Fat and Fertile

If you've been told your weight is affecting your egg quality, that claim does not have the scientific backing your doctor implied. Here is what actually matters.In this episode, I'm joined by integrative fertility specialist and Rejoova co-founder Marc Sklar to talk about the real science of egg quality, and why so much of what fat folks are told to do works against them.We look at:- What the research actually shows about weight and egg quality- The factors that do affect egg quality: stress, sleep, blood sugar stability, and mitochondrial health- Why restrictive dieting can actively harm your fertility- How to stop making decisions from a place of fearThis episode is sponsored by Rejoova. Rejoova's supplements are designed to support mitochondrial health for egg and sperm quality. Use code POSITIVE for 10% off at getrejoova.com. You do not have to change your body to support your egg quality. Rejoova supplements (code POSITIVE for 10% off): getrejoova.com Have questions? Share your story in the Substack comments. I would love to hear from you. Get full access to Fat and Fertile at fatpositivefertility.substack.com/subscribe

Should I Take a GLP-1 for My Fertility?If you're being told you need to lose weight before you can access fertility treatment, and GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro are part of that conversation, this episode is for you. Because you deserve to make this decision with the full picture, not just the version the pharmaceutical companies want you to hear.In this episode:Why GLP-1s are increasingly being offered to fat folks wanting to get pregnant, and why the logic behind that recommendation is shakier than it's presented asThe genuine potential benefits worth knowing about, including for folks with PCOS, insulin resistance, or type 2 diabetes, and why access to care is a real and valid considerationThe risks that often go unmentioned, including nutritional deficiencies, weight regain after stopping, and the absence of long-term human pregnancy safety dataWhy the research linking weight loss to better fertility outcomes tells a more complicated story, and what it's more likely actually showingFour questions to sit with before making your decision, so that whatever you choose, you're choosing it with your eyes openThis is the first in a four-part series on GLP-1s this month.Useful links:Fat Positive Fertility Roadmap SessionsFree download: Fat Person's Guide to Getting PregnantFollow Nicola on Instagram: @fatpositivefertility Get full access to Fat and Fertile at fatpositivefertility.substack.com/subscribe

This week's episode is about something I hear constantly and it makes me genuinely angry. You can't access fertility care until you lose weight. But you can't access support to lose weight. And they won't investigate the health condition that might be causing everything in the first place. Round and round you go.If you're stuck in this loop right now, this one is for you. And the first thing I want you to know is: it is not your fault.In this episode we cover:Why the NHS BMI cutoffs for fertility treatment are arbitrary, not evidence based, and not actually NICE guidelinesWhy this catch 22 is intentional and how the system has been designed to exclude people in bigger bodiesHow to advocate for your health conditions separately from your fertility goals, and why this mattersPractical steps to document refusals, push back, and escalate if you have the capacity to do soHow to take care of your mental and emotional health when you're fighting a system that should be fighting for youUseful Links:Download: Fat Person's Guide to Getting PregnantBook a Fat Positive Fertility Roadmap CallFollow me on InstagramEmail me a question for a future episode Get full access to Fat and Fertile at fatpositivefertility.substack.com/subscribe

This week's episode tackles one of the most common things I hear from folks who come to work with me: "my doctor told me pregnancy in my body is dangerous." And honestly, it makes me angry. Because what you're being told is very often not the full picture.If you've ever left a fertility appointment feeling more scared than informed, this one is for you.In this episode we cover:- Why the research on BMI and pregnancy risks is more divided than your doctor is letting on, and what that actually means for you- The difference between correlation and causation, and why it matters so much in this conversation- How statistics are routinely exaggerated and used against fat folks to deny or delay fertility care- The real numbers behind gestational diabetes and other pregnancy risks, so you can see the full picture- Practical questions you can ask your provider to push back on fearmongering and get genuinely informed consentUseful Links:Download: Fat Person's Guide to Getting PregnantBook a Fat Positive Fertility Roadmap CallFollow me on InstagramEmail me a question for a future episode Get full access to Fat and Fertile at fatpositivefertility.substack.com/subscribe

This is episode four of Fat Fertility 101, and we're getting really practical about what you can actually do to support your fertility that doesn't involve dieting or weight loss. In the last episode, we busted the myth that you need to lose weight to get pregnant. Today I'm sharing evidence-based, weight-neutral approaches that can genuinely support your fertility and overall health.But first, something really important: diets don't work. If this is new information for you, that's okay. Take your time with it. Wherever you are in your relationship with dieting, I see you.In this episode, we cover:- Why diets don't work long term and the reality of intentional weight loss (including medications like Ozempic)- The three main health-promoting behaviors I focus on with folks: sleep and rest, movement, and food- How to reframe movement from punishment to care, and why "are you eating enough?" is the only food rule that matters- Supplements that actually have evidence behind them, including why the folic acid recommendation for fat folks is questionable- Why you shouldn't have to perform health or weight loss to access fertility careUseful Links:Download: Fat Person's Guide to Getting PregnantBook a Fat Positive Fertility Roadmap CallFollow me on InstagramEmail me a question for a future episode Get full access to Fat and Fertile at fatpositivefertility.substack.com/subscribe

This is episode two of Fat Fertility 101, and we're getting practical about how to actually find your fertile window. In the last episode, we covered how the menstrual cycle works. Today we're diving into the details of figuring out when your body ovulates so you can time sex or insemination for the best chance of getting pregnant.For folks with irregular cycles (especially those with PCOS), this can feel like stabbing in the dark. So we're going through practical tools to help you figure this out, even if your cycles are all over the place.In this episode, we cover:- How to calculate your fertile window if you have relatively consistent cycles, using your last three cycles to find patterns- What to do when your cycles are completely irregular and tracking feels impossible- Three different ovulation tracking methods (BBT, OPKs, and devices like Mira) with honest pros and cons of each- Why ovulation predictor kits sometimes don't work for folks in bigger bodies and what's actually happening- Why trusting your body's signals matters more than any pee stick readingUseful Links:Download: Fat Person's Guide to Getting PregnantBook a Fat Positive Fertility Roadmap CallFollow me on InstagramEmail me a question for a future episode Get full access to Fat and Fertile at fatpositivefertility.substack.com/subscribe

Content note: This episode discusses weight loss, weight-based medical discrimination, and fertility challenges. Please take care of yourself as you listen.This week's episode is one that made me both furious and hopeful in equal measure. I sat down with Zoe, who spent years being told to lose weight before she'd be taken seriously about her fertility. After losing nearly four stone and still getting nowhere with UK fertility services, she went to Greece for testing and discovered extensive uterine scarring that would've prevented pregnancy entirely, regardless of her weight.If you've ever been dismissed by doctors who only see your body size, or if you're stuck in "unexplained infertility" territory, this episode is for you. Zoe's story shows why proper investigation matters and what becomes possible when you get the care you actually deserve.In this episode, we cover:- Why "unexplained infertility" often means "we haven't investigated properly" and what testing might be missing- How Zoe discovered extensive uterine scarring that was completely treatable but would never have been found in the UK system- The reality of accessing fertility care abroad and why Greece became the answer when UK services kept saying "lose weight first"- What a hysteroscopy revealed in 10 minutes that years of UK appointments had missed- Why weight loss couldn't have solved the actual problem and what that means for anyone being told their size is the issueUseful Links:Download: Fat Person's Guide to Getting PregnantBook a Fat Positive Fertility Roadmap CallFollow me on InstagramEmail me a question for a future episodeEmma Haslam's work helping UK folks access fertility care abroad Get full access to Fat and Fertile at fatpositivefertility.substack.com/subscribe

Episode 23: When Your GP Won't Test Your Fertility Until You Lose WeightThis week, we're tackling one of the most common issues fat folks face: being denied basic fertility testing until they lose weight.In this episode:- Why it's not your fault when doctors refuse testing based on weight- The basic fertility tests you deserve access to- When to seek testing - Why your sperm-producing partner should get tested first- How to advocate for yourself when doctors say noKey takeaway: You are not broken and you do not need fixing. The healthcare system needs fixing. There are absolutely tests that can and should be done regardless of your body size, and you deserve to have your health needs met.Resources:Book: "Fat and Fertile" - available on AmazonInstagram: @fatpositivefertilityEmail: nicola@nicolasalmon.co.ukFat Positive Fertility Roadmaps: personalised 90-minute calls to create your fertility planSend me your questions for future "In Your Corner" episodes via DM or email! Get full access to Fat and Fertile at fatpositivefertility.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Fat and Fertile, I’m diving deep into something I don’t talk about nearly enough—what fat positive fertility coaching actually is, and why it matters so much.I’ve been a fertility coach for over seven years now, and while I often share tools, insights, and resources, I realised I haven’t really broken down how coaching works or what it looks like to be supported in a fat-positive, weight-neutral space. So that’s what this episode is all about.I share how my own experience of being diagnosed with PCOS as a teen—and being told I’d never have children—led me to this work. And I explain how my journey through unlearning diet culture and stepping away from weight loss gave me the clarity and drive to support others doing the same, especially those navigating fertility in bigger bodies.In this episode, I talk about:What coaching means to me (and why it’s not about “fixing” you)The unique challenges fat folks face when trying to get pregnantWhy we deserve support that’s free from judgement and shameWhat it means to create safety in your nervous system as you navigate this processHow to explore health-promoting behaviours without dietingAnd why separating your worth from your ability to conceive is a game-changerI also explain what a fat positive approach really looks like in practice—how I work with you to move from where you are now to where you want to be, using tools that centre your autonomy, your lived experience, and your joy.If you’ve ever felt like you're battling the system just to be seen, heard, or supported—this one’s for you. And if it resonates, I’d love to invite you to book a free 30-minute chat with me. No pressure, no pushy sales pitch—just a space to connect and see if coaching might be the right next step for you.Resources & Links:Email me: nicola@nicolasalmon.co.ukFind me on Instagram: @fatpositivefertilityMy book: Fat and Fertile – available via AmazonJoin my community: Ko-Fi MembershipThanks for listening, lovely. You absolutely deserve to feel supported, cared for, and full of hope as you navigate growing your family—exactly as you are. 💛 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Fat and Fertile at fatpositivefertility.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Fat and Fertile, I’m joined by the incredible Emma Haslam, founder of Your IVF Abroad and a passionate advocate for fertility choice. Emma shares her deeply personal journey through infertility, the barriers she faced due to BMI restrictions in the UK, and how she ultimately found a path to parenthood abroad.We dive into the realities of navigating fertility treatment as a fat person, the frustration of arbitrary weight-based restrictions, and the emotional toll of being told to lose weight before receiving medical support. Emma opens up about her decision to seek IVF treatment outside the UK, what that experience was like, and how it led her to create Your IVF Abroad—a business dedicated to helping others access safe, transparent, and supportive fertility care without weight stigma.If you’ve ever felt dismissed by the fertility industry, this episode is a must-listen. Emma’s story is one of resilience, empowerment, and challenging the status quo. She’s proof that fertility care should be accessible to all bodies, and she’s on a mission to make sure others have the information and support they need to explore their options.Listen in to hear:✅ The challenges of accessing fertility care with a higher BMI✅ How Emma found an alternative path to IVF treatment abroad✅ Why weight stigma in fertility care needs to change✅ Tips for navigating fertility treatment with confidence and choiceConnect with Emma & Explore Your Options:Free Webinar: From Obstacles to Options" – How to overcome fertility treatment challenges in your home country, get started on your right path to parenthood, and fast-track growing your family, on your terms. yourivfabroad.co.uk/freemasterclassEmma’s Podcast: yourivfabroad.co.uk/podcastEmma’s Website: yourivfabroad.co.ukEmma’s Instagram: @yourivfabroadNicola’s book: Fat and FertileNicola's Instagram: @fatpositivefertilityGrab the Fat Person’s Guide to Getting PregnantJoin the Fat and Fertile community on Ko-Fi for more support🎧 Tune in now and remember: your body is worthy, and your fertility journey should be met with care, respect, and real choices. 💛 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Fat and Fertile at fatpositivefertility.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Fat and Fertile, I sit down with Michelle, who shares her transformative journey from navigating societal expectations to embracing body positivity. Michelle opens up about the necessity of setting boundaries, particularly in medical scenarios, to safeguard one's well-being. Her insights into finding size-inclusive care and advocating for oneself during fertility treatments are truly empowering. We explore how she shifted from challenging experiences with body image and disordered eating to become an advocate and doula for plus-size individuals, supporting them in having positive pregnancy and birth experiences. I hope her story inspires you to stand firm in your choices and seek supportive healthcare that aligns with your needs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Fat and Fertile at fatpositivefertility.substack.com/subscribe

In this podcast episode, I delve into my experience with menstrual cycles and the impact movement has had on my usual (irregular) cycle. I also chat about importance of finding enjoyable and accessible forms of movement, the challenges marginalised bodies face in society, and how consistent self-care can help manage stress and support the nervous system. I hope this episode encourages you to find ways to care for your body and mind in a way that feels good to you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Fat and Fertile at fatpositivefertility.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode we explore the murky world of fertility supplements and what you need to think about, as a fat person, if you decide to use them to support you in getting pregnant Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Fat and Fertile at fatpositivefertility.substack.com/subscribe