The Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health (PCMCH) invites individuals to help shape perinatal care for people with higher body mass index (BMI) in Ontario.
Rising pre-pregnancy BMI — particularly obesity — increases maternal and newborn complications and has long-term cardiovascular implications. In 2023/24, 27% of pregnant individuals in Ontario were overweight, and 21.5% were living with obesity, a statistic that has been rising steadily since 2017/18 (BORN Ontario, 2025).
A culturally sensitive, appropriate and person-centred approach is essential when caring for pregnant people living with obesity, with deliberate efforts to avoid weight stigma and bias while appropriately managing health risks associated with a higher BMI. This is an opportunity to contribute professional expertise or lived/living experience to support the development of evidence-informed, person-centred and stigma-aware best-practice resources.
About the Working Group
The Perinatal Care for Higher BMI Working Group will bring together clinical experts and lived/living experience advisors to support healthcare providers in delivering evidence-based, high-quality, culturally safe and equity-informed care.
Members will collaborate to:
- Review existing guidance, literature and resources on perinatal care for individuals with higher BMI
- Identify best practices and gaps in clinical guidance, system supports and patient education
- Co-design provider- and patient-facing resources that are relevant, accessible and meaningful
- Provide feedback on draft materials
- Advise on strategies for dissemination and implementation
Who Should Apply
We welcome applications from individuals with professional expertise or lived experience relevant to perinatal care for higher BMI pregnancies.
Professional Experts may include:
- Perinatal care providers (e.g., obstetrics, maternal-fetal medicine, midwifery, primary care, nursing, anesthesia, dietetics, mental health)
- Organizational leaders from centres providing different levels of perinatal care
- Researchers and experts in knowledge translation or implementation science experts with relevant expertise
Lived/Living Experience Advisors are individuals who:
- Have personal experience of pregnancy, birth and/or postpartum care in Ontario while living in a larger body, or after being identified by a provider as having a higher weight or BMI*
- Are comfortable sharing perspectives and collaborating to improve care for others
*BMI (body mass index) is a measure based on height and weight that some healthcare providers use to categorize weight. You do not need to know or share your BMI number to apply.
Commitment
Members will participate in monthly virtual meetings (~2 hours each) between April and September 2026. Members are expected to engage meaningfully in discussions and provide feedback on draft content. This is a volunteer position. Individuals with lived/living experience are provided an honorarium in appreciation of their time and contributions.
How to Apply
Complete the application form and submit it by March 16, 2026. For questions, contact Brittany Groom, Senior Program Manager, at brittany.groom@pcmch.on.ca.
About PCMCH
Established in 2008, PCMCH provides evidence-based and strategic leadership for perinatal, newborn, child, and youth services in Ontario. PCMCH is funded by the Government of Ontario.
PCMCH is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion within Ontario’s perinatal and child health system. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds.