Nicola Salmon - Fat Positive Fertility Support (2025)

28/07/2025

Fat folks deserve more than just tolerance in fertility care – we deserve respect.
That means no BMI hoops to jump through, no shame-based advice, and no dismissal of real health concerns.

Fat-positive, inclusive, accessible fertility support is possible – and we’re building it together, one conversation at a time 💪

Head to my website to explore free resources to support you.

25/07/2025

Did you find me via my book? If so, I’d love to hear from you.

Fat and Fertile was written for anyone in a bigger body who's ever been told their weight is the reason they can’t conceive.

Inside, I share:
💜 Real stories and lived experiences
💡 Evidence-based insights that challenge weight-based fertility myths
🛠 Tools to support your journey without shame, blame, or dieting

It’s been such a joy to see how this little book has travelled and supported so many of you. And... book two is now in the works, so if there’s something you’d love to see included, my inbox is open.

If Fat and Fertile has supported you, I’d love to know. And if you haven’t read it yet, you can get a few free chapters for free here: nicolasalmon.co.uk/fat-and-fertile-book

25/07/2025

We’re now up to nearly 150 recommendations from fat folk and the guide recently had a makeover to make it easier than ever to find supportive clinics in your area.

You’ll find clear navigation by country and real community reviews that include sizing context to help you get a clearer picture of how fat-positive (or not) a clinic really is.

Here’s what makes this guide special:
💬 Every clinic is recommended by real people in fat bodies
📝 I include honest notes—because while I wish they were all dream clinics, that’s not always the case
⚠️ You'll find transparency around weight loss messaging, and when clinics still offer care without centring shame
📊 Where I can, I flag differences in experience for small fat vs superfat folks

There no perfect list, but this is a community-powered resource designed to help you advocate for yourself and feel less alone while doing it.

💡 Top tip: Even if a clinic isn’t listed as fat-positive, it’s always worth emailing to ask:

Do you have a BMI cut-off?

How do you support higher-weight patients?

Do you have experience working with fat people?

The guide keeps growing, so if your area’s looking a little bare, please check back soon or consider submitting your story to help someone else on this path. 💕

find the guide at nicolasalmon.co.uk/fat-positive-fertility-clinics-high-bmi

24/07/2025

Let’s play with a radical thought for a minute.

Instead of “Can I even get pregnant in a bigger body?”
What if you said, “My body is capable of pregnancy.”

Really breathe that in.
What do you feel?

When you start from a place of trust in your body, so much can shift:

💛 You might rest more instead of pushing your body with punishing exercise.
💛 You could actually enjoy food without guilt whispering in your ear.
💛 You might have more s*x (and like it) because there’s no shame clouding the experience.
💛 You could seek the care you deserve, without feeling you have to apologise for your body first.
💛 You might even tell people you’re trying, without bracing for judgement.

Because your body hasn’t failed you. The healthcare system and our fatphobic society have failed you.

You deserve to grow your family without conditions. With care, with respect, with hope.

And if you ever need a reminder of that, I’ll be right here.

Nicola xx

23/07/2025

You’ve probably heard the hype about Ozempic and other GLP-1 meds being used for weight loss. But when they’re being handed out as the only way to access fertility care? That’s not healthcare — that’s coercion.

My latest Substack post digs into the pressure, the missing info, and the risks no one’s talking about, especially if you’re considering these drugs as part of your fertility journey.

There’s so much more to this story.

Head to my bio for the substack link.

Nicola xx

21/07/2025

I had a great question about resources to support a partner with their s***m health, so that’s what I'm talking about on the very first bonus podcast episode in substack! ✨

There’s so much focus on egg quality when trying to conceive, but s***m health plays an equally huge role. In fact, around 50% of infertility cases have a male factor component. Yet it’s often overlooked in fertility conversations (and by doctors, too).

Inside the bonus podcast episode, I’m diving into:
💛 The key lifestyle and nutrition factors that impact s***m quality
💛 How long it takes to see improvements (spoiler: s***m take ~72 days to mature, so changes matter!)
💛 The truth about supplements, smoking, alcohol, tight underwear, saunas — all of it.

And because I want this to be practical, I’ve also created a downloadable s***m health guide with all my top recommendations from the episode, so you (or your partner) can feel more supported and informed.

👉 You can grab it when you become a free or paid subscriber to my Substack, here: https://fatpositivefertility.substack.com/p/q-and-a-time-fat-positive-s***m-health

I’d love to know — do you have any questions about s***m health? Drop them below and I’ll answer them in future posts or episodes.

Nicola ###

17/07/2025

Most people trying to conceive in bigger bodies are left feeling like their weight is the only thing standing in the way of pregnancy. But that’s not the full story.

When you’ve got clarity, support, and someone on your team who actually understands fat fertility - you don’t need to do this alone.

📌 A lot of my clients come to me feeling frustrated, shamed, and dismissed.
They’ve been told to lose weight before they’ll be “allowed” to access fertility care.
They’re exhausted from jumping through hoops, constantly second-guessing what their body can do.

💥 But the truth is: there is ample research that shows fat folks deserve and benefit from support when trying to get pregnant.
The only reason you rarely hear about it is because of the anti-fat bias in our healthcare systems.

💛 That’s why I offer Support Sessions — so you can walk away with a tailored, practical plan based on you — your lived experience, your version of health, and your family-building hopes.

✨ A 60-minute call
✨ 1 week of follow-up email support
✨ And all the resources we talk about

You can ask any burning questions about fat fertility, pregnancy, or navigating care — and we’ll get clear on your next steps together.

This is a space where your body isn’t the problem. It’s part of the plan.

Ready for a plan that actually feels good?

Questions? I'm just a DM away (or an email if you're old school: nicola@nicolasalmon.co.uk)

16/07/2025

So… what even is fat positive fertility?

It’s more than a buzzword. It’s a radical commitment to three simple, powerful beliefs:

1️⃣ Access without limits: You deserve fertility care. All of it. Without your BMI being used as a gatekeeper.

2️⃣ Respect and care: You should be treated as a whole human with unique needs and experiences — not as a number on a scale.

3️⃣ Body autonomy: You get to decide what happens with your body. No forced diets, no ultimatums about weight loss before care.

Imagine if the fertility world looked like this. Imagine what might be possible if you were met with unconditional support instead of judgement.

Because here’s the truth:
Your body isn’t the problem.
The system is.

If you’re done navigating this alone, you’re in the right place. Together we’re building a different path forward — one where you’re already worthy, exactly as you are.

Nicola xx

https://fatpositivefertility.substack.com/

15/07/2025

How are you feeling in your body today?

There’s no right or wrong answer, just your honest truth in this moment.

Whether it’s heavy or hopeful, tender or proud, disconnected or deeply at home… your experience matters.

If you feel comfortable, drop a comment and share how you’re feeling in your body today. I’d love to hear from you.

Nicola xx

14/07/2025

If you’ve ever been told you need to “lose weight first” before getting access to Clomid or Letrozole, I see you.

It’s heartbreaking. Infuriating. And sadly, so common.

For those of us with irregular cycles or PCOS, ovulation induction meds like Clomid and Letrozole can be life-changing. They help your body release an egg when it might not be doing so reliably on its own. But too often, fat folks are denied these treatments outright — not because of genuine medical concern, but because of weight bias.

Here’s the kicker: Research shows these meds do work for people in bigger bodies. Sometimes we just need a different dose. Studies have even shown that once doses are adjusted, success rates are comparable across BMI ranges.

And yet, the barriers remain. Doctors still dangle fertility care like a carrot, using it as leverage to force weight loss. Which, let’s be honest, has no long-term evidence behind it and plenty of documented harm.

So if you’re being told “we won’t help you until your BMI is down,” know this:
It’s not you.
It’s the system.

Your body isn’t the problem. The problem is a healthcare system steeped in weight stigma, ignoring guidelines that actually don’t support withholding treatment based on BMI alone.

If this hits home, stick around. Together we’re fighting for fertility care that treats fat folks with dignity, evidence, and respect.

I've got a whole article on this subject waiting for you in substack: https://fatpositivefertility.substack.com/p/ovulation-induction-for-fat-folks

11/07/2025

Advocacy isn’t easy. And it shouldn’t have to be your job

Let’s be real. You shouldn’t have to come armed with research just to convince a doctor to treat you like a human.

But here we are.

If you’re fat and seeking fertility treatment, you’ve probably already faced it:
❌ “Lose weight first.”
❌ “It’s policy, sorry.”
❌ “These meds won’t work for someone your size.”

But here’s what the UK’s own NICE guidelines say:
🚫 They do not support denying fertility treatment solely based on BMI.
🚫 They recommend a collaborative, person-centred approach.
🚫 BMI is just one factor — not a brick wall.

So if a doctor tries to shut the door on your care, you’re allowed to ask questions. To bring up the guidelines. To request a second opinion. To remind them that you decide what risks you’re willing to take with your body.

Because here’s the heart of it:
Your size doesn’t determine your right to pursue pregnancy.
Your body is not the problem. The system is.

Advocacy is hard. It can leave you shaking, crying, doubting yourself. But each time you speak up, you’re building muscles that shouldn’t have to exist — and you’re also helping change the system for all of us.

And if you need a place to feel seen in this? Come find me on Substack: https://fatpositivefertility.substack.com/

Nicola xx

10/07/2025

Have you ever found yourself wondering “Can I even get pregnant in this body?”

When I ask folks in bigger bodies about this, nearly everyone says this question pops up all the time. It’s a heavy thing to carry, rooted in a deeper fear that “Maybe my fat body just can’t do this.”

Where does that come from?

Likely, your doctors who refuse to treat you until you lose weight. From clinics blaming failed IVF on your BMI. From a culture that decided fat bodies are broken.

But here’s what I want you to hold close:
✨Fat people get pregnant every single day.
✨Fat people have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.
✨Fat people prove again and again that our bodies are capable of incredible things, even in a world that tells us otherwise.

So, next time that question knocks, I invite you to try a different one:
What if my body is capable of pregnancy?

Let it sit. Feel what shifts.

And if you want to explore this more, come hang out here. We’re rewriting the narrative together.

Nicola xx

https://fatpositivefertility.substack.com/

Nicola Salmon - Fat Positive Fertility Support

28/07/2025

25/07/2025

25/07/2025

24/07/2025

23/07/2025

21/07/2025

17/07/2025

16/07/2025

15/07/2025

14/07/2025

11/07/2025

10/07/2025

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