In this episode of Fat and Fertile, I had the absolute joy of chatting with the brilliant Dr Alice Keeley—aka The HeavyWeight Midwife. Alice is a midwife, researcher, and fierce advocate for plus size pregnancy care who’s been doing this work for over 20 years. Her dedication to compassionate, personalised support for fat folks in pregnancy is nothing short of inspiring.

We covered so much ground in this conversation—from how Alice’s background in social justice and her work in complex care shaped her approach, to what she discovered through her PhD research on weight stigma in maternity care. Her insights into the gaps in communication, the realities of systemic bias, and the misunderstandings around risk are so powerful.

We also dove deep into:

• The truth about BMI-based referrals and why many people are referred without real consent or explanation
• Why being weighed during pregnancy should be a choice—and how to advocate for yourself if it’s not
• How poor communication fuels anxiety and stigma, and how small shifts can rebuild trust
• The realities around scans, gestational diabetes, and what the research really says about risk
• The importance of choice, autonomy, and early preparation—especially if you’re hoping for a water birth

Alice shares how harmful it is when assumptions are made based solely on body size, and how vital it is to feel seen and heard by your care team. She also offers brilliant, practical advice for navigating tricky conversations with healthcare professionals—and how to advocate for yourself without feeling like you need a degree in midwifery.

If you’ve ever felt confused or dismissed in your pregnancy care, this episode is going to feel like a breath of fresh air. Alice is doing the work that so many of us wish existed when we first got pregnant—and I’m so grateful she joined me to share her wisdom.

Want to connect with Alice or work with her?

You can join her incredible online community, access her trimester-by-trimester support courses, or book a 1:1 session via www.theheavyweightmidwife.com. I’ll pop all the links in the show notes too.

As always, if this conversation resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you. You can find me over on Instagram at @fatpositivefertility, and don’t forget to grab your free Fat Person’s Guide to Getting Pregnant for more support on your journey.

Thanks for being here. You absolutely deserve kind, informed, and affirming care—every step of the way.

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