Plus Size Pregnancy

“Another ‘must have’ book from Sara on an important topic! Sara has widely and deeply researched the evidence about body size in pregnancy and birth, and shares it in an easy-to-understand way. I learned a lot from this book. It addresses the common misconceptions and stigma surrounding ‘high BMI’ and challenges routine practice. This book is an invaluable resource for any woman navigating the maternity system. It should also be required reading for all care providers and educators.” Dr Rachel Reed, Author and Educator.”‘This is the first book to reliably gather the evidence, dispel the myths and provide safe and practical advice for navigating “high BMI” pregnancy care pathways. An absolute must read for pregnant women who’ve been told their body size impacts their pregnancy, their birth partners and families, and anyone working in the birth world. It will open your mind to the wider issues and harmful impacts of weight stigma and healthcare bias, and also equip you with the knowledge to challenge assumptions and routine practices that more often than not unjustifiably limit choice and undermine individual autonomy. Sara’s writing is always so accessible and she draws on a wide and balanced range of evidence. You can easily dip into this book or read it cover to cover. Above all else this book supports pregnant women to make truly informed choices about their pregnancy, birth and beyond.’” Emma Rose, Lead Midwife.“This book is superb. It is a much needed publication by just the right author. As with all Sara’s books it is meticulously researched from a vast body of relevant research, focuses on the woman and the information and knowledge she needs to make the best decisions for her and her baby and is clear and accessible from start to finish. It will be widely read by women, families and birth workers alike - and rightly so.” Dr Nadine Edwards, Author and Birth Activist.“We’ve been waiting for this book: it is a game changer. It has been frustrating to watch pregnant women with a high BMI being treated unhelpfully and often in a critical and punitive way. Health professionals and women can now access the evidence, thanks to this remarkably clear and concise book.” Gill Boden, Psychologist, Educator and Birth Activist.

Dr Sara Wickham PhD, RM, MA, PGCert, BA(Hons) is a midwife, educator, writer and researcher who works independently, dividing her working time between speaking, writing, blogging, facilitating workshops, creating resources for midwives, birth workers and women and undertaking a wide variety of consultancy projects and advisory activities.

Sara’s career has been varied and includes twenty years of experience as a midwife, lecturer and researcher. She is the author/editor of seventeen books, has lectured in more than twenty countries, edited midwifery journals and provides consultancy services for midwifery and health-related organisations around the world.