Bigger Than Birth

In this episode, we sit down with Clara to hear about her unconventional fertility journey and becoming a first-time mother approaching age 40. Clara details a fascinating medical breakthrough: how removing a 20-year-old dental bridge—and resolving a hidden metal allergy and chronic inflammation—allowed her to conceive naturally despite a bicornuate uterus. The discussion provides essential insights into managing a high-risk pregnancy, including navigating plus-size maternal health care, undergoing iron transfusions, and maintaining optimism after an initial pregnancy loss.The birth story takes center stage as Clara recounts her 35-week induction and the physical toll of a magnesium drip for blood pressure management. Facing a failed epidural and intense hospital protocols, she shares how patient advocacy led to a successful C-section delivery and a healthy baby girl. Clara offers a candid look at postpartum recovery, the reality of exclusive pumping, and the importance of trusting your intuition over rigid medical advice during the early months of motherhood.#plussizepregnancy #biggerthanbirth #Induction #CsectionmomResources: Flow AppPre-Mom App Connect With Us!* TikTok* Instagram* FacebookYouTubeIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe! Your support helps us reach more plus-size women and share the stories that matter.Medical Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider regarding your specific pregnancy and health needs.

Welcome Javeé Love to the show for a compelling look at the realities of a pregnancy starting at over 500 pounds. After a surprise conception following the loss of her grandmother, Javeé navigated a healthy and uneventful pregnancy despite pre-existing high blood pressure. She sheds light on the limitations within the healthcare industry, recounting how she was initially turned away from an OBGYN before finding an inclusive maternal-fetal medicine team.This conversation explores the technical aspects of a classical C-section, the recovery benefits of a Pico dressing, and the emotional challenges of being separated from her newborn during a 24-hour ICU monitoring period. Javeé also provides an unfiltered look at mental health, discussing her struggles with prenatal depression and her decision to choose formula over breastfeeding after experiencing DMER. Javeé’s story shows that with a good attitude and a little humor, you can navigate the curveballs and still have a positive pregnancy and birth!#plussizepregnancy #biggerthanbirth #500lbpregnancy #CsectionmomConnect With Javeé:TikTokStand Up ComedyConnect With Us!* TikTok * Instagram * FacebookYouTubeIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe! Your support helps us reach more plus-size women and share the stories that matter.Medical Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider regarding your specific pregnancy and health needs.

We are joined by Becca Fajardo for a sincere and impactful look at the realities of high-risk motherhood. This episode follows Becca’s journey from handling Type 2 Diabetes and PCOS with significant weight loss to navigating a fertility journey with Letrozole. Becca shares an honest account of receiving a Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) diagnosis mid-pregnancy and the transition into life as part of the "Lucky Few" community.From a traumatic birth involving shoulder dystocia and an emergency postpartum surgery for a 13cm hematoma to a 17-day NICU stay, this conversation highlights the importance of medical advocacy and support. Whether you are navigating a high-risk pregnancy, looking for Down syndrome resources, or seeking stories of resilient parenting, Becca’s story offers deep insight into the strength and joy found in the unexpected!#plussizepregnancy #biggerthanbirth #downsyndrome #NICUmomResources Mentioned:Mira Ovulation TrackerDown Syndrome Diagnosis NetworkDown Syndrome Association of Central TexasJack’s BasketConnect With Us!* TikTok * Instagram* FacebookYouTubeIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe! Your support helps us reach more plus-size women and share the stories that matter.Medical Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider regarding your specific pregnancy and health needs.

When does a "normal" pregnancy become high-risk? For Sydney, a first-time mom from Texas, that shift happened overnight at 30 weeks pregnant. What followed was a month of strength, patience, and unwavering focus as she navigated a month-long antepartum hospital stay with one goal in mind: reaching the 34-week milestone.In this episode, Sydney shares the incredible highs and lows of her journey, starting with her experience navigating plus size pregnancy. We dive deep into the reality of a sudden preeclampsia diagnosis, the peaceful 34-week planned C-section she fought so hard for, and the unexpected challenges that surfaced during a 32-day NICU stay.Sydney speaks candidly about discovering a newborn brain bleed late in the journey and how that diagnosis transformed her into a fierce advocate for her daughter’s health. We discuss the "wait and see" nature of neurological healing, the importance of physical and feeding therapies, and how they are moving forward with their care team. Whether you are a plus-size mama, a preemie parent, or someone looking for a story of hope amidst medical uncertainty, Sydney’s perspective on "grieving the plan while loving the reality" is a must-listen.Resources: What is Pre-Eclampsia?Connect With Us!TikTokInstagramFacebookYoutubeIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe! Your support helps us reach more plus-size women and share the stories that matter.Medical Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only.

This episode is a powerful look at the spectrum of birth experiences—from a smooth vaginal delivery to an emergency twin C-section under general anesthesia. Host Victoria Gaba sits down with Anjelica Otto, a mother of three living in Texas, to discuss her 11-year age gap journey.Anjelica opens up about her first pregnancy at age 20, which involved low amniotic fluid and a successful induction. Fast forward a decade, and she shares the "Fertile Myrtle" surprise of a twin pregnancy. We dive deep into the complexities of managing gestational diabetes with insulin, the frustration of medical bias in larger bodies, and the terrifying moment her water broke at 37 weeks.Anjelica recounts her emergency C-section where her daughter was footling breech, the pain of waking up from general anesthesia, and the emotional "newborn trenches" of a two-week NICU stay. If you’ve ever felt like your weight defined your care or struggled with the "mom guilt" of a NICU separation, this episode is for you.Connect With UsTikTokInstagramFacebookYoutubeIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe! Your support helps us reach more plus-size women and share the stories that matter.Medical Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only.

This episode is a profound look at the resilience required to navigate a high-intervention fertility journey. Victoria sits down with Nicky to discuss her four-year path to motherhood, involving failed IUIs, multiple IVF rounds, and the emotional complexities of using donor eggs. Nicky opens up about the intersection of plus-size pregnancy, Crohn’s disease, and hypothyroidism, and how she advocated for a care team that saw her as a person, not a BMI.We dive into the reality of an emergency C-section after a sudden water break at 37 weeks, the stress of a 10-day NICU stay for her "little but mighty" son, and her current "miracle" natural pregnancy that occurred after years of medical assistance. This conversation is a testament to the fact that while the road to baby might look different than planned, every birth is a victory.Connect With Us!TikTokInstagramFacebookYoutubeIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe! Your support helps us reach more plus-size women and share the stories that matter.Medical Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only.

This episode is a deep dive into the intersection of mental health and medical advocacy. Victoria sits down with Sarah to discuss a pregnancy journey marked by the challenges of high blood pressure and prenatal anxiety. Sarah opens up about the emotional toll of being hospitalized twice before her baby arrived and the ultimate decision to prioritize safety through a scheduled C-section.Beyond the birth, we explore the reality of postpartum life, including the physical healing process and managing blood pressure issues after returning home. Sarah leaves us with a powerful reminder to tune out societal noise and trust the one person who knows your body and baby best: you.Connect With Us!TikTokInstagramFacebookYoutubeIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe! Your support helps us reach more plus-size women and share the stories that matter.

This episode is a masterclass in self-advocacy and resilience. Victoria is joined by Nikki, a mother of two from South Georgia, who shares the starkly different experiences of her two pregnancies. Nikki discusses her first pregnancy at 500+ lbs, the jarring experience of being "fired" by her OB-GYN at 12 weeks, and navigating a four-day induction during the peak of the 2020 pandemic.We then pivot to her second pregnancy, which followed a 200-pound weight loss after bariatric surgery. Nikki explains the unique medical considerations for bariatric patients—from alternative glucose monitoring to medication restrictions—and describes her "redemptive" second birth.From surviving severe Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) twice to advocating for bariatric-sized hospital equipment, Nikki proves that body size does not define your birth outcome.Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeDress to Deliver – Maternity/Labor gowns (sizes up to 32) that unbutton for epidural access.Maven – A maternity/family benefits platform (used by Nikki for overnight breast milk shipping).Sneak Peek – Early gender DNA test. Connect with Nikki on Social Media @FatPositiveMotherhoodInstagramTiktokConnect With Us!TikTokInstagramFacebookYoutubeIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe! Your support helps us reach more plus-size women and share the stories that matter.Medical Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only.

Welcome to the very first episode of the Bigger Than Birth podcast! Host Victoria Gaba kicks things off by sharing her raw, honest, and deeply personal journey through fertility with PCOS, a smooth pregnancy, and her birth as a plus-size woman.In this episode, Victoria discusses the realities of being labeled "high-risk" due to BMI, the pressure of medical inductions, and how she advocated for herself when doctors used fear-based language. From a 30-hour induction to a positive C-section experience with an apron belly, Victoria shares the highs and lows of her transition into motherhood, including the often-untold struggles of breastfeeding and postpartum mental health.Whether you are trying to conceive, currently pregnant, or a fellow plus-size mom, this episode is a reminder that your body is capable, your voice matters, and you deserve compassionate, evidence-based care.Resources MentionedIna May's Guide to Childbirth Book by Ina May GaskinExpecting Better Book by Emily OsterPlus Size Pregnancy Book by Dr. Sarah WickhamEvidence Based Birth WebsiteTwo Doulas and You AtlantaBuckhead Acupuncture and Herbal Center – WendyConnect With UsTikTokInstagramFacebookYoutubeIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe! Your support helps us reach more plus-size women and share the stories that matter.Medical Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only.

Bigger Than Birth is a podcast dedicated to celebrating bigger bodies and beautiful births! Through honest, real-life conversations, we share pregnancy and birth stories from people in bigger bodies. Creating space for representation and connection.Connect With Our CommunityWe are building a village where every body is celebrated. Stay connected, share your story, and join the conversation on our social platforms:FacebookInstagramTikTokYouTubeEmail Us: [email protected]