Don't Tell Me To RELAX- Your Fertility Podcast

As part of Fertility Awareness Week we are discussing-
Why are we taught so much about how NOT to get pregnant, but so little about how fertility actually works?
In this episode, Hannah is joined by Louise Johnson, founder of the Fertility Futures Project, to discuss why fertility education in the UK is falling short and why so many people reach their 30s and 40s without understanding some of the most basic facts about their fertility.

Click here to take their Know Your Window? quiz

Louise founded the charity following her own seven-year experience of fertility treatment, including multiple rounds of IVF and two miscarriages. Her experience left her questioning why she hadn't been given the information she needed much earlier in life.

The charity's research, involving more than 5,000 people aged 16 and over, revealed a significant gap between how informed people think they are and what they actually know. Although 91% of adults said they felt informed about how pregnancy happens, the average score when tested on key fertility facts was just 2.8 out of 10.

Together, Hannah and Louise explore what this tells us about fertility education, the misconceptions surrounding IVF and egg freezing, the importance of male fertility awareness and why we need to start talking about fertility much earlier.

We disucss

Why fertility education in the UK is failing so many people.

The gap between how much we think we know about fertility and what we actually know.

Why schools focus on preventing pregnancy rather than understanding fertility.

What research involving over 5,000 people revealed about fertility knowledge.

Common misconceptions about the fertile window and the chances of conceiving naturally.

How age affects both female and male fertility.

Why IVF and egg freezing should not be seen as guaranteed solutions.

The importance of understanding what an AMH test can and cannot tell you.

Why conditions such as endometriosis and PCOS need to be recognised and investigated earlier.

The missing conversation around male fertility and sperm health.

Why fertility shouldn't be seen as solely a women's issue.

How social media can help raise awareness but also spread misinformation.

What better fertility education should look like, from schools to GP surgeries.

Louise's Know Your Window campaign and interactive fertility quiz.

The work Fertility Futures Project is doing to improve fertility education and care.

For more Fertility Support & Care we have clinics in London, Birmingham and a network around the UK:

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Next week, 2–6 November, is Fertility Awareness Week, a chance to create space for more honest, open conversations about fertility.
In this special episode of the Don’t Tell Me To RELAX fertility podcast, Hannah Pearn is joined by Katy Ewen to discuss advice from ten fertility experts on what they wish everyone knew about trying to conceive.

You don't have to stay positive to get pregnant. Carly Garrett, fertility coach, reminds us that difficult emotions don't mean you're doing anything wrong.

Understand your fertility. Claire Mooney from Fertility Solutions explains why investigating both partners matters.

Fertility is not just a woman's issue. Ian Stones from Test Him highlights the importance of male fertility investigations.

Learn to understand your cycle. Katy Ewen, fertility awareness mentor and reflexologist at Reflex East, explains the value of recognising your fertile signs.

Sperm quality goes beyond a standard semen analysis. Dr Lynne Chapman from LCRH discusses sperm DNA fragmentation and when further investigation may be helpful.

One diagnosis may not explain everything. Dr Divpreet Sacha explores why fertility assessments need to consider the whole picture.

Being stressed isn't automatically the reason you're not conceiving. Hannah Pearn and Laura, a yin yoga teacher, discuss stress, self-compassion and nervous system support.

Don't let social media convince you that you have a fertility problem. Jo Dear from LCRH explains why individualised advice matters.

IVF isn't a guarantee. Marca Nieto Sanchez, embryologist at the Evewell and acupuncturist at DTMTR explains why one unsuccessful cycle doesn't define your future.

You won't be stuck in this place forever. Maria McMaster from Fertility Fitness Coaching shares advice on focusing on what you can control and finding hope along the way.

Find our contributors
Carly Garrett, fertility coach: Don't Tell Me To RELAX fertility coaching

Claire Mooney, Fertility Solutions: fertilitysolutions.co.uk

Ian Stones, Test Him: testhim.com

Katy Ewen, fertility awareness mentor and reflexologist: reflexeast.com

Dr Lynne Chapman, LCRH: lcrh.co.uk

Dr Divpreet Sacha: drdivpreetsacha.co.uk

Hannah Pearn, Don't Tell Me To RELAX: donttellmetorelax.co.uk

Jo Dear, LCRH: Lynne Chapman Reproductive Health

Marca Nieto Sanchez, embryologist and acupuncturist: The Evewell

Maria McMaster, Fertility Fitness Coaching: fertilityfitnesscoaching.com

For more Fertility Support & Care we have clinics in London, Birmingham and a network around the UK:

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In this episode, Dr. Divpreet Sacha shares her personal and professional insights on fertility testing, the gaps in current medical practice, and how individuals can advocate for their reproductive health.
Discover practical advice on when and how to investigate fertility and the importance of holistic approaches.

Timing of fertility testing and when to seek support from GPs
Common gaps in fertility assessment and how to address them
The role of holistic health and micronutrients in fertility
The importance of patient advocacy and understanding guidelines
The impact of systemic issues on fertility treatment access

For more Fertility Support & Care we have clinics in London, Birmingham and a network around the UK:

🧡 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠a Discovery Call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to find out about working with us 121

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In this episode I am joined by Rowena Paling from SANDS to discuss the complex emotional landscape of pregnancy and baby loss, offering insights into grief, support strategies, and societal changes. This conversation is essential for anyone seeking understanding or support after pregnancy loss.

We discuss
The emotional complexity of grief after pregnancy loss
The importance of making memories to process grief
How societal attitudes toward baby loss have evolved
Practical ways to support someone grieving a pregnancy loss
The role of support groups and counseling in healing
Challenges faced by partners and couples after loss
How to navigate triggers like anniversaries and social events
The importance of language and sensitivity in conversations

We understand that BLAW can be overwhelming, so it's important that you do what feels right for you. For further support please see-

⁠The Worst Girl Gang⁠
⁠BICA⁠
⁠Miscarriage Association⁠
⁠Tommys⁠
⁠SANDS⁠
⁠Fertility Action⁠

For more Fertility Support & Care we have clinics in London, Birmingham and a network around the UK:

🧡 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠a Discovery Call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to find out about working with us 121

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As you may know, Baby Loss Awareness Week (BLAW) begins today Friday, 9 October.
So I am joined by Carly, a fertility coach, our community leader and certified grief coach, about what it feels like when everyone else has moved on but you are still living with loss.
We explore baby loss, pregnancy loss, the grief that comes in waves, and practical ways to stay connected while also making room for hope.
We discuss:
what grief coaching is & her training
why loss is loss, whether it was a chemical pregnancy, an unsuccessful transfer, or another form of baby loss.
the importance of continuing bonds, including ways to keep a connection through names, rituals, special places, jewellery, scan boxes, or planting something meaningful.
how grief can come back suddenly through anniversaries, scans, songs, places, or body memories, and that this does not mean anything is wrong.
how there is tension between grief and hope, and how two emotions can exist at the same time without one cancelling the other.

We understand that BLAW can be overwhelming, so it's important that you do what feels right for you. For further support please see-

The Worst Girl Gang
BICA
Miscarriage Association
Tommys
SANDS
Fertility Action

For more Fertility Support & Care we have clinics in London, Birmingham and a network around the UK:

🧡 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠a Discovery Call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to find out about working with us 121

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