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Plus Size Pregnancy: What the evidence really says about higher BMI and birth
Have you been told that your pregnancy is high risk simply because you have a higher BMI? Have you been advised that you need extra tests and interventions, or that you have no choice about where you give birth? Do you feel pressured or scared into following this advice? Are you wondering whether higher BMI actually makes a difference and whether guidelines about higher BMI and birth are truly evidence based?
If your answer to any of these questions is “yes” then take a deep breath and read on, because this book is going to help you take back control.
In Plus Size Pregnancy, trusted researcher and bestselling author Dr Sara Wickham guides you through the evidence about higher BMI and birth, exposing the myths and assumptions, the broader issues, and the science behind what we do and don’t know.
• Discover the eye-opening truth about why BMI is a poor measure of health, and why your size or shape has far less impact on your health than you might think.
• Access real data relating to the potential risks of having a higher BMI during pregnancy, birth and beyond.
• Learn from reliable, clear explanations of the evidence relating to the tests and interventions commonly recommended.
• Arm yourself with tips on how to advocate for yourself and your baby.
• Find out the surprising advantages of being larger and learn why some women with a higher BMI might have better outcomes.
This inspiring, science-filled book will help you to empower yourself, providing you with the evidence you need to make informed decisions about your pregnancy, birth and beyond.
If your answer to any of these questions is “yes” then take a deep breath and read on, because this book is going to help you take back control.
In Plus Size Pregnancy, trusted researcher and bestselling author Dr Sara Wickham guides you through the evidence about higher BMI and birth, exposing the myths and assumptions, the broader issues, and the science behind what we do and don’t know.
• Discover the eye-opening truth about why BMI is a poor measure of health, and why your size or shape has far less impact on your health than you might think.
• Access real data relating to the potential risks of having a higher BMI during pregnancy, birth and beyond.
• Learn from reliable, clear explanations of the evidence relating to the tests and interventions commonly recommended.
• Arm yourself with tips on how to advocate for yourself and your baby.
• Find out the surprising advantages of being larger and learn why some women with a higher BMI might have better outcomes.
This inspiring, science-filled book will help you to empower yourself, providing you with the evidence you need to make informed decisions about your pregnancy, birth and beyond.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 2, 2023
52 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 4, 2024
As a midwife, I think this book should be essential reading for every birth worker. It does a phenomenal job of succinctly and expertly explaining an enormous amount of research in terms that are engaging and easy to understand. It is also incredibly valuable for any patient navigating obstetric care who questions the things we do based on weight. I couldn’t recommend it more enthusiastically!!
November 4, 2024
VERY much appreciate the insistence on referring to relative and absolute risk. Such a vital framing device that absolutely assists in decision-making.
A really important book. While the author is clearly biased given her own experiences, once we're talking actual risk and data, I didn't find her bias to in any way affect the interpretation of data. She's really very even-handed.
As a personal note, I gained a lot of weight while breastfeeding, and was unable to lose a gram until I weaned. Then I was left with a huge amount of excess weight that was only VERY SLOWLY shifting with good diet and exercise, and that was stressing me out because all the commentary encourages you to lose that weight before considering a second child.
Reading this book made me realise that putting my body through an intense, stressful weight-loss program after the strain of my incredibly stressful early post-partum period including recovery from emergency surgery then jumping immediately into dealing with the nutrient and energy strain that pregnancy is may be a worse choice than simply continuing to eat well and move my body and letting the chips fall where they may.
That literally hadn't occurred to me. So for that realisation alone I thank you Ms Wickham.
A really important book. While the author is clearly biased given her own experiences, once we're talking actual risk and data, I didn't find her bias to in any way affect the interpretation of data. She's really very even-handed.
As a personal note, I gained a lot of weight while breastfeeding, and was unable to lose a gram until I weaned. Then I was left with a huge amount of excess weight that was only VERY SLOWLY shifting with good diet and exercise, and that was stressing me out because all the commentary encourages you to lose that weight before considering a second child.
Reading this book made me realise that putting my body through an intense, stressful weight-loss program after the strain of my incredibly stressful early post-partum period including recovery from emergency surgery then jumping immediately into dealing with the nutrient and energy strain that pregnancy is may be a worse choice than simply continuing to eat well and move my body and letting the chips fall where they may.
That literally hadn't occurred to me. So for that realisation alone I thank you Ms Wickham.
May 16, 2024
A great read, and really informative. I struggled with it being so repetitive "discussed in chapter x" or "I'll talk more about this later in chapter y", like why can't you just give me all of the info now? Also could use a second editor to look over this because there were quite a few issues I noticed.
January 23, 2025
very interesting and great exploration of the facts and figures
As someone who is 31 weeks pregnant when writing this review, I really wish I had read this either before getting pregnant or during my first trimester. We went in blind to our booking appointment and things were told to us as if they were no choice or true fact but on reading this book, I understand this is not always the case and feel in a much more informed space to challenge some of the interventions that I may have in the remained of my pregnancy.
If you are a midwife, trainee midwife or have anything to do with birthing mothers please read this book, even if you take nothing new away from it (which I doubt) it’s a great reminder of women focused care.
As someone who is 31 weeks pregnant when writing this review, I really wish I had read this either before getting pregnant or during my first trimester. We went in blind to our booking appointment and things were told to us as if they were no choice or true fact but on reading this book, I understand this is not always the case and feel in a much more informed space to challenge some of the interventions that I may have in the remained of my pregnancy.
If you are a midwife, trainee midwife or have anything to do with birthing mothers please read this book, even if you take nothing new away from it (which I doubt) it’s a great reminder of women focused care.
November 24, 2024
Possibly my most highlighted book of all time. A thorough and fair assessment of the evidence, or lack thereof that sits behind the guidelines for obstetric care of plus size women. Feel so vindicated after a terrible first pregnancy of constant risk assessment and fear monger it which led to severe health anxiety in the years following the birth of my child. Now with my second this has empowered me so much more to question guidelines and advocate for myself. Essential reading particularly for those working in consultant led care environments, and plus size women.
June 17, 2024
Absolutely fantastic book by Dr Sara Wickham, and essential for all plus size people who are pregnant or looking to become pregnant, as well as all midwives and those who care for pregnant people. I feel in a much better position to advocate for myself should I need to and whilst I’ve had no problems with any of the midwives I’ve seen, the consultants could really do with reading this book themselves.
January 18, 2025
I am a huge fan of Sara Wickham's - her work is always well-researched, considered, and informed.
I found much sense and reassurance in this book.
I found much sense and reassurance in this book.
October 22, 2024
So helpful. This was the first pregnancy book I read, after the midwife had freaked me right out, and it calmed me down completely and made me feel informed and in control. Should be required reading for everyone providing antenatal care.
March 1, 2024
Absolutely loved this book. The hospitals tell you because your plus size/ have a higher bmi that there are way more risks when having a baby. But Sara Wickham has done amazing research and shows what the actual evidence is of these complications we have a ‘higher’ risk of. If you’re plus size and pregnant or looking to start a family, this is a must read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews