Dr Sara Wickham’s ‘Plus Size Pregnancy’ book is now available!
Have you been told that your pregnancy is high risk simply because you have a higher BMI?
Have you been advised that you need extra tests and interventions, or that you have no choice about where you give birth?
Do you feel pressured or scared into following this advice?
Are you wondering whether higher BMI actually makes a difference and whether guidelines about higher BMI and birth are truly evidence based?
If your answer to any of these questions is “yes” then take a deep breath and read on, because Dr Sara Wickham’s new book is going to help you take back control.
Buy it here:
Amazon The Great British Book Shop Barnes and Noble
Kindle Kobo Apple Other retailers
In Plus Size Pregnancy: what the evidence really says about higher BMI and birth, you will:
- Discover the eye-opening truth about why BMI is a poor measure of health, and why your size or shape has far less impact on your health than you might think.
- Access the real data relating to the potential risks of having a higher BMI during pregnancy, birth and beyond.
- Learn from reliable, clear explanations of the evidence relating to the tests and interventions commonly recommended.
- Arm yourself with tips on how to advocate for yourself and your baby.
- Find out the surprising advantages of being larger and learn why some women with a higher BMI might have better outcomes.
This inspiring, science-filled book will help you to empower yourself, providing you with the evidence you need to make informed decisions about your pregnancy, birth and beyond.
Buy it here:
Amazon The Great British Book Shop Barnes and Noble
Kindle Kobo Apple Other retailers
What are people saying about the book?
“Another ‘must have’ book from Sara on an important topic! Sara has widely and deeply researched the evidence about body size in pregnancy and birth, and shares it in an easy-to-understand way. I learned a lot from this book. It addresses the common misconceptions and stigma surrounding ‘high BMI’ and challenges routine practice. This book is an invaluable resource for any woman navigating the maternity system. It should also be required reading for all care providers and educators.”
Dr Rachel Reed, Author and Educator.
“This is the first book to reliably gather the evidence, dispel the myths and provide safe and practical advice for navigating “high BMI” pregnancy care pathways. An absolute must read for pregnant women who’ve been told their body size impacts their pregnancy, their birth partners and families, and anyone working in the birth world. It will open your mind to the wider issues and harmful impacts of weight stigma and healthcare bias, and also equip you with the knowledge to challenge assumptions and routine practices that more often than not unjustifiably limit choice and undermine individual autonomy. Sara’s writing is always so accessible and she draws on a wide and balanced range of evidence. You can easily dip into this book or read it cover to cover. Above all else this book supports pregnant women to make truly informed choices about their pregnancy, birth and beyond.”
Emma Rose, Lead Midwife.
“As you’d expect from Sara’s books it give you the actual data in a supportive and non judgemental way. It looks at policy, what the evidence really says and then leaves you to make up your mind about your own care and body.
It can feel overwhelming to be a larger size during pregnancy with messages focussed on risk and feeling that decisions are being taken away. Too many women experience fat / body shaming and assumptions about their health based on their clothes size or BMI.
We know society is weird about weight and size during pregnancy. I always remember the bizarre praise / jealousy / plain weird reactions I got if people found out I had hyperemesis and felt awful but oh wasn’t it amazing I wasn’t gaining weight (err no 😵💫)
Sara has taken all of this, delved into the history, and written something that explains it all in a way that is reassuring and focussed on you making the decisions right for you 💪”
Professor Amy Brown, Academic and Author
“This book is superb. It is a much needed publication by just the right author. As with all Sara’s books it is meticulously researched from a vast body of relevant research, focuses on the woman and the information and knowledge she needs to make the best decisions for her and her baby and is clear and accessible from start to finish. It will be widely read by women, families and birth workers alike – and rightly so.”
Nadine Edwards, Author and Birth Activist.
“We’ve been waiting for this book: it is a game changer. It has been frustrating to watch pregnant women with a high BMI being treated unhelpfully and often in a critical and punitive way. Health professionals and women can now access the evidence, thanks to this remarkably clear and concise book.”
Gill Boden, Psychologist, Educator and Birth Activist.
This is a brilliant book – I know because I’ve had the privilege to read it already 
So many women will be reassured and encouraged by the phenomenally detailed information Sara has packed into it. A gap in our knowledge yet again filled by this wonderful researcher and author. Thank you (again) Sara.
Becky Reed, Retired Midwife and Author.
About the Author
Dr Sara Wickham is an author, educator, and researcher. She has more than 25 years experience as a midwife and educator and her first book was published in 2001.
Sara is now the author or editor of eighteen books and has edited three midwifery journals. She provides in-person and online educational and consultancy services for midwifery, medical and health-related practitioners and organisations around the world.
Where can I get it?
You can buy my new Plus Size Pregnancy book here:
Amazon The Great British Book Shop Barnes and Noble
Kindle Kobo Apple Other retailers
If you have a different favourite online bookshop, just search for ‘’Plus Size Pregnancy: what the evidence really says about higher BMI and birth.”
Or take the IBSN (which is 978-1-914465093) to your local indie bookstore and ask them to order you a copy in.
*We have affiliate accounts with some of these retailers. Any profit goes to the Birth Information Project.
We will have copies to sell at Sara’s workshops and events.
Is it available as an e-book?
Yes, from Apple Kindle Kobo Other retailers
Is it available as an audio book?
Not at the moment.
Please support creators 💜 It isn’t always legal to lend books if you’re running a business, and it can harm the ability of artists, writers and other creators to make an income from their own work if you do. If your clients can’t afford to buy a book, please ask them to borrow it from a public library, and encourage your local library to buy a few copies. Public libraries pay authors when they loan their books. Loads more info here.
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