Bigger Than Birth

Victoria Gaba
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Parenting

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 — the joys, the challenges, the unexpected moments, and everything in between. Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, or trying to conceive, Bigger Than Birth exists to remind you that your body is worthy, your story matters, and birth is about so much more than a number on a scale. ✨ Celebrating Bigger Bodies & Beautiful Births. 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: BiggerThanBirthPodcast@gmail.com

  1. 1d ago

    21 | Keyerrá - Subchorionic Hematoma, Emergency C-Section, Meconium Aspiration, Mental Health

    In this episode of the podcast, host Victoria Gaba sits down with Keyerrá, a pharmacy technician and educator, to discuss her journey to motherhood as a Black, plus-size woman in rural Indiana. Keyerrá shares her raw experience navigating pregnancy, maternal healthcare disparities, and high-risk complications while balancing her career ambitions. Keyerrá’s journey began unexpectedly when she found out she was pregnant at age 28, initially fearing it would derail her plans to attend law school. Early in her first trimester, severe back pain was dismissed by her medical office as normal body changes. Soon after, heavy bleeding landed her in a rural emergency room where a provider misdiagnosed her with a miscarriage without performing an ultrasound. After seeking a second opinion at a specialized women’s hospital, she learned her cervix was closed and she actually had a subchorionic hematoma. Her primary OBGYN took accountability for the earlier oversight, establishing a trusted doctor-patient relationship with twice-weekly monitoring. Throughout her pregnancy, Keyerrá faced multiple complications, losing forty pounds from food aversions and experiencing a sudden blood pressure spike to 190/150 at 34 weeks. Thanks to a collaborative care team, chiropractors, therapists, and a comprehensive hospital birthing class, she felt supported through every step. At 39 weeks, her water broke with meconium-stained fluid, and doctors lost the fetal heartbeat. Her OBGYN acted quickly, performing an emergency C-section with a trusted anesthesiologist. After ten minutes of resuscitation, her son, Karan, was born facing meconium aspiration syndrome and a placental abruption. Despite an insensitive pediatrician questioning her ability to provide milk for her NICU baby, Keyerrá produced eight ounces of colostrum on day one with the help of a lactation consultant. Backed by her godparents during postpartum, she healed from surgery, breastfed for over two years, and prioritized her mental health. Keyerrá highlights that while motherhood reshaped her timeline, she still pursues her career and education goals, showing that women can thrive in both. Support Kheron to win Toddler of the Year!! VOTE HERE until 8/20/2026! Resources Mentioned: Spinning Babies Connect With Us: TikTokInstagramFacebookYouTube If 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.

  2. Jul 17

    20 | Sylvia - Missed Miscarriage, Induction, Uterine Infection, C-Section, Postpartum Anxiety

    In this raw and transparent episode, host Victoria Gaba sits down with Portland-based first-time mother Sylvia Torres to unpack her journey to motherhood. Sylvia opens up about the heartbreak of a ten-week missed miscarriage, undergoing a D&C, and the cautious optimism of conceiving again during a vacation to New York. She shares the anxiety of announcing her pregnancy after loss and the realities of navigating prenatal care as a plus-size individual.  Facing rotating doctors at a teaching hospital, Sylvia encountered conflicting opinions about her weight despite passing her glucose tests and maintaining perfect health markers. She details pushing back against early induction pressure, eventually going in on her due date with a Foley balloon and Pitocin. Sylvia courageously discusses her medical trauma, including an agonizing 45-minute experience where an undisclosed student anesthesiologist repeatedly failed to place her epidural. A failed induction, internal infection, and meconium fluid ultimately led to an emergency C-section, during which she felt intense pressure, followed by a terrifying postpartum hemorrhage that required her to be fully anesthetized.  Her recovery brought new trials, from healing with a history of vasculitis to breastfeeding struggles. After a hospital panic attack and a low milk supply, Sylvia's transition to formula feeding at three months drastically improved her mental health. Finally, she sheds light on overcoming postpartum anxiety through therapy and medication, finding a peaceful routine with her daughter. This episode is an essential resource on birth realities, mental health, and inclusive healthcare. See more from Sylvia on Social Media!  TikTokInstagram Resources Mentioned: Ritual Prenatal VitaminsElix Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbs Connect With Us: TikTokInstagramFacebookYouTube If 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.

  3. Jul 9

    19 | Lexy - IVF, Smooth Pregnancy, Pre-Eclampsia, Induction, Vaginal Birth, Forceps, Donor Milk

    In this episode, host Victoria Gaba sits down with first-time mother Lexy, to share her deeply inspiring journey through male factor infertility, a plus-size pregnancy, and an intense delivery. Lexy opens up about navigating fertility hurdles stemming from her husband’s past testicular cancer and chemotherapy. After facing discouraging medical bias and strict BMI cut-offs from fertility clinics in Oregon, Lexy pursued long-distance IVF care at a weight-inclusive clinic in Gilbert, Arizona. Remarkably, utilizing sperm her husband had frozen 15 years prior, they achieved a successful pregnancy on their very first egg retrieval and embryo transfer. Throughout her pregnancy, Lexy enjoyed a healthy prenatal experience, completely defying the stereotypes associated with high BMI pregnancies. Working alongside a highly supportive OB-GYN, Dr. Mike Davis at Northwest Women’s Clinic, her routine remained uncomplicated until a sudden blood pressure spike at 39 weeks led to a preeclampsia diagnosis. Lexy walks us through the whirlwind transition of going from a routine doctor's appointment straight to a hospital labor induction. She provides an unfiltered look at experiencing 100% back labor, utilizing pain management tools like nitrous oxide, and finding immense relief in a smooth epidural placement that respected her body. The birth took a dramatic turn during the pushing phase due to sudden fetal distress, marked by a drop in the baby's heart rate and meconium in the amniotic fluid. Lexy details her experience with an assisted vaginal birth via a complex forceps delivery, addressing her initial fears of patient mobility and newborn bruising. Despite a low initial Apgar score and the need for immediate CPAP breathing assistance, baby Stella arrived safely. Lexy concludes by shedding light on the realities of postpartum recovery, including a 24-hour magnesium drip, healing from a second-degree tear, and overcoming mom guilt by embracing a successful formula and combo-feeding routine. This episode offers an empowering, realistic perspective on navigating reproductive care as a plus-size patient See more from Lexy on Social Media!  TikTokInstagram Resources Mentioned:  Northwest Women’s Clinic- Portland, OR Connect With Us: TikTokInstagramFacebookYouTube If 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.

  4. Jul 3

    18 | Christina - Multiple Miscarriages, PCOS, 2 Vaginal Births, Induction vs Unmedicated Birth

    In this episode, host Victoria Gaba sits down with Christina Ayala to discuss her journey through plus-size pregnancy, PCOS, endometriosis, and pregnancy loss. As a mother who has navigated six pregnancies, Christina sheds light on reproductive health when facing chronic conditions and medical bias. She opens up about miscarriages caused by low progesterone, the heartbreaking loss of her daughter Lavinia, and the emotional toll of compound grief, highlighting the critical need for early medical intervention and supportive maternal healthcare. Christina shares the birth of her son, Isaac, conceived unexpectedly after managing PCOS with Metformin. This pregnancy exposed gaps in patient support, from fighting for early progesterone to experiencing severe morning sickness. Facing preeclampsia signs, she was induced at 39 weeks. Pressured into an early epidural, her labor stalled, leading to a medicalized delivery where she pushed on her back for three hours with zero sensation. Postpartum challenges multiplied when her son’s milk-soy protein intolerance (MSPI) cut breastfeeding short, compounding into severe postpartum depression, anxiety, and sleep deprivation. Following the tragic loss of her sister Jenny, Christina remarried and faced secondary infertility. Turning to Heartland Fertility in Omaha, Nebraska, she underwent treatments using Letrozole and an HCG trigger shot to conceive her daughter, Ruby. This pregnancy brought new hurdles, including gestational diabetes and a liver enzyme spike at 34 weeks. To avoid stillbirth risks, doctors induced labor at 36 weeks. Drawing on a high pain tolerance from endometriosis, Christina navigated a rapid, completely unmedicated birth by utilizing movement and listening intuitively to her body’s natural pushing urges. Postpartum, Ruby spent a week in the NICU for jaundice and an underdeveloped stomach. Excellent NICU care and a referral to Milk Works helped Christina achieve a triumphant 14-month breastfeeding journey. Now channeling her experiences into advocacy, she is training to become a birth doula and a death coach. See more from Christina on Social Media!  TikTok - @lady_monreaux Resources Mentioned: Heartland Reproductive Center (Omaha, NE) – Fertility and reproductive care clinic.Milk Works (Omaha & Lincoln, NE) – A non-profit community lactation center providing breastfeeding support, equipment, and consultations. Connect With Us: TikTokInstagramFacebookYouTube If 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.

  5. Jun 26

    17 | Jade - UK, 2 Vaginal Births, OB vs. Midwifery Care, Diet Controlled Gestational Diabetes

    In this episode of Bigger Than Birth, Victoria Gaba connects with Jade from the UK to unpack the realities of having two babies in two years while navigating a plus-size pregnancy. Jade walks listeners through her first birth story, where she chose to trust her intuition, decline an unnecessary medical induction recommendation, and allow her body to go into spontaneous labor—resulting in a rapid, unmedicated delivery using only gas and air.  Her path took an unexpected turn during her second pregnancy when she received a gestational diabetes diagnosis and was immediately told the condition meant an automatic C-section. Refusing to accept outdated clinical guidance, Jade utilized independent research to manage her blood sugars entirely through a diet-controlled protocol without medication. She details her transition from a rigid obstetric unit to a supportive, midwifery-led unit, where she achieved a non-clinical, unmedicated birth complete with a healing "rebirth program" walkthrough. Jade also introduces her newly developed gestational diabetes planner, designed to empower other mothers to visually log their meals and take charge of their healthcare journeys. See more from Jade and Balanced Mama UK on Social Media!  TikTokInstagram Resources Mentioned: Lansinoh: The brand Jade highlighted for her postpartum peri bottle setup.Spritz for Bits: The cooling and soothing postpartum recovery spray developed by midwife experts that Jade highly recommended for perineal healing. Connect With Us: TikTokInstagramFacebookYouTube If 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.

  6. Jun 19

    16 | Margie - Bariatric Surgery, Gestational Diabetes, Induction, Emergency C-Section, Mental Health

    In this episode of Bigger Than Birth, host Victoria Gaba interviews Margie, a clinical mental health therapist, who shares her journey through pregnancy and childbirth after weight loss surgery. After a gastric sleeve procedure in April 2022, Margie met her husband, and they married in June 2023. Despite common stigmas surrounding plus-size fertility, she became pregnant just three months later. Because she conceived within the two-year post-surgery window, her pregnancy was classified as high-risk, requiring specialized care at Stanford Children’s Health. During her first trimester, Margie managed intense nausea with specific safe foods while her team monitored her nutrient absorption. To avoid dumping syndrome—a severe reaction to rapid sugar intake common after gastric sleeve surgery—she used continuous finger-prick monitoring instead of the traditional glucose drink. As her pregnancy progressed, she faced unique medical hurdles, including a borderline placenta previa, a severe case of pneumonia at 28 weeks that left her with a persistent cough, and a rare umbilical vein dilation at 34 weeks that required bi-weekly growth scans. Though Margie mentally prepared for a C-section due to predictions of a large baby, her doctor cleared her for a voluntary induction at 39 weeks. The process proved exhausting, starting with hospital capacity delays and sudden drops in her blood sugar. Once admitted, she used a Foley balloon to assist with dilation. As an individual in substance recovery, Margie chose to manage early labor pain without narcotics, relying on breathing techniques. After progressing to six centimeters, she received an epidural, but the labor took a sudden turn when the baby's heart rate repeatedly decelerated, prompting an emergency transfer to the operating room. The delivery brought an unexpected twist when the baby's head temporarily became stuck during the emergency C-section. Margie experienced a brief panic attack before hearing her son Harrison cry, born healthy with long eyelashes and large feet. Harrison latched successfully right in the operating room while the surgical team completed the procedure and performed precautionary X-rays to ensure no instruments were left behind. Postpartum life presented physical and emotional challenges, as Margie's recovery was complicated by her lingering pneumonia cough, making healing from abdominal surgery painful. Throughout her journey, she worked closely with her care team to safely manage her ADHD, anxiety, and OCD medications. Margie concludes the episode by highlighting online support communities, such as Facebook groups for pregnancy after weight loss surgery, as vital resources for her transition into motherhood. Connect With Us: TikTokInstagram FacebookYouTube If 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.

  7. Jun 12

    15 | MaRiahh - Infertility, 2 Vaginal Births, Sobriety, Fetal Reduction, Twins, Breech Delivery

    In this episode of Bigger Than Birth, Victoria Gaba sits down with MaRiahh to discuss her complex journeys through infertility, sobriety, and plus-size pregnancy. After a PCOS diagnosis and two years of fertility treatments—including Letrozole, Gonal-F, and IUI—Mariah achieved sobriety just months before conceiving her first son. She shares her experience with severe morning sickness, plus-size body shifts, and an intense 51-hour labor that transitioned from a home birth plan to a hospital transfer. MaRiahh also openly addresses the emotional realities of a low breast milk supply linked to her hormonal disorders. Her path changed drastically during her second pregnancy when fertility medications led to a triplet conception. Mariah shares a rare, transparent look at her family's decision to undergo a selective fetal reduction at 13 weeks to safely carry twins, detailing how her BMI impacted the physical procedure and the emotional gravity of that choice. When her water broke spontaneously at 36 weeks and five days, she navigated a high-risk delivery with breech twins. Standing her ground against immense clinical pressure for a C-section, MaRiahh chronicles giving birth to twins vaginally, including a manual breech extraction for baby B. She concludes with insights on their brief NICU stays, securing donor breast milk, and using Domperidone to support her milk supply. This episode is a powerful blueprint for mothers seeking bodily autonomy, informed consent, and control over their healthcare choices. See more from MaRiahh on TikTok and Instagram @StopSignBandit Resources Mentioned: Plus Size Birth Breech Without BordersBadass Mother Birther Connect With Us: TikTokInstagram FacebookYouTube If 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.

  8. Jun 4

    14 | Melissa - Infertility, 2 Vaginal Deliveries, Hospital BMI Restriction, Induction, Amnioinfusion

    In this episode, Victoria Gaba sits down with Melissa to unpack her deeply inspiring and contrasting experiences with infertility, foster care adoption, and plus-size pregnancy. After enduring four years of unexplained infertility, failed IUI cycles, and the heartbreak of back-to-back ectopic pregnancies, Melissa shares the immense shock of conceiving her first biological child completely naturally. She opens up about navigating a maternal healthcare system that immediately labeled her high-risk based purely on her BMI, forcing her to transition to a specialty hospital over an hour away for labor and delivery. Melissa walks listeners through the clinical realities of her first high-risk induction at 38 weeks, detailing the intense discomfort of a Foley balloon, an unexpected birth-day diagnosis of preeclampsia, and the terrifying moment her newborn son was rushed to the NICU with low Apgar scores. Her path took an entirely different turn with her second pregnancy, which occurred unexpectedly within just one cycle of an IUD removal. Facing gestational hypertension while chasing a toddler during a record-breaking summer heatwave, her second induction moved at lightning speed. Melissa highlights the profound importance of maternal self-advocacy, recalling how she successfully demanded proactive pain management and navigated the panic of sudden fetal heart rate decels that required an emergency amnioinfusion to relieve cord pressure. From the overwhelming quiet of an empty delivery room to a profoundly healing golden hour with her daughter, Melissa shares an unfiltered look into her choice to pursue exclusive pumping for over a year.  Shutting out the toxic algorithms of internet doom-scrolling, this conversation is an essential resource for mothers looking for real, relatable insight into navigating medical bias, handling induction curveballs, and celebrating the unpredictable rhythms of birth. Connect With Us: * TikTok * Instagram * Facebook * YouTube If 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.

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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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 — the joys, the challenges, the unexpected moments, and everything in between. Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, or trying to conceive, Bigger Than Birth exists to remind you that your body is worthy, your story matters, and birth is about so much more than a number on a scale. ✨ Celebrating Bigger Bodies & Beautiful Births. 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: BiggerThanBirthPodcast@gmail.com

Information

  • Creator
    Victoria Gaba
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Victoria Gaba
  • Show Website
    Bigger Than Birth