There are many plus size pregnancy myths that are entirely discouraging. For example, it’s easy to believe that plus size people struggle to become pregnant and never have healthy outcomes, but that’s far from the truth.
Camie shares her three pregnancy and birth stories to help dispel some common assumptions about what plus size bodies can achieve. She also shares some of the hardships she has faced.
3 Plus Size Pregnancy Myths
Myth: It’s really difficult for plus size women to get pregnant.
Fact: People of all sizes have fertility struggles. And while there are more obstacles and less support for those with a BMI above 30, many plus size women get pregnant without fertility support.
Because of a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis, Camie thought it would be difficult to fulfill her dream of becoming a mother.
Soon after meeting the man she wanted to build a family with, she went to her OB-GYN.
During this appointment, she addressed her irregular menstrual cycle, and an ultrasound confirmed many cysts on her ovaries.
Her doctor told her to go home and start trying. They’d discuss future fertility treatments beyond a perception for metformin if needed.
Camie left this visit feeling pretty defeated. But two weeks later, she was pregnant!
And when Camie was ready to have a second child, she wondered if she’d have secondary infertility. She didn’t, and she was pregnant within a month of trying.
Camie’s amazing plus size body is so fertile that she got pregnant with her third and last child while doing things to help prevent pregnancy!
So, Camie wants to help change the narrative that plus size people will always struggle to get pregnant. That sure wasn’t her story – even with having PCOS!
Myth: You don’t look pregnant when you’re plus size.
Fact: All bodies and all pregnancies are different. While some plus size people never have a stereotypical D-shaped belly, most (but not all) experience a pregnancy bump.
You can do much to extenuate a pregnancy belly, especially if you have a B-shaped belly. From wearing maternity jeans with a built-in belly band to babydoll tops, there are some great plus size maternity hacks!
Speaking of having a B-belly, Camie had one and an apron belly. She’s also tall, so she didn’t view herself as looking pregnant at some points during her pregnancy journies. But looking back at photos, she now sees herself as pregnant even when she didn’t years ago.
Myth: You’ll hate your postpartum body.
Fact: You might struggle with body image after giving birth or fall madly in love with your magnificent body that just birthed a human. There’s no way of knowing how you’ll feel, but we must change the negative stigma attached to postpartum bodies.
Camie was thankful for her body after many years of questioning if she would even become a mother.
While she felt sadness around the emptiness of her belly, no longer holding her baby within her at all times, overall, she loved her postpartum body!
Camie busts many other plus size pregnancy myths during episode 189 of the Plus Mommy Podcast!
Recording & Show Notes: Plus Mommy Podcast Episode 189
Transcript happily provided upon request.
Resources Mentioned On The Show
- View Camie’s stunning photos with her whimsical plus size maternity photo shoot, and read her first birth story.
- Connect with Camie via TikTok and Instagram.
