Don't Tell Me To RELAX- A Fertility Podcast

This is the first episode in our Men in May mini series I am joined by Claire Mooney from Fertility Solutions.

Claire is a consultant embryologist with over 24 years experience in assisted conception. She has worked and trained in some of the most successful IVF units in the world. Claire specialises in Male fertility and believes that in an assisted conception industry that focuses heavily on the female partner it is now essential to turn our attention to the male partner.

This is Claire's second time on the show (she's that good!) and in this episode we discuss how to have healthy sperm, what lifestyle factors can improve sperm quality and how proper testing is important for everyone who is TTC.

We cover:

• Why male fertility should be considered and tested before assuming infertility is solely a female issue.

• Comprehensive testing for male fertility, including semen analysis, semen culture, and DNA fragmentation testing.

• How lifestyle factors such as diet, smoking, alcohol, and temperature can impact sperm health.

• How improving sperm quality through lifestyle changes and addressing any issues can increase the chances of successful fertility treatment.

• How the decline in sexual frequency may be attributed to busy lives and excessive phone use.

• Why regular intercourse between days 7 and 21 of the menstrual cycle is important for maximizing fertility.

• Why considering fertility options early on can help individuals make informed choices about their reproductive future.

💛 This is the link for Fertility Solutions. and if you have specific questions for Claire, she will doing a live Q&A in our fertility support group on Friday May 17th at 12 pm.

You can join our (Don't Tell Me To RELAX) fertility support group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 To find out more about how we can support your fertility either online or in person you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book a discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or an ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠appointment directly online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 For more information on men & fertility you can download our Male Fertility Fact Sheet here

In this episode, I am joined by Alejandra, from Fertility Support.

Alejandra is an integrative psychotherapist, and we discuss the impact of mental health on fertility. We also look at the differences between counseling, psychotherapy, psychology, and coaching, because quite frankly it's all a bit confusing!

Alejandra explains that fertility issues can have a profound impact on mental health, leading to depression, anxiety, and feelings of isolation. Alejandra shares how psychotherapy can help individuals navigate the emotional challenges of the fertility journey, providing tools, insight, and a supportive therapeutic relationship.

We discuss:

• Counselling, psychotherapy, psychology, and coaching and how they differ.

• How fertility struggles can have a profound impact on mental health, leading to depression, anxiety, and feelings of isolation.

• The relationship between stress and fertility. It is complex and not fully understood, but it is important to avoid oversimplifying the issue by telling individuals to 'just relax'.

• How psychotherapy can help individuals navigate the emotional challenges of the fertility journey by providing tools, insight, and a supportive therapeutic relationship.

• How finding a psychotherapist who specializes in fertility can offer additional understanding and knowledge of the unique experiences and challenges faced by individuals going through fertility treatments.

💛 For more Fertility Information, Connection and Community,  Join our (Don't Tell Me To RELAX) fertility support group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 To find out more about how we can support your fertility either online or in person you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book a discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or an ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠appointment directly online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 Want to track your cycle? Download our Cycle Symptom Tracker and/or BBT chart here.

If you'd like more information on Acupuncture and IVF please see my Blog with links to the research discussed in this episode.

If you're looking for an acupuncturist who specialises in fertility you're in good hands with anyone who is Fertility Support Trained.

There is also The Acupuncture Fertility Network for a register of Fertility Acupuncturists.

You can also see the British Acupuncture Council for more information on acupuncture and who works in your local area.

💛 Want to LEARN more about your fertility? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Foundations for Fertility: our Free 5 step Masterclass on Understanding, Optimising and Empowering your Fertility

💛 Looking for CONNECTION & COMMUNITY join our (DTMTR-Don't Tell Me To RELAX) fertility support group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 To WORK WITH US  in clinic or online you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book a discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or an ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠appointment directly online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 For some EMOTIONAL support we have The Pocket Hug: a little guide to help you through. Available for free ⁠here.

💛 Want to LEARN more about your fertility? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Foundations for Fertility: our Free 5 step Masterclass on Understanding, Optimising and Empowering your Fertility

💛 Looking for CONNECTION & COMMUNITY join our (DTMTR-Don't Tell Me To RELAX) fertility support group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 To WORK WITH US  in clinic or online you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book a discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or an ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠appointment directly online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 For some EMOTIONAL support we have The Pocket Hug: a little guide to help you through. Available for free here.

This week I am joined by Giulietta Durante, (Hormones in Harmony) a menstrual cycle nutritionist who specialises in hormone health. We look at how you can use the DUTCH test to understand your hormones and what’s going on and make a plan for making positive change.

• What are the advantages to doing DUTCH over standard blood tests.
• What is Ostrogen Dominance and what are the signs and symptoms of this. 
• Why you would do this test if you’re TTC.
• Why the DUTCH is good for showing where the stress is in your body.
• Signs and symptoms which might lead you to DUTCH testing
• What do you to fix things and how you make changes.
• What influences good hormone balance. 

💛 If you would like to learn more about your fertility please ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Foundations for Fertility: our Free 5 step Masterclass on Understanding, Optimising and Empowering your Fertility

💛 You can also join our free fertility support community group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 To find out more about working with us in clinic you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book a discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or an ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠appointment directly online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 You can also find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Katy and I are joined by Dr Fran from The Lowdown. The Lowdown is a research platform for women’s health. It enables women to review and research their health conditions, symptoms and medications so they can make more informed decisions.

This includes contraception, fertility, peri- menopause, PCOS and Endo. Today we are discussing the impact of contraception on fertility and how to prepare yourself when you're on contraception for your future fertility.

We discuss

• Recommendations of what to think about before you come off contraception
• The importance of prenatal vitamins and what the NHS guidelines recommend
• Issues about coming off the different forms of contraception.
• Changing your form of contraception as part of your family planning 
• The difference in hormonal contraceptions for the time it takes for cycles to return.
• At what point do you start investigations if you have problematic cycles after contraception
• Ways to support your cycle when you come off contraception.
• Ways you can get support through the Lowdown

💛 If you would like to learn more about your fertility please ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Foundations for Fertility: our Free 5 step Masterclass on Understanding, Optimising and Empowering your Fertility

💛 You can also join our free fertility support community group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 To find out more about working with us in clinic you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book a discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or an ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠appointment directly online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 You can also find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

I am joined by the very lovely and very knowledgable Angela Heap and we are discussing toxins and the impact on fertility.

In our everyday lives we come into contact with many different chemicals - through the products we use, the food we eat, and the air we breathe. Studies show that endocrine disrupting chemicals can impact egg and sperm health and hormone balance, therefore affecting fertility.

But in modern life it is impossible to escape, it can feel completely overwhelming and it's hard to know where to start. Angela shares great information and advice to help you navigate this.

We discuss:

• how we came to use plastics so much
• how these can impact health and fertility
• the impact on sperm
• just how many chemicals we use on a day to day basis
• links to autoimmune problems
• where you can make changes
• filtering water
• how to choose products
• how to not loose your shit and get totally overwhelmed
• deordorant!

Here is the link to ThinkDirty we discuss. This is a good website for products: Everyday Green. And local refill stations have good ranges if you have one local to you.

You can find out more about Angela here.

💛 If you would like to learn more about your fertility please ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Foundations for Fertility: our Free 5 step Masterclass on Understanding, Optimising and Empowering your Fertility

💛 You can also join our free fertility support community group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 To find out more about working with us in clinic you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book a discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or an ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠appointment directly online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 You can also find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

We have a new team member who is coming on board to help support our patients and work with us in our fertility community group. Morven provides online fertility consultations and support and will be doing a live Q&A in our community next week (Wednesday 6th March)

In this episode we discuss:

• Introduction to Morven and how she came to work in this area

• Morven’s personal experiences of menstrual cycle and fertility issues

• What’s involved in an online fertility nurse consultation

• How to access blood testing remotely 

• How Morven can help you advocate for yourself with your GP

• The role of fertility awareness and education

• Who are these appointments for

• Morven's top tips to look out for for cycle issues.

💛 Morven is doing a live Q&A in our community group on Wed 6th March. You can sign up below to join us or email us with any questions.

💛 If you would like to learn more about your fertility please ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Foundations for Fertility: our Free 5 step Masterclass on Understanding, Optimising and Empowering your Fertility

💛 You can also join our free fertility support community group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 To find out more about working with us in clinic you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book a discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or an ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠appointment directly online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 You can also find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

I am joined by Dr Yau Thum from the Lister to discuss Reproductive Immunology.

Reproductive Immunology looks at how the immune system and the reproductive system can impact conception and pregnancy. It is an area that is explored and tested when people have experienced repeat implantation failure and/or miscarriage with no other explanation found.

Dr Yau Thum leads the reproductive immunology research team at The Lister Fertility Clinic. He has been involved in research in the area of natural killer cells and immunological aspects of recurrent failed implantation since 2003 and have published papers demonstrating that an "overactive" immune system may negatively affect pregnancy outcomes and IVF success rates.

In this episode we discuss:

• What is reproductive immunology?

• The problem with researching this area.

• What tests can you do to test this area?

• Killer cells what they are, how you test for them?

• What the cytotoxicity test is.

• Drug protocols to address these issues and when to start them

• Who should take the tests.

• Why they are so expensive.

• Where to find out more about reproductive immunology.

If you want to learn more please see The Lister Fertility Clinic Pages and/or the Reproductive Immunology Centre.

You can also find out more via HFEA

💛 If you would like to learn more about your fertility please ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Foundations for Fertility: our Free 5 step Masterclass on Understanding, Optimising and Empowering your Fertility

💛 You can also join our free fertility support community group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 To find out more about working with us in clinic you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book a discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or an ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠appointment directly online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 You can also find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

I am joined by fertility nutritionist Kirsty Harrison to talk about digestion and its links to reproductive health.

Kirsty is our lovely nutritionist and a member of the Fertility Nutrition Centre. So she has a lot of great information and experience to share about gut health and supporting this to help improve fertility outcomes.

In this episode we talk about:

• What do we mean when we talk about gut health and digestion.

• What a good poo should like.

• What is the link between digestion and hormone health and fertility.

• Why it’s hard to eat well in the modern world.

• Signs and symptoms to look out for around digestion.

• The importance of eating slowing and mindfully and chewing your food properly.

• Why you’d do a gut test and what it can tell you.

• How to improve your gut health.

• Should you take probiotics?

• And what are prebiotics?

• Kirsty’s top tips for gut health and the importance of breakfast!

If you'd like to know more about nutrition and fertility Kirsty is running a live Q & A in our fertility support group on Wednesday 21st Feb at 8pm. The link to join our group is below....

💛 If you would like to learn more about your fertility please ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Foundations for Fertility: our Free 5 step Masterclass on Understanding, Optimising and Empowering your Fertility

💛 You can also join our free fertility support community group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 To find out more about working with us in clinic you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book a discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or an ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠appointment directly online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 You can also find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

The Conception Plan with Dr Larisa Corda.

Dr Larisa Corda is a fertility expert, an obstetrician and gynaecologist, a spiritualist and TV Doctor and author.

You may recognise her from This Morning, where she frequently appears as the in-house fertility expert.

She has recently published a new book The Conception Plan, which brings together conventional medicine and complimentary practices to treat and support a person as a whole.

Which, as an acupuncturist is music to my ears! 

• Why Dr Larisa wrote the book and how it differs from others out there
• How Dr Larisa’s approach in her book bridges both western and complimentary medicine
• The huge benefits that come with combining both conventional and complimentary medicine and the research Dr Larisa includes in the book to back this up
• Why the book follows a 12 week plan and what it includes 
• Stress and its impact and what you can do about it
• Unexplained infertility and the role of IVF.

💛 If you would like to learn more about your fertility please ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Foundations for Fertility: our Free 5 step Masterclass on Understanding, Optimising and Empowering your Fertility

💛 You can also join our free fertility support community group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 To find out more about working with us in clinic you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book a discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or an ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠appointment directly online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 You can also find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

The two week wait is often one of the most difficult times to get through, in both natural cycles and assisted conception cycles. It is easy to feel anxious and overwhelmed with the lack of control. Symptom spotting, googling and over thinking are common problems and patterns that people fall into. So this episode is dedicated to acknowledging that this is a tough time. And I am joined by Katy and Carly to look at what you can control and ways to support yourself through this time.

We discuss:

• What the two week wait is and what is going on during this time
• Emotional side effects that people experience during the TWW
• Ways to plan ahead and think about putting good things in place before you’re in the TWW
• The physical side effects of the TWW
• Finding activities to fill up the time and the space
• Areas you can and can’t control during the TWW
• Ways of communicating your needs to those around you
• The importance of boundaries
• Why symptom spotting is the devils work
• Katy’s up coming Two Week Wait masterclass
• Carly’s on going course for the Two Week Wait

💛 Katy's Masterclass Conquer the Countdown is on Monday 12th Feb and details are here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/conquer-the-countdown-tickets-808021753817?aff=oddtdtcreator

💛 Carly's Two Week Wait course is always available to access here:https://hannahpearn.com/two-week-wait/

💛 And don't forget our monthly fertility support group, Tea and Chat is free and for anyone TTC. You'll find details in our fertility community support group: https://mailchi.mp/hannahpearn/facebook-group

💛 To find out more about working with us in clinic you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book a discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or an ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠appointment directly online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 You can also find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Dr Amanda Tozer, clinical director at Aria Clinic, joins us this week to talk about the challenges and options for people wanting to conceive over 40. At Aria clinic 50 % of people who access their treatment are over the age of 40, they therefore have lot of experience to share with us.

We discuss:

• Why people are starting families later on in life.
• What are the statistics for conceiving over 40.
• The difference of the age ranges over 40
• Egg quality and the extent to which you can improve it
• The impact of lifestyle and what steps you can take to improve your chances and fertility outcomes
• PGTA testing and why this is increasing popular for people over the age of 38
• How age applies to male factor also
• Is IVF a viable option over 40 and how to decide whether or not to do treatment
• Why cycle optimisation (super ovulation) and IUI can be a helpful option for people over 40.
• At what point do you decide to stop treatment and move onto other options
• How to find out more about working with Aria Clinic

💛 If you would like to learn more about your fertility please ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Foundations for Fertility: our Free 5 step Masterclass on Understanding, Optimising and Empowering your Fertility

💛 You can also join our free fertility support community group ⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 To find out more about working with us in clinic you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book a discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or an ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠appointment directly online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 You can also find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

I am joined by fellow fertility acupuncturist Alex O'Connor to discuss the pros and cons of fertility MOTS. Fertility MOTs have had an explosion in recent years and are advertised as a way to understand your fertility and ability to conceive. But what does that really mean and can you really test your ability to conceive and are some tests out there better than others?

We discuss it all including:

• What is a Fertility MOT and why might you have one.
• What is tested in a fertility assessment.
• The problem with fertility assessments and the scaremongering that can come with these.
• How we would to assess fertility from a holistic perspective.
• The advantages of proper online assessments like Hertility.
• How you can take control of your own menstrual cycle health and educate yourself - books we refer to are listed below....
• The limitations of doing online blood tests.
• Why we need more regular assessments throughout our lives not just when we’re trying to conceive
• Is there such a thing as unexplained infertility? 

To find out more about Alex you can follow her on Instagram.

The books we refer to are:

• The 5th Vital Sign
• You Can Have A Better Period
• Fix Your Period

💛 If you would like to learn more about your fertility please ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Foundations for Fertility: our Free 5 step Masterclass on Understanding, Optimising and Empowering your Fertility

💛 You can also join our free fertility support community group ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠

💛 To find out more about working with us in clinic you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book a discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or an ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠appointment directly online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 You can also find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Buckle up peeps because this one is full to the brim with helpful information for each stage of the IVF process. IVF can be an intense process, physically, emotionally, financially and today we are with Trudi Campbell Nursing and Quality Director at The Evewell. Trudi has seen thousands of people through treatment so is well placed to share her thoughts on good practices to help you through. We discuss: What to consider before you start your treatment How treatment can change as you go through it and preparing yourself for this What Trudi recommends you do to support yourself when going through treatment  The importance of making positive changes before treatment What is a good approach to your work load as you got through treatment Tips for preparation and going through egg collection  Recommendations for transfer day The Two Week Wait and how to get through this time.  The pros and cons of acupuncture alongside IVF Trudi’s three overall top tips for IVF We have made it as finalists for this years GLOMAMA best podcast award. We would love it if you voted for us⁠ here⁠. THANK YOU! ⁠⁠ 💛 If you would like to learn more about your fertility please ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Foundations for Fertility: our Free 5 step Masterclass on Understanding, Optimising and Empowering your Fertility

💛 You can also join our free fertility support community group ⁠here.⁠

💛 To find out more about working with us in clinic you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book a discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or an ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠appointment directly online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 You can also find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Myself and Katy are kicking off the new year with how and why it’s important to prepare for pregnancy.

Research shows that preparation can really impact fertility outcomes for both men and women and this applies to both natural and assisted conception. This is a topic we discuss a lot in clinic and it's a huge part of our work in guiding and supporting people with their preparation.

New year always comes with new goals and new resolutions and we unpick what areas of life are important to look at and address.

We discuss:

• Why we always talk about the importance of 3 months to prepare
• Why it doesn’t have to be all encompassing or perfect
• Looking at your menstrual cycle and how getting this in a good shape is vital for a healthy pregnancy
• Vaginal health and investigation any underlying issues is vital before getting pregnant. This includes UTIs, repeat thrush, BV and any suspected sexually transmitted disease. 
• Sleep, why this is a super power and what good sleep hygiene looks like.
• Nutrition and why this is one of the most important parts of pregnancy preparation. We always recommend working with a specialist but cover the basics to be aware of. 
• Stress, how this shows up in your life and how you can address it (but also never be free of it!)
• The importance of testing, investigations and applying all of these habits to both parties

We have made it as finalists for this years GLOMAMA best podcast award. We would love it if you voted for us here.

THANK YOU!

💛 If you would like to learn more about your fertility please ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Foundations for Fertility: our Free 5 step Masterclass on Understanding, Optimising and Empowering your Fertility

💛 You can also join our free fertility support community group ⁠⁠here.⁠⁠

💛 To find out more about working with us in clinic you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book a discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or an ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠appointment directly online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 You can also find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

I am joined by Fertility Nutritionist Kirsty Harrison. We don't have all the answers, but we do have some helpful information and suggestions that we hope helps.

We discuss:

• the importance and value of boundaries and just saying no
• Why you don’t need to restrict anything and no-one can be 100% all of the time
• Why following an 80/20 rule can be really helpful and why good vs bad isn’t helpful
• What can you add in and do rather than take away and avoid
• How to look after your liver if you decide to have a drink
• How looking after your sleep, blood sugar, making sure you get outside and taking your supplements can really help
• Having a plan for how you spend your time at Christmas and your boundaries is the most important helpful action you can take
• Kristy’s top tips for Christmas
• Why new year resolutions aren’t always helpful 
• Why working with a specialist nutritionist can be game changing

If you’d like more support please see our webinar on our community on navigating Christmas. It includes more nutrition from Kirsty, advice on boundaries from me and some lovely self care techniques from our fertility coach Carly. Follow the Facebook link to join.

💛 If you would like to learn more about your fertility please ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Foundations for Fertility: our Free 5 step Masterclass on Understanding, Optimising and Empowering your Fertility

💛 You can also join our free fertility support community group ⁠here.⁠

💛 To find out more about working with us in clinic you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book a discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or an ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠appointment directly online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 You can also find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Lucy Lines is an independent embryologist, fertility educator and IVF patient advocate.

Her goal is to help people navigate the often complicated road of IVF treatment. In this episode we discuss:

• The gap in care and support between GPs and fertility clinics
• The problem with the business of IVF
• The importance of pre conception health 
• How to choose an IVF clinic 
• What to do when treatment doesn’t work
• Lucy’s top tips to do before IVF and during IVF
• Programmes that Lucy offers to support IVF

You can follow Lucy on instagram.

💛 If you would like to learn more about your fertility please ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Foundations for Fertility: our Free 5 step Masterclass on Understanding, Optimising and Empowering your Fertility

💛 You can also join our free fertility support community group here.

💛 To find out more about working with us in clinic you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book a discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or an ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠appointment directly online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 You can also find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Jessica Bourke (AKA The Fertility Detective) provides a unique, individualised service that is founded on her in-depth knowledge of all aspects of fertility, whether trying to conceive assisted or non-assisted. In this episode we discuss the issues around fertility investigations, unexplained infertility and the gaps between GP care and fertility clinics.

We discuss:

• Intro to Jessica and her work
• What are fertility investigations and why are they so important
• Why we need a more individualized approach to fertility investigations
• Where to start with investigations
• The problem with ranges
• What other tests might you want to do when you’re trying to investigate your fertility
• Why we are in this situation and the gap between a GP and a fertility clinic
• Why we don’t get to the root cause of fertility problems
• Next steps if you’ve told you have unexplained infertility 
• Why treating underlying conditions is so important
• Where to go for better investigations
• What to look for when you’re searching for treatment and support

You can follow Jessica on Instagram here

💛 If you would like to learn more about your fertility please ⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Foundations for Fertility: our Free 5 step Masterclass on Understanding, Optimising and Empowering your Fertility

💛 To find out more about working with us in clinic you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠book a discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠ or an ⁠⁠⁠⁠appointment directly online⁠⁠⁠⁠

💛 You can also find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

There are an increasing number of people who are traveling abroad for IVF treatment. We discuss this with Emma from Your IVF Abroad, who had treatment abroad and now works supporting people who are considering this option.

We discuss:

• Emma’s story, her struggle to find a clinic and how she came to set up Your IVF Abroad
• Why people might choose to go abroad
• How to start researching clinics abroad and the support Emma can provide with this process
• How is the industry regulated in other countries
• Logistics of having treatment abroad
• Why it’s not always helpful to go to your local clinic
• Why going abroad is so popular for using donor eggs and sperm
• How much cheaper is it going abroad?
• How to work with Emma and the different ways to work with her

Emma has lots of free help - downloadable guides, a blog and podcast on fertility treatment abroad in Europe and an online pharmacy service, all of which you can access via this link.https://linktr.ee/Yourivfabroad?fbclid=PAAaY_kQaKMBDH4tNj2QuzVPcI_J14s0dDue6rHHjtY4QUHAPNNI6n3qOlgNk

Don't know where to start? download her free short step by step guide to the process of having fertility treatment abroad via the link below.https://www.yourivfabroad.co.uk/step-by-step-guide-to-having-fertility-treatment-in-europe

Or book a Pick My Brain call to ask all of your questions and to come away with clarity and a plan for next steps.https://www.yourivfabroad.co.uk/pick-my-brain
Here is the link to Emma's website and Instagram account.

💛 If you would like to learn more about your fertility please ⁠⁠⁠sign up⁠⁠⁠ for Foundations for Fertility: our Free 5 step Masterclass on Understanding, Optimising and Empowering your Fertility

💛 To find out more about working with us in clinic you can ⁠⁠⁠book a discovery call⁠⁠⁠ or an ⁠⁠⁠appointment directly online⁠⁠⁠

💛 You can also find us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

We are joined by the formidable Claire Mooney, who is on a mission to improve investigations and treatment in male reproductive health. She is a consultant embryologist and medical director of Fertility Solutions. Claire specialises in male fertility and believes we need to work with men more to improve fertility rates with both natural and assisted conception.

We discuss

• What drove Claire to set up Fertility Solutions and focus on men more
• What Claire would recommend to test for male fertility investigations. This includes a standard sperm test, a sperm culture and a DNA fragmentation test.
• What DNA fragmentation is and why it’s important.
• Why we are in this current situation on both NHS and private clinics.
• How we can support fertility with wider lifestyle changes and support
• Where to get DNA fragmentation testing done 
• Why sperm cultures are so important for identifying and treating bugs
• The limitations of standard sperm tests
• Why ICSI had an impact on investigating male fertility
• The importance of preparation
• How to work with Fertility Solutions

💛 If you would like to learn more about your fertility please ⁠⁠sign up⁠⁠ for Foundations for Fertility: our Free 5 step Masterclass on Understanding, Optimising and Empowering your Fertility

💛 To find out more about working with us in clinic you can ⁠⁠book a discovery call⁠⁠ or an ⁠⁠appointment directly online⁠⁠

💛 You can also find us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠

💛 If you would like to learn more about your fertility please ⁠sign up⁠ for Foundations for Fertility: our Free 5 step Masterclass on Understanding, Optimising and Empowering your Fertility

💛 To find out more about working with us in clinic you can ⁠book a discovery call⁠ or an ⁠appointment directly online⁠

💛 You can also find us on ⁠Instagram

I am not sure Ceci needs an introduction but if you don't know Ceci and her work then she describes herself as "an infertility, anxiety and grief survivor who has spent years as a qualified fertility coach working with hundreds of people around the world to restore their emotional well-being as they're trying to conceive."

Ceci offers support 121 and through her collective and campaigns hard on breaking the stigma, raising awareness and changing the narrative around a fertility struggle.

In this episode we discuss:

• Ceci's fertility journey and how she experienced infertility
• How this led her to the work she does now
• What fertility coaching is and how it's different from other forms of support out there.
• Why infertility affects mental health so much.
• How Ceci helps her clients manage their stress and anxiety
• How fertility challenges can put a strain on a couples relationship and what you can do about it.
• Recommendations for how to support friends and family who might be struggling to conceive.

Links are here to find out more about working with Ceci and if you have never seen her Instagram page, check it out, she does the very best reels.

💛 If you would like to learn more about your fertility please ⁠sign up⁠ for Foundations for Fertility: our Free 5 step Masterclass on Understanding, Optimising and Empowering your Fertility

💛 To find out more about working with us in clinic you can ⁠book a discovery call⁠ or an ⁠appointment directly online⁠

💛 You can also find us on ⁠Instagram

There has been a huge rise in the popularity in freezing eggs over the last 5 years. COVID is thought to be a huge factor that impacted this. Statistics show a rise of nearly 50% of enquiries into egg freezing since 2020. So what's it all about, what's involved and how does it work? To discuss this I am joined by Rebecca who is the Patient Services Manager at The Evewell. She is a registered midwife and has supported many people through their treatment. And she has recently frozen her own eggs, so shares both her professional and personal expriences.

We discuss:

• What is egg freezing?
• Why do it
• How do you assess someone’s fertility potential?
• Why an AMH assessment is relevant for egg collection
• How many eggs do you need to collect to give you reassurance for future proofing your family
• Why it is important to make these decisions on a case by case basis
• Packages v’s cycle by cycle
• Average age/ age range for egg freezing 
• The importance of preparation
• What happens at the other end of the journey when you’re ready to use your eggs
• The improvement in freezing technology and the impact of this on future success rates
• Rebecca’s experience going through egg freezing
• Rebecca’s top tips for people considering egg freezing
• The dream for regular reproductive health check ins 

To find out more about egg freezing see the HFEA

Sarah Banks is an experienced Personal Development Coach and best-selling author who specialises in supporting women through the challenging stages of their life. Having been through her own fertility struggles, Sarah knew first hand that there wasn't enough support for her as she went through treatment. Fast forward the years and Sarah has developed the planner to help people reprioritise themselves and their emotional wellbeing. Their purpose is to help people feel happier, more in control and able to prioritise what is important their mental health.

• Intro to Sarah and her fertility experiences which led her to this work
• The importance of peer support and why there often isn’t any
• What’s the theory behind the positivity planner
• What’s in the planner 
• How the planner can help with your thoughts and feelings
• Why’s there’s not one size fits all but finding support is vital through treatment
• Understanding what you can and can’t control during treatment
• Sarah’s work with clinics to improve their support
• Sarah’s support groups. TTC support and IVF support. 

See here to find out more and register for Sarah's course. And for her support groups see here: IVF Support - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ivfsupportsarahbanks TTC Support UK - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ttcsupportuk

And for The IVF Positivity Planner see here.

💛 Want to learn more about your fertility? We're currently running Foundations for Fertility. This is a 5 week FREE course on understanding, optimising and investigating your fertility. With the aim of reducing your overwhelm & anxiety and empowering you to take back some control. You can register for FREE HERE and you can catch up on all previous episodes in our Don't Tell Me to RELAX community group.

☎️ Whether you prefer in-clinic or online appointments, book a discovery call or an appointment with us today.

💛 And don't forget to follow us on Instagram for more fertility inspiration. 👉 If you've enjoyed our content, please consider sharing and leaving us a review - your support means the world to us!

Emma Whitney is the Laboratory Manager at The Evewell. She is also Emma the Embryologist on Instagram and does great educational posts about embryology to make it more accessible and understandable, to help people going through treatment. Emma is so passionate and so experienced and shares a lot of great insights.

We discuss:

• Introduction to embryology its origins.
• What’s the role of an embryologist in IVF treatment.
• Can you improve egg and sperm quality.
• What can you control when you're going through treatment.
• What your clinic can control.
• And what is beyond everyone’s control
• The impact of age on egg quality
• IVF and ICSI and why choose one over the other
• Fertility stats and key performance indicators for clinics
• The importance of education and early intervention.

And talking of which.......

.....we've got one week left of Foundations for Fertility!! This is a 5 week FREE course on understanding, optimising and investigating your fertility. With the aim of reducing your overwhelm & anxiety and empowering you to take back some control. You can register for ⁠⁠FREE HERE ⁠⁠and you can catch up on all previous episodes in our ⁠⁠Don't Tell Me to RELAX⁠⁠ community group.

☎️ Whether you prefer in-clinic or online appointments, ⁠⁠book a discovery call ⁠⁠or ⁠⁠an appointment ⁠⁠with us today. 

💛 And don't forget to follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ for more fertility information. 

👉 If you've enjoyed our content, please consider sharing and leaving us a review - your support means the world to us!

You can find out more about Katy's Fertility Awareness course and 121 work here.

💛 Want to learn more about your fertility? We're currently running Foundations for Fertility. This is a 5 week FREE course on understanding, optimising and investigating your fertility. With the aim of reducing your overwhelm & anxiety and empowering you to take back some control. You can register for ⁠⁠FREE HERE ⁠⁠and you can catch up on all previous episodes in our ⁠⁠Don't Tell Me to RELAX⁠⁠ community group.

☎️ Whether you prefer in-clinic or online appointments, ⁠⁠book a discovery call ⁠⁠or ⁠⁠an appointment ⁠⁠with us today. 

💛 And don't forget to follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ for more fertility information. 

👉 If you've enjoyed our content, please consider sharing and leaving us a review - your support means the world to us!

Ed Coats is a fertility consultant, hysteroscopic and laparoscopic surgeon and medical director at the Evewell West London clinic. He joins us to share his experiences and thoughts on assisted conception and IVF. He explains, who can benefit from treatment, why and when you might consider IVF as an option.

We discuss

• what is assisted conception and the range of issues which lead people to seek support
• When and why to do testing to explore your fertility 
• Why we need better education, earlier on
• Why you’d choose IUI or IVF
• When to address gynaecological issues and when to proceed with fertility treatment 
• Why there is a difference in the types of fertility treatment offered 
• The importance of researching and investigating different clinics
• Ways you can support yourself as you go through treatment
• How to treat male factor fertility issues and whether they should be addressed before IVF
• How to choose a clinic

If you'd like to find out more about IVF, or the different treatments offered with assisted conception you can lots of information from the HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority). For information on the Evewell follow this link.

💛 Want to learn more about your fertility? We're currently running Foundations for Fertility. This is a 5 week FREE course on understanding, optimising and investigating your fertility. With the aim of reducing your overwhelm & anxiety and empowering you to take back some control. You can register for ⁠FREE HERE ⁠and you can catch up on all previous episodes in our ⁠Don't Tell Me to RELAX⁠ community group.

☎️ Whether you prefer in-clinic or online appointments, ⁠book a discovery call ⁠or ⁠an appointment ⁠with us today.

💛 And don't forget to follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠ for more fertility information.

👉 If you've enjoyed our content, please consider sharing and leaving us a review - your support means the world to us!

• how I came to acupuncture
• how acupuncture works
• how acupuncture supports fertility and what the evidence shows
• how acupuncture supports IVF and the most recent evidence which shows acupuncture can significantly improve CPR (clinical Pregnancy Rate) and LBR (Live Birth Rate) among women undergoing IVF
• what's involved with a treatment with us
• when to come for acupuncture
• what's the difference between an acupuncturist and a fertility acupuncturist
• how to find a fertility acupuncturist& why I think fertility support trained acupuncturists are great
• how to work with us

💛 Want to learn more about your fertility? We're currently running Foundations for Fertility. This is a 5 week FREE course on understanding, optimising and investigating your fertility. With the aim of reducing your overwhelm & anxiety and empowering you to take back some control. You can register for FREE HERE and you can catch up on all previous episodes in our Don't Tell Me to RELAX community group. ☎️ Whether you prefer in-clinic or online appointments, book a discovery call or an appointment with us today. 💛 And don't forget to follow us on Instagram for more fertility inspiration. 👉 If you've enjoyed our content, please consider sharing and leaving us a review - your support means the world to us!

This week I am joined by Dr Helen O'Neil, CEO and Founder of Hertility, a company providing at home hormone and fertility tests for women. With Hertility as well as the at home blood testing you also get access reproductive specialist consultations and fast-tracked pelvic ultrasound scan referrals. Given how many people get in touch with us to ask about testing and struggle to get what they want through their GP, we know what a difference companies like Hertility can make.

We discuss:

• Why there is a need for Hertility and why Helen started the company

• How disconnected we are from understanding our bodies and reproductive  health

• How does Hertility work and what the process is to get tests and results

• How Hertility looks at wider areas of your life not just the blood results 

• How reports can provide support and education around your reproductive health

• What are the next steps once you have your results

• How Hertility can link you to scanning places based on your location across the UK

• Who Hertility is for & how regular reproductive health testing throughout life should be the norm

• The impact and importance of lifestyle support and education

• Hertility’s upcoming campaign to help fund further research into Women’s Health

• You can find out more about Hertility here and follow them on Instagram.

💛 Want to learn more about your fertility? We're currently running Foundations for Fertility. This is a 5 week FREE course on understanding, optimising and investigating your fertility. With the aim of reducing your overwhelm & anxiety and empowering you to take back some control. You can register for ⁠FREE HERE ⁠and you can catch up on all previous episodes in our ⁠Don't Tell Me to RELAX⁠ community group.

☎️ Whether you prefer in-clinic or online appointments, ⁠book a discovery call ⁠or ⁠an appointment ⁠with us today.

💛 And don't forget to follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠ for more fertility inspiration.

👉 If you've enjoyed our content, please consider sharing and leaving us a review - your support means the world to us!

This is a well timed episode on the back of the recent Channel 4 documentary "Celebrity Save Our Sperm" Which I can highly recommend if you haven't already watched it. It really does highlight the importance and the impact of lifestyle and nutrition on sperm.

So for this episode I am joined by Pilar Manzanaro, a registered Nutritional Therapist and certified Functional Medicine Practitioner by the  Institute of Functional Medicine, Pilar runs a highly successful pre-conception and fertility clinic for men and women trying to conceive naturally or undergoing IVF treatment. And in this episode she shares bucket loads of information on nutrition, supplements and lifestyle for good sperm health.

We discuss:

• Why we think it’s important to test men properly and as soon as you can.

• What to remove from your diet.

• What to add into your diet.

• What supplements can support sperm health.

• Environmental toxins and what you can realistically do to avoid them.

• Other lifestyle considerations.

• How to get in touch with Pilar and work with her team.

If you'd like more information please see Pilar's website, she offers zoom consultations for men and women.

💛 Want to learn more about your fertility? Come and join our free community, 'Don't Tell Me To Relax,' Discover valuable insights, connect with like-minded people who are also trying to conceive, and gain support along the way.

☎️ Whether you prefer in-clinic or online appointments, book a discovery call or appointment with us today.

💛 And don't forget to follow us on Instagram for more fertility inspiration.

👉 If you've enjoyed our content, please consider sharing and leaving us a review - your support means the world to us!

Endometriosis is the name given to the condition where cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb are found elsewhere in the body. For many people this condition can have a huge impact on fertility. It is estimated that 30 to 50% of people with Endo will experience fertility problems. To discuss this in more detail I am joined this week by Louise Collyer, a highly experienced TCM acupuncturist, Chinese Medicine herbalist and Functional Medicine practitioner, who specialises in women's health, fertility and endometriosis.

We discuss:

• what is endometriosis and how does it present

• Why does it take so long for people to get a proper diagnosis

• How to diagnose endometriosis

• Why surgery for endometriosis can be so complex and how long waiting times can be

• How does endometriosis impact fertility

• What are the treatments available for endometriosis

• What is the holistic approach to endometriosis

• Endometriosis and the link with gut health

• Why testing and investigations are important as soon as possible

• Endometriosis and egg quality

• Endometriosis and the microbiome

• Recommendations for how to get proper investigations and treatment

• Louise’s programme for endo support.

You can find out more about Louise's Endometriosis programme here, which is available to anyone across the country. And you can follow her on instagram here.

💛 Want to learn more about your fertility? Come and join our free community, 'Don't Tell Me To Relax,' Discover valuable insights, connect with like-minded people who are also trying to conceive, and gain support along the way.

☎️ Whether you prefer in-clinic or online appointments, book a discovery call or appointment with us today.

💛 And don't forget to follow us on Instagram for more fertility inspiration.

👉 If you've enjoyed our content, please consider sharing and leaving us a review - your support means the world to us!

This week I am joined by Farzanah Nasser, a thyroid health expert, nutritionist and functional medicine practitioner. Thyroid health is important for so many functions in the body, including fertility, menstrual cycles and pregnancy.

We discuss

• what is the difference between nutrition and functional medicine 

• what is the thyroid and why is it so important

• the difference between hypo and hyperthyroidism and the different symptoms 

• How to measure thyroid health and the difference between TSH only and a full thyroid panel

• Hashimoto's and ways to address this

• The difference in the ranges for thyroid and what is ideal for fertility

• Why 2.5 or less ideal for fertility and for health

• How optimal thyroid function can support cycles, luteal phase and progesterone

• Why adrenal glad health is so important

• The link to gut health 

• How you can test your full thyroid yourself at home

• How to get thyroxine if you can’t access through your GP

• Farzanah's new course which might be helpful

You can follow Farzanah on instagram here and to find out more about her course follow this link.

💛 Want to learn more about your fertility? Come and join our free community, 'Don't Tell Me To Relax,' Discover valuable insights, connect with like-minded people who are also trying to conceive, and gain support along the way.

☎️ Whether you prefer in-clinic or online appointments, book a discovery call or appointment with us today.

💛 And don't forget to follow us on Instagram for more fertility inspiration.

👉 If you've enjoyed our content, please consider sharing and leaving us a review - your support means the world to us!

I decided we couldn't do episodes on testing without a dedicated one to the men. So Ian Stones from TestHim kindly joins me this week to look at where we're at with male fertility testing and why we need to be doing more.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why male fertility testing is so over looked

• What current standard male testing does and why it is limited

• What can be the knock on effects of not having thorough male investigations

• Why investigating men more is key for natural and assisted conception

• Why lifestyle assessment and work to make improvements is essential

• Other fertility tests that are available for men

• Where to go to get them

• What the TestHim platform is and how it can help.

As always, we hope you have found this helpful. You can follow TestHim on Instagram here, and listen to their podcast here.

💛 Want to learn more about your fertility? Come and join our free community, 'Don't Tell Me To Relax,' Discover valuable insights, connect with like-minded people who are also trying to conceive, and gain support along the way.

☎️ Whether you prefer in-clinic or online appointments, book a discovery call or appointment with us today.

💛 And don't forget to follow us on Instagram for more fertility inspiration.

👉 If you've enjoyed our content, please consider sharing and leaving us a review - your support means the world to us!

This week, I'm super excited to have Dr Amanda Chisholm on the podcast. She's a GP and a lifestyle medicine practitioner who's all about the holistic approach to care. We're going to dive into fertility testing from the perspective of an NHS GP and share insight to make sure you get the right testing and investigations to support your fertility and have a healthy pregnancy.

In this episode we cover:

• what the training is like when you’re studying medicine and the approach to women’s health/fertility

• how medicine is disease focused and how women’s health is under researched

• how care and understanding can vary depending on training with each GP

• NHS guidelines and issues that can get you a referral sooner

• My opinion on testing and why I think doing it sooner is a good idea

• Why being in the best possible health is so important for fertility 

• Why sperm testing sooner can be so important and helpful 

• Why it’s ok to challenge and push for your tests

• Why going private can be an option and how you can use alongside NHS treatment

• How to get your GP to refer you to gynae to help assist your fertility 

We hope you find this super helpful and we'd love to hear your experiences of getting the right tests and how supported you felt with this.

💛 Want to learn more about your fertility? Come and join our free community, 'Don't Tell Me To Relax,' Discover valuable insights, connect with like-minded people who are also trying to conceive, and gain support along the way.

☎️ Whether you prefer in-clinic or online appointments, book a discovery call or appointment with us today.

💛 And don't forget to follow us on Instagram for more fertility inspiration.

👉 If you've enjoyed our content, please consider sharing and leaving us a review - your support means the world to us!

💛 Want to learn more about your fertility? Come and join our vibrant and free community, 'Don't Tell Me To Relax,' Discover valuable insights, connect with like-minded individuals who are also trying to conceive, and gain support along the way.

💛 Whether you prefer in-clinic or online appointments, book a discovery call or appointment with us today.

💛 And don't forget to follow us on Instagram for more fertility inspiration. If you've enjoyed our content, please consider sharing and leaving us a review - your support means the world to us!

To learn more about your fertility and connect with people who are TTC, come and join our free community "Don't Tell Me To Relax"

If you'd like to work with us in clinic or online you can book a discovery call or book an appointment directly online

You can also find us on Instagram

And finally if you have enjoyed this please share/ leave us a review, we really really appreciate it! 💛

This week I am joined by Alice Rose, who is a Fertility Mindset Mentor and Transformation coach, working to support people through her membership and courses. This isn't about thinking positive, this is about feeling safe to sit with how you're actually feeling, rather than feeling you have to stay positive all the time. Which we know doesn't work, isn't realistic and actually adds to the feelings of stress.

In this episode we talk about:

• how Alice came to work in supporting people who are trying to bring a baby home
• whether the awareness of fertility issues has changed over the last 5 years
• the isolation and frustration that comes when going through fertility struggles 
• mindset and the problems around the idea of having to think positive thoughts to get pregnant and how this actually elevates stress
• why allowing yourself to feel how you’re actually feeling is ok
• why prioritizing your mindset and mental health is so important and helpful
• how Alice’s framework in the Liferaft works to support people while they’re navigating through fertility struggles
• why there’s always an opportunity to change your mindset
• what’s in the life raft and who’s it for
• why regular check ins with your mindset is so important in a conscious way
• what can you control when you’re going through fertility struggles

Here is the link if you would like to find out more about the LifeRaft and this is Alice's instagram page.

I hope this has been helpful, as always please leave us a review and get in touch with any questions.

To learn more about your fertility and connect with people who are TTC, come and join our free community "Don't Tell Me To Relax"

If you'd like to work with us in clinic or online you can book a discovery call or book an appointment directly online

You can also find us on Instagram

And finally if you have enjoyed this please share/ leave us a review, we really really appreciate it! 💛

I am joined this week by Lauren, London Wellness Coach and we're discussing PCOS and specifically TTC with PCOS. Lauren was told at a young age that she had PCOS and that she would have fertility problems. We discuss the impact of this and how she sought to understand and learn about PCOS, retrain in nutrition and address her PCOS herself, which led to Lauren conceiving naturally.

We discuss:

• What is PCOS
• How is it defined
• Why PCOS is an issue with hormones and the endocrine system and not just a gynaecological issue
• How wide spread the impact of PCOS can be
• Why people with PCOS struggle to conceive
• PCOS and weight gain
• The importance of blood sugar balance
• How a good breakfast can set you up for a good day
• How PCOS is a life long condition
• Getting support for your PCOS

Lauren's course on PCOS is out now and you can find out more here. This is Lauren's Insta account and her website.

To learn more about your fertility and connect with people who are TTC, come and join our free community "Don't Tell Me To Relax"

If you'd like to work with us in clinic or online you can book a discovery call or book an appointment directly online

You can also find us on Instagram

And finally if you have enjoyed this please share/ leave us a review, we really really appreciate it! 💛

Reflexology is a popular therapy used to support women's health, fertility and pregnancy and this week we have lovely Katy (reflexologist, fertility awareness teacher and regular co-host on this podcast) talking to us all her about her love for reflexology.

We discuss:

• How Katy found reflexology
• What reflexology is
• What training is involved
• The benefits of treatment
• Why it's so popular for fertility, women's health and pregnancy
• Where to look for a specialist
• How often to have treatment
• How Katy uses it alongside her Fertility Awareness work

You can find out more about working with Katy here.

To learn more about your fertility and connect with people who are TTC, come and join our free community "Don't Tell Me To Relax"

If you'd like to work with us in clinic or online you can book a discovery call or book an appointment directly online

You can also find us on Instagram

And finally if you have enjoyed this please share/ leave us a review, we really really appreciate it! 💛

If you have followed me on instagram or ever been to clinic, you'll know we talk a lot about Vaginal Health. There is a link between a healthy vaginal microbiome and positive fertility outcomes. So this week I am joined by Alison Hall, a fertility nutritionist who has a lot of experience and knowledge to share around this topic.

In this episode we discuss:

• what is the microbiome and what is a healthy vaginal microbiome
• why this is important for fertility
• studies that have shown links to fertility outcomes, miscarriage and pre term birth
• research from Tommys in this area
• microbiome testing and how this can differ from tests offered at the GP
• who this test is for
• signs you might want to test (fertility problems, Vaginal Health problems, IVF failures, miscarriage,history of STD's)
• where you can go to test
• treatment approaches to improve your vaginal microbiome
• how to maintain a good vaginal microbiome

If you want to find out more we use a company called Invivo for testing, and there are other options out there like Daye, ScreenMe. And as always we recommend getting professional help and support for testing and treatment in this area, so please do get in touch if you would like further information.

I am currently mid way through a Vagiversity Course with Moira Bradfield and her site is excellent for further information, research and support in this area. I've also written a blog with more information on here.

To learn more about your fertility and connect with people who are TTC, come and join our free community "Don't Tell Me To Relax"

We have a series of new events lined up covering topics like, male fertility, further testing, IVF abroad and IVF itself.

To find out more about working with us in clinic or online you can book a discovery call or book an appointment directly online

You can also find us on Instagram

And finally if you have enjoyed this please share/ leave us a review, we really really appreciate it! 💛

I'm joined by Carly Garrett, who is a reflexologist and a fertility coach and creator of our two online courses we offer The Two Week Wait and The Pocket Hug.

Does stress cause fertility problems? It's a question we are asked a lot and it's very common for people to feel stressed about their stress. So in this episode we unpick this and look at ways to help manage stress.

We discuss

• The stress that comes from feeling stressed

• Stress and fertility and the research that says there is no link.

• But fertility problems do cause stress, anxiety and depression

• The lack of control that comes with fertility problems

• What stress actually is

• Why it's important to know that fertility problems are really stressful and they don't go away when you're told to relax/ go on holiday! (hence the podcast title!)

• Why actively seeking help and support to address the stress is vital

• Why there is no one way, whatever works for you is right

• Letting go of perfectionism

• Why fertility problems are so unfair and why that is hard to sit with

Check out my blog you'd like to find out more about stress and fertility and organisations and communities for further support.

To learn more about your fertility and connect with people who are TTC, come and join our free community "Don't Tell Me To Relax"

We have a series of new events lined up covering topics like, male fertility, further testing, IVF abroad and IVF itself.

To find out more about working with us in clinic or online you can book a discovery call or book an appointment directly online

You can also find us on Instagram

And finally if you have enjoyed this please share/ leave us a review, we really really appreciate it! 💛

This week I am joined by Hollie from the Bump Plan to talk about exercise while you're trying to conceive, either naturally or through assisted conception.

Hollie is a PT and founder of The Bump Plan, which aims to support people with their physical activity through every stage, from TTC, to pregnancy, to post natally.

We discuss:

• What we mean by exercise and by physical activity and what the difference is
• Why there is fear around TTC and physical activity and where this comes from
• What the guidelines say and what they mean for the general population and those who are pregnant
• Where and why there is a gap for people who are Trying To Conceive
• Where the fear around physical activity and Trying To Conceive comes from
• The problem with the studies
• Why physical activity is good for all stages
• What Hollie recommends for people who want to keep active alongside their fertility journey
• Why it's so positive for health and why it's good to unpick all of this and understand why it is not going to be detrimental to your fertility

You can find out more here about Hollie and The Bump Plan and her programme specifically designed for when you're TTC.

If you would like to learn more about your fertility and connect with people who are TTC, come and join our free community "Don't Tell Me To Relax"

We have a series of new events lined up covering topics like, male fertility, further testing, IVF abroad and IVF itself.

To find out more about working with us in clinic or online you can book a discovery call or book an appointment directly online

You can also find us on Instagram

And finally if you have enjoyed this please share/ leave us a review, we really really appreciate it! 💛

Back this week with the ever lovely Katy Ewen aka Reflex East 😍

There are many ways to track your cycle and a good one that people use is by taking your Basal Body Temperature. This week we discuss:

• What basal body temperature charting is, what it's recording and why it happens
• When to take and what you'll need.
• How it can confirm ovulation
• Which thermometer is best- we like this one.
• Where to record your information. Katy recommends Read Your Body or there is our chart here to use.
• What your temps should be in the follicular and the luteal phase.
• What BBT charting can tell you about your menstrual cycle
• Problems with BBT charting
• And when to stop!

As always we'd love to hear your experiences of BBT charting and if you would like to access Katy's course on BBT for a fiver you can sign up here.

If you would like to learn more about your fertility and connect with people who are TTC, come and join our free community "Don't Tell Me To Relax"

To find out more about working with us in clinic you can book a discovery call or an appointment directly online

You can also find us on Instagram

In this episode I talk to Alex O'Connor, a Fertility Support Trained Acupuncturist, AMH researcher and writer of "Explaining AMH"

We discuss:

• our experiences of working with people who have been diagnoses with low AMH
• what AMH is and why it is measured
• what this means for your chances of natural conception
• what this means when you're prepping for IVF
• why low AMH isn't always the reason you might be struggling to conceive
• fertility MOTs
• what other areas to consider when trying to understand your fertility and why you might be struggling to conceive
• what you can do to improve AMH levels

If you'd like to find out more about working with Alex she is in Essex, Central London and online. You can find her website here, and she's on instagram here. Her ebook Explaining Low AMH is available here.

If you would like to learn more about your fertility and connect with people who are TTC, come and join our free community "Don't Tell Me To Relax"

We have a series of new events lined up covering topics like, male fertility, further testing, IVF abroad and IVF itself.

To find out more about working with us in clinic or online you can book a discovery call or book an appointment directly online

You can also find us on Instagram

And finally if you have enjoyed this please share/ leave us a review, we really really appreciate it! 💛

If you would like to learn more about your fertility and connect with people who are TTC, come and join our free community "Don't Tell Me To Relax"

To find out more about working with us in clinic you can book a discovery call or an appointment directly online

You can also find us on Instagram

• Our own experiences of it
• The lack of research into it
• Possible explanations for why it happens
• Ways to manage and alleviate it
• Why it's even tougher when you're TTC
• And finally we put out a question for next weeks episode (the last in the series) ASK US ANYTHING......please send in any cycle related/fertility awareness questions and next week on the show we will be answering them. Please email me hello@hannahpearn.com

We hope this is helpful, please do let us know if you learnt anything new!

If you would like to learn more about your fertility and connect with people who are TTC, come and join our free community "Don't Tell Me To Relax"

To find out more about working with us in clinic you can book a discovery call or an appointment directly online

You can also find us on Instagram

If you would like to learn more about your fertility and connect with people who are TTC, come and join our free community "Don't Tell Me To Relax"

To find out more about working with us in clinic you can book a discovery call or an appointment directly online

You can also find us on Instagram

If you would like to learn more about your fertility and connect with people who are TTC, come and join our free community "Don't Tell Me To Relax"

To find out more about working with us in clinic you can book a discovery call or an appointment directly online

You can also find us on Instagram

And finally if you struggle in the luteal phase with the waiting to see if you have a positive pregnancy or not then our TWO WEEK COURSE is there to help. Reduce overwhelm and regain control 💛