It’s fantastic that more and more birth workers—from doulas to midwives, OB-GYNs, nurses, and more—are committing to being size-friendly. But what does being size friendly really mean, and how is it different from being plus size?
Terms like “size friendly” and “size inclusive” are often used interchangeably. While both approaches aim to support and empower all pregnant bodies, they vary in depth and scope.
Understanding these differences is essential for birth professionals trying to provide the best possible support.
Let’s dive into what it means to be size friendly vs. size and why embracing size inclusion is vital to comprehensive and fair maternity care.
Be Size Friendly: Compassionate Support for All
Size-friendly birthing professionals aim to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all pregnant women, regardless of size.
A size-friendly birthing professional incorporates:
Compassion and Understanding
Professionals empathize with and understand the unique challenges individuals may face during plus-size pregnancies. They strive to make all patients feel comfortable and respectful.
Positive Communication
They use positive and respectful language when discussing weight and body size, avoiding any judgmental or stigmatizing comments.
Accessible Care
Practitioners make sure their practice is accessible to people of all sizes by offering size-appropriate gowns, blood pressure cuffs and other equipment.
While being size-friendly is an important step in supporting plus-size pregnancies, it is primarily focused on creating a compassionate and welcoming environment. However, to truly meet the needs of plus-sized individuals and improve outcomes, birth professionals need to go an extra step.
Related: 5 Steps to Becoming a Size-Friendly Midwife
Including size: Unpacking bias and acquiring specialized training
Size-inclusive maternity care goes beyond being friendly and compassionate. It includes a deeper commitment to understanding and addressing the unique needs of older pregnant people through specialized education and proactively eliminating weight bias in maternity care.
Here’s what makes our size-inclusive maternity support different:
Unpacking weight bias
Size-inclusive professionals actively work to recognize and challenge their own biases and assumptions about weight. This includes ongoing self-reflection and education to ensure these biases do not influence the care they provide.
Specialized Education
Birth workers who include size participate in specialized accredited training programs such as Size-friendly birth classto gain a comprehensive understanding of the unique medical, emotional, and logistical needs of pregnant plus-size individuals.
This training provides practical strategies to support plus-size people throughout their motherhood journey.
Evidence-based practices
Size-inclusive care is rooted in the latest research and evidence-based practices.
Childbirth professionals learn to distinguish between real health concerns and societal misconceptions about weight, ensuring their care is based on accurate information.
Holistic Support
Beyond clinical care, midwifery professionals address the emotional and psychological aspects of pregnancy. They offer holistic support that addresses body image concerns, teaches how to set healthy boundaries and promotes a positive pregnancy experience.
Advocacy and Change
Size professionals often advocate for broader systemic changes in the health care system to promote inclusion and combat stigma. They understand that individual actions can contribute to a broader movement toward fair care for all.
Bridging the gap: From size-friendly to size-inclusive
While size-friendly support is compassionate and welcoming, size-inclusive care involves a dedicated effort to understand and meet the special needs of plus-sized individuals through education and self-awareness.
Size inclusion not only addresses immediate health care needs, but also promotes a fairer and more respectful environment for all patients.
Thank you to all birth workers who committed to providing compassionate and supportive care. Your dedication makes a significant difference in the lives of many.
As you continue your journey, reflect on your current practices.
Already size friendly? If so, the next step might be to explore how you can include size.
You might find it useful to get the free one Am I a size friendly birth professional? quiz to help with this reflection. It’s a great starting point to understand where you are and how you can grow.
Together, we can work to ensure that pregnant people of all sizes receive the care and respect they deserve.
