Show notes:

If you've ever been told you're “high-risk” in pregnancy just because of your BMI, or you've felt dismissed or judged in fertility or maternity care, this episode is for you.

This week, I’m joined by guest expert The Heavyweight Midwife, AKA Dr Alice Keely who helps plus-size women have a happier and more empowered journey to parenthood. She has been a plus-size specialist midwife since 2007 and she completed her PhD in women’s experiences of stigma in plus-size pregnancy care. Through her research, her advocacy, and her online courses and coaching, Alice works to get the reassurance out there that having a plus size pregnancy does not mean you have a high-risk pregnancy.

Together, we unpack the myths, the fear-mongering, and the reality of what the data actually says about plus-size pregnancy.

Whether you're trying to conceive, preparing for fertility treatment, or already pregnant, this is a must-listen conversation that will leave you feeling more informed, empowered, and less alone.

In this episode, we cover:

• What the term “high-risk” actually means and how it's often misapplied to plus-size pregnancies

• Why BMI is an unreliable metric for risk in pregnancy

• How fat bias shows up in fertility and maternity care (and the harm it causes)

• The real evidence around high BMI for plus-size pregnancies

• What respectful, supportive care should look like and how to advocate for it

• Specific challenges (and opportunities) for plus-size people navigating fertility treatment or IVF

• Why the label 'high-risk' should never be a reason for shame or poor quality care

Connect with Dr Alice Keely:

Community membership - theheavyweightmidwife.com

TikTok & instagram - @theheavyweightmidwife

Links mentioned below in this week's episode:

yourivfabroad.co.uk/the- conceive-abroad-course

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