The Fertility Podcast

Natchat Productions
  • 4.7 (71)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

If you’ve found your route to parenthood hasn’t been straightforward, The Fertility Podcast is for you. From how to optimise your fertility to getting pregnant naturally, navigating IVF, understanding donor conception or surrogacy to how to prepare for a life without children. Whatever your situation, you are not alone. Created by Natalie Silverman, a former fertility patient in 2014 Natalie set about speaking to experts and sharing lived experience and expert interviews In 2019 Kate Davies, an independent fertility nurse consultant joined as co-host and from 2023-2024, Kate hosted the podcast solo sharing more of her expert insight and stories from her patients. As The Fertility Podcast reached its 10th anniversary the decision was taken to cease publishing.. until now. The Fertility Podcast is proud to partner with Fertility Action, a new UK charity dedicated to supporting anyone affected by infertility, secondary infertility, or sub-fertility. Together, we aim to amplify our mission of education, empowerment, and support. Fertility Action combines patient advocacy with expert knowledge to offer peer support, therapy, and reliable information. They are also committed to improving fertility care access, raising awareness, and driving research to advance understanding and treatment. PLEASE NOTE: The Fertility Podcast has an archive of its 300 episodes on new podcast feeds called: Getting Pregnancy Ready, Infertility Support, Male Fertility, Alternative Routes to Parenthood, and Pregnancy Loss. Just have a look in your podcast search and be sure to subscribe.

  1. 1D AGO

    Family building for the LGBTQ+ community - a starting point of what you need to know with Carole Gilling-Smith

    In this episode of The Fertility Podcast, I’m joined by Dr Carole Gilling-Smith, Medical Director of The Agora Clinic and Trustee of Fertility Action, to talk about family building within the LGBTQ+ community. If you are part of the LGBTQ+ community and thinking about becoming a parent, or you love someone who is, this episode is a practical starting point. We talk about treatment pathways, donor conception, fertility preservation, NHS inequality, and how to make sure you are supported properly by a clinic that understands your needs. This is about education, empowerment and knowing your options. What we cover in this episode Why fertility equality on the NHS is still not where it should beThe postcode lottery affecting IVF fundingWhy three full IVF cycles should be the national standardThe additional financial barriers faced by same sex couplesWhy six self funded IUIs before NHS eligibility is deeply problematicThe risks of sourcing donor sperm onlineChoosing between known donors and donor banksHow clinics should approach inclusive paperwork and languageWhy pronouns and preferred names matter in clinical settingsShared motherhood and reciprocal IVFFertility testing for both partners before deciding who carriesSupporting gay male couples through complex pathways involving egg donation and surrogacyWorking with the trans community around fertility preservationPreserving sperm or eggs before starting hormone treatmentThe emotional impact of genetic connection and non biological parentingWhy counselling is essential before treatment beginsSupporting patients who fear internal examinations or surgical environmentsCreating clinic spaces that feel safe, calm and inclusive About Dr Carole Gilling-Smith Dr Carole Gilling-Smith is the Medical Director of The Agora Clinic, one of the UK’s leading fertility clinics for the LGBTQ+ community, based in Brighton and Hove. She is also a founding Trustee of Fertility Action, the UK charity campaigning for fertility equality and better access to treatment. Carole has been a long standing advocate for: Equal NHS funding for fertility treatmentInclusive fertility care for LGBTQ+ patientsFertility education in schools and universitiesli...

    32 min

  2. FEB 11

    Getting your head around secondary infertility with Catherine Cousins

    In this deeply emotional episode of The Fertility Podcast, I’m joined by Catherine Cousins, author of Just One Child, to talk honestly about secondary infertility, failed IVF cycles, mental health, grief, and what it means to come to terms with building a family with one child when that was not the plan. This conversation was not an easy one to prepare for or to record. Catherine shares her story with such openness, including her experience of a cancer diagnosis within her family, IVF after having a child naturally, a mental health breakdown following a failed cycle, and the long road towards acceptance. If you are currently in treatment, living with secondary infertility, or facing decisions about stopping treatment, this episode may resonate deeply. We talk about grief that is often unseen, the isolation that comes with this experience, and why it is so rarely spoken about. If this is not the right time for you to listen, please come back when you feel ready. What we discuss in this episode: What secondary infertility can look like when you already have a childHow a cancer diagnosis changed Catherine’s fertility journey overnightIVF after having a child naturally and the emotional complexity that bringsThe mental health impact of failed cycles and untreated griefWhy many people do not feel able to talk about secondary infertilityShame, isolation, and feeling undeserving of support because you have a childHow grief can exist for the family you imagined but could not haveThe strain fertility treatment can place on relationshipsDeciding when to stop treatment and how hard that decision can beMarking the end of treatment and finding closure in your own wayParenting while grieving and the guilt that can come with itNavigating comments, questions, and assumptions from othersReframing the narrative around being a family with one childFinding acceptance without pretending it does not still hurt About Catherine and her book Catherine Cousins is the author of Just One Child, a powerful and compassionate book about secondary infertility, loss, and redefining family when further treatment is not possible or no longer feels right. Her book explores the emotional, social, and psychological impact of coming to terms with having one child when you hoped for more, and gives voice to an experience that is often overlooked. You can find Catherine and her work here: Just One Child on Amazona...

    55 min

  3. FEB 4

    Let’s talk about sex with Kate Moyle

    Sex and intimacy can change dramatically when you are trying to conceive, especially when fertility treatment, loss or ongoing uncertainty is part of your life. In this episode of The Fertility Podcast, I’m joined by Kate Moyle, psychosexual therapist, podcaster and author of The Science of Sex, to talk about how sex, desire, relationships and connection can evolve in ways we never expected when fertility becomes part of our story. This episode touches on loss, grief and confusion. If you are not ready for that right now, please skip and come back when you are ready. Kate brings both professional insight and compassionate understanding to one of the most normal yet least discussed parts of many people’s experience. We talk about timing, pressure, anxiety, loss, connection, expectation and how to rebuild joy and pleasure in your relationship. Whether you are in a long term partnership, thinking about future intimacy, or trying to untangle the impact that fertility has had on your sex life, this conversation is full of practical insight and reassurance that you are not alone. What we discuss in this episode: Why sex often feels different when fertility issues are part of your lifeHow timing and pressure can change desire and connectionWhy we often feel there is something wrong with us when intimacy changesThe impact of miscarriage, loss and medical trauma on sex and relationshipsHow shame and silence make it harder to ask for helpReclaiming touch and connection beyond the fertility goalHow fertility challenges affect male partners and masculinityHow to bring pleasure and ease back into sex after it has become stressfulWhy rebuilding intimacy is a process and not a quick fix Kate Moyle is a UK based psychosexual therapist, author and public speaker whose work helps people understand sex and intimacy through a biological, psychological and social perspective. She is the author of The Science of Sex, a neutral, accessible guide to sex and sexuality designed for all bodies. You can find Kate’s work here: The Science of Sex (book) – available from major retailers and online booksellersThe Science of Sex podcast – listen wherever you get podcastsWebsite Kate’s approach is grounded in research, lived experience and curiosity. This episode is one of the most honest and compassionate conversations we have had about sex and fertility on the podcast. Thank you to our sponors: This episode is supported by partners who help people access care and clarity on their fertility journey. 👉a href="https://www.accessfertility.com/thefp" rel="noopener...

    50 min

  4. JAN 28

    What I wish my colleagues understood about IVF with Sarah Banks

    Trying to conceive can be incredibly isolating, especially when your friends and family just do not get it. That is why I loved this conversation with Sarah Banks, fertility coach, speaker, author, and creator of the Positivity Planner. Sarah’s work is all about helping you feel more emotionally supported through treatment. She also has years of experience working with clinics on patient support strategies, so she sees both sides: what patients need, and what is still missing in the system. We talked about why fertility coaching can be such a powerful complement to medical treatment, how to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of TTC, and how to protect your mental wellbeing, even when things do not go as planned. What we discuss in this episode: The power of coaching and how it can support people emotionally through treatmentHow Sarah’s own journey inspired her work in fertility and patient experienceWhat fertility clinics are doing (and not doing) to better support patientsCoping with anxiety, stress, and overwhelm while TTCStrategies for building resilience and staying hopefulTips for advocating for yourself in appointments and with providersThe Positivity Planner and how journaling can support your mental wellbeingThe importance of community, connection, and being heardWhat Sarah wishes everyone struggling with infertility knew If you are feeling like you have no one to talk to, or like you are supposed to just keep going while your heart is breaking, this one is for you. This episode is sponsored by Access Fertility Worried about the financial pressure of treatment? Access Fertility offers funding programmes and 0% interest finance to help ease the burden of self-funding IVF. Their services include: Loans of up to £12,000 with no interest over 12 monthsMulti-cycle packages that can save you up to 30%Refund programmes offering up to 100% back if treatment is unsuccessfulPartnerships with over 60 top clinics in the UKPersonalised advice based on your age and treatment plan Visit accessfertility.com/thefp to learn more. Learn more about Sarah’s work: Positivity Plannerssarahbanks.coach Let’s keep the conversation going: span class="ql-ui"...

    33 min

  5. JAN 21

    How fertility career coaching works with Jen Elworthy

    In this episode of The Fertility Podcast, I’m joined by Jen Elworthy, fertility career coach and Director of Engagement at Fertility Matters at Work, to explore how career coaching can support you while going through fertility treatment. Jen joined our team in July 2025, and since then I’ve had the joy of learning from her insight, empathy and real-world experience. She has lived through the impact of ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage while working in high-pressure environments, and she shares how these experiences shaped her approach to coaching. If you’ve ever felt stuck in your job because of your treatment, uncertain how to talk to work, or unable to see a career path that aligns with what you’re going through, this episode is for you. What we discuss in this episode: Jen’s personal fertility journey, including multiple losses and the emotional toll on her mental health and careerHow she moved from ambitious and confident to experiencing panic attacks at workThe challenges of opening up to colleagues and managers during early treatmentThe power of having just one supportive person at work who gets itHer IVF survival kit and practical tips for managing during a workdayWhy “career coaching” isn’t just for high-flyers or executivesExamples of how she’s helped clients through job changes, promotions, sabbaticals, and re-aligning their work-life balanceHer approach to resilience coaching and “bounce back ability” during treatmentWhy therapy helped her heal, but coaching helped her move forwardMisconceptions about who coaching is for, and why it can be more accessible than you thinkHow Jen structured her coaching offers to meet people at different financial entry points Jen’s support offerings include: Jen is now offering Group Coaching One-to-one coaching (short-term or long-term packages)One-off coaching conversationsEmployer-sponsored coaching (some clients have had it covered as part of redundancy packages)Low-cost workshops (around £20–£25)Free resources and templates on her websiteFree newsletter + insights via LinkedIn and Instagram If you're considering career coaching but aren't sure it's “for you”, this is your reminder that it’s absolutely okay to ask for help, and there are options at every level. This episode is sponsored by Access Fertility Worried about the financial pressure of treatment? Access Fertility...

    20 min

  6. JAN 14

    Navigating IVF as a Neurodivergent Person with Catherine Lightfoot

    In this episode of The Fertility Podcast, I’m joined by Catherine Lightfoot, ADHD coach and founder of Rewired Circles, to talk about her experience of navigating IVF as a neurodivergent person. Catherine was working in a senior HR role while undergoing fertility treatment and dealing with the mental load of a delayed ADHD diagnosis. She joins me to talk about the emotional toll of masking, the challenges of advocating for yourself in a system that does not always recognise neurodivergence, and the importance of creating support spaces that actually meet people where they are. This is our first episode covering neurodivergence and fertility, and I want to thank Catherine for bringing this conversation forward. If you suspect you may be neurodivergent, or if you’ve been struggling to articulate how this process is affecting you, I hope this episode offers support and language for what you might be feeling. What we discuss in this episode:Catherine’s delayed ADHD diagnosis and how it overlapped with her fertility journeyWhy she and her partner opted for early fertility testing and how a surprise male factor diagnosis shifted everythingThe emotional whiplash of having a clear process derailed by COVID delaysHow hyperfocus, masking, and people-pleasing made it harder to ask for helpOverworking and pretending everything was fine while secretly undergoing injections and treatmentThe moment she realised she could not cope alone anymoreWhat IVF felt like as a neurodivergent person and why it is easy to become overwhelmed and disconnectedThe challenge of advocating for yourself when you are not sure what your needs areThe risks of masking and burnout in high-pressure jobs while going through treatmentHer reflections on memory loss, dysregulation, and why she misremembered the number of cycles she hadWhy support groups are powerful but may not be the right fit for everyone at every stageHow Catherine’s coaching and lived experience helped her move from burnout to self-awarenessThe shocking mental health statistics for women with ADHD and why fertility support needs to evolveWhy the fertility and neurodivergent overlap is an urgent area of focus for workplaces and support providersHer top advice for anyone navigating fertility and ADHD, especially in silence A note on support and asking for helpSo many of us keep it all in. We wait until it gets really bad before we share anything. But Catherine reminds us that asking for help does not need to be dramatic or all-encompassing. You can start small. Tell one trusted colleague at work. Let one friend know. Give someone permission to be your backup or just your quiet support. If you are masking and managing everything...

    29 min

  7. JAN 7

    Understanding sperm donation with Hayley King

    In this episode of The Fertility Podcast, I’m joined by Hayley King, donor-conceived adult, mum of donor-conceived twins, and Operations Manager at Path to Parenthub. We’re talking about the story that made headlines last December, a sperm donor with a genetic mutation linked to cancer being used in nearly 200 conceptions across 14 countries. This episode unpacks how this could happen, the gaps in donor regulation that allow it, and what this means for families. We also talk about the emotional, ethical, and logistical challenges of donor conception in a globalised industry, where the same donor can be used across borders with no international limits in place. Hayley brings both personal and professional insight into how families can make informed choices, why early disclosure matters, and what changes are urgently needed to protect the next generation. If you’re on a donor conception path or supporting someone who is, this conversation is essential listening. What we discuss in this episode:Hayley’s experience growing up as a donor-conceived person, and what shifted when she became a parent herselfWhy early disclosure matters and how secrecy shaped the mental health of donor-conceived people in the pastThe UK’s 10-family donor limit and why it does not apply outside the UKHow one donor can be used in multiple countries with no tracking or shared systemThe story of one donor linked to a BRCA1 cancer gene being used in nearly 200 conceptionsWhat “family limits” really mean and why they are difficult to enforce globallyThe emotional weight of discovering you have 50 or even 100 donor siblingsHow sperm banks and clinics are often driven by profit rather than transparencyWhat questions prospective parents can ask their clinic or sperm bankWhy Path to Parent Hub was created as a safe space for donor conception familiesHayley’s advice for parents, donors, and donor-conceived adults navigating identity and connection A note on regulation and emotional safety:While advances in genetic screening are helpful, they are not foolproof. The issue is not just medical, it is ethical. Donors should not be used to create hundreds of families across continents. Without international family limits or shared tracking systems, donor-conceived people may unknowingly share genetics with a vast number of people worldwide. This impacts their sense of self, their safety in relationships, and their ability to connect the dots in their identity. As Hayley says, transparency matters. Families deserve accurate information and regulated systems that put people over profit. Let’s keep the conversation going:Follow me on Instagram: @fertilitypoddyspan class="ql-ui"...

    27 min

  8. JAN 3

    Happy New Year - back 7th Jan

    Happy New Year - hope you're enjoying the bright sunshine we have in Manchester as we wait to see if it snows! You've survived the festive season and hopefully you're starting the new year in a peaceful place, despite the possibilityof there being a lot to consider in your year ahead. I hope the podcast continues to stay in your earholes and supports you along the way. If you're yet to subscribe, please do so, wherever you have found this episode as it makes a real difference. Plus, feel free to leave a review each time you listen as I love hearing your thoughts. Natalie x

    1 min
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4.7
out of 5
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About

If you’ve found your route to parenthood hasn’t been straightforward, The Fertility Podcast is for you. From how to optimise your fertility to getting pregnant naturally, navigating IVF, understanding donor conception or surrogacy to how to prepare for a life without children. Whatever your situation, you are not alone. Created by Natalie Silverman, a former fertility patient in 2014 Natalie set about speaking to experts and sharing lived experience and expert interviews In 2019 Kate Davies, an independent fertility nurse consultant joined as co-host and from 2023-2024, Kate hosted the podcast solo sharing more of her expert insight and stories from her patients. As The Fertility Podcast reached its 10th anniversary the decision was taken to cease publishing.. until now. The Fertility Podcast is proud to partner with Fertility Action, a new UK charity dedicated to supporting anyone affected by infertility, secondary infertility, or sub-fertility. Together, we aim to amplify our mission of education, empowerment, and support. Fertility Action combines patient advocacy with expert knowledge to offer peer support, therapy, and reliable information. They are also committed to improving fertility care access, raising awareness, and driving research to advance understanding and treatment. PLEASE NOTE: The Fertility Podcast has an archive of its 300 episodes on new podcast feeds called: Getting Pregnancy Ready, Infertility Support, Male Fertility, Alternative Routes to Parenthood, and Pregnancy Loss. Just have a look in your podcast search and be sure to subscribe.

Information

  • Creator
    Natchat Productions
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2026
  • Episodes
    478
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 083668
  • Show Website
    The Fertility Podcast

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