I'm sitting down with Jen McLellan - published author, founder of Plus Size Birth, certified childbirth educator, TED Talk speaker, and host of the Plus Mommy Podcast - for a conversation I truly believe every single person needs to hear, regardless of the body they're in. We're diving deep into plus size pregnancy & birth, and Jen is bringing the evidence, the empowerment, and the honesty that so many people in larger bodies have been desperately searching for. We talk about the very real (and very frustrating) assumptions and misconceptions that follow plus size pregnancy & birth - from automatic high-risk labels to the way relative risk gets weaponized in provider conversations - and how to flip that script so you feel informed and empowered rather than defeated before you even get started.
We also get into the practical stuff: how to find a size-friendly care team, what to look for when you walk into a facility, and one of my favorite questions Jen drops in this episode that I think every pregnant woman should be asking their provider: "Do you have any specific guidelines or protocols specifically for my BMI?" Because knowing what your provider already assumes about your pregnancy before anything has even happened? That is gold. Jen also walks us through what to expect during labor, from monitoring challenges to bringing your own belly band, and why so much of what happens in the birth space is about the equipment - not you. This one is full of mic-drop moments, and I'm so grateful Jen trusted me with this conversation.
More from Jen & Plus Size Birth:
Helpful Timestamps:
- 00:00 Plus Size Pregnancy & Birth
- 05:55 Why Plus Size Birth
- 08:16 Creating Missing Resources
- 17:12 Risk Myths and Numbers
- 24:15 Finding Size Friendly Care
- 28:58 BMI Protocol Questions
- 30:56 Spotting Red Flags
- 33:27 Labor Prep Essentials
- 37:15 Postpartum Gear Tips
- 47:20 Plus Size Birth Resources and Discounts
About your host:
🩺🤰🏻Lo Mansfield, MSN, RNC-OB, CLC is a registered nurse, mama of 4, and a birth, baby, and motherhood enthusiast. She is both the host of the Lo & Behold podcast and the founder of The Labor Mama.
For more education, support and “me too” from Lo, please visit her website and check out her online courses and digital guides for birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum/newborns. You can also follow @thelabormama and @loandbehold_thepodcast on Instagram and join her email list here.
For more pregnancy, birth, postpartum and motherhood conversation each week, be sure to subscribe to The Lo & Behold podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you prefer to listen!
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Disclaimer
Opinions shared by guests of this show are their own, and do not always reflect those of The Labor Mama platform. Additionally, the information you hear on this podcast or that you receive via any linked resources should not be considered medical advice. Please see our full disclaimer here.
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Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services
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