The Fertility Podcast

Welcome to this mini episode of The Fertility Podcast, where Natalie is joined by author, adventurer, and fertility campaigner Jessica Hepburn to explore the powerful role of nature in healing during fertility struggles. Natalie and Jessica recently spent the weekend together at the Love Her Wild North event embracing the power of community in the natural world. What we discuss: -The outdoors and your mental health when you are in a fertility hole-Love her Wild and the benefits of it for the fertility community. Love her Wild is about women who love the outdoors or want to get to love them - there were people talking about massive adventures and those sharing their little adventures. -Jessica touches on her fertility journey involving multiple losses, 11 rounds of IVF-How nature saved her life after Project Baby and at age 43 she made the decision to pursue adventure and nature. -How the outdoors merges with the fertility world with Natalie and Jessica -Nature is a healer, from looking at the birds in your garden or learning about trees to going on journeys. -The importance of living in the wait rather than waiting to live and how nature can be enjoyed for FREE-Getting into green will shift things - it won't change what you are going through right now and the hardness or the outcome but it will help you find those pockets of joy.-How starting a blessing book really helped her during the hardest times of her treatment-Going for a walk, listening to a podcast, or walking in silence with a friend you can connect with or talk about anything. -Jessica talks bout her 2nd book 21 days and how she found acceptance and found other ways to be happy yet she will always carry a sadness from not being a mother. -‘Melonjoy' - that feeling when someone tells you that they're pregnant and you are not and it's what you want more than anything. You feel happy for them but sad for you at the same time.. a fusion of melancholy and joy and it's a real thing you can feel both at the same time… Links & Resources:Let's Stay Connected DM Natalie on Instagram: @fertilitypoddy Follow Fertility Action: @fertility.actionEmail thoughts or guest ideas: natalie@thefertilitypodcast.com Subscribe on your podcast app to stay updated Follow Jessica: Jessica discusses her newest book 'Save me from the Waves'Jessica's first ever chat on The Fertility Podcastin 2014Follow Love Her WildFind out more about Jessica's work, her books and her adventures here Connect with Jessica on Instagram

In this episode, Natalie is speaking to an amazing fertility advocate who she's known in this space for almost a decade, yet this is the first conversation the pair of them have had on the podcast. Andrea Syrtash is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Pregnantish.Pregnantish went live in 2017, and Andrea describes it as “the state you're in when trying to conceive,” which the pair go on to discuss.What Was Discussed:Andrea's diagnosis of Endometriosis at 14 years old and how she was put on the pill and could go to school and function, having been really sufferingAndrea discusses the 18 treatments she had: IUIs, egg retrievals over many yearsHow she got pregnant from IUI and why she continued down that route—despite that pregnancy not continuing—as they had access to unlimited IUI and 3 rounds of IVFHow in Year 5 a Canadian doctor told her: “It should have worked by now. You produce beautiful embryos and should be pregnant by now,” and that she needed to consider gestational surrogacyThe grief and acceptance of not being able to use her own body—and the relief she felt having had to deal with so many losses anymoreHer work as an author and relationship coach and the impact it had on her relationship, and how her TV profile impacted her life at that timeHow she launched Pregnantish as a relationship platform “This is as much a relationship issue as a physical, financial, mental and emotional journey.”How launching the platform was the greatest gift—sharing other people's stories helped her navigate her own experience, and Natalie talks about how the podcast was also her therapyHow her cousin Alana was her surrogate and their surrogacy pathway was in Canada, yet two dropped out including one ghosting her just before the transferIn 2018, her depression after the second surrogate had dropped out and how her cousin offered to be her surrogate, using Andrea's frozen embryo which had been in the freezer for 2 yearsHer retrieval was two years to the day before it was transferred into her cousinHow her cousin sought advice from her Rabbi and how the Jewish press reacted, as it hadn't been spoken aboutThe significance of trying to rebuild their family as so many members of their family were lost in the Second World War, in HungaryThe selflessness of surrogates and what surrogates have to tell their family and friends—how her cousin talked to her children and how they were scared to see Andrea as they thought her belly was broken and would be bleedingLink to previous episodes about Surrogacy, Donation, and PregnantishThe World Fertility Awards—happening in New York in December for all patient advocatesHost committees across around 10 regions worldwide: Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America, North America, India, and AustraliaPregnantish reaches hundreds of thousands of people each month, sometimes over 1 million—it's a global audienceJoin the pledge for the World Fertility Project—asking people to take a pledge, aiming for 1 million signatures to change the conversationHow Andrea feels about the fertility conversation in the patient space todayRegions of the world where people are so scared about saying out loud they are infertileNatalie shares a story she had printed in a tabloidHow more companies are giving people the chance to opt out of Mother's Day and Father's Day emailsLinks:World Fertility...

In this episode of The Fertility Podcast, Natalie sits down with Sian Louise, founder of OBVS Skincare, to explore how one woman turned personal loss, infertility, and cervical cancer into a mission to create safe, effective, and hormone-friendly skincare. Sian opens up about her fertility journey, including multiple miscarriages, the emotional impact of IVF, her cancer diagnosis, and how hormonal acne during treatment became the catalyst for OBVS Skincare. She also shares evidence-based insights into harmful skincare ingredients, like microplastics and endocrine disruptors, and how they may impact fertility. This conversation is part of the Meet the Makers series, celebrating founders whose lived experience with fertility has inspired impactful, purpose-driven businesses. What We Talk About Sian's IVF journey, miscarriages, and cancer diagnosis How hormonal acne during IVF led to creating OBVS Skincare The lack of awareness around skincare ingredients and fertility What endocrine disruptors are and how they affect hormones How Sian built her certified organic, vegan skincare line from scratch Her passion for educating people on safe alternatives The impact of OBVS products on real families and babies Why advocating for yourself in medical settings is essential Sian's advice for managing skin health during fertility treatment Resources & Links OBVS Skincare website: obvs-skincare.co.uk OBVS on Instagram: @obvs_skincare Sian's ingredient call-outs on Instagram: @sian_louise_obvs Beat the Microbead App: beatthemicrobead.org Studies on skincare ingredients and fertility, including: Parabens in breast tumors (Darbre et al., 2004) Endocrine disruption from butylparaben (Boberg et al., 2010) Prenatal phthalate exposure (Swan et al., 2005) Benzophenone's thyroid effects (Schmutzler et al., 2007) Microplastics in cosmetics (TAUW & ECHA reports) Campaign for Safe Cosmetics report: Not So Sexy Let's Stay Connected DM Natalie on Instagram: @fertilitypoddy Follow Fertility Action: @fertility.actionEmail thoughts or guest ideas: natalie@thefertilitypodcast.com Subscribe on your podcast app to stay updated A Word From Our Sponsor – Proceive We're delighted to be partnering with Proceive this season. Their high-strength fertility supplements for men and women are trusted by healthcare professionals and available in-store at Holland & Barrett or online. Use code FP20 for 20 percent off your order at www.proceive.com

In this powerful Pride Month episode of The Fertility Podcast, Natalie is joined by the inspiring Laura-Rose Thorogood, founder of LGBT Mummies, CEO of Make Births Better, and proud mother of four donor-conceived children. Laura-Rose shares her raw and deeply personal fertility journey, from IUI and IVF to pregnancy loss, secondary infertility, and birth trauma. But this episode is about more than just personal experience. It's about advocacy, equity, and making space for every type of family. You'll also hear why she joined Fertility Action as a Trustee, her take on what's missing in fertility funding for the LGBTQ+ community, and what real inclusion should look like in the workplace and beyond. What We Talk About Laura-Rose's decade-long fertility journey, loss, trauma, and family joy Why she founded LGBT Mummies and how it grew into a global community The impact of systemic discrimination, lack of inclusive funding, and workplace inequality Fertility justice, policy change, and recent campaign work in Parliament How co-production, safe spaces, and queer representation are key to lasting change Practical advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed or unsupported in their journey Why emotional safety and peer support are essential for LGBTQ+ people navigating fertility Links and Resources LGBT Mummies websiteLGBT Mummies on LinkedInFacebookTikTokThreadsFertility ActionLet's Stay Connected DM Natalie on Instagram: @fertilitypoddy Follow Fertility Action: @fertilityactionEmail thoughts or guest ideas: natalie@thefertilitypodcast.com Subscribe on your podcast app to stay updated A Word From Our Sponsor – Proceive We're delighted to be partnering with Proceive this season. Their high-strength fertility supplements for men and women are trusted by healthcare professionals and available in-store at Holland & Barrett or online. Use code FP20 for 20 percent off your order at www.proceive.com

In this episode of The Fertility Podcast, we're lifting the lid on Endometriosis what it is, what's still misunderstood, and how change is (finally) coming. You'll hear from Brianna Stayt an Endometriosis UK ambassador sharing her 20-year journey and incredible awareness raising events - Natalie was hosting the event and as well as chatting with Brianna, spoke with Professor Adnan Bunkheila, Endometriosis nurse Sam Robinson and her daughter Shannon. The episode is then a fascinating conversation with Professor Andrew Horne , leading Endometriosis researcher and the Director of the Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh.What we discussWhy diagnosis takes years and how we can change thatWhat endometriosis really is (and why "stages" don't tell the full story)The wide range of symptoms: pain, fatigue, gut issues, fertility strugglesHow mental health, diet & acupuncture can support care see below links to researchThe realities and limitations of hysterectomy as a treatmentThe Endo1000 Project: using AI, smartwatches & patient diaries to revolutionize researchWhere to find help, support, and communityWhether you're living with endometriosis or supporting someone who is, this episode is full of insight, hope, and real-world advice.Links & Resources:Endometriosis UKFertility Action –weekly support groups & free advocacy tools Endo1000 Project details The Guardian article about Andrew's paper:The paper: Let's Stay Connected:DM me on Instagram: @fertilitypoddyFollow @fertilityaction for updatesEmail: natalie@thefertilitypodcast.comHit subscribe so you never miss an episode✨ Thanks to our sponsor, ProceiveWe're delighted to be partnering with Proceive this season. If you're trying to conceive, you'll want to check them out. Their high-strength fertility supplements are designed for both men and women and are trusted by healthcare professionals.✨Get 20% off your order at www.proceive.com using the code FP20 at checkout.Thanks for listening. I've got a really good feeling about this new chapter and I hope you'll stick with me as we keep sharing stories, raising awareness, and doing what we can to support each other through this journey

In this moving conclusion to our poetry mini-series, Natalie and Stacey bring the final chapters of Stacy's IVF journey to life through her stunning poems. If you've been walking this path or loving someone who is this episode is a powerful companion.Stacey shares not just the pain and loss, but the moments of quiet courage and the slow emergence of hope. From letting go to holding on, from disbelief to the unspoken darkness, and finally to The Light.What we discuss: The Hopeless: Letting go, hitting emotional and physical limits, and facing a new reality.The Disbelief: Surrendering control, choosing silence for self-preservation, and the tentative reappearance of hope.The Unspoken Darkness: What no one tells you about after a successful IVF — fear, anxiety, and the struggle to feel joy again.The Light: Healing doesn't mean forgetting. The journey shapes us — even when the darkness begins to fade.Navigating pregnancy after infertility — and the neuroses it bringsFeeling robbed of joy even after good news — and why that's okayParenting one child and answering complex questions about family and originWhy the pain of infertility never fully disappears, but transforms over timeHow poetry became a powerful outlet — and how you can start writing, too"The journey shaped me. It tested me. It broke us down. It built us up. It will never fully go away — but it feels distant now. Smaller. In the rearview mirror."Also, check out the recommended podcast Finally Pregnant by Cat Strawbridge for more on pregnancy after infertility.⚠️ Trigger WarningThis episode includes discussion of IVF trauma, pregnancy loss, PTSD, and emotional distress during and after fertility treatment. Please take care when listening, and pause if it feels overwhelming.

In this heartfelt episode, Natalie is speaking with Stacy, a listener who reached out to share a series of powerful, deeply personal poems written throughout her fertility experience. What began as a simple message turned into a beautiful collaboration and the start of a special three-part poetry mini-series as Natalie asked Stacy if she could record her poems and the pair talk them through - which is what you're going to hear across two episodes.Stacy opens up about the emotional weight of infertility, the isolation she felt while navigating treatment, and how writing helped her process what words often couldn't express. We explore the tension between staying silent and speaking out, and how she found her own balance between vulnerability and protection.We also discuss:How her first poem, The Waiting Room, was born out of shared silence and communal pain and how seemingly simple questions like “How are you?” can become painfully complexThe emotional symptoms of fertility trauma, and why it's okay to be both open and guardedThe healing value of putting pen to paper and the power of being seen and heardWhy poetry can provide a safe space for reflection, release, and connectionThe overwhelming pressure to "do things right" in the beginning from switching soaps to trying acupuncture and tea and the illusion of control many experience before receiving a diagnosis.The complexity of receiving a male factor infertility diagnosis, the emotional balancing act it requires in a relationship, and the importance of staying united as a couple. The lack of adequate support for male partners and the growing awareness around this gap.The realization: This is now my story.Moments of empowerment and collapse from filming herself doing shots, to sobbing on the floor after work, to injecting herself at a wedding or even in a clinic exam chair.The most absurd injection stories from toilets at awards shows to wedding receptions. It's a reminder of the humor, resilience, and community in this often isolating process.Stacy's poems are now available in a self-published collection on Amazon here Let's Stay Connected

Welcome to The Fertility Podcast. This episode is something a little different and a little special. I've always used the podcast as a way to process, reflect, and hopefully offer support to you wherever you are on your fertility journey. But in this episode, we're exploring how poetry can become a powerful emotional outlet especially when words are hard to find.I'm joined by the brilliant perinatal psychologist Julianne Boutaleb (you might know her as @parenthoodinmind on Instagram), who offers her clinical and deeply human insights into fertility trauma, identity loss, and psychological support. You'll also be hearing the beginnings of a heartfelt mini-series inspired by a listener named Stacy, who sent me a set of poems that absolutely floored me.This episode is part one of a three-part poetry series and I would love to know what you think.Here's what we covered in this episode:What the “reproductive story” is and how infertility shatters itThe emotional symptoms of fertility trauma, including avoidance and identity lossThe value of early psychological support and how to tailor it to where you are in your journeyHow poetry can provide safety, validation, and emotional releaseWhy Julianne and Stacey both use poetry to process their experiencesA beautiful live reading of Julianne's original poems: Unrequited and Waiting and TryingHow putting pen to paper might just help you feel seen—and less aloneThank you to Julianne and Stacy and you'll hear more from Stacy and her poems in the next two episodes so make sure you've subscribed. Julianne's voice always grounds me, and her words in this episode are powerful. Stacy's poems will be featured in our next episodes, and I can't wait for you to hear them. Whether you're a poet or not, I hope this gives you permission to feel, to reflect, and to find your own release.Let's Stay Connected

The Fertility Podcast is back with Big News: The Fertility Podcast Joins Forces with Fertility Action!Welcome to the first episode in our brand new series of The Fertility Podcast, it's Natalie and I'm so excited to be back behind the mic and even more thrilled to share that this season, we're doing something special. I've teamed up with Fertility Action, a new charity doing vital work to improve access to fertility support and treatment. In this episode, I'm joined by the inspiring Katie Rowlings, the founder of Fertility Action. Katie shares her deeply personal story seven years, five rounds of IVF, the trauma, the heartbreak, the hope and what led her to launch a charity during Fertility Week. We also talk about the bigger picture: how we can create fairer access to treatment, build better support networks, and make sure no one feels alone on this path. Here's what we talked about: Katie's raw and honest account of her fertility journey, including the emotional and physical toll Why she founded Fertility Action and the real change it's already creating How the charity is tackling the postcode lottery in NHS fertility access The incredible power of community, and how support groups (for both women and men) are helping people feel less alone Why psychological safety and trauma informed support are at the heart of everything they do The importance of involving medical experts and how some of the best in the field are backing the charity Tips for attending the Fertility Show without feeling overwhelmed And the exciting news: The Fertility Podcast is now the official podcast of Fertility Action

We couldn't stay quiet, so make sure you subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to find out what's coming on The Fertility Podcast.

In the heartfelt final episode of this series—and the podcast—Kate hosts one last time, joined by fellow podcaster Kate Cocker, to explore happiness, positivity, and the emotional rollercoaster of the fertility journey. Do listen to the end as you'll also hear a message from Natalie, with a small ask about a survey we'd like you to complete. Together, Kate and Kate reflect on the challenges of navigating hope and disappointment. Kate shares how the ups and downs can feel overwhelming, often leaving people afraid to hope for fear of being let down. It's an emotional struggle that can be all-consuming.In response, Kate Cocker introduces The 7 Pillars of Happiness: be self-full, accept the now, practice gratitude, check your self-talk, make a rainbow, manage your energy, and clear your mind. These principles offer a foundation for finding joy and balance, even in difficult times.This heartfelt conversation encourages you to seek out moments of happiness and hold onto them as a source of strength through your journey.Tune in to this inspiring episode for wisdom, comfort, and practical advice to support you on your path.OUR SPONSOR:We are delighted that the current series is being sponsored by Proceive who are kindly offering all listeners to The Fertility Podcast 15% off any Procieve purchase, when you use the discount code FP15.Socials:Follow @YourFertilityNurse on InstagramFollow @TheFertilityPodcast on InstagramCheck these out! https://www.thepresentercoach.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/thepresentercoach/ and https://www.instagram.com/officialeverydaypositivity/Every Day Positivity Podcast available on SpotifySurvey Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScBD3cObrjlqP9KQzYVeRL4m9jjTTtk403oiX7jsaLQ-FRW2Q/viewform?usp=sf_linkAlso please check out the archive episodes of The Fertility Podcast as we also have: Getting Pregnancy Ready: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/getting-pregnancy-ready/id1642701326Pregnancy Loss: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/pregnancy-loss/id1608905862Male Fertility: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/male-fertility/id1608905647Donor Conception and Surrogacy: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/donor-conception-and-surrogacy/id1609413884Infertility Support:

In this episode, the penultimate episode that Kate is hosting, Kate is joined by Professor Tim Child. Tim is Associate Professor of Reproductive Medicine at the University of Oxford. He has published more than 100 research papers, and has brought new treatments and techniques to the UK, increasing both the success and safety of fertility treatment.In 2021, he was appointed by the Secretary of State for Health to the board of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), the UK's regulator of assisted conception treatment and research. Tim Chairs its Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee (SCAAC), responsible for the IVF Add-Ons traffic light system. And not only that but Kate and Tim worked together many moons ago in Oxford, and Tim was rather partial to Kate's homemade strawberry cheese cake!So, Tim is here to talk all things IVF Add-ons with us and I'm sure you'll agree he's absolutely best placed to do so!Kate and Tim discuss exactly what are IVF add ons, whether you should be using them, how they are graded and the importance of making the right decision for you with as much information from your doctor as possible.The pair also discuss the rise of misinformation on social media, how to filter through this fake information and where to find evidence based information. Go and take a look at Tim's excellent Instagram account where he shares so much top quality information to help you along your fertility journey.Thanks for joining OUR SPONSOR:We are delighted that the current series is being sponsored by Proceive who are kindly offering all listeners to The Fertility Podcast 15% off any Procieve purchase, when you use the discount code FP15.Socials:Follow @YourFertilityNurse on InstagramFollow @TheFertilityPodcast on InstagramFollow Natalie Silverman she / her (@fertilitypoddy) • Instagram photos and videos on InstagramFollow Fertility Doctor (@drtimchild) • Instagram photos and videos on InstagramFind HFEA: UK fertility regulator website

Back to The Fertility Podcast archive for this episode to celebrate the release of the Netflix movie 'Joy' - Natalie has shared a conversation she had Connie Orbach about how she started her research to curate the British Science Museum's exhibition about the story of IVF.What was discussed: Connie herself admitted how she didn't realize how much content she would find in the archives from Leslie Brown, regarding the correspondence she received from all around the world.Connie talked about Jean Purdy who I've learned all about over the last couple of weeks and she is talked about as being IVF's forgotten pioneer, despite being written about by Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards as one of the three of them. Connie has written a really good blog here Jean was hired as a lab technician however she was tasked with managing the laboratory and in reality, she did much more. Jean Purdy was not just central to the running of the lab but also to the scientific work. Connie and I spoke about whether her gender meant she was taken less seriously by reporters? Possibly, seeing as she was recorded in the photos as being the 'midwife'. Was her role as a lab technician seen as unimportant next to that of the surgeon and the scientist? This is so ironic seeing as she is credited with first discovering the blastocyst embryo stage, one of the key breakthroughs in our understanding of an embryo's development.Whatever the reason, it was not for lack of trying from Edwards. He repeatedly emphasized Purdy's importance and unsuccessfully lobbied her name to be added to the commemorative plaque placed at the site of their original clinic. Read more in Connie's blog and here are some other articles that are written for the exhibitionSally Cheshire, chair of the HFEA has also written a blog for the exhibition. Martin Johnson discussing the challenges faced by Bob Edwards developing IVF. Gareth Downs on the male perspective: Bristol Archives wrote a blog recently about receiving the Lesley Brown ArchiveFollow @YourFertilityNurse on InstagramFollow @TheFertilityPodcast on Instagram

To celebrate the release on Netflix of the new film about IVF 'Joy' this is an old episode of The Fertility Podcast, which Natalie produced in celebration of Louise Brown's 40th Birthday and the fact that at that point in time, over 300,000 babies have been born through IVF treatment with more than 1 million cycles having taken place. TheHFEA asked Natalie to make a podcast with them, so Natalie is in conversation with its chair Sally Cheshire and one of its Inspectors, a lady called Janet Kirkland MacHattie, who worked as a nurse at Bourne Hall in 1982, under Patrick Steptoe, Robert Edwards and Jean Purdy. In fact, it was during this conversation with Janet, that Natalie first learnt about Jean, and found herself feeling somewhat ashamed that she didn't know about her sooner!What was discussed: Sally Cheshire talked about how at the time the treatment was quite experimental and Louise Brown's parents were quite brave in putting themselves forward She explains how the Government and Parliament decided to investigate how treatment should be regulated and asked Mary Warnock to form a committee in 1984 to look at how infertility should be regulated. The law came into being in 1990 and the HFEA came to be in 1991. Sally talked about her role at the HFEA and what has changed over the last 40 years and the importance of the focus of its work being on the 70% of people who aren't successful with their treatment. The HFEA has a vital role, thinking about how emotional support can be improved in clinics because, as she explains 'We do know that even if you are pregnant after IVF there's a level of anxiety you carry with you". The importance of being medically, emotionally and financially equipped to try again when going through fertility treatment. Sally explained how 'We still feel a lot of media stories about fertility treatment are positive… very often, there's a lot of around celebrities with the example of Bridget Neilson who gave birth at 54. Are they being truthful about using donor eggs? Some of those stories give you a false impression." Janet explained how she went for the job at Bourn Hall, to join the nursing team - not really knowing what was involved and when she asked Patrick Steptoe his advice on a book she could read to learn more, his reply was 'My dear, they've not been written yetWhat the treatment process was like initially, with Ladies staying at Bourn Hall for ten day periods and how as they didn't have blood tests, the Ladies urine was tested every three hours to find out if they were ovulating.Janet talked about an interview Patrick Steptoe gave where he spoke about his vision for the future being "centres set up where people have been properly trained and this technique will be available to women all over the world" To compare clinics like for like, or rate your clinic visit the HFEA website Follow @YourFertilityNurse on InstagramFollow @TheFertilityPodcast on Instagram

The Fertility Podcast is back with an all time favourite topic… stress!In this episode Kate is with Alice Domar to talk all about stress and how it affects your fertility. Stress and Fertility is a topic that is often asked by a lot of patients, and it is one that leaves people little answer to whether stress causes infertility. There is no question that infertility causes stress, through all the waiting, the tests, the remembering so many different things and then sometimes, not ever finding an answer to your unexplained infertility. So in this episode, Kate and Alice talk about infertility about how most of the women and men going through it have psychological issues and lots of stress. They talk about how infertility effects everything in your life, your friends and family, mental and physical health, your body image and so much more.Alice talks about infertility is a disease, however, unlike most other diseases, you are blamed for it. She goes onto talk about how it should be seen as a mental health issue or how it should be treated as the same but it is not.They also talk about being on hold and feeling like you can't do anything because you don't know what is going to happen if you do.OUR SPONSOR:We are delighted that the current series is being sponsored by Proceive who are kindly offering all listeners to The Fertility Podcast 15% off any Procieve purchase, when you use the discount code FP15.Socials:Follow @YourFertilityNurse on InstagramFollow @TheFertilityPodcast on InstagramFollow Natalie Silverman she / her (@fertilitypoddy) • Instagram photos and videos on InstagramInception Fertility - Inception (@inceptionfertility) • Instagram photos and videosWebsite - https://dralicedomar.com/LinkedIn ​​https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-domar-ab03736/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inceptionfertility/Alice's research - The relationship between stress and infertility: THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON WOMEN PREGNANT FOLLOWING ART: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY - PREVIOUS EPISODE: Stress and Fertility by Kate Davies

Welcome to another episode of The Fertility Podcast! This week is a special week as it is National Fertility Awareness week. Joining Kate are two incredible women, Jane and Toni, who are here to talk all about fertility and their new book, What Every Woman Needs to Know About Fertility.This episode, Jane and Toni talk about what it is that they do. Jane, being a Fertility nurse specialist, taught Kate everything she knows about fertility awareness. And Toni, who specializes in sexual and reproductive health information.Together, they have written a book that is somewhat a guide for a woman all about fertility. From the essentials like understanding your cycles to the bits of information that you might not know like what does IVF mean and how does it work?They talk about how they have spent their entire professional lives talking to women who don't have any knowledge around fertility or their body, and then are saddled with fertility issues that they weren't aware of. When they wrote the book, they had the intention to deliver clear and honest information about fertility to the world, giving women the opportunity to find out more about their bodies, how they can plan or avoid pregnancy. The book is a guide, like a dictionary for those who are curious as to what a certain term means. It is there to dip into when you need it.Lastly, they talk about going through fertility, what you can do to prepare your body for pregnancy, what menopause is like and what different terms mean in the fertility world.OUR SPONSOR:We are delighted that the current series is being sponsored by Proceive who are kindly offering all listeners to The Fertility Podcast 15% off any Procieve purchase, when you use the discount code FP15.Socials:Follow @YourFertilityNurse on InstagramFollow @TheFertilityPodcast on InstagramFollow Natalie Silverman she / her (@fertilitypoddy) • Instagram photos and videos on InstagramWebsite for Fertility Network - https://www.fertilityuk.org/Amazon link to book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Every-Woman-Needs-About-Fertility/dp/1399814591FNUK - https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/national-fertility-awareness-week-2024

Hello again! This episode Kate is joined by the founders of the Swimmers Charity, Tara and Henry. In this episode, Kate talks with the couple about how this charity is the first and only charity for male factor infertility. Started as a result of their own fertility journey, this charity aims to provide support for those going through infertility and to restore sperm health. Before Kate and the couple dove into what the charity does and aims to do, Tara and Henry shared their own fertility story that led them to creating the charity. Back before Tara and Henry were to be married, they decided to check that everything was okay for them to hopefully have children in the future. Through doing all the tests, Tara found that she was perfectly healthy and that there was nothing that flagged concern. Unfortunately, Henry's results didn't have the same outcome. Henry's results told him that he had low sperm, and that it was decreasing. However there was never an actual reason or explanation as to why this was the case. The couple decided to go through the IVF process but sadly, they had to abandon the cycle. Tara and Henry tried again, this time with 3 embryos, however, these embryos failed the transfer.Through all of this, the couple were still trying to achieve their dream of one day having a family. So, after many talks with doctors they were pointed towards DNA fragmentation testing. This unfortunately, came back inconclusive, which Henry explained was incredibly frustrating. After this, they found out that Henry's sperm was decreasing in numbers, so Henry made the decision to freeze his sperm, something which he recommends anyone does. Then, Henry made some lifestyle changes, like stopping drinking caffeine, taking cold diets and more.They then started another IVF cycle and this time it was successful and now they have a baby boy. They both explain how through this journey, they didn't tell their family or friends about what it was that they were going through. Although they are wanting to try IVF again, the two of them have said that they would tell their family and friends.Kate asks about the reasons for setting up the charity and what their goals, and both Tara and Henry shared that they want to help others achieve their dreams of having children of their own. Henry tells Kate about all the exciting things that the charity is going to be doing over the next couple of months such as grants to help those fund their own fertility journey and funding research into finding out why so many people have unexplained infertility.OUR SPONSOR:We are delighted that the current series is being sponsored by Proceive who are kindly offering all listeners to The Fertility Podcast 15% off any Procieve purchase, when you use the discount code FP15.Socials:Follow @YourFertilityNurse on InstagramFollow @TheFertilityPodcast on InstagramFollow Natalie Silverman she / her (@fertilitypoddy) • Instagram photos and videos on InstagramFollow Swimmers Charity (@swimmers_charity) • Instagram photos and videos on InstagramRead more about Request a babyloss certificate here

Hello, this is a little bit of a special episode as The Fertility Podcast is sharing The F Word at Work! We're thrilled to have you here, and if this is your first time tuning in, we encourage you to explore our previous episodes.They feature thought-provoking discussions about why fertility and family-building topics should be a priority on workplace wellbeing agendas. This fourth series focuses specifically on how to support colleagues through various family-building challenges.In this episode, we're delighted to welcome Katy Schnitzler, an esteemed trainer and founder of Mist. Katy is an academic whose work revolves around pregnancy loss, miscarriage, and the experiences of those who are childless not by choice, particularly their impact in the workplace.She is also a lead trainer at the Miscarriage Association, and we're excited to delve into this vital conversation together.Here's a glimpse into our conversation:Katy emphasizes the holistic approach needed when discussing pregnancy loss, highlighting both the physical and emotional implications for those affected in the workplace.We explore common misconceptions surrounding pregnancy loss and the potential physical challenges that individuals face, which can significantly impact their work life.Katy offers practical advice for managers and HR professionals on how to compassionately support colleagues experiencing pregnancy loss. This includes the importance of using appropriate language and demonstrating genuine empathy.We discuss the emotional toll of pregnancy loss not only on the individual but also on their partner, stressing the importance of acknowledging their feelings and experiences as well.We talk about the need for workplace policies that address pregnancy loss and how to implement them, as well as the importance of peer support and training for colleaguesKaty shares strategies for initiating open conversations about pregnancy loss, emphasising that it's crucial for workplaces to foster an environment where employees feel safe discussing their experiences.As we approach Baby Loss Awareness Week, we encourage organisations to consider how they can acknowledge this sensitive topic thoughtfully and inclusively.Thank you for joining us for this important discussion. We hope you find these insights helpful in fostering a supportive workplace culture.Thank you to Apricity who are sponsoring this series of The F Word at Work. To find out more about how they can support your employees with inclusive fertility care please get in touch with its expert corporate team here. We'd love your support and feedback so please do hit follow and if possible leave a review in the app you are listening to.StayConnected:Follow The F Word at Work for access to our free resources: Download our guidance Ideal Policy Guidance - Fertility Matters at Work. You can book a call to speak with us Calendly - Fertility Matters at Work.Explore our services and subscribe to our newsletter Fertility Awareness & Support Training Workshop - Fertility Matters at WorkJoin our vibrant community on Instagram, X and LinkedIn - Becky, Claire & Natalie (@fertilitymattersatwork) • Instagram photos and videos, (1) Fertility Matters at Work:...

This week on The Fertility Podcast, Kate is joined by a patient of hers, Alice, to talk about PCOS and how to live with it. This episode is a refreshing topic as Kate and Alice chat about looking after you first and trying to conceive second.Alice, who has been trying to conceive for a while with her husband, came to Kate looking for a way to be able to live with PCOS. Together, they adopted the term ‘Project Alice' which they both share is all about making sure that Alice is happy and healthy first.In this ep, Alice talks about how her PCOS diagnosis turned her life around and has impacted almost every aspect of her life. She talks about how it took a toll on her not only physically but also emotionally. Alice explains how she struggled with the symptoms, the results of the diagnosis and the fear of the unknown.Alice shares what her life was like before receiving the diagnosis and how she put her life on hold whilst she and her husband were trying to conceive. She talks about how she would put off holidays because she envisioned that she would be pregnant by then or weddings where she had hoped to be expecting. Alice then talks about how she felt when those events came and went and she wasn't pregnant.Together they talk about reaching out for help and support, how easy it was for Alice to find Kate, as well as what Alice wanted to achieve out of Kate's consultations. She explains that she felt as though her future was uncertain and unclear but after a consultation with Kate, she found her future more clear and Alice was able to ask the right questions at her appointments and other things.Coming to the end of this episode, they talk about PCOS weight loss injections and Alice's journey with taking them. Although there is limited information and research upon these injections, as they are still a fairly new treatment, they seem to be having a positive effect on Alice. Kate and Alice go into a little more detail about these injections and what they are like.Alice's advice is to talk to everyone, to be open with not just those going through a similar journey to you, but also friends and family too. She shares that it can be quite lonely and that being able to share the burden can lessen the burden.OUR SPONSOR:We are delighted that the current series is being sponsored by Proceive who are kindly offering all listeners to The Fertility Podcast 15% off any Procieve purchase, when you use the discount code FP15. Links to the article:Carmina E, Longo RA. Semaglutide Treatment of Excessive Body Weight in Obese PCOS Patients Unresponsive to Lifestyle Programs. J Clin Med. 2023;12(18):5921. Published 2023 Sep 12. doi:10.3390/jcm12185921https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10531549International PCOS guidelines - https://www.eshre.eu/Guidelines-and-Legal/Guidelines/Polycystic-Ovary-SyndromeVertity - https://www.verity-pcos.org.uk/AskPCOS - https://www.askpcos.org/Socials:Follow @YourFertilityNurse on InstagramFollow @TheFertilityPodcast on InstagramFollow

Hello, and welcome to the second episode of this series! This week is a very special week as it is World Childless Week, and what better way to start this week off than to listen to Kate talk to Hazel who is an award-winning highly regarded facilitator, advisor and executive coach to high profile private and public sector organizations.Hazel joins Kate this week to talk about childlessness and her own fertility journey. She talks about how her experiences led her to making the decision to not have children. When Hazel was about to be married to her now husband, they decided that they would like to try to have children. And after many checks with doctors and gynecologists, they were told that if Hazel were to get pregnant, she would most likely be put into a vegetative state.This was unfortunately due to a brain surgery that she underwent years ago. Hazel describes how she felt after being told the news, expressing her sadness and numbness after the appointment. Hazel then goes on to talk about how she and her husband found a way to live without children, how they have almost come up with their own terms for things, like a language that only they know. Hazel shares some of the terms they use like ‘Pram Count' when deciding on a cafe.She also talks about some of the things they have discovered while being childless, like creating little crafts or being a cat mum to her two cats. Hazel opens a new perspective on childlessness, and offers a way of living without children.Kate and Hazel talk about how Hazel copes with social situations that might resurface feelings of sadness about childlessness. Hazel describes it as lifetime grief, she shares that it comes around again when in situations where someone might ask about grandchildren, she talks about she and her husband deal with those types of questions.Lastly, Kate and Hazel talk about having to rewrite your own story, finding a new path without children and coming to terms with reality. Hazel reveals that her childlessness life is actually quite fun and she basks in the time she spends with her husband and her fur-babies.Check out these episodes about childlessness:Kate Pleace & World Childless Week (thefertilitypodcast.com)What support is there for childless Men? • The Fertility PodcastHow do I deal with the grief of not being able to get pregnant? • The Fertility PodcastHow to answer that you don't have kids, so they don't ask again • The Fertility PodcastWhy we need to talk about childless women differently • The Fertility PodcastChildless not by choice • The Fertility PodcastOUR SPONSOR:We are delighted that the current series is being sponsored by Proceive who are kindly offering all listeners to The Fertility Podcast 15% off any Procieve purchase, when you use the discount code FP15. This episode is also sponsored by Ovom Care, who have partnered with GlycanAge, a testing company. Ovom Care are looking for participants to help with their research around knowing what your actual biological age is. So if you are interested...

Welcome back to what is the very beginning of a new series, with new voices that bring new and different fertility information for your ears.This episode is a special one, as Kate is joined by a very familiar voice, Natalie, the founder of the podcast and now Exec-producer. You might not know this but this year is The Fertility Podcast's 10 year anniversary! In this episode, Natalie and Kate reflect on the last 10 years with laughter and a few tears…….The two catch up with what they have been doing over the summer and Natalie gives an insight into the work that she is now doing with Fertility Matters at Work and The F Word Podcast. As well as this, Natalie talks about receiving the award for Best Fertility Podcast in Amsterdam. She explains that it was a surreal moment for her and the pod, which is now celebrating 10 years. Together they chat about the last decade and how much change the fertility world has seen, with things like the IVF add-ons and new treatments for those struggling with infertility. Natalie and Kate chat about the development of new drugs that are being tested to better fertility treatment.The Fertility Podcast has helped so many people throughout the years, bringing patient stories and advice from experts to your ears. It has been a journey, from Natalie starting a decade ago in her booth, to Kate taking the reins solo 18 months or so ago. This podcast has been a way for voices to be heard and listened to, a way of letting you know that you aren't alone and there is support out there for you. It has also helped you to advocate for yourself and both Kate and Nat feel honoured to have helped in just a small way.Unfortunately, this episode also has an announcement that comes with a heavy heart. The Fertility Podcast will be taking a long hiatus at the end of this series. Kate is hanging up her headphones and turning off her mic and is on to pastures new. However, this is not the definite end of the podcast, Kate and Nat may well be popping on now and again and……..if you perhaps are thinking about starting podcasting or would like to give it a go, please do get in touch with Nat. Maybe you could be the next guest presenter of the podcast………We are delighted that this episode is sponsored by

Welcome to another episode of The F Word at Work where we're sharing one of our original zoom conversations broadcast in 2022. An enlightening conversation with Mike Johnson-Ellis one half of Two Dads UK with his partner Wes and the pair have founded My Surrogacy Journey (MSJ) and the Modern Family Show. At Fertility Matters at Work we're delighted to be working in partnership with MSJ and you can find out more about what that looks like by having a listen. What was discussed: The lack of empathy that Mike expereinced when he talked to his work about his plans. How they had no understanding of infertility or why he would want to attend appointments with his SurrogateHow Mike had no emotional support, nobody asked him what he needed or what he was going throughHis colleagues were far to afraid of saying the wrong thing so they said nothing resulting in Mike not getting any support and feeling the pressure of doing his job as he was distracted by what he was going through. tHow everyone in his work environment couldn't believe he wanted a babyThe Toxic masculinityLack of awareness in organisations - 10 years on from when same sex marriages became legal. At that point in time businesses should have started thinking about what that would mean and what people would need and they didn't. How a basic employment skill is knowing your business and your people and the importance of how we learn by our curiosity - asking people within an organisation what they need support with Why surrogacy fills people with fear -it's not just for same-sex couples it is for women who can't carry Explaination of Intended Parents (IP's) How organisations who proudly say they support LBGT communications - need to ask themselves has the conversation has gone deep enough to find out what they really needLack of people talking about policies so we need there to be more conversationsUse staff networks, ideas captures, and forums involving different groups. to raise awareness of this and get the conversation started, you can do it anonymouslyThe issue with the use of word adoption being used when people are going through surrogacy, you aren't adopting it you are having a biological childPolicies are very heteronormative Why surrogacy fills people with fear -it's not just for same-sex couples it is for women who can't carry Thanks once again to our series sponsor Apricity. Book a call to speak with us here Watch our FMAW 30-minute demo on our services to find out exactly how we'd support your organisation with our training and membership Find out more about our services here Follow us on Insta and hear what our community has to say Join us on Linked In Find us on Twitter

Welcome to part three of this bumper podcast episode which is sharing our Diversity and Inclusion in Fertility Round Table conversation which was held on Zoom on 8th November 2022 with the aim to help you understand how many different people are impacted by fertility challenges in a number of different ways and also to give you a better understanding of the how these communities who are impacted. If you've not listened to Parts 1 & 2 yet, that's fine although we do suggest you give them a listen to give you a better context of the conversation. In this final section, we are starting to address some of the areas of intersectionality as Fertility is not one-dimensional but intersects with many of the other challenges that workplaces face when it comes to the Diversity and Inclusion agenda. One of the important nuances to consider is in relation to the impact cultural aspects have on people who are facing fertility challenges and in this final part of our conversation we spoke with Dr Christine Ekechi, Co-Chair of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' Race Equality Taskforce and Noni Martins, a fertility patient and founder of Unfertility, supporting black women to break the silence, stigma & shame around unconventional fertility journeys. Watch our FMAW 30 minute demo on our services to find out exactly how we'd support your organisation with our training and membership Find out more about our services here Follow us on Insta and hear what our community has to say Join us on Linked In Find us on Twitter

Welcome to Part Two of this bumper podcast episode which is sharing our Diversity and Inclusion in Fertility Round Table conversation which was held on Zoom on 8th November 2022 with the aim to help you understand how many different people are impacted by fertility challenges in a number of different ways and also to give you a better understanding of the how these communities who are impacted. We know that this affects 1 in 6 couples, 1 in 7 individuals and that the World Health Org defines infertility as a “disease of the reproductive system”. As you will hear, fertility treatment is also needed for social reasons, and as such is a necessary medical treatment to enable people to have a child, not a simple lifestyle choice as it is sometimes portrayed. Sometimes this is the only way for people to have a chance of a child, it's also important to be aware that it isn't a guarantee. Here we discuss what employers need to know about being inclusive of other less commonly known paths to parenthood, such as solo parenthood, donor conception, adoption and then moving on to Surrogacy. The assumption when we think about fertility treatment is IVF – and normally with two people involved. You will hear conversations with Mel Johnson, HR Professional and Founder of The Stork and the UK's first and only Solo Parenthood Coach and Nicole Narracott, Adoptive Parent and Senior Business Change Manager. We also discuss how organisations can usualise, be inclusive of and supportive of LGBTQ+ family building with discussions with Wes Johnson Ellis, Co-founder of TwoDads UK, My Surrogacy Journey and the Modern Family Show and Laura-Rose Thorogood, founder of LGBT Mummies Watch our FMAW 30 minute demo on our services to find out exactly how we'd support your organisation with our training and membership Find out more about our services here Follow us on Insta and hear what our community has to say Join us on Linked In Find us on Twitter

Welcome to this bumper podcast episode which is sharing our Diversity and Inclusion in Fertility Round Table conversation which was held on Zoom on 8th November 2022 with the aim to help you understand how many different people are impacted by fertility challenges in a number of different ways and also to give you a better understanding of the how these communities who are impacted. By inclusion we want you to start thinking about how you can ensure that any support you put in place for fertility is inclusive in both language and action. It's about understanding your people and communities and how to create sustainable positive change that will represent and benefit those communities going forwards. In the first part of this conversation we'll hear from Emma Persand, Director of Lemur Health, qualified nurse and workplace health and wellbeing professional and Lina Chan, CEO and founder of Parla, a digital health company supporting people on their reproductive life journeys from periods to fertility and menopause with expert-led programmes and workshops discussing Reproductive Health and Wellbeing regarding Cis women and anyone with a uterus as it is this group that are predominantly the ones who have physical treatment and need to be present at all appointments, they're affected by medication side effects and quite often can be all-consumed by the process. We also spoke with Tom Webb, Director of The Easy Bit documentary Shaun Greenaway founder of Knackered Knackers, Male Support platform to discuss the importance of including and empowering men within the fertility conversation, with a focus on the cis-male experience of pressures from societal narratives leading to toxic masculinity and stigma. Thanks once again to our series sponsor Apricity. Watch our FMAW 30 minute demo on our services to find out exactly how we'd support your organisation with our training and membership Find out more about our services here Follow us on Insta and hear what our community has to say Join us on Linked In Find us on Twitter

Welcome to another episode of The F Word at Work in this episode we're talking about how a change can come about in support of fertility struggles, from employees driving the change. You'll hear two amazing examples. The first is Natalie Sutherland from Burgess Mee, who is the UK's first 'Fertility Officer' and has led the way for her firm to become the UK's first organisation to become 'fertility friendly' with our accreditation. Then you'll hear from Kelly-Anne Morris, an employee at Cadent Gas who we've just launched our services with. What we discussed: Kelly needed to have her fallopian tubes removed, so knew she was going to need treatment when she was ready to build her family. Once she met her partner and was ready, she looked to see what policies what was available - she had a supportive manage yet nothing was written, so the approach wasn't consistent Women In Cadent - had leads on improvements within the workforce which is where Kelly got involved which was how she got involved in meetings. Started speaking about IVF - doing a survey to find out about other people's experiences First person she spoke to was in HR - at the time there was a lot of change happening in the company Now at a point where all family provisions policies are being reviewed. It takes time to find the right people As Kelly was trying to put content together - she realised how much support she needed, such as regarding the LGBTQ communuty How she came to FMAW for facts and figures How it can be challenging at times, questioning whether she's doing it right and has time to give it her full attention - when she doubts herself and then gets an email to thank her for what she's been doing. News articles from people sharing their stories have been mixed genders ( including Men in leadership ) Fertility Focus policy also cover partners - eg. if the Man works at Cadent and his partner doesn't they hope to support the person wanting to accompany their partner. Watch our FMAW 30 minute demo on our services to find out exactly how we'd support your organisation with our training and membership Find out more about Natalie and Burgess Mee here Listen to Infertility in the City here Find out more about our services here Follow us on Insta and hear what our community has to say Join us on Linked In Find us on Twitter

Welcome to episode 3 of The F Word at Work from Fertility Matters at Work ( FMAW) which we are sharing with you one week after the three of us, Natalie, Becky and Claire went to Parliament to join our guest Nickie Aiken as she launched the Fertility Workplace Pledge. Nickie is the Conservative MP for the Cities of London and Westminster and along with the pledge, is bringing forward a private members bill for people undergoing fertility treatment. The episode was recorded in the summer following the first reading of Fertility Treatment (Employment rights ) bill and was a conversation between Nickie, Natalie ( FMAW) and Kate Davies who is our medical advisor at FMAW. Thanks once again to our series sponsor Apricity. What was discussed: How Nickie learnt of this issue from one of her constituents who was forced out of a job and had to agree on a NDA which left a nasty taste in her mouth and she came to Nickie as she didn't want anyone else going through it. How it's the last taboo when it comes to maternal services The misconception is that IVF is needed solely by career women in their 40s who have had their careers and now want a career, but it also affects women in their 20s and 30s. How she hopes to ensure colleagues can support others who might be going through it How Nickie was surprised to be talking to a big company who she spoke to about the Bill and they were surprised they didn't have a policy Whilst there isn't an employment bill that this can slot into and whilst ideally we shouldn't need a law, Nickie highlights why we need a law in order for people to be better supported. Following the first reading of the Bill has happened Nicky did a speech in Parliament which you can read here Within the Women's Health Strategy launched earlier in the summer, Nickie made sure IVF and fertility treatment was included and she believes this means the argument about women's health is a priority has been won. Baroness Anne Jenkins made a speech listing every medical situation a girl goes through. Launch of the Fertility Workplace Pledge What Nickie thinks the impact of the Write to your MP campaign will beWrite to your MP - here's howFind out more about our services here Follow us on Insta and hear what our community has to say Join us on Linked In Find us on Twitter

Welcome to episode 2 of the F Word at Work podcast, where all three co-founders, Natalie, Becky and Claire are here once again to discuss male infertility and how traditional gender roles play a huge part in why men are less likely to discuss or seek help for their mental health and what the workplace can do to address this issue. We'll be talking with our guest Shaun Greenaway, a male fertility advocate who was diagnosed with azoospermia due to having Mumps in his 20s. After having to go through invasive procedures whilst working for the Met Police, Shaun had to go down the donor conception route to have his family. His experience has had a profound effect on him and he is now a proud Dad of twins and the founder of Knackered Knackers where he is continuing to build an amazing support platform for men dealing with infertility. Huge thanks to our series sponsors Apricity What was discussed: Shaun talks about the difficulties to open up in a male-dominated work environment and how he felt if he did he would be ‘cannon fodder'He hid the appointments with multiple dentist appointments - but how many can you realistically have How infertility is always seen as a female issue, especially in the workplaceShaun's experience was a positive one once he finally disclosed to his male counterparts He still didn't feel confident sharing with all of his colleagues due to how society behaves around Men showing vulnerabilityHe decided to set up Knackered Knackered his own support group which has grown from strength to strength How more needs to be done around the stigma of men talking about these issues Find out more about Knackered Knackers You can also find support via this Male only facebook group Visit Calm or the Samaritans Find out more about our services here Follow us on Insta and hear what our community has to say Join us on Linked In Find us on Twitter

Welcome to something a little different on The Fertility Podcast feed... introducing The F Word at Work, which is where I ( Natalie ) have been hanging out in my role as co-founder of Fertility Matters at Work The aim of The F Word at Work has been to create a very niche voice around the issue of fertility in the workplace, to educate HR / Managers / Mental Health First Aiders and all colleagues to be honest about what its like trying to cope with family building challenges whilst doing your job. Our research shows that only 1.7% of companies have policies and 36% of us have considered leaving our jobs due to a lack of support and whilst we're working hard to change this at Fertility Matters at Work, we still have a lot to do. The aim of the podcast is to be another place to talk and I've been sharing best practice of the organisations we're working with, hearing from some of the inspiring employees who have driven the conversation forward in their place of work and also talking to thought leaders within the workplace wellbeing space about how they feel the issue of infertility is represented in the workplace and what more needs to be done. The reason I'm sharing this content on The Fertility Podcast feed is to help you have these conversations at work and I hope that within the episodes you get some ideas.. this may be around how to talk to your manager or it may be about engaging colleagues to form a support group. Whatever it is, its hopefully a nudge to do something.. even if that's just forwarding on an episode to a manager or colleague. We'd love you to also support The F Word, as our next series returns in September so do hit subscribe, wherever you get your podcasts. You can also follow us on Instagram and Linked In

Clean out your ears as you're in for a treat. Over the coming weeks, as we will the British Summer to impress us, we're going to be sharing with you right here on The Fertility Podcast feed, The F Word at Work episodes, which is the podcast created by Fertility Matters at Work and its what has kept Natalie busy for the last 18 months and why Kate has been at the helm of The Fertility Podcast.Hopefully it will be useful for you if you've been trying to find the words to talk about what you are going through at work, as there's lots of examples of how support has been implemented and even if you share it with some colleagues so they get a better understanding of what you are going through, that will in itself make a difference. Be sure to subscribe if you've not already, so you don't miss anything and you can also follow The F Word wherever you get your apps and also follow Fertility Matters at Work on insta to stay up to date on all the amazing work it is doing to raise awareness of fertility issues in the workplace.

In what is the last episode of this series, Kate is joined by the podcast's editor, Ella to ask some quick-fire fertility questions.This episode packs a variety of information, from male factor infertility, ovulation induction medication, irregular periods and what this might mean for you to what to consider when choosing your fertility clinic. Ella asks a range of different questions about topics that may peak your interest.Kate and Ella also talk about advocating for yourself and having the confidence to do so. They also discuss the education of fertility in schools, and Kate explains how she believes that students should be taught about other fertility issues and not just how to avoid getting pregnant, which can often be the subject of most sex-ed lessons. Things like the menstrual cycle and what may affect your fertility for both females and males.So settle down, grab a notepad, and get ready for an adventure through fertility topics as Ella racks Kate's brain for answers!Thank you for listening to this series of the podcast, see you in September!SPONSORSWe are delighted that this episode is sponsored by two friends of the podcast - One Day Tests and @budfertility. One Day Tests is your one stop shop for ‘at home' fertility blood tests and more. The lovely people at One Day Tests are offering The Fertility Podcast listeners 10% discount with TFP10. Bud make super male and female fertility supplements which we absolutely LOVE. You can use the code FP20 for a 20% discount off your order.Socials:Follow @YourFertilityNurse on InstagramFollow @TheFertilityPodcast on InstagramFollow Natalie Silverman she / her (@fertilitypoddy) • Instagram photos and videos on Instagram

Just a little trigger warning, this episode mentions miscarriage and pregnancy loss. If today is a day you're not feeling too strong, perhaps leave this episode for another day. We have a HUGE back catalog to dive into, so there may be something else you fancy instead. This episode of The Fertility Podcast, Kate is joined by Louise to talk about her fertility journey and her experiences with unexplained infertility AND all about the anxiety (scanxiety) you feel when you find out you're pregnant and you're waiting for a scan. Louise's fertility journey started back in 2020 when she came off the pill to start trying to conceive. After several months of trying without success and with one chemical pregnancy, Louise went to the doctors and was eventually told that they had unexplained infertility. Louise and her husband were referred to the NHS for IVF, sadly experiencing a miscarriage during this time. Happily, Louise and her husband conceived using her last embryo.Louise shares her experience of waiting until 8 weeks for her first scan and being convinced that, until she could see the baby on the scan, that she had had a missed miscarriage. Luckily for Louise and her husband, this experience of her scan was really positive and ended on a high. However Louise did find that her 12 week scan was a very different experience, which caused anxiety for Louise and her husband.Louise and Kate talk about Sonographers and the delivery of bad news to patients during a pregnancy scan. They talk about how the Pregnancy Loss Review identified that Sonographers do not receive adequate training in the delivery of bad news. Many sonographers are caring and supportive, but some may not feel equipped with the training to deliver bad news and this needs to change.SPONSORSWe are delighted that this episode is sponsored by a friend of the podcast - @onedaytests. One Day Tests is your one stop shop for ‘at home' fertility blood tests and more. Socials:Follow @YourFertilityNurse on InstagramFollow @TheFertilityPodcast on InstagramYou can find Louise on Instagram at Odd Ones Out (@oddonesout2023) • Instagram photos and videosPregnancy loss review - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pregnancy-loss-review

This week Kate is joined by Clinical Embryologist Victoria Wigley a.k.a @allaboutembryology, to take you on a whirlwind of an episode on, what is quite a confusing topic, Pre-implantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A). PGT-A was first used for those who had a family history of a condition, such as cystic fibrosis. PGT-A takes a look at the chromosomes that are in the cells of the embryo. Since we all have a set amount, PGT-A makes sure that there are no aneuploidies, or in other words - an abnormal amount of chromosomes.Victoria talks about why clinics started using PGT-A testing and she goes into detail on what's involved with this testing and how it is done. Kate and Victoria discuss the HFEA grading system, which currently grades PGT-A testing as ‘red', meaning that ‘there are potential safety concerns and/or, on balance, the findings from moderate/high quality evidence shows that PGT-A testing may reduce treatment effectiveness'. Victoria also discusses her concerns that patients are being offered PGT-A when they do not need it. Victoria tells Kate how she believes that all patients should know everything about what they are being offered, including the risks and hidden costs. She goes on to explain how many of her patients struggle to find the confidence to say ‘no' to their clinics, when being offered treatment that they don't necessarily think they need. Lastly, Victoria and Kate talk about the cost of PGT-A, what you need to consider and managing patients expectations.We are delighted that this episode is sponsored by a friend of the podcast - @onedaytests. One Day Tests is your one stop shop for ‘at home' fertility blood tests and more. SOCIALSYou can find Victoria on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok at All about Embryology (@allaboutembryology) • Instagram photos and videos And you check out her website Home | All About Embryology | Independent Advice and Support | UKYou can also listen back to a previous episode of the podcast all about the darker side of fertility treatments here - Navigating Private IVF & The Darker Side Of Fertility "Treatments" (thefertilitypodcast.com)

This week's episode of The Fertility Podcast, Kate is joined by the Grammy nominated singer, songwriter, and producer, Nelly Joy @nellyjoymusic to talk about her experience of pregnancy loss. The Fertility Podcast is honored to be sharing Nelly's story, as this is the first time that she is openly talking about her experiences. Thank you Nelly. As a result of her experiences, Nelly has written a breathtakingly beautiful song and we have a sample for you to hear in this episode. Nelly's song, ‘Baby Showers' was written after she'd organised a Baby Shower for a friend. On the way home from the Baby Shower, Nelly felt overwhelmed with emotion for her loss, and found herself crying ‘baby showers'. Baby Showers was released on the 7th June and you'll find it ready to stream.Nelly starts by explaining that and after numerous trips to her doctor with heavy and painful periods, and being told it's normal to experience painful periods (note from Kate - It's not!), she was eventually diagnosed with endometriosis. She talks about how women are often dismissed and gaslighted and the importance of being persistent and pushing for a diagnosis when you know something is not quite right.After her diagnosis, Nelly then had surgery which changed her life for the better. Nelly talks about the relief that she had from the surgery and how it helped her with the pain she was experiencing. In 2017, Nelly unfortunately lost a third of her left ovary, and this started to make her think about how this might affect her fertility. In 2020 Nelly and her husband started to try to conceive. A year later, after trying naturally unsuccessfully, Nelly and her husband turned to IVF.Nelly tells Kate that after her first two round of IVF were unsuccessful, the couple decided to try naturally again, and in October of 2023, Nelly fell pregnant. However, after 7 weeks, her pregnancy sadly resulted in an ectopic pregnancy and the loss of one of her fallopian tubes. Nelly has not given up and is continuing to try to conceive naturally. Nelly strongly believes that the stigma surrounding fertility needs to change and people need to start talking more, and this is one of the reasons Nelly wrote ‘Baby Showers' as a way of breaking down taboos and to get people talking. We hope you enjoy listening to Nelly's beautiful track. I'm sure many of you will relate…….Thank you so much to Nelly for sharing this with us.We are delighted that this episode is sponsored by two friends of the podcast - One Day Tests One Day Tests is your one stop shop for ‘at home' fertility blood tests and more. The lovely people at One Day Tests are offering The Fertility Podcast listeners 10% discount with TFP10. SOCIALS:Follow @YourFertilityNurse on InstagramFollow @TheFertilityPodcast on InstagramFollow Nelly Joy (@nellyjoymusic) • Instagram photos and videos on Instagram

In this week's episode of The Fertility Podcast, Kate is joined by the Ro Huntriss - fertility dietitian to answer some quick fire nutrition FAQ's. Ro shares lots of interesting evidence based facts and little tips. So buckle up for a speedy episode and don't forget to grab a note pad!During this episode, Ro and Kate cover topics such as whether you should stop drinking alcohol when trying to conceive, and if diet can help to improve sperm DNA fragmentation. Ro breaks down some myths and drops in little pieces of advice and information on how to optimise your fertility through diet and good nutrition.One of the big questions was, whether the craze of having a Big Mac and Fries after IVF, is a good idea or not and is there really a best way to eat when TTC? Tune in to listen to Ro's answer on these and many more fertility nutrition questions.We are delighted that this episode is sponsored by two friends of the podcast - One Day Tests and Bud Nutrition. One Day Tests is your one stop shop for ‘at home' fertility blood tests and more. The lovely people at One Day Tests are offering The Fertility Podcast listeners 10% discount with TFP10. Bud nutrition make a Vitamin D which we absolutely LOVE. You can use the code FP20 for a 20% discount off your order.Socials:Follow @YourFertilityNurse on InstagramFollow @TheFertilityPodcast on InstagramFollow @fertility.dietition.UK on InstagramRo's book - Deliciously healthy fertility is available on Amazon

*Just a little trigger warning for this episode as there are mentions of termination for medical reasons and pregnancy loss, so if you aren't feeling in the right place today, perhaps come back another day when you feel a little bit stronger. But don't forget that The Fertility Podcast has plenty of back catalog for you to listen to!On today's episode, Kate is joined by Anita who is a fertility and pre-natal dietitian. Anita is here to talk about her making the difficult decision to end her pregnancy for medical reasons. This is called Termination for Medical Reasons or TFMR for short.In the beginning of the episode, Anita talks about how her and her partner wanted to start trying to conceive back in 2019. After trying naturally for sometime, Anita and her husband embarked on IVF. After many rounds of IVF the couple were at at last successful and were overjoyed.Anita shares that at her 20 week scan, the hospital staff started checking the scans and whispering to each other. This started to cause Anita concern and she just knew that something wasn't right. After a few weeks and scans later, Anita and her husband then received the information they were dreading. They knew that they had a difficult decision to make.........Anita tells Kate in the few weeks that followed and due to the uncertainty that her pregnancy could continue, she felt the need to hide her pregnancy from her family and friends. Anita talks about how she felt receiving the diagnosis and making the heartbreaking decision to end her pregnancy. She explains that she would rather take the pain of losing her son herself, rather than Alexander, as they chose to name him, not being able to live a life. And as someone beautifully put, it wasn't his time yet.However, Anita's story has a happy ending. She and her husband now have their beautiful little boy, Oliver, Alexander's little brother. Anita's story is a rollercoaster of ups and downs, but she has proven there is always a rainbow after a storm. We are delighted that this episode is sponsored by two friends of the podcast - One Day Tests. One Day Tests is your one stop shop for ‘at home' fertility blood tests and more. The lovely people at One Day Tests are offering The Fertility Podcast listeners 10% discount with TFP10.Socials Follow @YourFertilityNurse on InstagramFollow @TheFertilityPodcast on InstagramFind Anita - Fertility✨IVF✨PCOS✨Diabetes (@fertility.hormone.dietitian) • Instagram photos and videos on InstagramFind Anita also Diabetes:T1,T2,GDM| Fertility (@anitab_rd) • Instagram photos and videos here on InstagramFertility and Weight loss study - https://plymouth.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/2024wlm

Welcome to the final episode in this series of The F Word at Work, where we discuss mental health at work, and its prevalence regarding the topic of fertility in the workplace. We're delighted to be in conversation with Simon Blake, CEO of MHFA England® and a leading voice in mental health advocacy.With a passion for driving social change, Simon champions diversity and community support. As Chair of the Dying Matters Campaign, he continues his commitment to promoting holistic wellbeing.Here's a glimpse into our conversation:Over 300,000 mental health first aiders are now active in the UK, with one in 40 adults receiving training. We delve into the impact of this training and how it has evolved over the years.Mental health takes centre stage alongside physical health concerns, emphasizing its crucial role in creating a healthy work environment.We explore the importance of using inclusive language and fostering supportive behaviours when discussing both fertility issues and mental health. The importance of listening and offering support, rather than trying to "fix" someone's situation.Learn about the valuable resources available for Mental Health Awareness Week and how these can support the fertility conversations in the workplace.We learn about Mental Health First Aid England's mission to provide training and consultancy on mental health awareness and support.Understand what mental health first aid is and its role in the workplace, including recognizing signs and symptoms of mental health issues, providing initial support, and signposting individuals to appropriate resources.The importance of creating a workplace culture where employees feel safe, supported, and have a sense of belonging, especially in the wake of the pandemic's impact on mental well-being.We explore the "My Whole Self" campaign, which emphasizes the need for dismantling the stigma surrounding fertility challenges and their connection to mental health.The importance of well-being check-ins and the need for managers to be trained in supporting employee well-being. It also recognizes the fear of missteps in difficult conversations and emphasizes building trust with employees.How mental health first aiders can empower managers and employees to address mental health and well-being concerns, including those related to fertility challenges.The importance of psychological safety in the workplace is highlighted and how mental health first aid training empowers individuals to support their colleagues, fostering a positive work environment.We conclude by reflecting on the rewarding aspects of MHFA England's work. This includes the widespread impact of training, the stories of individuals using their skills to help others, and the dedication of mental health first aiders in creating positive workplace cultures.Thank you to Apricity who are sponsoring this series of The F Word at Work. To find out about more about how they can support your employees with inclusive fertility care please get in touch with its expert corporate team here. We'd love your support and feedback so please do hit follow and if possible leave a review in the app you are listening to.Stay Connected:Follow The F Word at Work for access to our free resources:Download our guidance here.Watch our latest webinar with Selfridges, Cadent Gas and Diageo talking about...

*Just a little trigger warning, this episode mentions miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. If today is a day you're not feeling too strong, perhaps leave this episode for another day. We have a HUGE back catalog to dive into, so there may be something else you fancy instead. *Joining Kate on The Fertility Podcast this week is Jade. In this episode, Jade talks about her traumatic and life-changing experiences with ectopic pregnancy. For those who don't know, an ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that is outside of the uterus. Unfortunately, an ectopic pregnancy isn't viable and is not able to continue. Jade's story begins back in January 2022, when she first became pregnant. Unfortunately, this first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. Later on, Jade fell pregnant again, however, this time, it was an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies can cause pain and in some circumstances, bleeding, however, Jade didn't have any symptoms. It wasn't until after a few trips to the doctor, that she was told she had an ectopic pregnancy. Jade eventually had surgery to remove the ectopic pregnancy. She was advised by her doctor that she had an increased risk of having another ectopic, and unfortunately, this happened to Jade again in 2023. However, this time around, Jade knew something was wrong. Jade talks about how hard it was to advocate for herself. Regrettably, this pregnancy ruptured her fallopian tube. An ectopic pregnancy is a serious medical condition which can become a medical emergency. Jade talks about how her experiences have left both her and her body scarred. She explains she is scared to get pregnant and risk going through it all again. However Jade is a fabulous example of the importance of being your own fertility advocate and being persistent if you think something is wrong. In Jade's words “We do always have more strength than we think we have”.Socials Follow @YourFertilityNurse on InstagramFollow @TheFertilityPodcast on InstagramFind The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust - Support For You And Your Loved Ones for more informationFind Request a baby loss certificate - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Find The Premature Menocast podcastRead Endometriosis time to diagnosis report

Welcome to another episode of The F Word at Work, where we delve into the vital conversations surrounding fertility in the workplace. Today, we're honored to host Gemma Young, Senior Managing Director at Nuveen, a driving force in shaping marketing strategies across EMEA and Asia Pacific.Gemma Young, is an esteemed marketing leader, takes center stage, steering Nuveen's marketing endeavors while chairing the business resource group "achieve," dedicated to females and female allies.What we discussed:Gemma's personal journey fuels her dedication to address fertility challenges in the workplace, propelling Nuveen to pioneer impactful initiatives.Nuveen's proactive stance in fostering fertility conversations through a robust event program.Insightful panel discussions and networking sessions covering diverse topics from IVF to LGBTQ family building.Addressing crucial health issues like PCOS and endometriosis to foster a supportive environment.Witness the ripple effects: heightened awareness, enhanced employee support, and policy shifts like the introduction of fertility leave.Gemma's brilliant work internally won an award via the business resource group. Gems of wisdom for initiating similar dialogues: leverage existing affinity groups, engage HR, and rally supportive leadership.Proactive measures are key; continuous dialogue and awareness pave the way for meaningful change.Thank you to Apricity who are sponsoring this series of The F Word at Work. To find out about more about how they can support your employees with inclusive fertility care please get in touch with its expert corporate team here. We'd love your support and feedback so please do hit follow and if possible leave a review in the app you are listening to.Stay Connected:Follow The F Word at Work for access to our free resources:Download our guidance here.You can book a call to speak with us here.Explore our services and subscribe to our newsletter here.Join our vibrant community on Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.Join the Conversation:Don't miss out on the dialogue. Follow and engage

To kick start this new series of The Fertility Podcast, I am joined by a returning guest and friend of the podcast, Lucy Lines. Lucy is an embryologist in Australia, she is also a fertility educator and advocate. On today's episode, Lucy joins me to talk about embryo grading and what it is and how it's done.Lucy explains how to grade an embryo and how a decision is made on which embryo to transfer. Lucy then delves into what it is like to be an embryologist, talking about the training period and the subjective nature of grading embryo's and how this will differ from one embryologist to the next.We move on to talk about which day post collection an embryo should be transferred. Lucy tells me that there is a lot of debate around whether day 3 is the best day or day 5 is. More often than not, clinics will prefer to transfer on day 5, as it usually has a higher success rate than day 3 and there are interesting reasons as to why this decision is actually made……..Lastly, we talked about batching and what to do if you are thinking about batching embryos. Lucy's answer is that there is a lot to take into consideration when thinking about batching. Considerations with regards to your age, your AMH, the stability of your relationship with your partner and what to do with the frozen embryos when you have completed your family. A little bit of advice to take with you from Lucy is when choosing a fertility clinic, take a look at the live birth rate per cycle, how many women who started a cycle ended up with a baby? And, a question to ask at you appointment is how far below the threshold would they grade the embryo?We are delighted that this episode is sponsored by two friends of the podcast - One Day Tests and Bud Nutrtion. One Day Tests is your one stop shop for ‘at home' fertility blood tests and more. The lovely people at One Day Tests are offering The Fertility Podcast listeners 10% discount with TFP10. Bud nutrition make a super Omega 3 which we absolutely LOVE. You can use the code FP20 for a 20% discount off your order.Socials:Follow @YourFertilityNurse on InstagramFollow @TheFertilityPodcast on InstagramFollow Lucy Lines - Embryologist | Fertility Educator | IVF Advocate (@twolinesfertility) • Instagram photos and videos on Instagram

In this episode, we are joined by Wayne Clark - the visionary force behind the Global Growth Institute (GGI), headquartered in the UK and Netherlands. Natalie reached out to Wayne, after hearing him speak about his book 'How to become a World Class manager' on another podcast and knew he would be the perfect person to discuss how organisations can really tap into the manager mindset when it comes to getting them to appreciate the importance of the fertility conversation at work. Wayne has an amazing track record and has been recognised for 4 years by HR Magazine as one of the top 25 “Most Influential Thinkersworking and to date he has worked with more than 700 CEOs/boards and thousands of managers in over 30 countries. What we discussed:Wayne shares the extensive research his organisation conducted to identify key traits of a world-class manager.Twelve crucial focus areas for managers Building strong relationships is crucial for effective communication between managers and team members.The importance of creating space and time for meaningful conversations and relationship building is emphasized.Steve Jobs' perspective on leadership and vision creation is shared, emphasizing the importance of clear communication.Challenges in conveying the context and vision from senior leadership to frontline managers are discussed.The frustration with unproductive meetings and the need for more effective communication tools is highlighted.Suggestions for utilizing different communication methods beyond traditional meetings are discussed.Utilizing webinars and lived experiences to enhance learning and empathy among managers is explored.High-performing manager identification and knowledge-sharing practices are discussed as effective learning strategies.Encouraging managers to understand the backstory of team members and build empathy through storytelling exercises.The value of building relationships through understanding and empathy is emphasized for effective management.Challenges with time management and the importance of flexibility in scheduling regular one-to-one meetings are discussed.The significance of spending time consciously understanding team dynamics and organizational needs is highlighted for effective management.Thank you to Apricity who are sponsoring this series of The F Word at Work. To find out about more about how they can support your employees with inclusive fertility care please get in touch with its expert corporate team here. We'd love your support and feedback so please do hit follow and if possible leave a review in the app you are listening to.Follow FMAW and access our free resources: Make sure you download our guidance here You can book a call to speak with us here.Find out more about our services and sign up for our newsletter here.Follow us on Insta and find out what our community has to say.Join us on...

*Just a little note: There is a little bit of background noise as Kayleigh joins me from a busy office. We've done our best to minimise it, but apologies if you hear a bit of background noise. *In what is the last episode of this current series, I am delighted to be joined by Kayleigh the founder of Fertility Mapper. Fertility Mapper aims to personalise and humanise the access to high quality fertility care. The site allows you to choose a fertility clinic based on geography, cost and patient reviews. There is also a calculator to help you identify whether you are eligible for NHS funded fertility treatments, and handily includes information on your local ICB, to help you really understand what is available for you and your specific circumstances.Kayleigh's advice to anyone looking to access fertility treatments, is to take your time to gather all the information that you need, compare clinics and costs. She also advises to look around and read the stories of others, to help you in deciding which clinic is the right one for you.Socials:Follow @YourFertilityNurse on InstagramFollow @TheFertilityPodcast on InstagramFind Fertility Mapper | Our stories change everything. For more information and supportFollow Fertility Mapper (@fertilitymapper) • Instagram photos and videos on Instagram

In this episode, we are joined by Sabine Hutchison, the dynamic CEO and Co-Founder of Seuss+ and Vice President of the HBA EMEA region. Sabine renowned for her trailblazing spirit in entrepreneurship. With a knack for innovation, Sabine has spearheaded multiple ventures across diverse sectors, showcasing her prowess as a serial entrepreneur and Natalie met her in Basel, after Becky and her had presented our Fertility Matters at Work and here's why, flagship session as part of the inagural HBA Gender Summit. The chat begins with Claire and Natalie from FMAW discussing the importance of cross-industry awareness raising activity, which we facilitate. What we discussed:Significance of cross-industry conversations in the workplace.Overview of an upcoming women's health webinar in collaboration with CIPD.The need for culture change through continuous conversations across industries.The importance of removing taboos around women's health in the workplace.Challenges faced by women in leadership roles related to menopause discussions.Considerations for discussing taboo topics in gender-specific and male-dominated environments.Challenges of maintaining focus on important well-being topics amidst distractions.Importance of diverse perspectives and storytelling in addressing workplace challenges.Encouraging open conversations to normalize discussions on personal experiences in the workplace.Exploring the emotional, psychological, and financial impact of workplace well-being.Objectives for encouraging HBA members to prioritize well-being discussions in 2024.The significance of taking action and initiating conversations on crucial topics.Reflecting on the insightful panel discussions and the importance of actionable steps.Acknowledgment of ongoing conversations and the value of addressing challenging topics in the workplace.Thank you to Apricity who are sponsoring this series of The F Word at Work. To find out about more about how they can support your employees with inclusive fertility care please get in touch with its expert corporate team here. We'd love your support and feedback so please do hit follow and if possible leave a review in the app you are listening to.Follow FMAW and access our free resources: Make sure you download our guidance here You can book a call to speak with us here.Find out more about our services and sign up for our newsletter here.Follow us on Insta and find out what our community has to say.Join us on LinkedIn.Find us on X

In this episode of The Fertility Podcast, we are joined by a friend of the podcast, and as this episode comes out just a few days after International Women's Day - one hell of a woman - Jessica Hepburn. Jessica is an author, arts producer and, using her own words, ‘the most unlikely adventure activist'! Jessica returns to talk about her latest book, Save me from the Waves. However, for those of you who have not yet come across Jessica (and there really can't be many as she is a living icon!) she also shares her fertility journey so you can get up to speed..Jessica's fertility story lasted a decade, and through her journey of 10 cycles of unsuccessful IVF, she has experienced profound loss, but has found new treasures and a new career. Her books, The Pursuit of Motherhood, 21 miles and now Save me from the Waves, take you on an alternative adventure through the ups and downs of her life and provide advice and comfort for those who are on a similar journey.Through Jesssia's many achievements, she is the only woman in the world to have completed The Sea, Street, Summit Challenge. From running the London marathon, swimming the English Channel and then to only going and climbing to the tippy top of Mount Everest! I am in awe. A common feature of the podcast is for me to ask our guests for a piece of advice or what they wished they knew sooner. Jessica answered both. Her advice to you is to be braver sooner, Jessica uses the hashtag #livebigandbrave wherever she can. When it comes to Fertility, her advice is that she wants people to know that there are many roots to parenthood. There are many ways to create a family, many ways to be a mother in the world. Wise words indeed!Socials Follow @YourFertilityNurse on InstagramFollow @TheFertilityPodcast on InstagramFind Jessica's books here Books - Jessica HepburnGo and have a look at Jessica's website Jessica Hepburn - Jessica HepburnYou can find Jessica on Instagram at Jessica Hepburn (@jessica_hepburn_) • Instagram photos and videos

In this episode, we are joined by Madeleine Macy, formerly the Marketing Director at Liberty and currently the Chief Executive Officer at SkyDiamond, and Brendan Boucher, Group Treasurer at The Compass Group. Please note the sensitive content within this episode as there is talk of pregnancy loss and failed IVF and you will hear about Madeline and Brendan's alternative routes to parenthood through Surrogacy. What we discussed:Madeleine describes her fertility journey, spanning almost a decade and involving various treatments, including alternative medicine, medication, artificial insemination, and in vitro fertilization (IVF).The difficulties of managing fertility treatments while working, especially in a demanding career. Madeline discusses experiencing multiple miscarriages, including one during her early days at a new job. She shares that she initially chose not to disclose her pregnancy losses at work, fearing it might affect how she was perceived professionally.The toll fertility struggles took on her mental health, leading to periods of depression and personal challenges and how Madeleine eventually opened up about her experiences at work, receiving support from her boss and HR director. The importance of creating a supportive work environment for those facing fertility challenges and the impact of colleagues' pregnancies on people's emotional well-being, highlighting the difficulty of seeing others go through pregnancy while dealing with loss IVF during the pandemic and the advantages of remote work for those undergoing fertility treatments.Exploring surrogacy as the next step in their journey after facing challenges with IVF.The grief associated with another miscarriage during the surrogacy process and the emotional toll it takes and the importance of taking time off when needed and the need for workplaces to recognize miscarriage as a form of bereavement.The male experience of fertility journey, including experiences of loss, challenges, and different stages of treatment.The impact of changing jobs whilst still going through different stages of treatment including egg donation and IVF cycles, and challenges faced during the process.How a a chance encounter with a couple on a boat in Thailand led to finding a surrogate.Emotional impact, resilience, and the importance of support during the fertility journey.The challenges of balancing fertility treatments with work responsibilities and the need for awareness, education, and support networks within organizations.Conscious quitting and the changing expectations of employees regarding ethical and supportive workplaces and why organisations need to be inclusive. Consideration of individual circumstances in workplace policies and the possibility of offering paid leave per fertility cycle.Thank you to Apricity who are sponsoring this series of The F Word at Work. To find out about more about how they can support your employees with inclusive fertility care please get in touch with its expert corporate team here. We'd love your support and feedback so please do hit follow and if possible leave a review in the app you are listening to.Follow FMAW and access our free resources: Make sure you download our guidance here You can book a call to speak with us here.Find out more about our services and sign up for our newsletter

In this week's episode, I'm joined by Andreia Trigo @andreiatrigorn, a fellow nurse and the CEO and founder of Enhanced Fertility. We're talking all about Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser also known as MRKH. Yep, you can be forgiven for not knowing much, if anything about this rare condition that severely impacts your fertility potential. Essentially if you have MRKH you're born without a womb. Can you imagine how devastating that diagnosis would be and how it would impact you? Imagine finding this all out as a teenager and then in later years realising how this would impact your ability to create a family! Andreia talks about her diagnosis, what she experienced to even get diagnosed in the first place, the accessibility for those who are diagnosed with MRKH, and the first UK uterine transplant.Andreia's fertility journey began when she was 17. She was concerned that she hadn't yet had her first period. After being told to come back after a year, she eventually had tests and scans done and one of the scans reported that a uterus was seen on the scan. It wasn't until later that it turned out to not be the case and Andreia had been incorrectly diagnosed.A year later, when Andreia was 18, she was diagnosed with MRKH. The process that she went through to get that diagnosis took just over 3 years. This involved invasive and painful investigations and procedures to reach a diagnosis. Something that still haunts Andreia to this day. We talked about whether there has been a change in the way that MRKH is diagnosed in the UK. Andreia tells us how it has and now there is a lot more support and tests that are available to be able to effectively diagnose MRKH promptly. Incredibly, 1 in 5000 women are diagnosed with MRKH. Later on, we talked about the first UK uterine transplant and what this means for women like Andreia. Andreia is passionate about improving access and decreasing the time to diagnosis and helps women find their way through diagnosis and the next steps. Andreia's advice to anyone on a fertility journey is, if you feel there is something wrong be persistent and feel empowered to investigate why.Find out more about Andreia at - https://efp.clinic/Follow @andreiatrigorn on InstagramFollow @YourFertilityNurse on InstagramFollow @TheFertilityPodcast on Instagram

Welcome to Series 3 of The F Word at Work where we'd love your support and feedback so please do hit follow and if possible leave a review in the app you are listening to.In this episode, we are joined by Caroline Noublanche, the CEO and co-founder of the world's first virtual fertility set-up called Apricity discussing the evolving landscape of fertility benefits, their importance, implementation challenges, and innovative solutions to support employees through their fertility journey.What we discussed:How Facebook was among the first to offer fertility benefits in 2014, followed by other tech giants like Google and Apple. Recently, companies in the UK, such as NatWest, Monzo, and Marks and Spencer, have also started offering these benefits.How FMAW's work is to help organizations understand family-building challenges and support employees going through fertility treatments.Caroline explains the workings of fertility benefits explaining how they are compensation packages to support employees through their fertility journey.The workings of fertility benefits - how they can include health insurance coverage or cash allowances and are important for attracting and retaining talent, improving productivity, and promoting diversity and inclusion.How companies often inquire about the implementation, cost, and coverage of fertility benefits. The need to address misconceptions, such as the idea that offering egg-freezing benefits encourages women to prioritize their careers over family planning.How Apricity's virtual approach to fertility treatment minimizes disruption to a person's working day and providing constant support through its innovative technologies.How it can be both HR professionals who drive discussions around fertility benefits as well as employees with lived experience of fertility struggles who advocate for these benefits. The US is more advanced in offering fertility benefits, with about 40% of employers providing them. The UK is approximately three years behind but is gradually catching up, especially among large international companies.How organizations may be apprehensive about the cost of implementing fertility benefits, however, innovative approaches, such as utilization-based insurance and partnerships with insurance companies, can help alleviate financial burdens on employees.Fertility benefits extend beyond financial assistance. Virtual clinics like Apricity offer convenience, better outcomes, and reduced disruption to employees' lives, addressing physical, emotional, and financial aspects of fertility treatment.Both Fertility Matters at Work and Apricity offer educational workshops and resources to help organizations understand and implement fertility benefits effectively.Thank you to Apricity who are sponsoring this series of The F Word at Work. To find out about more about how they can support your employees with inclusive fertility care please get in touch with its expert corporate team here.Follow FMAW and access our free resources: Make sure you download our guidance here You can book a call to speak with us here.Find out more about our services and sign up for our newsletter here.

This episode of The Fertility Podcast I am joined by Gemma. Gemma is going to be sharing her IVF journey with us as she goes through the process and on to the next step of donor conception. From this episode onwards, we are going to be keeping up to date with Gemma, so tune in each episode to hear a little update from Gemma.In this episode, however, Gemma starts from the beginning. After going through many tests and everything coming back as normal, they decided to take matters into their own hands and started using the cycle and ovulation monitor - OvuSense. As time went by Gemma started NHS funded IVF and sadly had two unsuccessful cycles. At this point Gemma started to look at accessing IVF abroad. Overall, Gemma went through 6 rounds of IVF in a year, unfortunately, all of them unsuccessful and this led Gemma to the prospect of using donor conception to create her family. Gemma shares how, initially, this prospect took a toll on her mental health. However, Gemma has now come to terms with her decision, has had all the tests required and is now waiting for a donor match. Keep tuned as we'll be hearing from Gemma again in the next episode. If you are thinking about the next steps in your fertility journey and are perhaps considering donor conception, Gemma has found 2 places that she has found to be really helpful - The Donor Conception Network and Becky Kearn's Paths to Parenthub.This episode is sponsored by our friends at OneDayTests. One Day Tests is your one stop shop for ‘at home' fertility blood tests and more. The lovely people at One Day Tests are offering The Fertility Podcast listeners 10% discount with TFP10.Socials:Follow @YourFertilityNurse on InstagramFollow @TheFertilityPodcast on InstagramFollow @onedaytests on instagram Find Paths to Parenthub - Support and Connection for Donor Conception for more information on Donor ConceptionFind Donor Conception Network | Supporting families through donor conception (dcnetwork.org) for more information on Donor Conception

Welcome to Series 3 of The F Word at Work where we'd love your support and feedback so so please do hit follow and if possible leave a review in the app you are listening to. As we get ready for another exciting year at Fertility Matters at Work, we wanted to kick off this podcast episode in conversation with our co-founders Natalie, Becky and Claire to talk about why becoming fertility friendly in 2024 really does matter. We also wanted to share some of the amazing achievements that happened in 2023 that we'll be continuing to build on this year. What we discussed:Highlights from 2023: Including national press coverage on BBC Breakfast News, amazing speaker opportunities at The Modern Family Show and the HBA Gender Healthcare summit, Details of the organisations who have become accredited as well as our impact statistics including over 150,000 employees reachedThe perception Shift in 2023: BBC Breakfast News coverage of this topic in successive weeks has highlighted a shift in public awareness and engagement of the importance of this issueHow momentum is growing with there now being widespread discussions about fertility matters at work with numerous collaborations and the topic being discussed in global organisations as they realise the vast impact. How fertility issues impact businesses, emphasizing the financial and personal costs associated with talent turnover and lack of support during fertility-related challenges.Why the male perspective needs to be part of the conversation and how there's a recognition that the conversation is expanding beyond being viewed as solely a female issue, with a growing acknowledgment of male perspectives and LGBTQ+ considerations in fertility discussions.Why this is so important for talent Retention and engagement and the importance of businesses recognizing fertility matters as a workforce challenge, considering talent retention, engagement, and long-term planning.Why societal perspectives on Infertility on infertility are still a challenge and that infertility is still not being recognized as a legitimate medical condition or a significant life event.Optimism about changing perspectives:Call to Action for 2024:consider fertility-related conversations, share experiences, and engage in initiatives like the fertility workplace pledge.Thank you to our series sponsor Apricity: Apricity is the world's first virtual fertility clinic. They use at-home testing and scans, which means just two in-person meetings per treatment compared to around ten with the traditional model. It's fertility benefit gives end-to-end support and treatment from Apricity doctors and nurses, and transparent pricing with no hidden costs.To find out about the unique Apricity Fertility Benefit and how they can support your employees with inclusive fertility care please get in touch with its expert corporate team here.Follow FMAW and access our free resources: Make sure you download our guidance here You can book a call to speak with us here. Find out more about our services and sign up for our newsletter here.

The F Word at Work podcast welcomes you to series 3, where we continue to highlight the impact of people's family building struggles at work and why as a business - whatever size you are - becoming fertility-friendly in 2024 should be on your priority list. You'll hear from specific sectors on how they are addressing the issue with awareness-raising activity and training hear our updates on the work we're doing to lobby parliament in the UK and learn more from our community about their experiences with alternative routes to parenthood such as surrogacy. You'll also hear more insights as always from thought leaders in the workplace wellbeing space. We hope you find these conversations useful and they help you put the business case forward as to why fertility really does matter at work.Thank you to Apricity for sponsoring this podcast

In this episode of The Fertility Podcast, I'm discussing how to navigate through the private IVF system. It's a topic I've wanted to record for an age, mainly because many of you book in to see me for advice and support on this very topic. It seems to be a big pain point. In the UK we're not familiar with accessing private healthcare, so how do you do it? And importantly how can you change your mindset from a patient to a consumer and why is this important? I also share some great tips on how to choose the right clinic for you and what questions to ask at your first IVF appointment. Later in the pod, I'm joined by freelance journalist Antonia Hoyle @greenerlanes who recently investigated the darker side of fertility ‘treatments'. We talk tarot card readings (yes really!), alternative therapies, and immunology.We talk about how these alternative ‘treatments' and IVF Add-ons do not have the evidence to support their use. And that vulnerable women being taken advantage, both emotionally and financially of by unregulated and self-styled fertility ‘experts' who are offering false hope.We are delighted that this episode is sponsored by two friends of the Podcast. Firstly, The Lowdown is the place to get the lowdown on your reproductive health. Learn about your fertility, share your experiences and read those of others. And One Day Tests your one stop shop for ‘at home' fertility blood tests and more. The lovely people at One Day Tests are offering The Fertility Podcast listeners 10% discount with TFP10.SocialsFollow @TheFertilityPodcast on InstagramFollow @your_fertility_nurse on InstagramFollow @greenerlanes on instagramFollow @get.the.lowdown on instagramFollow @onedaytests on instagram