This post is a collection of links to articles and plus size pregnancy resources on this website.
I’m a researcher, and author of the book Plus Size Pregnancy: what the evidence really says about higher BMI and birth.
And I researched this topic, wrote my book and created this page in the hope of bringing a bit of balance to the conversations in this area.
How I can help you
If you’re here, maybe you have been told (or already know) that you have a high BMI.
You might also have been told that this means you will be offered extra tests, interventions, scans and appointments during pregnancy.
Perhaps you’ve heard that some options aren’t open to you because of your BMI.
Or maybe you’re not yet pregnant and you’re wanting to get informed beforehand.
Whatever your situation, I have blog posts and a book that can help you.
Plus Size Pregnancy: where to start
So whatever your reason for visiting, I’m very happy you’re here. I wrote my Plus Size Pregnancy book for all of those people, and those looking to support them.
If you’re looking for one quick resource that will help you on your journey, my book explains the issues and looks at the evidence relating to higher BMI and birth.
I unpack the myths, explain the evidence and help you understand your options.
And on this page and in my blog posts, you can find out more about the evidence and the approach that I take to explaining it.
In a nutshell, I use what I’ve learned in my 25 years of midwifery, research, and academic experience to write books to explain the evidence to those without a research, science or maths background.
I want you to be able to understand the evidence for yourself, so you can make your own decisions, and will know when you’re not being told the truth.
Let’s get the facts straight
Let’s start by overturning some myths.
Having a high BMI isn’t nearly as risky as some people think, or will tell you it is.
It is true that women with a higher BMI have a higher chance of experiencing some conditions or unwanted outcomes.
Women with a higher BMI also have a lower chance of experiencing some conditions or unwanted outcomes. In other words, there are also advantages to having a higher BMI.
It’s also important to understand that the absolute chance of unwanted outcomes happening is often low.
Most women with a higher BMI won’t experience any problems.
It’s also worth knowing that women with a higher BMI have fewer problems and better outcomes if they opt for midwifery-led care in low tech settings.
You have options
Despite what you might think, or have been told, you have options. As above, you can opt for midwifery-led care and/or low tech settings, but you can also choose other things.
For instance, you don’t have to be weighed, or have any test or intervention that you don’t feel is right for you.
In fact, it’s all up to you, just like for anyone whose weight is lower.
Having a higher BMI doesn’t mean you HAVE to have anything.
It can help to get informed
It can help to be informed, though.
Partly because there is a lot of misinformation out there about weight, BMI, health and birth.
There is sometimes a discrepancy between the actual evidence and what you get told by people in health care. I’ve written about this in several of my books.
And the effects of what happens during pregnancy and birth experience last a lifetime, so it is always a good idea to get informed before you decide what’s right for you.
That’s where the information on this page and in my book can help.
So first, I’ve written several blog posts, which are freely available on this site. Here they are:
Your essential guide!
And my Plus Size Pregnancy book really is an essential guide for your pregnancy and birth.
In it, I explain why our cultural beliefs about size, weight, BMI and health are often incorrect, and unpack many myths which are just not true.
I explain the approach that western medicine takes to women with a higher BMI in maternity care, and show why you might want to take charge of your own pregnancy and birth decisions.
And then I explain the evidence in a thorough but friendly way, from pregnancy right through to the post-birth and feeding times, so that you can make the decisions that are right for you.
I’m not here to tell you whether to have a waterbirth, an epidural, a home birth, an elective caesarean or how to feed your baby. None of those decisions are any of my business.
My job is to go through the evidence, so that you can make the decisions that are right for you.
Click on the book to grab your copy.
I hope these resources help you in your decision-making and/or information sharing.
About the Author: Dr Sara Wickham is an author, speaker, and researcher specialising in pregnancy, birth and maternity care. Her work focuses on evidence-based, woman-centred information and informed decision-making, drawing on more than 30 years of midwifery knowledge and experience.
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Thank you.