Big Fat Negative: TTC, fertility, infertility and IVF

Hi! Are you a new listener? We suggest you go back and start from the beginning, so you get to know us properly.BFN is back for a special mini-series, as we follow Gabby on her second jourrrrney! In this episode we're talking about her decision to go again, the process so far and why she's worried about her timing.Enjoying the series? Please rate and review it - it helps others to find the podcast.Swears, as always, throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the last episode of the series, so we've got a special guest for you: Izzy Judd, one of the first celebrities to speak out about her infertility. We talk about what it was like to go through IVF in the public eye, and how she discovered what had stopped her periods. Meanwhile, Prof Tim is talking about endometriosis - can it prevent implantation?Swears - including one big one - throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Embabies', 'frosties' - we give our embryos many names, but there may come a time when we reach the end of the TTC road and have blastocysts left over. Today we speak to fellow fertility podcaster Natalie Silverman about how she came to the decision to say goodbye to hers, while embryologist Millie Kanani explains how the process works.Meanwhile, Prof T addresses bleeding during the TWW - is it always a bad sign? If you want to skip Emma's bit, stop listening after Prof T - around 53 minutes.Swears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're joined by Natalie Sutherland, the world's first fertility officer, and Somaya Ouazzani. With a shared background in corporate law, the two have started In/Fertility in the City, a space to share stories about going through fertility struggles while working in high-powered roles. Meanwhile, Professor Tim addresses Covid and its effect on embryo quality. If you don't want to hear Emma's part of the podcast, switch off after Professor Tim - at about 47:30.Swears throughout. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

TRIGGER WARNING: CONTAINS THE RESULT OF A PREGNANCY TEST. PLEASE TURN OFF AFTER 44:19 IF YOU CAN'T LISTEN - and please look after your heart first. Model, presenter, singer and generally impressive woman Erin Holland joins us to talk about her slightly unusual fertility journeeey, and the circumstances in which she finds herself having to hoard embryos. Meanwhile, Emma announces the results of her TWW, and Professor Tim explains what can be done if your body doesn't respond to stims. Swears throughout. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

The people we're talking to today need no introduction: The Worst Girl Gang ever is one of the UK's biggest podcasts on pregnancy loss and miscarriage - so big they've just published their first book. We speak to Bex and Laura about losing their babies, the 'uglies', and why they started their gang.Meanwhile, Professor Tim explains whether you can ever have too much progesterone.Swears throughout. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author Claire Lynch joins us to talk about her book Small: On Motherhoods, same-sex TTC, and what it's like to have premature twins. Meanwhile, Emma has Some News and Professor Tim addresses our second-silliest question so far.Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What is wrong with Emma's mic today? We don't know, but we're sorry. Normal service will resume next week.We're joined by Shaun Greenaway, aka Knackered Knackers, who talks about what it's like to find out you have azoospermia and how he came to the decision to use a sperm donor.Meanwhile, Professor Tim explains why you can't breastfeed and go through IVF treatment at the same time. Swears throughtout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GAIA: We're here on a Monday for a special episode to discuss funding IVF and fertility treatment. We've got an amazing panel including Wegan, Alex Holder and Nader Alsalim, the chief executive of Gaia, to talk about the ups and downs (mainly downs) of financing your fertility treatment.To find out more about Gaia, visit https://gaiafamily.com/. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Amy Davies moved thousands of viewers to tears (and dozens of you to message us) when she shared her experiences of infertility on the show Interior Design Masters. Today she joins us to talk about the multiple miscarriages she has suffered, and how she used her time on the show to pull herself out of the IVF trench.Elsewhere, we are speaking to Wegan about their triumph after the Women's Health Strategy, announced last week, included free IUIs for same-sex couples, and Professor Tim addresses hair dye during IVF.Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Emma Barnett is the host of Woman's Hour and Newsnight - and she's also struggling to conceive her second child. In May this year she wrote a tell-all piece for the Times, in which she described her six (now seven) rounds of IVF and the miscarriage she suffered. Here, she tells Emma and Gabby what she's been through, how she holds down her career with debilitating endometriosis, and why she keeps going. Also - a drinking game!Meanwhile, Prof T stages his glorious return, and Emma has Some News. Swears throughout. To read Emma Barnett's Times piece, click here (or go to https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/emma-barnett-five-rounds-of-ivf-one-miscarriage-and-no-baby-257tkztct). You can sign up for her newsletter, Trying, at emmabarnett.substack.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gabby and Emma speak to Sophie Sulehria and Laura Biggs from the Fertility Show ahead of their appearance at the show next month, and in IVF WTF, Gabby asks Dr Wael Saab, fertility consultant and Deputy Clinical Director at the CRGH, about some of the basics of IVF. If you want tickets to the show, use the code BFN20 to get 20% off at checkout, valid until midnight on 7 May. Book tickets at fertilityshow.co.uk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains people describing the result of fertility treatment. if you can't listen right now, switch off when we tell you (after 18:14). Emma and Gabby catch up with Sophie, their guest from last season, to find out what happened after her egg collection - and where she's at now. Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, Gabby talks to TikTok star and embryologist Alease Daniel about how embryos are made, what embryologists are looking for - and whether embryo grades really make a difference.Emma and Gabby also discuss This Is Going to Hurt, the new BBC series.Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gabby and Emma speak to Toby Trice, a racing driver with a mission to spread the word about male infertility, and why men need to be checked out too. He talks about his jourrrney and why he is committed to helping men talk about their experiences.Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What happens to your body after miscarriage? Emma speaks to Lyanne Nicholl, the author of Your Postnatal Body, who explains why focusing on the physicality of loss and grief is important - and why doctors' suggestion that 'it's just like a heavy period' is often wrong. Swears (and rampant Britishisms) throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gabby and Emma are talking to Jynna Yarrum, a CBT therapist and trainer who fought her CCG to get NHS-funded IVF - and won.Outside of that interview, please be aware that some very hungover book promoting is taking place. It isn't pretty.Swears (and groans) throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Writer, presenter and brand consultant Pippa Vosper joins us to talk about the loss of her baby boy, Teddy, and the infertility journey that followed, and why she has chosen to write a book about it. Meanwhile, Gabby and Emma are being very boring about their book. Sorry about that - but don't let that put you off ordering it. It's available on Amazon and at all good book shops. Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Termination for medical reasons: it's such a difficult subject, Emma hasn't been able to bring herself to talk about it. Until now. We're joined by Hayley Manning, the co-host of Time to Talk TFMR, a podcast where women share their experiences of making an impossible choice. You can find Hayley's podcast on all good platforms.If you want to enter the book competition, email bigfatnegativepodcast@gmail.com with your answer and the subject line "BFN Book Win". Competition closes at midnight on Tuesday 18 January.Swears throughout this episode. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The girls are joined this week by Lizzie, who discovered two years ago that she was conceived through a sperm donor. She talks about how that felt, how she's come to terms with it and what it means to go from only child to one of 11 half-siblings (and counting).Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Professor Joyce Harper has spent 30 years on both sides of the IVF counter: as an embryologist, professor of women's health and one of Europe's leading voices on fertility treatment, and also as an IVF patient. She joins us to explain how to do your own research: how to read scientific papers, how to spot a dodgy study and how to get clued-up on your own treatment.Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The girls are back with a new series - kicking off with entrepreneur, TV star and hip hop royalty Raquel 'Rocky' Horn, who talks us through her infertility 'jourrrrney' and why she has chosen to share it with the world, and explains what it's like when you're a stepmother who desperately wants her own baby.Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We're back for a Fertility Week special, with an update from the Foxes: did they manage an embryo transfer? What was their TWW like? What was their result?TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes an audio diary of a two-week wait, including the results of a pregnancy test. As always, please look after your heart. Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Katy from Chasing Creation (chasingcreation.org) joins Gabby and Emma to talk about her decision to have a hysterectomy, its repercussions and how she is creating her unexpectedly childfree life. Meanwhile, Liz gives advice to someone struggling with the uncertainty of infertility.Sign up to BFN's newsletter at https://www.bigfatnegative.com/newsletter-the-waiting-room.See you in January!Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week we're discussing the state between TTC and childlessness - at what point do you cross over? Gabby and Emma are joined by Annabel from Maybehood (https://maybehood.com/) to discuss it. Meanwhile, Sophie has had her egg collection.Subscribe to our newsletter at bigfatnegative.com.Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kreena Dhiman's story has more twists and turns than Emma's wonky fallopian tubes: having survived cancer and heart failure, she embarked on a surrogacy journey, and - well, we won't give away the ending. She joins us to tell us her jourrrrney, and what happens when everything goes more right than could possibly imagine.Meanwhile, agony aunt Liz gives advice to someone who needs advice on how to keep going.Kreena's podcast is called The Intended Parent and it's available wherever you get your podcasts.Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How do you navigate infertility if you have to work with babies, children or - horror! - pregnant women every day? Sophie Martin lost her twins, Cecil and Wilfred, at 21 weeks, and went through gruelling rounds of IVF to get pregnant again. During all of it, she was working as a midwife, helping women to bring their babies into the world. She talks about her journey, and how she coped in her day job. Meanwhile, Sophie is on day nine of her stims.Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gabby and Emma are joined by Dr Belinda Coker, the founder of Your Trusted Squad, to talk about how it feels to be a doctor whose pain is ignored by other doctors, and why she started Your Trusted Squad, her fertility concierge service. Meanwhile, Liz is tackling the thorniest question there is: what's the point? You can subscribe to the newsletter, buy t-shirts and pre-order our book at http://www.bigfatnegative.com.Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

By popular demand, Emma and Gabby give you an update on where their heads are at on second babies. TRIGGER WARNING: If this is a point in your jourrrrney where listening to this might be hard, please look after your heart and skip this episode! You have been been warned!Meanwhile, Sophie has received her drugs and is getting ready for her first jab.Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Emma and Gabby are joined by Rachel Westbury, the founder of the Nappy Endings surrogacy agency and a three-time surrogate (of four babies).Meanwhile, Liz is addressing the question of whether or not to do IVF.If you want to listen to Sophie Sulehria's podcast, check it out here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06nxjd.Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week we are joined by Marissa Nelson, a marriage and family therapist, and (crucially) also a sex therapist, who joins us to talk sex while TTC: can it ever actually be sexy?Meanwhile, we are squee-ing with Sophie about her upcoming IVF round. For those who are interested in the history of Gonal-F and how the Vatican was involved in its development, here's that article: https://qz.com/710516/the-strange-story-of-a-fertility-drug-made-with-the-popes-blessing-and-gallons-of-nun-urine/.Swears from the start, and throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Emma and Gabby are joined this week by blogger and author Elle Wright, whose new book, A Bump in the Road, chronicles the infertility journey she endured after the loss of newborn son, Teddy. You can buy it here.Meanwhile, BFN agony aunt Liz is talking PTSD.No Prof Tim this week - he'll be back in a few weeks.Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Do you have questions about doing IVF abroad? Emma Haslam from Your IVF Abroad (yourivfabroad.co.uk) is here to answer them all - from what to do about language barriers to how to find a decent clinic.Meanwhile, Sophie has some exciting (but 100% non-triggering) news, and Professor Tim is tackling blood groups - do they affect fertility?Here is a link to a video of a watermelon with a lot of elastic bands around it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azA_zYYYy7I Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

They've been going on about her for long enough - today, Emma and Gabby have finally dragged their acupuncturist, Lui Yeung, onto the podcast. She explains the principles of acupuncture and why it's helpful for fertility (also: which one of the girls is better at it. It's a bit tense). Meanwhile, Liz and special guest Nick are talking about performance anxiety and Prof Tim is talking linings again - can they ever be too thick?You can find out more about Lui at https://www.luiacupuncture.com/ or on her Instagram account at @luiyeungacupuncture.Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

... clue: you won't get frostbite from the difficult one. Emma and Gabby are joined by polar explorer Jenny Wordsworth, who tells them about the parallels between extreme endurance expeditions and infertility (because there sure as hell aren't many differences), while Sophie is talking furry friends and Professor Tim is tackling thin linings: what can you do about them? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week the girls are talking to Notafictionalmum, aka NFM, about adoption. Tears are shed by everyone except Emma, who is surprisingly heartless, it turns out. Meanwhile, Agony Aunt Liz tackles how to tell explain 'no news', while Prof T is talking transfer cycles - how close together can they be?Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We're talking 'coming out' this week: how to tell people what you're going through. Plus, we're talking to The PCOS Dr, aka Dr Amina Hersi, and Professor Tim tackles retrograde ejaculation.Find Dr Amina's Instagram profile here.Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's Liz's first turn as BFN's agony aunt - this week she's addressing an embryo dilemma: to fork out or not to fork out? Meanwhile, we're speaking Ruth Corden (you can find her podcast here or by searching 'Finding the Funny' on your podcast app) about childlessness not by choice, and Prof Tim is talking thyroids. Many, many swears. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sophie is back this week to talk about the highs and lows (mainly lows, let's be honest) of taking a break from TTC. Meanwhile, we meet Wegan, the 'wafty, floaty, delicious' (Gabby's words) influencer couple who launched a campaign last year to get same-sex couples the same infertility rights as heterosexual couples. We also ask Professor Tim about embryo transfers: is having two transferred really so bad?You can find out more about Wegan's campaign at change.org/fertilityequality - and pre-order our book and find out everything else about us at bigfatnegative.com.Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week we're catching up with the Foxes to find out what has transpired since we last heard from Liz at Christmas (spoiler: everyone's still frustrated AF). We also meet Tia and Lee Brown, a couple who are undergoing egg donation in Greece.No Prof T this week, but send any questions for Liz to bigfatnegativepodcast@gmail.com (they'll be anonymous, of course). And you can find all the other stuff we mentioned at bigfatnegative.com.Some swears. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Team BFN is back in your headphones with a bumper episode to kick off their brand new series - and That Big Announcement, potentially the most-trailed announcement in history - as well as a reshuffle of our BFN regulars.We've also interviewed Samantha Busch about her experience of secondary infertility, and how it felt when even trying a surrogate led to a BFN. Meanwhile, Professor Tim Child is talking about the Covid-19 vaccine - should you get it when you're TTC?If you're new to the podcast, it might be worth going back and starting from the very beginning - you'll get to know us better that way.Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hi! Are you a new listener? It might help to go back and listen from the beginning - you'll get to know us better that way.Crack open a bottle and dig out your novelty Santa hats: you're joining us mid-way through the BFN Christmas party. Gabby, Liz and Emma discuss Christmases past and present and answer questions from listeners. TRIGGER WARNING: the end of this episode includes an update and Gabby and Emma's babies - but we give you plenty of warning in advance.Have a lovely Christmas everyone! We'll be back next year. In the meantime, you can subscribe to our newsletter, The Waiting Room, at bigfatnegative.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hello! Are you a new listener? Why not go back and listen from the beginning? You'll get to know us better that way.It's Fertility Week 2020 and to celebrate, we're having a massive catch-up with the Foxes. Yep: it's an hour and a half of Liz and Nick, updating us on everything that's happened since we last spoke to them back in August. What's happened since a cyst ruined their party? Tune in to find out.Some swears. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hello! Are you a new listener? It might be helpful to go to the beginning of the podcast and listen from there. You'll get to know us better that way.It's the last episode of the third series, and unfortunately we've got by far the worst guests ever on the show. Sorry about that. Have a listen anyway and let us know what you think. Meanwhile, Liz and Nick are reflecting on their cycle so far, while Professor Tim tackles IUI - when is it useful and what can help? You can sign up for our newsletter at bigfatnegative.com.Some swears. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hello! Are you a new listener? It might be worth going back to the beginning of the podcast - you'll get to know us better that way.Martha Goddard is the co-writer and director of All Our Eggs, a series of micro-shorts (the film kind, not the pants kind) chronicling one couple's five-year infertility 'journey' (sorry). Martha joins us to talk about what inspired her to create it, and why she was drawn to the story. Meanwhile, Liz and Nick have taken one step forward and two steps back, while Professor Tim tackles embryo disposal.You can find All Our Eggs on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hello! Are you a listener? Why not go back to the beginning of the podcast and listen from there - you'll get to know us better that way.Regina Townsend is the founder of Broken Brown Egg, an advocacy group for women of colour who are going through infertility. She discusses her years-long infertility battle and how she learned to fight her own corner. Meanwhile, Liz and Nick are off to the clinic, while Professor Tim Child is talking sperm - is there a good time for them?Swears throughout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hi! Are you a new listener? Why not listen to our podcasts from the start? You'll get to know us better that way.Anna German is an illustrator and art teacher whose picture book, So When Are You Going to Have Kids?, explains what it feels like to be asked that question when you are trying to conceive. We talk to her about how she drew creative inspiration from her five-year struggle. Meanwhile, Liz and Nick are coming to terms with using donor eggs, while Professor Tim addresses sleep: does it affect fertility?You can read Anna's book here.Some swears. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hi! Are you a new listener? It might be useful to go back to the beginning of the podcast and listen from there - you'll get to know us better that way.After repeated pregnancy losses, Will and Sherisa Rivera were inspired to start Fertility in Colour, an advocate group to help black and brown families going through infertility. Here, they share their experiences of infertility, ttc and explain how their faith is helping them through it. Meanwhile, Liz and Nick reflect on their fertility treatments so far, and Professor Tim tackles PGD and PGS - what are they are how do they differ?Some swears. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hello! Are you a new listener? It might be helpful to go back and listen from the beginning. You'll get to know us better that way.Beth Leonard identifies as queer and non-binary, and has been trying for a baby since they were 31. In this episode, they describe their 'journey'. Meanwhile, Liz and Nick have Added to Cart - and Professor Tim is tackling yoga. Will it really twist your ovaries?Swears throughout, especially at the end. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hello! Are you a new listener? It might be better to go back and start from the beginning - you'll get to know us better that way.Sophie Payne is a plus-size YouTube star who had planned her social media pregnancy announcement down to the tiniest detail. The only problem: she has PCOS. She talks infertility and hospital gown issues with Emma and Gabby. Meanwhile, Liz and Nick have a tough decision to make, while Professor Tim tackles a confusing point: is it really ok to freeze, thaw and then re-freeze embryos?Some swears. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hello! Are you a new listener? It might be better to go back and start from the beginning - you'll get to know us better that way.We're joined this week by food writer and digital marketer Seetal Savla to talk about going through infertility as part of the South Asian community. Meanwhile, Liz and Nick make a big decision, while Professor Tim Child tackles HPV - can it harm fertility?Some swears. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.