Finding a Size-Inclusive Provider: What Every Pregnant Person Deserves to Know

Let’s be real, size bias in pregnancy care is a thing, and it’s hurting people.

If you’ve ever felt dismissed, judged, or downright uncomfortable at a prenatal appointment because of your size, you are not imagining it. And you are definitely not alone. The reality is that far too many providers operate from a weight-biased lens, and that can impact the way you’re treated, the options you’re given, and how confident you feel in your birth experience.

But here’s what I want you to know: You deserve respectful, weight-inclusive, evidence-based pregnancy care. Full stop.

As a doula who’s supported many plus-size clients through pregnancy and birth, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when someone feels safe, supported, and seen by their provider. And I’ve also seen how damaging it can be when their body is treated like a problem to fix.

So let’s talk about what it really means to find a size-inclusive provider, how to spot red flags, and the questions you should be asking so that your pregnancy care is rooted in dignity, not judgment.

What is a Size-Inclusive Provider?

A size-inclusive or weight-inclusive provider is one who:

• Doesn’t assume your health status based solely on your weight

• Uses equipment that fits and supports your body comfortably

• Doesn’t make weight the central focus of every appointment

• Believes in body diversity and understands that health can exist across a range of sizes

Size-inclusive care isn’t just a preference, it’s a form of trauma-informed, respectful care. And it can make the difference between feeling empowered or defeated during one of the most important times in your life.

Signs Your Provider May Not Be Size-Inclusive

Here’s the thing: many providers aren’t going to outright say, “Hey, I’m weight-biased.” But the red flags are often loud and clear once you know what to look for:

1. Equipment that doesn’t fit: You shouldn’t have to squeeze into a chair with arms that dig into your hips. You shouldn’t be stuck with a blood pressure cuff that’s clearly too small (and then be told your reading is “concerning”). Proper equipment is a basic standard, not a luxury.

2. An overemphasis on weight: Are you being weighed every single appointment without consent or context? Are you being told your weight will lead to complications like gestational diabetes or a “big baby”, even if you’ve had no issues so far? That’s weight bias in action.

3. Fear-based assumptions about your body: It’s one thing to discuss risks. It’s another to

have your entire care plan shaped by assumptions like “you’ll need to be induced,” “you probably can’t go past 40 weeks,” or “you’ll likely need a C-section”, all because of your weight.

If these things are happening, it’s not your fault. But you do have options, and you absolutely deserve better.

Why This Matters

When your provider holds weight bias (even subconsciously), it directly affects the care you receive. Research shows that weight stigma in healthcare can lead to:

• Delayed or avoided prenatal care

• Less time spent with patients

• Fewer options presented during birth

• Increased feelings of shame and anxiety

That is not the birth experience anyone deserves.

You deserve care that honors your body’s strength and potential, not care that treats your size as a problem to solve.

How to Find a Size-Inclusive Provider

Okay, so what can you actually do to make sure you’re working with someone who’s going to respect you and support your pregnancy, no matter your size?

Here’s how to start:

1. Search intentionally: Use terms like “size-inclusive,” “weight-inclusive,” “fat-positive,” or “HAES-informed” (HAES = Health at Every Size) when looking up providers in your area. Doula directories and birth forums can also be goldmines for recommendations from people with lived experience.

2. Call ahead and ask the hard questions: Don’t be afraid to call an office and ask:

• Do you have appropriately sized blood pressure cuffs and gowns?

• Are your exam tables and seating accessible for plus-size patients?

• Is your provider experienced in working with patients in larger bodies?

Their responses will tell you a lot about whether they’re prepared to support you with dignity.

3. Set the tone from the start: It’s totally okay to tell your provider, “I prefer that weight is not the central focus of my care unless it’s truly relevant to a specific concern.” You’re allowed to advocate for your boundaries and shift the conversation toward your overall health, your preferences, and your goals for birth.

4. Trust your gut: If something feels off, it probably is. If you feel unheard, dismissed, or reduced to a number on the scale, it’s okay to walk away. It’s okay to switch providers. You don’t owe anyone your continued care if they’re not respecting you.

My Experience with Clients Facing Weight Bias

I’ve walked with clients who were told they’d never be able to give birth vaginally because of their size, and then watched them push out their babies with power and grace. I’ve held hands with parents who were shamed at every appointment and felt like their bodies were broken, until they found a provider who saw them as whole.

Every time, I am reminded of this truth: your body is not a ticking time bomb. It is capable. It is worthy. And it deserves to be treated that way.

What You Deserve from Pregnancy Care

A size-inclusive provider won’t just change your medical care, they’ll change how you feel about your entire pregnancy. They’ll give you space to ask questions, make informed choices, and step into the birth room with confidence.

And if that’s what you want? I’ll help you find it. Whether it’s through coaching, personalized provider referrals, or simply helping you draft the language to advocate for yourself, I’m here.

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

If you’ve experienced weight bias in pregnancy care, I want you to know this:

It’s not your fault. It’s not okay. And it’s not something you have to settle for.

Start by getting curious. Do a little research. Ask the questions. Set the boundaries. And don’t be afraid to fire a provider who isn’t giving you the respect you deserve.

And if you need support? I’ve got you.

Let’s build your birth team around you, your body, your values, your goals. Because this is your pregnancy. And you are worthy of care that honors every part of you.

Need help finding a size-inclusive provider in your area or want support advocating for yourself at your next appointment? Reach out, I offer coaching and support services designed to help you feel strong, informed, and in control.

Let’s get you the care you deserve.