutory maternity pay a challenge and when reflecting on her time as a student when she had lots of lovely discounts, she found it crazy that as a new parent, there wasn't anything out there for those with little ones.
And so Sprout was born...since launching in 2020, Sprout has now saved its members over £28k and now partners with over 90 brands including JoJo Maman Bebe, My 1st Years, Mama Mio Skincare, Natal Active, Bloom & Wild, Latched, Bugaboo and so many more to offer members repeat discounts to help them save.
Whether you are pregnant, your partner is pregnant, you are adopting, have little sprouts or older ones, membership is open to all parents and parents to be. Either join for a year or life and you can now buy a membership for a friend to help them save too!
A lifetime membership to Sprout comes with a free gift box and, as a listener of this podcast, by using the code bunintheoven you can save 50% on a lifetime membership and sign up today for only £10. Yes, that is access for life for only £10 by using the code bunintheoven.
To join the club, simply head HERE , choose the lifetime membership and enter the code bunintheoven, all lowercase, all one word and You will be given instant access to the discounts so you can start saving straight away!
Follow Sprout on Instagram HERE
This episode of Bun in the Oven is sponsored by The Bump Plan.
Given the theme of this podcast I imagine that some of you are currently pregnant or planning a family. So many women I know just aren’t sure how to move their body safely during this changing time? Or they want to stay active but need someone to show them the way and hold their hand? That’s where the Bump Plan comes in. The Bump Plan is a holistic prenatal fitness plan that allows you to work out with confidence at each trimester of your pregnancy.
Founded by myself, Hollie Grant, The Bump Plan has already helped over 30,000 pregnant women stay active safely, and feel empowered throughout their pregnancies. Through its trimester specific workouts in which I am always at the same stage of my pregnancy as you will be in yours, hypnobirthing subscription, and extensive Education Hub, you’ll feel supported and part of a welcome community.
Let me help you move safely through your pregnancy, maintain your fitness and strength, and enter parenthood strong and prepared for all the demands it poses.
As a listener of Bun in the Oven I am offering you £5/month off the cost of your monthly subscription to The Bump Plan simply by entering the code 'bun' at checkout. To get started today simply head here and enter the code 'bun' at checkout.
Join our community today and stay strong throughout your pregnancy
Follow The Bump Plan on Instagram HERE
Sprout
This episode of Bun in the Oven is also sponsored by Sprout!
Sprout is the first ever discount club for pregnancy and parenthood. Born out of the reality of just how expensive having a baby can be, Sprout is here to help you save at what we know to be a truly expensive time.
Founded by Sophie, Mum to 2 - Sophie found the adjustment to statutory maternity pay a challenge and when reflecting on her time as a student when she had lots of lovely discounts, she found it crazy that as a new parent, there wasn't anything out there for those with little ones.
And so Sprout was born...since launching in 2020, Sprout has now saved its members over £28k and now partners with over 90 brands including JoJo Maman Bebe, My 1st Years, Mama Mio Skincare, Natal Active, Bloom & Wild, Latched, Bugaboo and so many more to offer members repeat discounts to help them save.
Whether you are pregnant, your partner is pregnant, you are adopting, have little sprouts or older ones, membership is open to all parents and parents to be. Either join for a year or life and you can now buy a membership for a friend to help them save too!
A lifetime membership to Sprout comes with a free gift box and, as a listener of this podcast, by using the code bunintheoven you can save 50% on a lifetime membership and sign up today for only £10. Yes, that is access for life for only £10 by using the code bunintheoven.
To join the club, simply head HERE , choose the lifetime membership and enter the code bunintheoven, all lowercase, all one word and You will be given instant access to the discounts so you can start saving straight away!
Follow Sprout on Instagram HERE