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The Fertility Podcast

The Fertility Podcast

De: Natchat Productions
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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.083668 Ciencia Ciencias Sociales Higiene y Vida Saludable Psicología Psicología y Salud Mental
Episodios
  • Three Peaks. Three Mountains. One Mission.

    Three Peaks. Three Mountains. One Mission.
    Mar 4 2026

    Hello, it’s Natalie.

    This is just a short message from me to let you know that The Fertility Podcast is taking a little hiatus for the next couple of weeks while I get a few things organised behind the scenes.

    We will be back very soon with more episodes. In the meantime, if you have only just discovered the podcast, there is plenty for you to explore in the recent episodes.

    Since the start of 2026 we have covered a wide range of topics including:

    1. Sperm donation
    2. Navigating IVF as a neurodivergent person
    3. Fertility career coaching
    4. What you wish your colleagues understood about fertility treatment at work
    5. Sex and the impact that trying to conceive can have on intimacy
    6. Secondary infertility
    7. Family building in the LGBTQ+ community
    8. Male fertility testing

    So if you are new here, do scroll back through the feed and have a listen.

    And if you have found the podcast helpful, please do subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It really does help more people find these conversations.

    Why I’m taking a short break

    As you may know, The Fertility Podcast is the official podcast for Fertility Action, the UK charity working to support people navigating fertility challenges and campaigning for fairer access to funded treatment.

    They are doing incredible work.

    And this summer, they are organising a huge fundraising challenge.

    The National Three Peaks Challenge.

    That means climbing:

    1. Ben Nevis
    2. Scafell Pike
    3. Snowdon

    All within 24 hours.

    That is around 23 miles of walking and a total vertical ascent of more than 3,000 metres.

    And yes… I have signed up.

    At the end of June I will be attempting to climb all three mountains as part of the Fertility Action team.

    How you can support

    If this podcast has helped you in any way, I would absolutely love your support.

    You can donate to my fundraising page here:

    Every donation helps Fertility Action continue supporting the 3.5 million people in the UK navigating fertility struggles.

    I will also be sharing updates on my training along the way. I have already started with a six mile walk and quickly realised just how long walking actually takes. There will definitely be blisters involved.

    Join the challenge

    There are still places available if you would like to take part in the Three Peaks Challenge yourself.

    It takes place on 26 June and the team will be climbing all three mountains in support of Fertility Action.

    If climbing mountains is not your thing, you can still help by:

    1. Sharing the challenge on social media
    2. Supporting the fundraisers
    3. Following Fertility Action online

    What’s coming next on the podcast

    While I take this short pause to get everything organised, I am lining up some brilliant upcoming episodes.

    We will be talking about:

    1. AI in fertility care
    2. Vaginal microbiomes
    3. The experience of teachers navigating IVF
    4. And plenty more conversations to help you feel more informed and supported on your fertility journey

    If there is a topic you would like me to cover, please do get in touch.

    Stay connected

    Follow Fertility Action:

    https://fertilityaction.org

    Follow me on Instagram:

    @fertilitypoddy


    Thank you as always for your ear holes.

    Make sure you are subscribed so the next episode lands straight in your feed.

    And I will be back with you very soon.

    Until next time.
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    5 m
  • Testhim.. it's that simple! Understanding sperm tests with Ian Stones

    Testhim.. it's that simple! Understanding sperm tests with Ian Stones
    Feb 25 2026

    In this episode of The Fertility Podcast, I’m joined by Ian Stones, co founder of Testhim, to talk about something that should be simple but still too often isn’t. Testing men.

    We talk a lot in fertility about women’s bodies, women’s hormones, women’s investigations. But male fertility accounts for around a third of infertility cases, and yet men are still frequently an afterthought.

    Ian and I explore when men should be tested, what those tests actually look like, why semen analysis is not always enough, and how men can advocate for themselves earlier in the process.

    If you are dealing with male factor infertility, recurrent loss, unexplained infertility, or you simply want to understand more about sperm health, this episode is for you.

    And if you are the partner trying to get a reluctant man to engage with this conversation, please share it.

    What we discuss in this episode:

    1. Why male fertility testing is often delayed
    2. When to start investigating male fertility
    3. Why semen analysis is only the starting point
    4. The role of sperm DNA fragmentation in recurrent miscarriage
    5. What a varicocele is and how it affects sperm quality
    6. Why testicular scans matter
    7. How infections and oxidative stress impact sperm health
    8. The importance of seeing a male fertility specialist, not just a general urologist
    9. Why lifestyle changes should happen at least three months before trying to conceive
    10. The impact of heat, cycling, tight underwear and hot tubs
    11. Alcohol, diet and BMI in sperm health
    12. Why men need to know their anatomy and check for lumps and changes
    13. The emotional experience of male infertility and feeling like the spare part
    14. How proactive testing could reduce repeated failed IVF cycles

    What Testhim actually does

    Testhim offers:

    1. Advanced male fertility testing
    2. A detailed male fertility questionnaire to build a personalised risk profile
    3. Sperm DNA fragmentation testing
    4. Oxidative stress testing
    5. Testicular ultrasound scans
    6. Follow up calls to explain results clearly
    7. Access to male fertility urology specialists across the UK
    8. Monthly male fertility support groups
    9. A dedicated male fertility podcast

    Their questionnaire...
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    41 m
  • Family building for the LGBTQ+ community - a starting point of what you need to know with Carole Gilling-Smith

    Family building for the LGBTQ+ community - a starting point of what you need to know with Carole Gilling-Smith
    Feb 18 2026
    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 episodeWhy 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 inclusiveAbout Dr Carole Gilling-SmithDr 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 universitiesFertility preservation for the trans communityYou can find out more here:The Agora ClinicFertility ActionA note on donor sperm and online routesWe discuss the growing number of people sourcing donor sperm online due to cost barriers.Carole explains why this carries significant risks, including:Lack of medical screeningNo infectious disease screeningNo genetic testingLegal parenthood complicationsPotential financial liability issuesIf you are considering donor conception, please ensure you fully understand the medical and legal implications.Fertility preservation for the trans communitySince 2019, NHS guidance states that individuals starting hormone treatment should be offered the opportunity to preserve sperm or eggs beforehand.Carole explains:Why this conversation needs to happen earlyHow egg or sperm freezing worksWhy preservation can be empoweringThe importance of specialist, experienced clinicsThe emotional impact of being offered choiceIf you or someone you know is starting transition and has not been offered fertility preservation, please ask.Support from our sponsorsAccess FertilityIf you are worried about the cost of IVF, Access Fertility partners with over 60 UK clinics to offer interest free finance, multi cycle packages and refund programmes.Find out more at:https://www.accessfertility.com/thefpOne Day TestsBook a confidential online consultation with a fertility specialist and discuss hormone testing and next steps.Use code FERT10 for 10 percent off your blood test.https://www.onedaytests.comLet’s keep the conversation goingFollow me on Instagram: @fertilitypoddyLearn more about workplace fertility support at:https://fertilitymattersatwork.comExplore Fertility Action’s campaigns and support groups:https://fertilityaction.orgSubscribe to the podcast so new episodes land straight in your feedIf this episode has helped you, please share it with someone who might need it. Education and visibility matter.Thank you for listening.
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    32 m
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