How does fatphobia show up in reproductive healthcare?
*New Module Alert*
The newest module in Capstone US: Advanced Full Spectrum Birthwork Training is Dismantling Fatphobia in Reproductive Healthcare by Brooke Patmor.
Fatphobia - the fear and hatred of fat and larger bodies, is a pervasive issue in healthcare, and today we’re talking briefly about how it shows up in reproductive healthcare. It is a form of systemic discrimination that affects people of all genders and leads to negative health outcomes for fat folks. Like with all things systemic oppression this has ramifications for everyone and like most forms of oppression in the CCPWSD (colonial capitalist patriarchal white supremacist delusion), it is rooted in anti-Black racism.
One way that fatphobia shows up in reproductive healthcare is through weight bias. Healthcare providers may assume that a person's weight is the cause of any reproductive health issues they are experiencing, even if there is no evidence to support this. In making this assumption, they may overlook other potential causes. This can lead to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, infertility and more. This is especially problematic for conditions which often have a variety of causes and risk factors beyond weight.
Continuous micro and macro aggressions from healthcare providers (and the world at large) suggest you need to lose weight in order to seek care or receive (and deserve) treatment.
Another way that fatphobia manifests in reproductive healthcare is through the limited options available for larger-bodied individuals. For example, standard medical equipment such as exam tables and blood pressure cuffs may not accommodate larger bodies, making it difficult for fat individuals to receive proper care. Providers may also be hesitant to offer certain treatments or procedures to fat patients, assuming that they are at higher risk for complications, even when there is no evidence to support this. It is not uncommon for fat bodied people to experience judgment from providers during screening or to be denied care simply because of their weight.
Not to mention that certain procedures and reproductive care tools such as IVF or pregnancy tests are not accessible resources as they were not made with all bodies taken into consideration.
Fatphobia leads to discrimination, disrespect and mistreatment by healthcare providers. Fat individuals may be shamed for their weight or blamed for their health conditions, even if weight is not a contributing factor. They are also often subjected to negative stereotypes and assumptions about their lifestyle and habits. This can in turn lead to feelings of shame, anxiety, and avoidance of healthcare, which can have serious consequences for their reproductive health.
In order to address fatphobia in reproductive healthcare, it is imperative for healthcare providers to receive education and training on weight bias and its impact on patient care. Providers must also work to create a safe and inclusive environment for all patients, regardless of their size or weight. This must include understanding the potential causes of reproductive health issues beyond weight, providing equipment that accommodates larger bodies, and offering appropriate treatment options for all patients regardless of their size or weight. And don’t even get me started on BMI or the relentless weight checks that pregnant people are subject to. Phew.
In the meantime, birthworkers can do the work to address our own internalized fatphobia and support our clients as they navigate their own.
Fatphobia is a deeply ingrained issue in all of healthcare, including but not limited to reproductive healthcare. It is important for healthcare providers to acknowledge and address this issue in order to provide the best possible care for all patients.
Overall, as community birthworkers, part of our role includes preparing our clients for the system systeming, supporting them to advocate for themselves as they’re moving through their experience and calling on healthcare providers to recognize and address fatphobia in reproductive healthcare in order to provide equitable and effective care for all patients.
So, what can we do to combat weight stigma and fatphobia in birthwork?
We can:
learn how it shows up in our spaces so we can disrupt it!
unlearn how we’ve internalized it and heal!
listen to and follow the lead of fat bodied people sharing their lived experience and expertise!
Sign up for Capstone US: Advanced Full Spectrum Birthwork Training to delve deeper into Dismantling Fatphobia in Reproductive Healthcare with Brooke Patmor (see other topics and facilitators here).
Capstone US: Advanced Full Spectrum Birthwork Training is a live virtual training bringing birthworkers together from all over the world to connect, skill share, and co-create a birthwork movement for collective liberation. Join us to explore radical birth work that centers Reproductive Justice.
April 23 - August 6, 2023
12 – 2:30PM PST
Every Sunday on Zoom
$767 USD with payment plans available