How Fat People are Harmed by the Fertility Industry:

Fat people who want to have children face numerous challenges, including societal judgement, systemic as well as physical barriers, and limited access to fertility care. Despite the fact that almost a third of people seeking fertility support in the United Kingdom (UK) are excluded from treatment based on their Body Mass Index (BMI) being “too high”, the reasoning and evidence supporting such exclusions is weak. In this paper, I explore these barriers and the impact they have on individuals’ pursuit of parenthood. These barriers include the NHS and its policies, financial disadvantage, the fertility industry, who has the power to define health, demonstrated bias in research and education, human rights and reproductive rights violations, racism, the use of and reliance on beliefs in medical settings instead of evidence based care, the inappropriate use of the BMI as a measure for access to reproductive medical care, discrimination against difference in body types, and financial sponsorships. I delineate each of these barriers, argue that these barriers are not supported by evidence and are ethically questionable. I highlight the immediate need for a shift in the provision of fertility care, away from shame and judgement towards support and inclusivity. The paper concludes by exploring how to improve the accessibility of fertility treatment for fat people, especially people of colour, requiring up to date education and training for healthcare providers, insisting on evidence-based approaches to fertility treatment, and mandating the provision of support and resources for everyone seeking to conceive. The provision of equitable and inclusive fertility care is crucial, not only for people to grow their families on their terms, but to secure the people’s rights to reproductive justice.