The Fertility Diaries

The Fertility Diaries
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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. 1d ago

    Confessions, Counselling & Courage | The Fertility Diaries

    We’re back with part two of our very overdue catch-up, and this week it’s Charly’s turn to open up a little more about what’s been going on behind the scenes. First, Portia updates us on where her head is at with doing another IVF cycle, working out how she’s going to organise all the blood tests she needs, and when she might make the trip back to Turkey for her next transfer. Charly has another encounter with someone assuming that not being at a Soul Fries event must mean she’s pregnant 🙃 before sharing a different life update - she’s started therapy. That leads us into a much deeper conversation about fertility, therapy and the importance of actually talking. Charly opens up about what led her to seek support, how she found a fertility counsellor and some of the thoughts and feelings she’s beginning to unpack, without quite giving you ALL the contents of the therapy room! We talk about finding the right therapist, fertility-specific counselling, decision fatigue, overwhelm, couples counselling and why sometimes simply having somewhere to say everything out loud can be so valuable. We also chat about the other things that can feel therapeutic in their own way, as Portia wonders whether it might be time to get back to acupuncture for a little more self-care. Plus, will Tony agree to do an at-home semen analysis? 👀 In Between the Lines, we discuss the latest developments in Kent, and what decisions made by local ICBs can mean for access to fertility treatment. And finally, we Close the Page on a phrase we would be VERY happy never to hear again: geriatric pregnancy. New episodes every Tuesday. Follow along: @thefertilitydiariespod @charlyhoencoach @portia_christina_ For fertility counselling and to find a BICA-accredited counsellor, visit the British Infertility Counselling Association (BICA). 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

  2. 6d ago ·  Bonus

    BONUS | Toxins & Timelines | The Fertility Diaries

    Our bonus episodes are having a little refresh! This week, it’s just the two of us catching up, sharing recommendations and, of course, getting stuck into one of your listener dilemmas. We’re introducing a new recommendations section, where we’ll be sharing things we’re loving alongside recommendations sent in by you. And our first listener recommendation has us looking VERY closely at some of the products we use every day… 👀 Then it’s onto this week’s dilemma. After years of trying to conceive, one listener is hoping to transfer an embryo in the next couple of months, but if successful, the timing could mean having a newborn just weeks before she’s due to be a bridesmaid at her best friend’s wedding abroad. We share our thoughts, advice and what we think we’d do in her position. We’d also LOVE your feedback on our bonus episodes. What do you enjoy? What would you like more of? And are there any new sections you’d love us to introduce? We want to hear from you so we can keep making Thursday bonuses that you actually want to listen to. New bonus episodes every Thursday. Follow along: @thefertilitydiariespod @charlyhoencoach @portia_christina_ Got a recommendation, dilemma or some feedback for our bonus episodes? Send it our way at thefertilitydiariespod@gmail.com. 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

  3. Aug 24

    Ghosting, Gossip & Getting a Grip | The Fertility Diaries

    We've chnaged it up slightly on The Fertility Diaries, so we kick off this week by updating you on our new format for main and bonus episodes before getting into the first of two very overdue catch-ups. This week is all about Portia. She’s flourishing in her new job, adjusting to life without Ronnie and throwing herself into work, as well as updating us on her latest protocol and where she’s at with her fertility journey. Charly shares an update on her Achilles, a brand-new purchase that has resulted in even more TV watching, and some of the fertility-related shows she’s been getting stuck into. Our main conversation is about what happens when you’ve experienced infertility and start looking for more answers. Portia talks us through deciding what her next steps will be, navigating clinics that seemingly don’t want to reply, and finally choosing where she wants to go for further testing. We break down some of the tests she’s considering - from NK cell function and immune testing to microbiome and infection testing, in a way that hopefully makes a VERY complicated subject slightly easier to understand! In Between the Lines, we enter the world of fertility biohacking and talk about men icing their balls. And finally, we have an update on the Cyprus sperm story before Portia shares her own theory about where the sperm might actually be coming from… 👀 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

  4. Aug 19 ·  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.

  5. Aug 17

    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

  6. 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.

  7. 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

  8. 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.

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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
    42
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Fertility Diaries
  • Show Website
    The Fertility Diaries