Hello and welcome to another episode of The Fertility Podcast. I’m Natalie Silverman, your host, and I’m so glad you’re here. This week’s episode is a bit different as I’m handing the mic over to Katie Rollings, founder of Fertility Action and a familiar voice on the pod.

Katie’s chatting with Sarah, one of the original members of the Fertility Action support groups, about her IVF experience, her partner’s diagnosis, and the ups and downs of navigating treatment. Sarah generously opens up about the emotional and physical toll of fertility treatment, and how support groups, nutrition, acupuncture, and speaking to others have helped her find strength through it all.

What we talk about:

• Sarah’s fertility journey, starting with an unexpected male factor diagnosis just before Christmas
• The impact of delays and lack of communication within the NHS
• Why they went private, and how they made early decisions to pursue IVF and microtese
• The emotional toll of IVF failures, and the support that helped her feel less alone
• Sarah’s experience navigating fertility in the workplace and opening up to colleagues
• The effect of infertility on relationships, and how she and her husband learnt to support each other in different ways
• Discovering the importance of nutrition and thyroid health with a fertility nutritionist
• Switching to mild IVF and learning to advocate for herself at every step
• What she found in the Fertility Action support group: community, routine, understanding
• Talking therapy, nutrition, acupuncture and peer support as part of her toolkit
• Sarah’s brilliant injection tip and her #IVFninja moment
• Male mental health and how her partner processed his diagnosis
• Sarah’s call to action for more fertility education and support in schools and primary care

This conversation is raw, real, and a beautiful reminder of how much power there is in being seen and heard by people who get it. Thank you, Sarah, for sharing your story and showing us that it's okay to find your own way through.

Let’s keep the conversation going

• What do you wish you’d known before starting treatment?
• Who’s helped you feel seen on this journey?
• Have you joined a support group before? What was your experience?
• What’s been the most unexpected part of your fertility experience?
• Have you tried acupuncture or nutrition support? Did it help?

Huge thank you to our sponsor One Day Tests - use the code TFP10 at checkout for a discount

Links and Resources:

• Sarah mentioned the amazing Rosie Tadman who you can find out more about here
• Follow Fertility Action on Instagram: @fertility.action
• Join a support group: details on fertilityaction.org
• Message me on Instagram: @fertilitypoddy
• Thank you to our sponsors One Day Tests - use the code TFP10 at checkout for a discount

We also mention fertility acupuncturist Hannah Pearn

PLEASE do subscribe or leave a review. It really helps others find the podcast, and I’d love to know what’s resonating with you xx

Hi, it's Natalie here. After a bit of a summer pause (thanks to some tech drama), I’m thrilled to be back with a truly special episode. This one was recorded live at the Green Man Festival, on the Pandemonium Stage in Einstein’s Garden, and it’s a conversation I’ve been dreaming about for a long time. If you've been to a festival over the summer and think this type of conversation would fit, do let me know. Feel free to leave a comment wherever you listen or scroll to the bottom to find out more.

We tackled one of the most common yet complicated questions many of us face:

“So, do you have kids?” 

It seems innocent, but for so many, it opens the door to grief, awkwardness, and a whole lot of emotional weight. In this episode, we explore why that question can hurt and what we might ask instead.

I was joined by four incredible guests who generously shared their personal stories and wisdom on stage:

• Mel Johnson, solo parent coach and founder of The Stork and I
• Shema Tariq, academic, writer, baby loss advocate and Tommy’s trustee
• Betty Mukherjee, MRKH campaigner and Race Across the World finalist
• And my husband, Rich Silverman, who opened up publicly for the first time about our journey with male factor infertility and the mental health impact on him

• Why the question “Do you have kids?” can be so deeply painful when you’re navigating infertility, baby loss, or childlessness not by choice
• Mel’s journey to solo motherhood and the way people still make assumptions about women who choose that path
• Shema’s IVF experience using donor eggs, the heart breaking loss of her baby at 21 weeks, and how her cultural background shaped her experience
• Betty’s diagnosis of MRKH at 16 and how she opened up about it during her time on national TV
• Rich’s journey with male factor infertility and how counselling helped him move forward, plus why more men need space to share too
• The words we use around fertility and family, and how language can uplift or hurt
• Talking to children about solo parenting and donor conception, and why openness matters
• The trauma of fertility treatment, especially for people of colour, and the inequalities that still exist
• How to truly show up for loved ones going through these journeys, and why "I'm here if you ever want to talk" is sometimes not enough

If you're ever unsure of what to say instead of “Do you have kids?”, here are a few suggestions we shared:

• “What’s been bringing you joy lately?”
• “What’s been going on in your world?”
• “What are you passionate about these days?”

And most importantly: ask twice. Sometimes people need that second invitation to feel safe opening up.

Have a listen to my chat with Shema previously - way back in 2022

What do I need to think about when going abroad for donor treatment? • The Fertility Podcast 

• Connect with me on Instagram: @fertilitypoddy
• Shema's Insta: @drshematariq
• Mel's Insta: @the_stork_and_i
• Betty's Insta: @bettymuk_
• Rich's Insta: @richer.sound.healing
• Got guest suggestions or thoughts to share? Email me at [email protected]
• Follow our advocacy work: @fertility.action
• Find out more about Mel’s coaching for solo mums: thestorkandi.com
• Learn about baby loss and support from Tommy’s

Thank you to our show sponsor One Day Tests.

Just a note to say, we'll be back very soon (hopefully 3rd September 2025) continuing sharing stories and expert opinion after a break.. caused by tech issues! We'll have some different voices coming up Please do make sure you subscribe in your favourite podcast app, and also get in touch.

I mentioned World Childless Week and you can find out more here and don't forget we are the official podcast for Fertility Action so you can stay up to date with the amazing work they are doing from the links below x

Links & Resources:

• DM Natalie: @fertilitypoddy
• Email: [email protected]
• Subscribe to the podcast on your app of choice
• Follow Fertility Action: @fertility.action
• Explore Fertility Action’s support groups and advocacy work: fertilityaction.org

Welcome to this episode of The Fertility Podcast, the official podcast of Fertility Action. In this conversation, Natalie is joined by long-time friend of the show and Fertility Action trustee Dr. James Nicopoullos, consultant gynaecologist and medical director at The Lister. They dive into the often frustrating diagnosis of unexplained infertility - what it actually means, how it impacts your treatment options, and what you can do when you feel like you're hitting a wall.

This episode also covers highlights from Fertility Action’s recent campaign in Parliament, new shifts in male fertility awareness, and why conversations around fertility at work still have a long way to go.

What we discuss:

• Parliament updates and raising awareness about cuts to NHS fertility funding
• The Fertility Show and how to handle the overwhelm as a new patient
• James' role as a Fertility Action trustee and why he believes in Katie’s mission
• What unexplained infertility really means (and why it's so common)
• The emotional toll of having no clear answers, especially for people used to being in control
• Questions to ask your doctor when faced with unexplained or subfertility
• What to rule out: hormones, anatomy, sperm DNA, and more
• The reality of add-ons and how to weigh evidence-based versus emerging options
• When it makes sense to seek a second opinion and how clinics typically respond
• The evolving conversation around male infertility and the importance of male involvement
• Fertility in the workplace, what patients are still dealing with, and how employers can do better
• Why infertility still isn’t fully recognized as a legitimate health condition in some policies
• How education, advocacy, and testing are slowly shifting public perception

Quote to remember:

“You should be using your annual leave for a holiday, not to do fertility treatment.”

Listen if you’re:

Dealing with a diagnosis of unexplained infertility, feeling stuck after multiple cycles, or needing a reminder that there are still questions worth asking and answers worth pursuing.

Links & Resources

• Follow Fertility Action: @fertility.action
• DM Natalie: @fertilitypoddy
• Email: [email protected]
• Subscribe to the podcast on your app of choice
• Learn more about Dr. James Nicopoullos: Lister Fertility Clinic
• Explore Fertility Action’s support groups and advocacy work: fertilityaction.org

In this powerful and passionate episode, Natalie is joined once again by Katie Rollings, founder of Fertility Action, the UK's newest fertility charity. As a returning guest, Katie provides an urgent and inspiring update on the charity’s current work, including critical campaigning efforts, growing support groups, and the ever-pressing fight against the fertility funding postcode lottery.

Together, Natalie and Katie discuss:

• The expansion of Fertility Action's support groups and community
• The emotional toll of fertility treatment and the gaps in support post-treatment
• Why peer connection and bespoke support are crucial
• Ongoing parliamentary campaigning for fair fertility treatment access
• How to get involved by writing to your MP
• The need for a male fertility focus in healthcare strategy
• Urgent updates on changes to NHS fertility funding in Sussex and beyond
• Katie also opens up about the emotional challenges of fighting for change while encountering public misunderstanding and resistance and why she refuses to give up.
• Plans for culturally diverse and condition-specific groups (like secondary infertility) are in motion—making sure everyone feels seen and heard.
• Fertility Action is looking for empathetic volunteers to host support groups. Training and supervision will be provided. If you’re 3+ years post-treatment and can commit to a year, they’d love to hear from you.
• Male participation in support groups is still limited, but growing. There’s a need for more male facilitators and attendees—especially to normalize male perspectives on infertility.
• Groups meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Join with your mic or camera on or off, even in your PJs! It’s a low-pressure, welcoming environment

Take Action:

Write to Your MP - Encourage them to attend the fertility campaign event in Parliament on Wednesday, 16 July. Use the Fertility Action letter template

Join the Conversation on Male Fertility & Mental Health

Contribute to the ongoing male fertility survey submissions close Wednesday, 17 July. H

Helpful Links:

• Fertility Action Instagram (Linktree)
• Men’s Health Strategy Consultation
• Test Him with Ian Stones
• Fertility Matters at Work
• DM Natalie on Instagram: @fertilitypoddy 
• Email thoughts or guest ideas: [email protected] 
• Subscribe on your podcast app to stay updated

In the final episode of this three-part mini-series, created in partnership with fertilityclinicsabroad.com, Natalie is joined once more by Joanna Jewell, Head of Patient Experience at IVF Media, to demystify the world of egg donation guarantees. 

Whether you’re exploring donor eggs, embryo donation, or refund-based pregnancy guarantees, this episode breaks it all down. Joanna explains how these programs work, what they include, who they’re for, and what to ask before you commit. 

What we discuss: 

• What egg donation programs actually are and what’s included 
• The difference between oocyte and blastocyst guarantees 
• What to expect with embryo donation and double donation (egg + sperm) 
• Pregnancy and live birth guarantee programs and the truth behind the fine print 
• Refund guarantees: how they work, what they cost, and how much you could get back  
• Common requirements to qualify for guarantee programs 
• Transparency matters: why it’s essential to ask what’s included and what’s not 
• Additional costs to prepare for: medication, storage fees, testing, and admin 
• Donor availability for different ethnicities and specific features (like red hair) 
• The emotional reality when things don’t work even with a “guarantee” 
• What support clinics do (and don’t) offer after unsuccessful cycles 
• Why support groups, peer connections, and advocacy matter in your journey 
• Embryo shipping after Brexit: is it still possible to bring material back to the UK? 

Links & Resources: 

Let’s Stay Connected 

• Learn more at: fertilityclinicsabroad.com 
• Follow on Instagram @fertility_clinics_abroad
• Visit eggdonationfriends.com for helpful resources 
• Contact Joanna’s team directly for guidance on donor programs and clinics abroad 
• Follow Natalie on Instagram: @fertilitypoddy 
• Don’t forget to listen to Episode 1 (How to Choose a Clinic Abroad) and Episode 2 (IVF Abroad Over 40) if you missed them! 

In this second episode of our special mini-series with fertilityclinicsabroad.com, Natalie is joined once again by Joanna Jewell, Head of Patient Experience at IVF Media, to explore the realities of IVF abroad if you're over 40 and using your own eggs. 

This episode is packed with honest, compassionate, and practical advice for older patients whether you're solo, in a couple, or part of the LGBTQ+ community. Joanna shares what to expect, how to manage your options, and how to emotionally prepare for the challenges and decisions ahead. 

What we discuss: 

• Are there age restrictions for IVF with your own eggs abroad? 
• The difference between clinic policies and country laws 
• The reality of success rates over 40 and why some clinics will say no 
• What PGT-A testing is and why it’s often recommended after age 38 
• Navigating treatment decisions in LGBTQ+ couples, including ROPA treatment 
• Countries that are more inclusive (and those that aren't) for solo women and LGBTQ+ patients 
• The psychological weight of choosing between own eggs and donor eggs 
• How IVF Media handles difficult conversations with honesty, support, and care 
• What happens when partners aren’t on the same page and the role of counseling 
• Why over 40s often go abroad: more treatment options, fewer restrictions, and better support 
• Understanding the risks and clinic policies around multiple embryo transfer 
• Additional tests some clinics require (like cardiac screening and blood work) 
• Planning logistics around school holidays, remote work, and personal comfort 
• Choosing a clinic near the beach? Joanna says yes, whatever lowers stress! 

Links & Resources: 

Let’s Stay Connected 

• Learn more: fertilityclinicsabroad.com 
• Follow on Instagram @fertility_clinics_abroad
• Contact Joanna’s team for guidance and clinic suggestions 
• Follow Natalie on Instagram: @fertilitypoddy 
• Email Natalie: [email protected] 
• Don’t miss Part 3 in this series, where we explore guarantees in egg donation programs abroad! 

In this special mini-series of The Fertility Podcast, created in partnership with fertilityclinicsabroad.com, Natalie is joined by Joanna Jewell, Head of Patient Experience at IVF Media, to explore the ins and outs of going abroad for fertility treatment. 

If you’re considering IVF outside of the UK, this series is here to help you make well-informed, confident decisions. From country-specific options to success rates and cost comparisons, Joanna shares expert insights, practical tips, and emotional support to guide you every step of the way. 

What we discuss: 

• The most popular IVF destinations for UK patients: Spain, Czech Republic, Portugal, Greece, and North Cyprus 
• Key factors to consider when choosing a clinic abroad: distance, cost, treatment options, and personal comfort 
• How donor anonymity laws vary by country and why they matter for future children 
• IVF treatment costs abroad (and why cheapest isn’t always best) 
• Using the IVF cost calculator from Fertility Clinics Abroad to plan your budget 
• Why clinic success rates aren’t always comparable and what to ask instead 
• Common pitfalls: compromising your boundaries or ignoring your gut feeling 
• What to ask a clinic before booking and why personal match matters more than popularity 
• Support for solo women, LGBTQ+ patients, and ethnic background considerations when choosing donor programs 
• The role of IVF Media in providing holistic support from logistics and workplace planning to emotional guidance and post-treatment care 
• Why timing, mindset, and communication (especially as a couple) are so key when choosing treatment abroad 

Links & Resources: 

Let’s Stay Connected 

• Learn more at: fertilityclinicsabroad.com 
• Follow on Instagram @fertility_clinics_abroad
• Try their IVF Cost Calculator 
• Reach out to Joanna’s team via the website for tailored support 
• Follow Natalie on Instagram: @fertilitypoddy 
• Email Natalie: [email protected] 
• Subscribe to The Fertility Podcast for more support, stories, and smart decision-making 

Welcome to this episode of The Fertility Podcast, in conversation with the HFEA and Emma Whitney aka Emma the Embryologist  Director of Embryology and Genetics at The Evewell also a trustee for Fertility Action. You'll hear from both ladies, about the work that is being done to help you make a more informed decision when it comes to choosing a fertility clinic.

What we discussed:

-What the HFEA does, how it is set up to license and inspect all fertility clinics and embryo research centres

-The duty it has to share data, which it has recorded since 1991 and it publishes data on what is happening across the UK

-The increase in IVF cycles has increased to 1 child in every classroom and how the laws are strict anonymity rules in terms of who can access information about who has treatment. 

-Increase in same sex couple and single patients having treatment 

-Increase in number of people freezing their eggs and the usage

-Funded cycles by the NHS and privately funded and how people are getting the money together - from remortgaging their house, doing crowd funding, bike rides for charity

-Plea for GP’s and primary care service providers to refer people as quickly as possible 

-Issues around outcomes in Black women and what more patients can do to get a referral from a primary care provider and how it’s an outrage that there is such discrepancy. 

-Choose a Fertility Clinic service - on the HFEA website, if you’re looking for a clinic and how you can look by postcode / name of clinic and there’s information on what the Inspectors think of the clinic. There’s an ability for other patients to rate it and how the feedback goes directly to inspectors. 

-How one of the most important considerations is location. 

-How the impact of social media and friends and family might affect your decisions and why it’s good to look at more than one clinic and that there are more and more clinics doing online open evenings as what might have been good for your friend, it has to be right for you. 

-How today people talk about it much more on social media 

-Emma shared her personal story and how she became a trustee for Fertility Action.

-Emma gives her insights on the Choose a fertility clinic data and we discuss what else patients need to be mindful of in terms of discrepencies and age consideration.

Links & Resources:

Let’s Stay Connected 

• DM Natalie on Instagram: @fertilitypoddy 
• Follow Fertility Action: @fertility.action
• Email thoughts or guest ideas: [email protected] 
• Subscribe on your podcast app to stay updated 
• Read the HFEA report here 
• Visit the Choose a fertility clinic page here
• Follow Emma here

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.action
• Email thoughts or guest ideas: [email protected] 
• 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 2014

Follow Love Her Wild

Find out more about Jessica's work, her books and her adventures here Connect with Jessica on Instagram

🎧 Subscribe to The Fertility Podcast for more episodes offering support, stories, and real talk about fertility.