It All Starts Here

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This podcast provides the platform to bring awareness to various critical topics in the fields of reproductive science and women’s health – topics that are often not discussed enough. We will cover a range of topics and will focus on creating content that is understandable to individuals from all levels of education and backgrounds, with no science experience required.

  1. 19/12/2025

    Mums' mental health

    This week, Olivia is joined by Dr Chiara Petrosellini, as they delve into the critical topic of perinatal mental health, exploring its definition, the unique challenges faced by women during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and the importance of specialized mental health support.  Chiara emphasises the distinct features of perinatal mental illness, including conditions like postpartum depression and psychosis, and highlights the need for tailored expertise in this area.  To get evidence-based information and support on different perinatal mental health conditions, please see: PANDAS foundation: https://pandasfoundation.org.uk/ Action on Postpartum Psychosis: https://www.app-network.org/ Perinatal OCD Resource centre: https://iocdf.org/perinatal-ocd/ Birth Trauma Association: https://www.birthtraumaassociation.org/ Mind charity (for suicide support and prevention resources): https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/suicidal-thoughts-and-suicide-prevention/   Credits: Date of episode recording: 2025-11-24 Language of episode: English Presenter: Olivia Moir Guests: Dr Chiara Petrosellini Producer: Olivia Moir, UCL IFWH Podcast owner: Olivia Moir; Sarah Mayhew

    39 min

  2. 25/04/2025

    Giving Birth & Birth Interventions

    Hosted by Olivia Moir, this episode of It All Starts Here explores the topic of giving birth and birth interventions, with a focus on assisted vaginal birth and the use of forceps. Olivia speaks with Dr. Dawn Parris, an Obstetrics and Gynaecology doctor and a PhD researcher at UCL/UCLH , about the different methods of giving birth, how decisions are made both beforehand and in the delivery room, and innovations in training obstetricians. This episode provides valuable insight into the complexities and nuances of birth choices, the role of education and technology in maternal healthcare, and why listening to and informing women is crucial in obstetric practice. About the Guest: Dr. Dawn Parris is an Obstetrics and Gynaecology doctor and a PhD researcher at UCL/UCLH. Her research focuses on improving training and outcomes in assisted vaginal birth, particularly using forceps. She is collaborating with engineers to develop cutting-edge robotic and virtual reality tools that simulate complex birth scenarios, enhancing clinical safety and practitioner confidence. Date of episode recording: 2025-04-07T00:00:00ZDuration: 00:33:24Language of episode: EnglishPresenter:Olivia MoirGuests: Dr. Dawn ParrisProducer: Olivia Moir

    33 min

  3. 28/03/2025

    Psychological Impacts of Early Pregnancy Loss

    Today Olivia is joined by Dr Jessica Farren, a consultant gynaecologist at University London College Hospital (UCLH) with a passion for early pregnancy care, and for empowering women with education about their health. Jessica’s PhD focused on the psychological impacts of early pregnancy loss. Today we dive into her work by discussing what these psychological impacts are, and how best to support women who are experiencing this, whether as a healthcare professional, colleague, friend or family member. This episode highlights the importance of seeing early pregnancy loss not as one diagnosis or experience, but rather acknowledging the range of factors and emotions involved.  To learn more about ‘This is Womanhood’, and how you can register your businesses interest in a session to learn essential medical knowledge and support every woman needs, every step of the way, visit https://www.thisiswomanhood.uk/  If you or someone you know is experiencing pregnancy loss and needs support, you may wish to point them in the direction of three wonderful organisations: The Miscarriage Association, The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, and Saying Goodbye. Date of episode recording: 2025-03-22T00:00:00ZDuration: 00:31:10Language of episode: EnglishTAGS:Presenter:Olivia MoirGuests: Dr Jessica FarrenProducer: Olivia Moir, Institute for Women's Health

    31 min

  4. 31/01/2025

    Gene Therapy part 2: Applications

    Today we are continuing our discussion on gene therapy, with Dr Rajvinder Karda, hosted by Olivia. Raj is both a researcher and professor at the UCL Institute for Women's Health, with her role as an associate professor of Gene Therapy, as well as leading a team of research focussing on developing pre-clinical gene therapy and RNA editing treatments for childhood epilepsy, including Dravet Syndrome. Listen in to learn more about Raj's work in the field of gene therapy, as she explains more about how gene therapies are being researched and developed for pre-clinical trials, including in her lab where her team is working on the development of gene therapies for treating Dravet Syndrome. Date of episode recording: 2025-01-22T00:00:00ZDuration: 00:30:16Language of episode: EnglishPresenter: Olivia MoirGuests: Dr Rajvinder KardaProducer: Olivia, UCL Institute for Women's Health, UCL Faculty of Population Health Sciences

    30 min

  5. 29/11/2024

    Gynaecological Cancers and HPV

    Today's episode hosted by Olivia, features Miss Adeola Olaitan, who is a Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist, for a discussion on gynaecological cancers and Human papilloma virus (HPV). We discuss the five different types of gynaecological cancers, including: ovarian cancer, uterine or endometrial (womb) cancer, cervical cancer, vaginal and vulval cancer. Adeola also describes the overarching theme of preventative medicine, and the steps that should be taken as early as 11 years of age aiming to prevent certain types of gynaecological cancers. She touches on HPV, and some common misconceptions in this area, and the importance of screening in this area. Listen to learn more, and how you can take action for preventing these diseases. To learn more about Adeola's work, visit: londongynaecology.clinic/team/adeola-olaitan/ For help on screening and prevention, visit: eveappeal.org.uk/ - UK based charity that aids in supporting women with all 5 gynae cancers jewishbrca.org/ - help for women of Jewish ancestry who wish to know their BRCA status (Having Jewish ancestry increases your risk of having a BRCA gene fault) Date of episode recording: 2024-11-26T00:00:00ZDuration: 00:26:39Language of episode: EnglishPresenter:Olivia MoirGuests: Adeola OlaitanProducer: UCL EGA Institute for Women's Health; Olivia Moir Transcript: www.ucl.ac.uk/womens-health/news…ens-health-podcast

    27 min

  6. 30/09/2024

    Menopause

    We are back here today to talk about menopause. We are going to be diving into the basics on what it is and what to expect, and then some ideas on how to optimize lifestyle in this stage as well as various, sometimes conflicting views, on treatment and management options for individuals going through menopause. Joining me in this is episode is none other than a certified British Menopause Society ‘Menopause specialist’, Mr Vikram Talaulikar, who is coming to us with a strong clinical background, as an associate specialist at the reproductive medicine unit at UCLH, and an honorary associate professor here at UCL. To learn more about Vikram’s work visit his profile on UCHL (https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/our-services/find-consultant/mr-vikram-talaulikar) and his LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikram-sinai-talaulikar-13565411/)  Date of episode recording: 2024-09-26T00:00:00Z Duration: 00:22:41 Language of episode: English Presenter: Olivia Moir Guests: Mr Vikram Talaulikar  Producer: Olivia, UCL Faculty of Population Health Sciences

    23 min

  7. 23/05/2024

    Heavy Periods

    Hosted by Olivia Moir, this episode with Dr. Bassel Wattar guides us through heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB); what it is, how common it is, how do we diagnose it, and how do we treat it? We also talk about research in this area, and specifically the importance of including community perspectives in research practise, and how Dr. Bassel Wattar's team has been going about this. Dr. Bassel Wattar has been a guest on the pod previously where we talked about PCOS. If you missed that episode, definitely go and check it out. For anyone who hasn't listened to the PCOS episode, Dr. Wattar is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist based in London. He has advanced expertise in various areas including fertility, assisted conception, endocrine gynaecology, menopause and importantly for today, heavy menstrual bleeding! I also have to mention, he is the co-leader of a research group dedicated for evidence synthesis at UCL, which is something so important and we have focused a lot on in this pod, the importance of evidence based research. To read more about Bassel's work, visit: https://basselwattar.info/ Charities and Communities affiliated with HMB: Menstrual Health Project: https://linktr.ee/menstrualhealthproject Wellbeing of Women: https://www.wellbeingofwomen.org.uk/what-we-do/  Date of episode recording: 2024-05-14T00:00:00Z Duration: 00:26:57 Language of episode: English Presenter:Olivia Guests: Dr. Bassel Wattar Producer: Olivia, UCL changemakers

    27 min

  8. 13/12/2023

    We All Need Therapy, Including Mums and Unborn Babies

    Hosted by Olivia Moir, this very special episode discusses prenatal therapy with Prof Anna David, Director of the Institute for Women's Health here at UCL. Today we cover the basics of what the field of prenatal therapy is about, discussing the general lack of prenatal therapy in clinic and some of the factors behind why this is. We talk about the importance of conducting research to advance clinical practise in this field, supporting mums and the new generations to come.  For more information and to access the transcript: www.ucl.ac.uk/womens-health/it-all-starts-here-ega-ifwh-institute-womens-health-podcast Date of episode recording: 2023-12-04Duration: 36:15 Language of episode: EnglishPresenter: Olivia MoirGuests: Prof Anna DavidProducer: Olivia Moir, UCL Changemakers

    36 min
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About

This podcast provides the platform to bring awareness to various critical topics in the fields of reproductive science and women’s health – topics that are often not discussed enough. We will cover a range of topics and will focus on creating content that is understandable to individuals from all levels of education and backgrounds, with no science experience required.

Information

  • Channel
    UCL
  • Creator
    UCL Podcasts
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 UCL Podcasts
  • Show Website
    It All Starts Here

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