First let me start off by saying, you CAN BIRTH VAGINALLY AND NATURAL AND BE PLUS SIZE! There are many OB Practices that may try to veer you away from birthing naturally but your body is fully capable! I am a plus size friendly Doula and here to let you know that I am on your side! I am here and I have the education and experience to help plus size moms labor and birth their way! So lets dive in!

There are three very important things to remember as a plus size pregnant person!

1. Choose a Plus Size Friendly Provider! In order for you to be supported with your birth choices and to be supported during your labor and birth it is imperative that you choose a plus size friendly provider. Not all OB’s are created equal and making sure that you are supported in all aspects of your pregnancy and birth can make or break your birth experience. Do you research, ask questions, interview potential OB practices! Remember, you are bringing your business to them! They need to impress you, not the other way around.
2. Educate yourself! An educated laboring person is an EMPOWERED laboring person! The more educated you are the more you are able to make informed decisions instead of decisions made out of fear. Its not enough to know what the options are, but you also need to educate yourself on the pros and cons of each option. This is a huge moment in your life and going into it educated and empowered will make you remember your labor and birth experience is such a more positive and uplifting way! You deserve a positive birth experience and educating yourself is a great way to help you achieve that.
3. Hire A Doula! It is important for you to have a supportive labor and birth support team. This includes your medical practice, hospital, nurse, family members that would be present (including a partner if this applies) and a Doula. Having a Doula there to help you articulate your wishes, empower and uplift you and other members of your birth team and help give you unbiased information should decisions need to be made is so so important! Those who receive continuous support during labor by a trained birth Doula are: 28% less likely to have a cesarean section, 31% less likely to use synthetic Oxycontin to speed up labor, 9% less likely to use pain medication and are 34% less likely to rate their childbirth experience negatively. But don’t just hire any Doula. Hire a Doula that has experience with caring for Plus Size Laboring People. There are certain laboring positions that Plus Size Friendly Birth Doulas know and there are also mechanics of the Plus Size Body that Plus Size Friendly Doulas are aware of and well versed in! It is a proven fact that Plus Size Laboring People are at a higher risk for having a Cesarean Section. So by hiring a Plus Size Friendly Doula, you are increasing your chances of having a vaginal birth! Here is a link to find a Plus Size Doula in your area.

Please know that you can equip yourself with all of the knowledge and resources to increase your chances of having a vaginal birth! Its within your power! You just need to recognize that you do have the power and you make the choices! Align yourself with a positive pregnancy and birth team and you will be one step closer to having a healthy vaginal birth! Birth your way!