Dr. Jacqueline Abbott DrPH, RDN, CEDS, ICCE, IAT, ICBD

Dr. Jacqueline Abbot brings 45 years of experience in health promotion, supporting individuals and families across all life stages. She is a weight inclusive/nutrition provider at Northwest Primary Care, where 2025 marks 30 years with the practice.

Her journey as a childbirth educator and doula inspired her to pursue a doctoral degree focused on whole-family wellness. With four decades of experience in a medical setting, she has supported patients from pregnancy through end-of-life care.

Jacqueline is a certified specialist in eating disorders, diabetes, obesity, and metabolism, as well as a childbirth education trainer. A THW-trained doula in Oregon, she volunteers with Mothertree Birth, assisting with DONA birth and postpartum doula workshops. She also serves as the Co-Director of Childbirth Education for ICEA and has dedicated much of her career to teaching at the graduate level. Currently, she maintains a small practice at The Gathering Place, a holistic center providing volunteer services to the community.

Session

Unpacking Weight Bias and Stigma: Create a Size Inclusive Doula Practice

Weight stigma/bias is pervasive and presents a significant challenge for pregnant people from preconception through postpartum. Weight stigma can lead to feelings of shame, anxiety and fear that results in delay is prenatal care; lack of trust and comfort with birth providers and negative health outcomes. Research shows that 59% of medical providers, 31% of nurses and 67% of dietitians exhibit weight bias.

A weight inclusive approach acknowledges that all bodies come in diverse shapes and sizes and that weight or size does not reflect a state of health. Weight inclusive care is evidenced based and involves a collaborative birthing team that fosters a sensitive and respectful approach that is welcoming ,will reduce trauma, fear and shame and results in the positive experience all pregnant people deserve.

This interactive workshop will examine the social determinants of health and their impact on weight bias; explore our own implicit weight bias; practice person centered weight inclusive language and share ways to create a comfortable space and access to supplies that create a weight and size inclusive environment.

This session qualifies for 1.5 contact hours.