The Fertility Diaries

The Fertility Diaries

The Fertility Diaries is an unfiltered podcast hosted by Charly and Portia - two best friends navigating fertility, ambition, identity and everything in between. Each week, we share honest conversations about the realities of trying to conceive, IVF, relationships, ambition, mental health, and the emotional rollercoaster that so often goes unspoken. Alongside our personal stories, we explore the science, speak to experts, and unpack the information we wish we’d known sooner - all with humour, honesty and zero judgement. We’re not doctors. We’re not specialists. We’re two women living it in real time - asking the questions, having the awkward conversations, and talking about the parts no one prepares you for. This is fertility without the filters. New episodes every Tuesday.

  1. 2d ago ·  Bonus

    BONUS x Zita West: Ask Isabelle | Foundations & Fertility Fries

    Welcome back to Ask Isabelle, our weekly bonus series in collaboration with Zita West. This week, we’re talking about preparing for an embryo transfer, as Isabelle shares how nutrition and supplements can help support the body in the lead-up to transfer. We chat about supporting implantation, the endometrial lining and blood flow, plus some of the key nutrients and supplements to consider along the way. We tackle one of IVF’s most famous traditions: McDonald’s fries after embryo transfer. Is there actually anything behind it, or have we all just been giving the fries far too much credit? Plus, we answer a listener dilemma about whether to transfer one embryo or two, and discuss the difficult decisions that can come with weighing up the chance of pregnancy against the possibility of twins and potential complications. New bonus episodes every Thursday. Follow along: @thefertilitydiariespod @zita.west Looking for personalised support? You can book a 1:1 fertility product consultation with the Zita West team at zitawest.com/book. Use code FDP10 for 10% off Zita West supplements. 10% off valid once per customer. Applies to one-time or subscription purchase. Subscription discount applies to first month only; standard price applies thereafter. Full T&Cs at zitawest.com/terms Got a dilemma? We’d love to hear from you. Send us your listener dilemmas, fertility thoughts of the week, or situations you’d like us to discuss on a future bonus episode at thefertilitydiariespod@gmail.com.

  2. 4d ago

    Grief, Goodbyes & Guilty Pleasures | The Fertility Diaries

    n this week’s episode of The Fertility Diaries, Portia shares the heartbreaking news that she’s had to say goodbye to her gorgeous Ronnie. She opens up about what happened, making such a difficult decision, the responsibility of caring for a disabled dog, and adjusting to a new routine and a very different normal without him. Charly finally puts her suspected lactose intolerance to the test and shares the verdict, before chatting about navigating those awkward fertility assumptions when people start asking whether there’s a particular reason she hasn’t been at Soul Fries events… Our main conversation this week is all about grief. We talk about why grief comes in waves, how something can trigger it when you thought you were doing okay, and why there really is no timeline for “getting over” a loss. We explore grief in its many forms, from losing someone you love to the very different but equally real grief that can come with infertility and the loss of the future you thought you might have. In Between the Lines, we share some of the things that can help when you’re navigating grief, giving yourself space to feel it and finding ways to support yourself through the waves. New episodes every Tuesday. Follow along: @thefertilitydiariespod @charlyhoencoach @portia_christina_ Use code FDP10 for 10% off Zita West supplements. 10% off valid once per customer. Applies to one-time or subscription purchase. Subscription discount applies to first month only; standard price applies thereafter. Full T&Cs at zitawest.com/terms We want to hear from you. Send us your dilemmas, questions or fertility thoughts of the week to thefertilitydiariespod@gmail.com

  3. Aug 12 ·  Bonus

    BONUS x Zita West: Ask Isabelle | Blood Flow & Big Decisions

    Welcome back to Ask Isabelle, our weekly bonus series in collaboration with Zita West. This week, we’re talking nutrition during IVF stimulation, as Isabelle explains why protein and nutrient-rich foods become particularly important during this stage of treatment. We discuss supporting blood flow through nutrition, including foods such as beetroot and watermelon, as well as the key supplements Isabelle recommends during IVF and why nutrition and supplementation can play an important supporting role alongside treatment. Plus, we answer a listener dilemma from someone who knows she needs IVF with her partner but has just been offered her dream promotion. We discuss career opportunities, fertility timelines and how to navigate those huge decisions when it feels like two important parts of your life are competing for priority. New bonus episodes every Thursday. Follow along: @thefertilitydiariespod @zita.west Looking for personalised support? You can book a 1:1 fertility product consultation with the Zita West team at zitawest.com/book. Use code FDP10 for 10% off Zita West supplements. 10% off valid once per customer. Applies to one-time or subscription purchase. Subscription discount applies to first month only; standard price applies thereafter. Full T&Cs at zitawest.com/terms Got a dilemma? We’d love to hear from you. Send us your listener dilemmas, fertility thoughts of the week, or situations you’d like us to discuss on a future bonus episode at thefertilitydiariespod@gmail.com. And I really like Protein & Promotion as a close second — it’s probably the catchier/funnier one, whereas Blood Flow & Big Decisions tells the story of the episode better.

  4. Aug 10

    Ambition, Aspiration & Having It All | The Fertility Diaries

    In this week’s episode of The Fertility Diaries, Portia has some very exciting career news! She reflects on redundancy after more than 10 years in the same job, everything that’s happened since, and taking a huge leap outside of her comfort zone into a completely new role. We also chat about making big life decisions while navigating fertility treatment and why sometimes things have a funny way of falling into place. Charly shares her latest obsession and an update from a much needed massage before we dive into our main topic this week: ambition and fertility. Can you be ambitious, climb the career ladder, build businesses and chase the things you want while also trying to conceive? We talk about the pressure women can feel to plan careers around potential pregnancies, staying in jobs for maternity benefits, starting somewhere new while undergoing fertility treatment, side hustles, self-employment and the financial realities that can influence some pretty major life decisions. We also chat about finding fulfilment outside of motherhood, what workplaces can do to better support people going through fertility treatment, and why not having children right now doesn’t mean putting the rest of your ambitions on hold. And we’re Closing the Page on exactly that — putting your life on hold while waiting for the next chapter to begin. New episodes every Tuesday. Follow along: @thefertilitydiariespod @charlyhoencoach @portia_christina_ Use code FDP10 for 10% off Zita West supplements. 10% off valid once per customer. Applies to one-time or subscription purchase. Subscription discount applies to first month only; standard price applies thereafter. Full T&Cs at zitawest.com/terms We want to hear from you. Send us your dilemmas, questions or fertility thoughts of the week to thefertilitydiariespod@gmail.com

  5. Aug 5 ·  Bonus

    BONUS x Zita West: Ask Isabelle | Planning & Preparation

    Welcome back to Ask Isabelle, our weekly bonus series in collaboration with Zita West. This week, Isabelle answers a listener question about preparing for conception,, sharing her advice on nutrition, supplements and the simple changes that can help build strong foundations before trying to conceive. We discuss preconception nutrition, vitamin D, probiotics, the vaginal microbiome and why supplements should always support a healthy diet. Plus, we answer a listener dilemma from a couple torn between spending their savings on another round of IVF or the wedding they’ve been planning, and discuss how to navigate big life decisions when fertility is part of the picture. New bonus episodes every Thursday. Follow along: @thefertilitydiariespod @zita.west Looking for personalised support? You can book a 1:1 fertility product consultation with the Zita West team at zitawest.com/book. Use code FDP10 for 10% off Zita West supplements. 10% off valid once per customer. Applies to one-time or subscription purchase. Subscription discount applies to first month only; standard price applies thereafter. Full T&Cs at zitawest.com/terms. Got a dilemma? We’d love to hear from you. Send us your listener dilemmas, fertility thoughts of the week, or situations you’d like us to discuss on a future bonus episode at thefertilitydiariespod@gmail.com.

  6. Aug 3

    Possibility, Pilgrimages & Pope Portia | The Fertility Diaries

    This week, Portia embraces her Hot Girl Summer Era, sharing how she’s making the most of the summer while she’s not pregnant, while Charly opens up about alcohol guilt, social drinking and finding balance while trying to conceive. We also chat about restorative yoga, calming the nervous system and why slowing down can sometimes be exactly what your body needs. Our main topic explores the Lion’s Gate Portal, the astrology behind it and why many people believe it’s a powerful time for reflection, manifestation and new beginnings. We also dive into fertility pilgrimages and sacred places around the world that are believed to bring hope to those trying to conceive. From Rome and Sorrento to Rhodes, Thailand, Ireland, the UK and the US, we explore the stories, traditions and symbols that have become part of fertility journeys across the globe. Portia shares the religious keepsakes she’s collected along the way, while Charly recounts three remarkable stories of a monastery in Rhodes. In Between the Lines, we discuss Ireland’s new state-funded IVF pathway for people with endometriosis, the promising new tests being developed for endometriosis in the UK, and whether these developments could help improve access to fertility care. Finally, in Closing the Page, we discuss why fertility continues to be left out of conversations around declining birth rates and ageing populations, and why it’s time policymakers started talking about the realities and challenges people face when trying to build a family. New episodes every Tuesday. Follow along: @thefertilitydiariespod @charlyhoencoach @portia_christina_ Use code FDP10 for 10% off Zita West supplements. 10% off valid once per customer. Applies to one-time or subscription purchase. Subscription discount applies to first month only; standard price applies thereafter. Full T&Cs at zitawest.com/terms. We want to hear from you. Send us your dilemmas, questions or fertility thoughts of the week to thefertilitydiariespod@gmail.com.

  7. Jul 29 ·  Bonus

    BONUS x Zita West: Ask Isabelle | Supplements & Slip Ups

    Welcome back to Ask Isabelle, our weekly bonus series in collaboration with Zita West. Following on from Tuesday’s episode exploring the findings from The Male Fertility Report, this week Isabelle chats to us about male fertility supplements and the nutrients that can support sperm health. We discuss vitamin D, antioxidants, zinc, omega-3 and the lifestyle changes that can make a real difference to male fertility, as well as why getting personalised advice can help take the overwhelm out of choosing the right supplements. Plus, we answer a listener dilemma from someone whose partner feels judged after being advised to make lifestyle changes before IVF, and discuss how couples can work together to support each other without blame, guilt or perfection getting in the way. New bonus episodes every Thursday. Follow along: @thefertilitydiariespod @zita.west Looking for personalised support? You can book a 1:1 fertility product consultation with the Zita West team at zitawest.com/book. Use code FDP10 for 10% off Zita West supplements. 10% off valid once per customer. Applies to one-time or subscription purchase. Subscription discount applies to first month only; standard price applies thereafter. Full T&Cs at zitawest.com/terms. Got a dilemma? We’d love to hear from you. Send us your listener dilemmas, fertility thoughts of the week, or situations you’d like us to discuss on a future bonus episode at thefertilitydiariespod@gmail.com

  8. Jul 27

    Blokes, Breaking Barriers & Baby Making | A Zita West Special | The Fertility Diaries

    In this special episode of The Fertility Diaries, in partnership with Zita West, Portia shares an update on her week, from attending her friend’s wedding and visiting Cheltenham to unexpectedly finding herself at her dream baby shower venue. She also updates us about her outcome of her latest protocol, what’s next on her fertility journey, and chats about vaginal and gut microbiome. Charly shares a celebrity encounter at Clifton Lido before reflecting on how openly Tony has spoken about his fertility journey, and how his honesty inspired one of his friends to get his own fertility checked. Joining us once again is Isabelle from the Zita West team as we discuss the findings from the newly released Zita West Male Fertility Report. Together, we explore the realities of male factor infertility, the stigma surrounding men’s fertility, macho culture, and why so many men are still reluctant to seek help. We discuss the report’s findings on declining semen parameters, what a “normal” semen analysis really means, the risks men recognise compared with those they often overlook, and why fertility should always be approached as a team. We also talk about male fertility declining with age, the importance of lifestyle, and Isabelle shares some of the supplements that are commonly overlooked but can play an important role in supporting both male and female fertility. In Closing the Page, we’re letting go of the idea that fertility grief has a timeline. Grief doesn’t simply disappear once treatment ends or life moves on, and it’s okay if those feelings resurface when you least expect them. New episodes every Tuesday. Follow along: @thefertilitydiariespod @charlyhoencoach @portia_christina_ Looking for personalised support? You can book a 1:1 fertility product consultation with the Zita West team at zitawest.com/book. Use code FDP10 for 10% off Zita West supplements. 10% off valid once per customer. Applies to one-time or subscription purchase. Subscription discount applies to first month only; standard price applies thereafter. Full T&Cs at zitawest.com/terms. We’d love to hear from you. Send us your dilemmas, fertility thoughts of the week, or questions you’d like us to discuss on a future episode at thefertilitydiariespod@gmail.com. The State of Male Fertility Awareness 2026 Understanding the Confidence Gap in Male Fertility: Find the report here: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0588/4264/4678/files/Zita_West_-_Male_Fertility_Report_2026.pdf?v=1782724800&utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=email&_kx=EZVzArJwGuPjGVgqHyjLJ4qG9Mu4YaG4YQghavT4rhnnlgUkG_rATOP1d6h8rHTd.RUWxP7

See All (39)

About

The Fertility Diaries is an unfiltered podcast hosted by Charly and Portia - two best friends navigating fertility, ambition, identity and everything in between. Each week, we share honest conversations about the realities of trying to conceive, IVF, relationships, ambition, mental health, and the emotional rollercoaster that so often goes unspoken. Alongside our personal stories, we explore the science, speak to experts, and unpack the information we wish we’d known sooner - all with humour, honesty and zero judgement. We’re not doctors. We’re not specialists. We’re two women living it in real time - asking the questions, having the awkward conversations, and talking about the parts no one prepares you for. This is fertility without the filters. New episodes every Tuesday.

Information

  • Creator
    The Fertility Diaries
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Fertility Diaries
  • Show Website
    The Fertility Diaries