Summary

Doctor Abraham Zavala joins from Clinica Tambre in Alicante and in this episode shares his advice and tips for people starting out on a fertility journey, explaining baseline tests and shares advice for anyone considering treatment abroad. Clinica Tambre are the official sponsor for Season 2 of Unspoken, and we are so excited to invite him onto this episode. From an early age, Dr Abraham Zavala knew he wanted to pursue a career in medicine and found his true passion: gynaecology and reproductive medicine. During his training he discovered his interest in helping women and couples along their journey towards parenthood, which led him to specialise in fertility.

Today, as part of the Tambre team, he not only contributes through his knowledge and experience in complex cases such as repeated implantation failure or recurrent pregnancy loss, but also with his empathy and commitment to each patient. Dr Zavala talks about his career, what he values most about his work and how he and his team treat each patient at Tambre with a comprehensive, human and attentive approach.

Where to find Dr Abraham:

Links:

You can find out more about Doctor Abraham Zavala and Tambre here –

https://www.instagram.com/dr_zavala_gyn

https://www.instagram.com/tambre_international/

https://www.clinicatambre.com/en/dr-abraham-zavala-gynaecologist

https://www.clinicatambre.com

If you are struggling and need support, please contact the charity at https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/ or organisations that can support your mental health are below.

Contact Samaritans on 116 123

Contact NHS on 111

We are now sponsored!

We are thrilled that Season 2 is sponsored by Tambre – a leading Assisted Reproduction centre based in Madrid.

Tambre believe that fertility care should be both advanced and deeply human.

Find out more about them here https://www.clinicatambre.com/en/

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast.

In this episode, Dr Sharleen Hapuarachi from Bourn Hall Clinic, delves into the process of egg collection and freezing, genetic testing and recurrent miscarriage. She shares some common misconceptions and great advice for anyone seeking treatment.

Doctor Sharleen is a Consultant at Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic and has established herself as a leading expert in the field of reproductive medicine, securing key roles in areas such as Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGTA), recurrent miscarriage clinics and transgender fertility preservation. Her dedication to patient advocacy and empowerment is evident in her approach to supporting individuals on their fertility journeys.

With a particular interest in fertility preservation, especially social egg freezing, Sharleen is a passionate advocate for women having the right to choose the timing of starting a family. She believes that every woman should have the autonomy to make this decision on her own terms.

In addition to her clinical work, Sharleen is committed to the education and development of future IVF specialists. She has initiated a rolling teaching program within her clinic for allied health practitioners in fertility, providing a platform for continuous learning through case reviews and reflections. This initiative has been instrumental in enhancing the knowledge and skills of those entering the field of reproductive medicine.

Bourn Hall Clinic are an official partner of Fertility Network UK, they partner with Fertility in the Workplace initiative to improve the experience for those juggling workplace commitments alongside fertility treatment and have been paramount in producing the Clinic Pledge.

Links:

You can find out more about Doctor Sharleen and Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic here –

https://www.bournhall.co.uk/clinic-team/dr-sharleen-hapuarachi/

https://www.bournhall.co.uk

If you are struggling and need support, please contact the charity at https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/ or organisations that can support your mental health are below.

Contact Samaritans on 116 123

Contact NHS on 111

We are now sponsored!

We are thrilled that Season 2 is sponsored by Tambre – a leading Assisted Reproduction centre based in Madrid. Tambre believe that fertility care should be both advanced and deeply human.

Find out more about them here https://www.clinicatambre.com/en/

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast.

In this episode, Anita Guru is joined by Seetal Savla to discuss the nuances within the South Asian community in relation to fertility, the unhelpful comments, her own lived experiences during a heartbreaking journey, and how to support someone who is on a fertility pathway.

Seetal is a fertility patient advocate, writer and speaker. Having experienced multiple failed IVFs and losses before becoming mum to a daughter, she is passionate about sharing her story to support others and challenge stigma - particularly within South Asian communities. Seetal is dedicated to creating space for honest, compassionate conversations around fertility, loss and hope. Through her writing and advocacy, she helps others feel less alone in their journeys.

Don’t miss the South Asian Heritage Month Event on 5th August 2025 in London

Where to find Seetal:

Follow Seetal's story and work on Instagram @seetalsavla

You can read some of Seetal’s work below:

Infertility as an Indian woman for HuffPost UK

Where are all the South Asian egg donors for Metro

If you are struggling and need support, please contact the charity at https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/ or organisations that can support your mental health are below.

Contact Samaritans on 116 123

Contact NHS on 111

We are now sponsored!

We are thrilled that Season 2 is sponsored by Tambre – a leading Assisted Reproduction centre based in Madrid.

Tambre believe that fertility care should be both advanced and deeply human.

Find out more about them here https://www.clinicatambre.com/en/

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast.

In this episode, Anita Guru is joined by Seetal Savla to discuss the nuances within the South Asian community in relation to fertility, the unhelpful comments, her own lived experiences during a heartbreaking journey, and how to support someone who is on a fertility pathway.

Seetal is a fertility patient advocate, writer and speaker. Having experienced multiple failed IVFs and losses before becoming mum to a daughter, she is passionate about sharing her story to support others and challenge stigma - particularly within South Asian communities. Seetal is dedicated to creating space for honest, compassionate conversations around fertility, loss and hope. Through her writing and advocacy, she helps others feel less alone in their journeys.

Don’t miss the South Asian Heritage Month Event on 5th August 2025 in London

Where to find Seetal:

Follow Seetal's story and work on Instagram @seetalsavla

You can read some of Seetal’s work below:

Infertility as an Indian woman for HuffPost UK

Where are all the South Asian egg donors for Metro

If you are struggling and need support, please contact the charity at https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/ or organisations that can support your mental health are below.

Contact Samaritans on 116 123

Contact NHS on 111

We are now sponsored!

We are thrilled that Season 2 is sponsored by Tambre – a leading Assisted Reproduction centre based in Madrid.

Tambre believe that fertility care should be both advanced and deeply human.

Find out more about them here https://www.clinicatambre.com/en/

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast.

In this episode, host Anita is joined by Ogechi Ekwegh, an award-winning volunteer with Fertility Network UK, where she facilitates the Black Women's Group. Over the past four years, she has dedicated her time to volunteering for the charity, including partnering with Gaia Family and Fertility Network UK to organise a mental health and fertility event. Having undergone fertility treatment herself, Ogechi is also exploring alternative paths to motherhood. In addition to her volunteer work, Ogechi is a project manager responsible for planning Judicial recruitment across England and Wales.

Where to find Ogechi:

You can find out Ogechi here on Instagram @faith_fertilitysupport

If you are struggling and need support, please contact the charity at https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/ or organisations that can support your mental health are below.

Contact Samaritans on 116 123

Contact NHS on 111

We are now sponsored!

We are thrilled that Season 2 is sponsored by Tambre – a leading Assisted Reproduction centre based in Madrid.

Tambre believe that fertility care should be both advanced and deeply human.

Find out more about them here https://www.clinicatambre.com/en/

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast.

Doctor Justin Chu, Medical Director at TFP Oxford Fertility, joins Anita Guru in today's episode, which focuses on male fertility. They explore some of the tests available, common myths and advice for men who wish to preserve or improve their fertility.

In April 2024, Dr Justin joined TFP Oxford to provide clinical leadership. He is committed to delivering holistic and expert care to women and couples seeking fertility and recurrent miscarriage assessment and treatment.

Justin continues to lead Tommy's Recurrent Miscarriage Centre in Birmingham. He has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and currently supervises two PhD students at the University of Birmingham.

TFP Fertility is an official partner of Fertility Network UK and supports the charity's work for male infertility. The partnership aims to break the silence surrounding male infertility and enable men to speak up about the impact a diagnosis of infertility has on their mental and emotional wellbeing, as well as help them navigate the support available.

Where to find Dr Justin Chu:

Links:

You can find out more about Doctor Justin Chu here - https://tfp-fertility.com/en-gb/tfp-oxford-fertility/our-clinic/team/justin-chu

Find TFP Fertility here - https://tfp-fertility.com/

Link to resources on HIM Fertility and support group https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/himfertility/

If you are struggling and need support, please contact the charity at https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/ or organisations that can support your mental health are below.

Contact Samaritans on 116 123

Contact NHS on 111

We are now sponsored!

We are thrilled that Season 2 is sponsored by Tambre – a leading Assisted Reproduction centre based in Madrid.

Tambre believe that fertility care should be both advanced and deeply human.

Find out more about them here https://www.clinicatambre.com/en/

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast.

In this episode, host Anita is joined by Geordie Shore and TOWIE star Sophie Kasaei, who has been on a fertility journey for the last 2.5 years with her partner Jordan Brook. She has been documenting her personal journey with fertility on her own social media platforms and on her own 4-part documentary "Geordie Stories: Sophie’s Fertility Journey' available now to watch on Paramount Plus.

Guest details

Sophie shot to fame in the massive MTV show Geordie Shore in May 2011 and won over the nation. Sophie’s warm and engaging character shone through as she forged lifelong friendships with her cast mates and soon became the nation’s sweetheart.

Since being on TV, Sophie has travelled the world, seeing and conquering things such as attending the star studded VMA’s rubbing shoulders with Global superstars. Her fame has built her an ever-growing loyal fan base.

Sophie featured in both Geordie OG’s (MTV) and Celebrity Ex on the Beach (MTV), as well as hosting the Geordie Shore after show, Geordie More, on Facebook Watch.

Sophie’s career continues to thrive, as does her personal life. She has found her forever love with TOWIE star Jordan Brook and is now a firm fixture in the TOWIE show. As a couple, Sophie and Jordan have documented their struggle to conceive, which led to filming a 4-part documentary ‘Every Woman’ on MTV digital late 2024. Such was the phenomenal reaction to the show, it has now been premiered on Paramount Plus under the new title ‘Geordie Stories: Sophie’s Fertility Journey’.

She continues her fertility journey with partner Jordan, and wants nothing more than to fall pregnant during 2025. They are continuing to go above and beyond to make this a reality. And whilst it’s a very testing time, Sophie remains confident and positive.

Watch the documentary here:

On Paramount Plus - https://www.paramountplus.com/gb/shows/video/szxuVpJqni6_L_GQ_gJmVAQzJYv6uJqt/

On YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMAcrBLSh5a-O7jVUD64s-0L5wha44kXH&si=Cp3nUIb1I1FuXnEg

Where to find Sophie:

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/sophiekasaei_/

https://www.tiktok.com/@sophiekasaei

If you are struggling and need support, please contact the charity at https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/ or organisations that can support your mental health are below.

Contact Samaritans on 116 123

Contact NHS on 111

We are now sponsored!

We are thrilled that Season 2 is sponsored by Tambre – a leading Assisted Reproduction centre based in Madrid.

Tambre believe that fertility care should be both advanced and deeply human.

Find out more about them here https://www.clinicatambre.com/en/

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast.

In this episode, host Anita is joined by Jeremy Edwards who talks about his experience with infertility, IVF treatment and the experience from a male perspective. He is incredibly open about the journey to parenthood and the impact on his relationship.

Guest details

Jeremy’s career began in TV and as a model when Jeremy landed the role of Kurt Benson in Hollyoaks, he has been a guest presenter on shows like GMTV, then onto Holby City and Millie Inbetween. He married Lydia Metz in 2009 and they have two children together through IVF.

Jeremy is now stepping into a bold new role — as a truth-teller, change-seeker, and passionate advocate — with the launch of his brand new Social media channel, TWIST: The Way I See Things.

Where to find Jeremy:

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/jq_edwards

https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremytwist

If you are struggling and need support, please contact the charity at https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/ or organisations that can support your mental health are below.

Contact Samaritans on 116 123

Contact NHS on 111

We are now sponsored!

We are thrilled that Season 2 is sponsored by Tambre – a leading Assisted Reproduction centre based in Madrid.

Tambre believe that fertility care should be both advanced and deeply human.

Find out more about them here https://www.clinicatambre.com/en/

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast.

Jessica Hepburn joins host Anita Guru to talk about her experiences with infertility, living a life childless not by choice and how adventure has formed a part of her healing journey from multiple losses due to infertility. Jessica openly shares the impact on her life, relationship and career, this is not an episode to be missed!

Guest details

Jessica is an author, arts producer and, refers to herself as ‘the most unlikely adventure activist!’

Jessica’s own fertility journey lasted 10 years with 10 cycles of unsuccessful IVF where she experienced grief and loss, but found solace in new adventures such as writing. Her books, The Pursuit of Motherhood, 21 miles and 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. Her books are now being released as a special trilogy.

Jessica is the only woman in the world to have completed The Sea, Street, Summit Challenge which involved running the London marathon, swimming the English Channel and then climbing to the top of Mount Everest!

Links:

Find Jessica’s books here Books - Jessica Hepburn

Jessica’s website - Jessica Hepburn

You can find Jessica on Instagram at Jessica Hepburn (@jessica_hepburn_)

If you are struggling and need support, please contact the charity at https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/ or organisations that can support your mental health are below.

Contact Samaritans on 116 123

Contact NHS on 111

We are now sponsored!

We are thrilled that Season 2 is sponsored by Tambre – a leading Assisted Reproduction centre based in Madrid.

Tambre believe that fertility care should be both advanced and deeply human.

Find out more about them here https://www.clinicatambre.com/en/

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast.

In this episode, we are joined by Kim Stubbs from HSBC to talk about fertility in the workplace. Kim shares her own personal experiences of navigating infertility and recurrent baby loss in the workplace and shares advice for anyone navigating a journey to parenthood. Kim discusses the work that HSBC has done in supporting employees through the Employee Resource Group, Journey, and the ways that employees can advocate for themselves to ensure they get the right level of support.

Guest details

Kim Stubbs has had a successful career at HSBC spanning 20 years and is currently Head of Supported Banking Journeys at HSBC UK and Co-Chair of Journey ERG. The Journey ERG was a finalist in the Working Family Best Practice Awards in 2024 for the category of Best for Supporting Different Pathways to Parenthood.

HSBC UK recently expanded its partnership with Fertility Network UK through the Journey ERG. This collaboration allows the opportunity to build on the incredible work that has already taken place through collaboration and further support individuals navigating the many different pathways to parenthood.

Links:

Link to Fertility Network UK’s, Fertility in the Workplace resources: https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/fertility-in-the-workplace/

If you are struggling and need support, please contact the charity at https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/ or organisations that can support your mental health are below.

Contact Samaritans on 116 123

Contact NHS on 111

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast.