How do we really survive infertility? We discuss coping strategies with Gemma Duffy, a positive psychology coach with a keen interest in IVF. Gemma explains how the capacity for resilience, strength and hope runs deeper in our characters than we think. Alongside traditional counselling, positive psychology coaching can help us to draw on these resources. We talk about our own childhoods, and how our contrasting experiences sowed the seeds of resilience for our challenging fertility journey. And we reflect on how humour helped – a powerful and uniting force for both of us. So how can we find that resilience? If we look within ourselves, it’s there for us.

Check out the podcast website: https://fertility-spotlight.com

Facebook: @fertilityspotlight

Instagram: @fertilityspotlight

https://www.gemmaduffycoaching.com/

Producer: David Roper, Heavy Entertainment

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do male partners cope with IVF treatment? Meet John and Tim, two very different characters united by their experience as fertility patients. For John, a cancer diagnosis led to urgent IVF intervention. For Tim, successful treatment was followed by three years of frustrating twists and turns. Both talk honestly about the challenges they and their partners faced and the support they gave and received. What really mattered on their contrasting journeys? For both, managing unpredictable life events meant loyalty to their partners, a sense of shared love and loss, and a realisation that emotions are best out in the open.

Check out the podcast website: https://fertility-spotlight.com

Facebook: @fertilityspotlight

Instagram: @fertilityspotlight

Producer: David Roper, Heavy Entertainment

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can you really improve the odds of embryo implantation? In this episode, we share hints and tips of how you and your clinic can maximise your implantation chances during fertility treatment. We look at diet and nutrition, asking if certain foods really help. We chat about taking time off before and after your treatment, and if it makes any difference. And we discuss the role of add-on treatments – endometrial scratching, steroids, blood thinners and uterine biopsies – in the complicated implantation process. Transferring one or two embryos, medication alternatives, genetic testing – there’s no magic solution. But lifestyle choices can help, and a clinic with a strong understanding of your medical options is key.

Check out the podcast website: https://fertility-spotlight.com

Facebook: @fertilityspotlight

Instagram: @fertilityspotlight

Producer: David Roper, Heavy Entertainment

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re joined today by Julia, a donor-egg mum looking back at her long journey to motherhood. After numerous treatments, Julia and her partner Ollie travelled to Spain for donor-egg IVF. Their daughter, Eve, was welcomed into the world nine months later. Julia talks emotionally and humorously about the highs and lows of treatment, the deep bond with her longed-for daughter, and the hurdles and worries she and her partner overcame. From tearful pizzas to bumpy trains, egg sharing to epigenetics, this is a courageous and intelligent story from a mother deeply grateful for the medical advances that came to her aid.

Check out the podcast website: https://fertility-spotlight.com

Facebook: @fertilityspotlight

Instagram: @fertilityspotlight

Producer: David Roper, Heavy Entertainment

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s the best way to truly own your fertility journey? In this episode, we talk about planning and preliminaries. Devising a game plan, from the very start, for the timeframe of your road to conception. (We might have succeeded after three years, not five, had we taken a more proactive and pragmatic approach.) Taking control with pre-emptive fertility check-ups, forward-thinking counselling, and initial budgeting, are three key conversations. We explore the choice of clinics, and why local is not always best. And we encourage a positive fertility mindset – the best way to keep grounded as you look to the future.

Check out the podcast website: https://fertility-spotlight.com

Facebook: @fertilityspotlight

Instagram: @fertilityspotlight

Producer: David Roper, Heavy Entertainment

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our opening episode asks the question: do family and friends really give you the support you need? We talk frankly and honestly about our long and difficult fertility journey, and what kept us going on the road to parenthood. You may be surprised. Dustin Hoffman and Mo Farah played their part, as did Sheila, the loveliest taxi driver in the Midlands. And who could forget Paul and Anthea, our wonderful neighbours? We ponder on some sensitive and tactful things to say to IVF patients – and what not to say! Most loved ones went the extra mile for us. For that, we remain incredibly grateful.

Check out the podcast website: https://fertility-spotlight.com

Facebook: @fertilityspotlight

Instagram: @fertilityspotlight

Producer: David Roper, Heavy Entertainment

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re on a mission to demystify fertility treatment. Here’s a preview of what’s in-store. Great guests, genuine conversation, emotional support and the information you really need.

Check out the podcast website: https://fertility-spotlight.com

Facebook: @fertilityspotlight

Instagram: @fertilityspotlight

Producer: David Roper, Heavy Entertainment

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.