Don't Tell Me To RELAX- Your Fertility Podcast

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

💛 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Don't Tell Me To RELAX!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fertility online community with our monthly drop in support group

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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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I am wrapping up our series on PMOS with a deep dive into how Chinese medicine can offer support. In this final episode, I speak with Lily Lai, experienced practitioner with over 20 years of experience in the field.

We discuss:
Why Chinese medicine’s whole-system approach may be relevant to a complex condition like PMOS.
How research approaches in complementary medicine compare with conventional drug trials, and why randomized controlled trials can be a limited fit for complex conditions.
How acupuncture and herbal medicine may influence multiple pathways, including endocrine function, gut microbiome health, insulin resistance, and stress regulation.
Two ways acupuncture may work: locally through circulation and microcirculation, and more broadly through nervous system regulation.
Why restoring balance in the sympathetic nervous system may support reproductive and hormonal function.
What treatment timeframes may look like, including weekly acupuncture, around three months for cycle-related changes, and adjusting frequency as symptoms improve.
What to look for in a practitioner, including additional training in PMOS, registration, insurance, and professional boundaries.
Practical self-care priorities, particularly nutrition and activity, with an emphasis on changes that fit a patient’s life.

Links to research:
PCOS & IVF

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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