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. Aug 29

    25 | Nicole - Plus Size Pregnancy at 40, Type 2 Diabetes, Stalled Induction, C-Section

    In this episode of Bigger Than Birth, we sit down with Nicole, who turned 40 and welcomed her first baby in the same month. A type 2 diabetic previously managing her health with a GLP-1 medication, Nicole conceived through an at-home insemination kit while on vacation in New Orleans, continuing a sentimental family tradition. Because of her age and diabetes, she was referred to maternal-fetal medicine and classified as high risk — but as her pregnancy progressed, she found herself repeatedly having to advocate for the vaginal birth she wanted against providers who assumed a C-section was inevitable based on her weight and diagnosis alone, despite normal blood pressure, well-controlled A1C, and a baby measuring healthy. Nicole speaks candidly about switching providers within her own practice until she found doctors who treated her as an individual rather than a diagnosis, managing gestational insulin therapy, and navigating an induction complicated by excess amniotic fluid. Her labor included a challenging epidural experience with dropping blood pressure, signs of fetal distress, and an ultimately necessary emergency C-section. She also shares her daughter's brief aspiration scare immediately after birth, newborn jaundice and bilirubin monitoring, and the surprising wave of mom guilt she felt while navigating low milk supply and supplementing with formula. Throughout the conversation, Nicole emphasizes the importance of finding supportive providers, asking direct questions about medical necessity before agreeing to interventions, and leaning on online plus size pregnancy communities for real, lived-experience advice — from C-section incision care with an apron belly to realistic expectations around pumping output. Her story is a powerful reminder that a high-risk label doesn't have to mean losing control of your birth experience, and that self-advocacy can make all the difference. Resources Mentioned: Plus Size Pregnancy and Beyond — Facebook support group for plus size moms during pregnancy and postpartum 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. Aug 21

    24 | Sophia - Bariatric Surgery, Marginal Chord Insertion, Smooth Labor & Vaginal Delivery

    This week's episode of Bigger Than Birth is a first for us — due to the nature of her work, our guest asked to share her story anonymously. We've changed her name to Sophia and won't be sharing video for this episode, but she felt it was important to speak up anyway, because stories like hers don't get told enough. Sophia got pregnant on her very first cycle of trying, at 35, despite carrying years of stigma that her size would make conceiving harder. She's also had bariatric surgery, and shares how that shaped her prenatal care — from modified gestational diabetes testing to a few extra ultrasounds to monitor a marginal cord insertion, a placental condition that can affect a baby's growth. Her pregnancy came with intense, near-constant nausea, but was otherwise smooth — and her labor and delivery genuinely surprised her: a fast labor at home, a tense wait for an epidural during a hospital emergency, and just thirty minutes of pushing. Sophia also opens up honestly about the postpartum period — the baby blues, the guilt that came with them, and her decision to start medication for postpartum anxiety after being upfront with her doctor at her two-week checkup. She talks through her recovery from a second-degree perineal tear, her choice to go straight to formula, and why she believes plus size women deserve to hear more stories like hers: healthy, joyful pregnancies after 35, free of the complications so often assumed to come with size. This episode is a reminder that plus size pregnancy, geriatric pregnancy, and pregnancy after bariatric surgery can all be smooth, supported journeys — and that asking for help postpartum is nothing to be ashamed of. Resources Mentioned: Plus Size Pregnancy and Beyond — Facebook support group for plus size moms during pregnancy and postpartum - 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. Aug 14

    23 | Carly - PCOS, Late Term Twin Pregnancy Loss, IVF, Cerclage, Cord Prolapse, Stat C-Section

    In this episode of Bigger Than Birth, we sit down with Carly from Omaha, Nebraska, to hear a fertility and pregnancy journey shaped by PCOS, medical dismissal, and remarkable resilience. Carly opens up about the heartbreak of being told by a fertility doctor to lose 100 pounds before treatment — only to later learn her real barriers were an undiagnosed thyroid condition and, eventually, a life-threatening parathyroid tumor discovered mid-pregnancy with twins. It's a candid look at weight bias in fertility care, and what changes when a patient finally finds a provider who treats the actual problem instead of the number on a scale. Carly shares the devastating loss of her twin girls, Ember and Estelle, born at just over 21 weeks after an emergency surgery and premature delivery, and how she and her husband made the impossible decision to say goodbye a week later. This part of the conversation includes honest, detailed discussion of miscarriage and late-term loss. Carly speaks openly about grief, the experience of invisible loss, and the local and online support communities that helped her heal. The conversation also covers Carly's months-long fight with her health insurance company to secure IVF coverage, the emotional reality of egg retrieval and embryo attrition with PCOS, and a second miscarriage before her successful embryo transfer. She walks us through a high-risk pregnancy, a preventive cerclage, gestational diabetes, and a traumatic emergency C-section after a cord prolapse — all leading to the birth of her son, Granger, on Christmas Eve. She closes out with real talk on postpartum anxiety, infant feeding after loss and NICU pumping, and what actually helps when supporting a friend through miscarriage or infant loss. This episode is a powerful, unfiltered look at pregnancy after loss and infertility for plus size women — honest, hard-won, and full of hope for anyone walking a similar road Resources Mentioned: Collective For Hope (Loss Support Groups)Dr. Maud Doherty - Fertility Specialist in Omaha, NEDr. Todd Lovgren, - Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist in Omaha, NE 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. Aug 7

    22 | Robyn - Infertility, IVF in Canada, Plus Size Pregnancy, Induction, C-Section, Pumping Journey

    In this episode, host Victoria Gaba sits down with Montreal-based plus size mom and fellow podcaster Robyn Flynn to explore her four-year journey through infertility, medical fatphobia, IVF, and childbirth. Managing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Robyn started fertility treatments with letrozole to induce ovulation, but testing later revealed her husband also had low sperm motility and morphology. Facing combined fertility factors during the COVID-19 pandemic, they pursued intrauterine insemination (IUI), which is covered under Quebec's healthcare system. At her initial clinic, a doctor abruptly cancelled Robyn's IUI due to her 320-pound weight, claiming pregnancy was too dangerous. After Robyn shared her story on TikTok, a viewer connected her with her fertility doctor at a body-inclusive clinic. With healthy blood work, Robyn proceeded directly to IVF. Because Quebec law restricts out-of-hospital anesthesia for patients above certain BMI thresholds, Robyn underwent her egg retrieval with only local anesthetic, retrieving 28 eggs. After 12 fertilized via ICSI and 9 reached the blastocyst stage, Robyn developed ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), prompting a freeze-all cycle. She later personally transported her frozen embryos in a cryogenic tank to Ottawa during pandemic travel restrictions, leading to a successful transfer. Transitioning to obstetrical care brought renewed bias. Her suburban practice turned her away due to her BMI, and a subsequent doctor falsely diagnosed her with gestational diabetes despite normal test results. Robyn switched to a supportive medical team that practiced evidence-based care. She maintained a healthy pregnancy without preeclampsia or gestational diabetes. At 39 weeks, Robyn underwent a scheduled induction. After 43 hours of labor, stalled dilation, and broken membranes, her team performed a smooth emergency C-section where Robyn delivered a healthy baby girl. Her recovery involved managing post-surgical leg edema and showering twice daily to protect her incision. Due to her 48J breast size, Robyn transitioned to exclusive pumping for six months. Benefiting from Canada’s paid maternity leave and Quebec’s subsidized daycare, Robyn emphasizes the importance of evidence-based care and dismantling weight bias in maternal health. See more from Robyn on Social Media & Her Podcast!  TikTokInstagramFat Chat with Robyn Podcast 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. Jul 30

    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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

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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
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Victoria Gaba
  • Show Website
    Bigger Than Birth