Fat and Fertile

In this episode of Fat and Fertile, I’m joined by the brilliant Dr. Alice Keeley – aka The HeavyWeight Midwife. With 20+ years of midwifery experience and a PhD in plus-size pregnancy care, Alice is a powerful voice challenging the weight stigma baked into our maternity systems.We dig into what it’s really like to be pregnant in a bigger body – from being weighed without consent, to “high risk” labels that show up before anything’s even gone wrong. Alice explains how these experiences affect care, and why personalised, evidence-based, compassionate support matters so much.We also explore Alice’s journey, including what led her to launch The HeavyWeight Midwife in 2022, and why autonomy and clear communication are key during pregnancy.We talk about:Why BMI-based guidelines miss the bigger pictureHow to advocate for yourself at appointmentsRisks, referrals, and informed consentWhy water birth access is a fat-positive issueAnd how Alice’s trimester-by-trimester courses are changing livesLinks & Resources📘 Fat and Fertile – Buy the book📰 Join Nicola on Substack📧 Email: nicola@nicolasalmon.co.uk📸 Instagram: @fatpositivefertility🌐 Alice’s site: theheavyweightmidwife.com📲 Alice on IG: @theheavyweightmidwife🎧 Listen to The HeavyWeight Midwife Podcast

In this episode of Fat and Fertile, I’m diving deep into something I don’t talk about nearly enough—what fat positive fertility coaching actually is, and why it matters so much.I’ve been a fertility coach for over seven years now, and while I often share tools, insights, and resources, I realised I haven’t really broken down how coaching works or what it looks like to be supported in a fat-positive, weight-neutral space. So that’s what this episode is all about.I share how my own experience of being diagnosed with PCOS as a teen—and being told I’d never have children—led me to this work. And I explain how my journey through unlearning diet culture and stepping away from weight loss gave me the clarity and drive to support others doing the same, especially those navigating fertility in bigger bodies.In this episode, I talk about:What coaching means to me (and why it’s not about “fixing” you)The unique challenges fat folks face when trying to get pregnantWhy we deserve support that’s free from judgement and shameWhat it means to create safety in your nervous system as you navigate this processHow to explore health-promoting behaviours without dietingAnd why separating your worth from your ability to conceive is a game-changerI also explain what a fat positive approach really looks like in practice—how I work with you to move from where you are now to where you want to be, using tools that centre your autonomy, your lived experience, and your joy.If you’ve ever felt like you're battling the system just to be seen, heard, or supported—this one’s for you. And if it resonates, I’d love to invite you to book a free 30-minute chat with me. No pressure, no pushy sales pitch—just a space to connect and see if coaching might be the right next step for you.Resources & Links:Email me: nicola@nicolasalmon.co.ukFind me on Instagram: @fatpositivefertilityMy book: Fat and Fertile – available via AmazonJoin my community in SubstackThanks for listening, lovely. You absolutely deserve to feel supported, cared for, and full of hope as you navigate growing your family—exactly as you are. 💛

Episode SummaryIn this episode of Fat and Fertile, Nicola Salmon dives into the practical—and emotional—realities of finding a fertility clinic that supports fat folks with compassion and without weight stigma. Whether you’re just beginning to explore fertility treatment or feeling frustrated by constant barriers, this episode is packed with actionable tips, thoughtful guidance, and much-needed reassurance.Nicola shares the exciting news of her newly updated Fat-Friendly Fertility Clinic Guide, a powerful resource featuring nearly 150 community-sourced recommendations from fat people who’ve accessed IVF and other fertility treatments. She explains how to use the guide, what to look out for, and why it’s so important to have information upfront—especially when some clinics still impose harmful BMI restrictions or hidden costs.She also walks you through her top tips for researching, interviewing, and choosing a fertility clinic that will treat you with the respect and care you deserve. From asking the right pre-consultation questions to understanding your legal and medical rights around weighing, diet talk, and treatment access, Nicola empowers you to advocate for yourself at every stage.If you’ve ever felt disheartened by fertility clinics, this episode is a must-listen. Nicola reminds us that while fat-positive clinics might feel like unicorns, they do exist—and finding the right one can make all the difference in your journey.Links and Resources📘 Fat and Fertile – Buy the book📰 Join Nicola on Substack📧 Email: nicola@nicolasalmon.co.uk📸 Instagram: @fatpositivefertilityGet InvolvedNicola would love to hear from you! If this episode resonates, share your story, ask a question, or leave a review. Your voice matters and could help someone else feel less alone.Support the PodcastIf you're enjoying Fat and Fertile, you can buy Nicola a coffee or share this episode on your favourite social media platform. Every share helps make this information more accessible to the people who need it most.Follow Nicola on Instagram@fatpositivefertility – For fat-positive fertility tips, updates, and behind-the-scenes support.👉 Explore these resources and take your next step toward growing your family—without shame, without diets, and entirely on your terms. Nicola’s in your corner, cheering you on every step of the way.

In this episode of Fat and Fertile, I’m joined by the incredible Emma Haslam, founder of Your IVF Abroad and a passionate advocate for fertility choice. Emma shares her deeply personal journey through infertility, the barriers she faced due to BMI restrictions in the UK, and how she ultimately found a path to parenthood abroad.We dive into the realities of navigating fertility treatment as a fat person, the frustration of arbitrary weight-based restrictions, and the emotional toll of being told to lose weight before receiving medical support. Emma opens up about her decision to seek IVF treatment outside the UK, what that experience was like, and how it led her to create Your IVF Abroad—a business dedicated to helping others access safe, transparent, and supportive fertility care without weight stigma.If you’ve ever felt dismissed by the fertility industry, this episode is a must-listen. Emma’s story is one of resilience, empowerment, and challenging the status quo. She’s proof that fertility care should be accessible to all bodies, and she’s on a mission to make sure others have the information and support they need to explore their options.Listen in to hear:✅ The challenges of accessing fertility care with a higher BMI✅ How Emma found an alternative path to IVF treatment abroad✅ Why weight stigma in fertility care needs to change✅ Tips for navigating fertility treatment with confidence and choiceConnect with Emma & Explore Your Options:Free Webinar: From Obstacles to Options" – How to overcome fertility treatment challenges in your home country, get started on your right path to parenthood, and fast-track growing your family, on your terms. yourivfabroad.co.uk/freemasterclassEmma’s Podcast: yourivfabroad.co.uk/podcastEmma’s Website: yourivfabroad.co.ukEmma’s Instagram: @yourivfabroadNicola’s book: Fat and FertileNicola's Instagram: @fatpositivefertilityGrab the Fat Person’s Guide to Getting PregnantJoin Nicola on Substack🎧 Tune in now and remember: your body is worthy, and your fertility journey should be met with care, respect, and real choices. 💛

Episode SummaryIn this episode, I'm answering five of the most common questions I get about fat positive fertility. These questions originally came from a video I recorded for my Ko-Fi Community but they were too good not to share here!Whether you're curious about navigating fertility in a bigger body, looking for evidence-based insights, or just need some reassurance, this episode is for you. And if you have your own questions, come join me in Substack.The questions:Can I really get pregnant in a bigger body?What do I do if my doctor denies me fertility care based on my BMI?Can I access fertility treatment in a bigger body if I need it?Will losing weight make it easier to get pregnant?Is it safe to get pregnant in a bigger body?Links and ResourcesNicola’s book, Fat and FertileFat Person's Guide to Getting PregnantSubstackGet InvolvedNicola would love to hear from you! If this episode resonates, share your story, ask a question, or leave a review.Support the PodcastIf you’re enjoying Fat and Fertile, please share this episode on social or leave a review! Every share helps make this info more accessible to everyone who needs it.Follow Me on Instagram: Join me here for fat-positive fertility tips, updates, and encouragement.👉 Explore all these resources here and take your first step toward parenthood without stigma or shame. I’m cheering you on every step of the way!

Episode SummaryIn this episode of Fat and Fertile, I sit down with Michelle, who shares her transformative journey from navigating societal expectations to embracing body positivity. Michelle opens up about the necessity of setting boundaries, particularly in medical scenarios, to safeguard one's well-being. Her insights into finding size-inclusive care and advocating for oneself during fertility treatments are truly empowering. We explore how she shifted from challenging experiences with body image and disordered eating to become an advocate and doula for plus-size individuals, supporting them in having positive pregnancy and birth experiences. I hope her story inspires you to stand firm in your choices and seek supportive healthcare that aligns with your needs.What to Expect from the PodcastWe dive deep into how to establish care boundaries in healthcare settings, especially for those undergoing fertility treatments. Michelle's stories highlight the significance of finding size-inclusive providers and becoming informed advocates for ourselves. From addressing weight stigma in maternity care to understanding health risks without fear, this episode is a guide for anyone seeking to reclaim their pregnancy and birth experiences with confidence and autonomy.Highlights:Setting Boundaries in Medical SituationsNavigating Fertility Treatments with ConfidenceUnderstanding Health Risks in a Supportive WayEmbracing Body Positivity and Self-AdvocacyLinks and ResourcesMichelle's book, Fat and PregnantNicola’s book, Fat and FertileFat Person's Guide to Getting PregnantJoin Nicola on SubstackMichelle’s InstagramGet InvolvedNicola would love to hear from you! If this episode resonates, share your story, ask a question, or leave a review. Support the PodcastIf you’re enjoying Fat and Fertile, please share this episode on social or leave a review! Every share helps make this info more accessible to everyone who needs it.Follow Me on Instagram: Join me here for fat-positive fertility tips, updates, and encouragement.👉 Explore all these resources here and take your first step toward parenthood without stigma or shame. I’m cheering you on every step of the way!

Episode SummaryIn this episode of Fat and Fertile, I open up about my journey from 2024 into an exciting 2025, sharing both personal and professional highs and lows. From grappling with neurodivergence and finding support to winning a prestigious fertility advocate award, it's been quite the roller-coaster! I hope this episode reassures you that joy and passion can be rediscovered, even amidst challenges, and inspires you to embrace self-discovery and empowerment on your fertility journey.What to Expect from the PodcastThis episode covers my recent experiences and plans for the future. Dive into understanding how embracing neurodivergence has reshaped my path, the joy I found in cold-water swimming, and a new venture on Ko-fi [since moved into Substack], aimed at fostering a nurturing community away from the constraints of social media.Highlights:Embracing Neurodivergence: ADHD and Autism InsightsAn Award-Winning Year: Best Fertility Advocate 2024Launch of my Community: A Supportive Space for Fat FolksPlans for Fat and Fertile's Second EditionLinks and ResourcesNicola’s book, Fat and FertileFat Person's Guide to Getting PregnantJoin Nicola on SubstackGet InvolvedNicola would love to hear from you! If this episode resonates, share your story, ask a question, or leave a review.Support the PodcastIf you’re enjoying Fat and Fertile, please share this episode on social or leave a review! Every share helps make this info more accessible to everyone who needs it.Follow Me on Instagram: Join me here for fat-positive fertility tips, updates, and encouragement.👉 Explore all these resources here and take your first step toward parenthood without stigma or shame. I’m cheering you on every step of the way!

Episode SummaryIn this podcast episode, I delve into my experience with menstrual cycles and the impact movement has had on my usual (irregular) cycle. I also chat about importance of finding enjoyable and accessible forms of movement, the challenges marginalised bodies face in society, and how consistent self-care can help manage stress and support the nervous system. I hope this episode encourages you to find ways to care for your body and mind in a way that feels good to you!Highlights:The Connection Between Movement and Menstrual CyclesThe Importance of Supporting the Nervous SystemMovement Without Pressure or Weight-Loss GoalsLinks and ResourcesNicola’s book, Fat and FertileGet InvolvedNicola would love to hear from you! If this episode resonates, share your story, ask a question, or leave a review. Support the PodcastIf you’re enjoying Fat and Fertile, please share this episode on social or leave a review! Every share helps make this info more accessible to everyone who needs it.Explore More with NicolaJoin me on SubstackFollow Me on Instagram: Join me here for fat-positive fertility tips, updates, and encouragement.Free Resources for Fat Folks: Access a hub of tools designed to support your fat-positive fertility journey, including guides, checklists, research summaries, and my popular Can I Get Pregnant in a Bigger Body? workshop.👉 Explore all these resources here and take your first step toward parenthood without stigma or shame. I’m cheering you on every step of the way!

Episode Summary:Let’s look at two ways we can use research to support us in navigating fertility care as a fat personWhat to Expect from the Podcast: Focuses on navigating the complexities of fertility for people in bigger bodies in an anti-fat world.Explores research, advocacy, and mental health tools to empower listeners in their fertility journeys.Encourages listeners to question fat-phobic narratives in medicine and build confidence in their body's capabilities.Highlights:Nicola's Master's in medical engineering and physics and her experience working in the NHS and accessing complex medical research.Insight into barriers to accessing research, such as paywalls and elitism.Evidence that people in bigger bodies get pregnant at rates similar to those in other body sizes.Research showing BMI-based treatment restrictions are not supported by science.Lifestyle changes (e.g., diet and exercise) often have no impact on pregnancy rates.Encourages listeners to ask healthcare providers for evidence supporting their policies.Using research to counter internalised fat-phobia and build confidence in fertility.Emphasising the importance of believing in your body's ability to conceive for mental well-being.Links and ResourcesNicola’s book, Fat and FertileInstagramWorkshopSubstackGet InvolvedNicola would love to hear from you! If this episode resonates, share your story, ask a question, or leave a review. You can also join the Fat and Fertile Alliance—a friendly space to connect with others on similar paths.Support the PodcastIf you’re enjoying Fat and Fertile, please share this episode on social or leave a review! Every share helps make this info more accessible to everyone who needs it.Explore More with NicolaSubscribe to my SubstackFollow Me on Instagram: Join me here for fat-positive fertility tips, updates, and encouragement.Free Resources for Fat Folks: Access a hub of tools designed to support your fat-positive fertility journey, including guides, checklists, research summaries, and my popular Can I Get Pregnant in a Bigger Body? workshop.👉 Explore all these resources here and take your first step toward parenthood without stigma or shame. I’m cheering you on every step of the way!