We all know about the unfair stereotypes and stigma that exist in our society, but have you ever thought about---or experienced---what a plus-size woman goes through in pregnancy? The body shaming and unfair assumptions are particularly tough to take. Today’s guest is passionate about changing the stereotypes and offering help to these often unsupported moms.
Jen McLellan is a published author, speaker, and founder of Plus Size Birth, and she now hosts the Plus Mommy podcast. Plus Size Birth is a premier resource for all things plus-size pregnancy, with over four million page views. Jen is passionate about plus-size pregnancy, sharing tips on embracing your body and navigating the bumps along the road of motherhood. Through the Plus Size Mommy podcast and other social media outlets, she seeks to create an environment of acceptance and to end the stigma surrounding plus-size pregnancy with education, support, and a sense of humor. She is a certified childbirth educator, wife, and mother to a charismatic 8 year old. We’re discussing many great topics related to being a plus-size mom, education, and statistics on things we should consider in supporting plus-size moms to have the happy, healthy pregnancies that they deserve.
Show Highlights:
In 2010, Jen became pregnant, went online for support, and was horrified at the messages there for plus-size moms
Why she decided to break the cycle by telling her story and starting a blog
How she found a community of followers who were hungry for resources that weren’t there
Why she became a childbirth educator
The stories of mistreatment for plus-size women, even by their healthcare providers
How a woman’s mental health is affected by this treatment
The importance of connecting with a size-friendly care provider
Ways to handle weight issues with doctor appointments
Stigma about pregnancy and birth for plus-size moms
The assumptions: that a plus-size pregnancy won’t have a positive outcome, will definitely have gestational diabetes, cannot have a vaginal birth, and will probably smother her baby while breastfeeding
Jen’s work: sharing images of plus-size pregnant women, so they see “someone who looks like me”
The care that’s available to help plus-size moms with breastfeeding
Why plus-size women should wear clothes that celebrate pregnancy
Why plus-size moms don’t take pregnancy photos
Ways to normalize the pregnancy experience for larger bodies
The importance of connecting with a therapist during the postpartum period
Be mindful of language that might be triggering, like “obese”
What you can’t tell about a plus-size woman: what she eats, how much she eats, or how she struggles
Why we need to come from a place of compassion and not a place of shame
How Jen was changed forever by a midwife who had compassion and believed in her
The “health at any size” approach, and why it’s important
The need to work through your own personal bias
The podcast: the topics that are covered with transparency and the hopeful messages that make an impact
How the Plus Mommy community as grown as people learn that people don’t deserve to be mistreated just because of their size
Resources:
Plus Size Birth: http://www.plussizebirthcom
Plus Mommy Podcast: http://www.plusmommy.com
Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.om/plusmommyblog/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plusmommy/
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