Big Fat Negative: TTC, fertility, infertility and IVF
Big Fat Negative is a podcast about IVF, infertility, and the challenges of trying to conceive. Co-hosted by journalists Emma Forsyth Haslett and Gabriella Griffith, it shares their personal journeys to motherhood and features interviews with experts on infertility topics.
Episodes
What sperm can tell you about your partner's health
This week we're joined by Tristan Taylor, the founder of Mandrology, who is biohacking his way to sperm health. He explains why sperm quality is a biomarker of health, in the same way that heart rate and blood pressure is -- and what you can do to improve it.Meanwhile, Emma Whitney, director of embryology and genetics at The Evewell, explains why not all add-ons are made equal -- and why timelapse
How to prevent 10,000 miscarriages a year
Oonagh Pickering is one of the research nurses at Tommy's whose study on graduated miscarriage care has already changed how the Scottish NHS approaches care after pregnancy losses -- and now they want England to make a change, too. Oonagh joins us to talk about how offering extra care following first and second miscarriages, including progesterone for threatened miscarriages, extra scans and menta
Martha de Lacey: 'You give yourself this story of why things happened'
The sourdough baker Martha de Lacey joins us this week: she has run the full gamut of infertility experiences, from going solo to recurrent miscarriage to secondary infertility. "It's so difficult when you give yourself this story of why things happened and the meaning behind it," she says. "Actually it's just nonsense. It's all just luck."Emma Whitney from The Evewell also joins us to explain why
Sheyi Martins-Allen on the pain of secondary infertility
She's a performer, musician and wickedly funny creator: Sheyi Martins-Allen joins us to talk about her experience of secondary infertility, and how her faith played into it. We also hear her gorgeous song, Stronger, which you can find on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/track/4cqnVteEnJmuttnOJ6wXFk?si=ar63ecyLTgyKOdTxuGx2Vw&nd=1&dlsi=2bdd768cd3fd4dc5 (or search for 'Sheyi').Mr Ed Coats,
The Fertility Disconnect: A Wild Nutrition special
SPECIAL EPISODE SPONSORED BY WILD NUTRITION.Gabby and Emma swanned off to London last week to attend the launch of a new report by Wild Nutrition called The Fertility Disconnect, which shows that 79% of people want more children than they have. The BFN girls were joined by Julianne Boutaleb, a perinatal psychologist; Gail Madelena, a nutritional therapist at Wild Nutrition, Ian Stones, the d
Dr Helen O'Neill: The woman who is changing what we know about hormones
Dr Helen O'Neill is many things: a mirror twin, an associate professor in reproductive and molecular genetics at UCL, and also the co-founder and chief executive of Hertility, the at-home hormone testing company which is changing what we know about infertility: the company has built up a database of 700,000 people whose responses to its health survey may shed new light on its causes. Meanwhile, O'
Kate-Lois Elliott: TTC, but still laughing
The comedian Kate-Lois Elliott joins us today to talk about how she's balancing the demands of a comedy career with TTC and infertility - and what the books don't tell you about how it affects your ambition.Meanwhile, The Evewell's Emma Whitney explains whether it's possible to rejuvenate older eggs.Swears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Improving male fertility: 'I even went commando'
Jacky Maughan had been an international DJ before he and his wife, Eleanor, started trying for a baby. "His lifestyle was party, party, drinking, poor food choices... everything you shouldn't be doing when you're trying to conceive," says Eleanor. When they had trouble conceiving, they took a radical approach to finding out what was wrong, paying for add-ons and tests that weren't available on the
Solo, queer and trying for a baby
The actor and writer Natalie Walmsley tells us their story of IUI, ectopics and queer conception - and how they are turning their story into a sitcom. Swears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dr Shanna Swan from The Plastic Detox
We're back! (Sort of). Today we're interviewing Dr. Shanna Swan, the presenter of The Plastic Detox, a new Netflix documentary examining the effect of plastics on our fertility. Dr. Swan explains how plastics affect our bodies -- and the small things we can do to limit our exposure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bonus: Dr. Jessica Zucker on miscarriage
You might know Dr Jessica Zucker better as @IHadAMiscarriage, the campaigner who helped thousands of women to tell their stories of loss. She joins us to tell us about her new book Normalize It: Upending the Silence, Stigma and Shame That Shapes Women's Lives. She discusses pregnancy loss and how it can change your life. Sorry about the strange hum - that's a recording issue. See you soon! Hosted
BONUS: Emily Oster
We're back for one night only and we're joined by economist, author, data scientist and all-round HERO Emily Oster, who tells us what the data says about everything from Just Relaxing to acupuncture. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Merry Christmas!
Well, that's a wrap for series 7. To celebrate, Gabby and Emma are raising a festive glass and answering questions from listeners. They're also exchanging gifts - you be the judge of who's the winner.Lots of hugs for your jourrrrney in 2025 - and see you soon! You can sign up to our substack at https://bigfatnegative.substack.com/. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Amber Izzo and Katie Rollings on ending the IVF postcode lottery
We've heard some heart-breaking stories about the IVF postcode lottery - people who've aged out of their ICB's limit as they tried to lose weight to start IVF, couples who aren't allowed NHS-funded IVF because one person has a child from a former relationship. Amber Izzo and Katie Rollings want to do something about that.Today we talk to them about their campaign to end the postcode lottery, and h
It's Louise Brown!!!!
This week we are lucky enough to be joined by THE Louise Joy Brown, the first IVF baby. She talks about how her mum felt about going through IVF, her relationship with Bob Edwards, Patrick Steptoe and Jean Purdy, and why the science is now more important than ever.No Prof T again this week.To sign up to our Substack, you can go to https://bigfatnegative.substack.com/. Hosted on Acast. See acast.c
Aisha Balesaria on childlessness not by choice
This week we're talking to Aisha Balesaria, aka Mind Body Revival Coach, about childlessness not by choice. She discusses her chronic endometriosis and adenomyosis, and explains why having a strong idea of why you want a baby in the first place can be a great first step to deciding when to give up IVF treatment. You can find Aisha's book, We Are One in Eight, at Amazon here: https://www.amazon.co.
'Joy' creators Rachel Mason and Jack Thorne
Surprise! We're here on a Friday to give you a little something extra: an interview with the screenwriters of the new Netflix movie Joy, which comes out today, starring Thomasin McKenzie, James Norton and Bill Nighy, about Jean Purdy, Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe, the creators of IVF. Rachel Mason and Jack Thorne tell us about how their own experiences of IVF informed the narrative of the mo
Jessica Hepburn returns
Last time we spoke to the author, adventurer and arts producer Jessica Hepburn was way back in 2019, when we talked about how she swam the English channel. Now she's back, to talk about her climb up Mount Everest - and why she listened to the entire back catalogue of Desert Island Discs while she did it.Meanwhile, Professor Tim is talking sperm cups: do they work?The link to the Guardian piece Emm
Maxine Peake and Hayley Jayne Standing
Bafta-nominated actor and director Maxine Peake and the actor and writer Hayley Standing discuss their new short, Incompatible, which tells the story of a pregnant woman who is told her baby is incompatible with life, and their experiences of infertility. You can watch the film at https://vimeo.com/713200159, or see the trailer on its Instagram account: @incompatibleshortfilm.Meanwhile, Professor
Ariel Taylor on surrogacy
In the second of our duo of episodes on surrogacy, Ariel Taylor, the founder of fertility and surrogacy organisation Carried With Love, talks about being a gestational carrier five times - and how it felt when she lost one of those pregnancies.Meanwhile, Prof T talks beta tests - why do some clinics do them and others don't?Scroll to 53:21 to hear Gabby's absolute banger. And if you want to check
Ginanne Brownell on surrogacy
Ginanne Brownell is a journalist whose jourrrrney took her to surrogacy via failed rounds of IVF and a very snazzy tattoo. Her new book, ‘Elusive Mommyhood: An Investigative Reporter's Personal Journey Into IVF and Surrogacy’ explores the history and politics of surrogacy in detail.And if you also want an Aku'aba tattoo, here it is.Meanwhile, Prof Tim talks about sex (baby): how often should you b
Poet Harry Baker
The poet Harry Baker went viral this summer for his poem Trying, a heart-rending description of the anguish of infertility (/ode to German linguistic precision).He joins us today to talk about his creative process and why putting into words what you are going through is so important.Meanwhile Prof (or is it Dr?) Tim talks about antibiotics: can you have them during pregnancy?Find Harry merch (and
Queer baby-making, with Marea Goodman
If you make it past the unusually rambly intro, this episode we talk to Marea Goodman, a midwife who specialises in helping queer couples to conceive. We discuss at-home IUIs and the dangers of buying sperm online.Meanwhile, Professor Tim is talking about sex: should you do it after an embryo transfer?Swears, probably. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What it's like to have a miscarriage, with Poppy Child
Poppy Child isn't our usual guest: she's a doula whose social media feeds are stuffed with advice on giving birth. But she has also experienced pregnancy loss, and that's what we're talking about today.TRIGGER WARNING: This episode covers pregnancy loss and miscarriage in detail. Please don't listen if you can't.Meanwhile, Professor Tim is talking about recurrent implantation failure: what tests s
All about wombs, with Leah Hazard
This week we're joined by Leah Hazard, the author of Womb: The Inside Story of Where We All Began. We talk about the things we don't know about the womb - like sperm crypts! - and current research which gives those suffering infertility just the tiniest glimmer of hope. Meanwhile, Professor Tim is talking about sugar - should we avoid it when we're TTC?Swears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast
Egg freezing with Scarlette Douglas
We're joined today by the TV host Scarlette Douglas, who tells us about her experiences of freezing her eggs. There's a bit of chat in here about possible side-effects of egg freezing: suffice it to say that if you experience numbness during your stim cycle, please go straight to A&E. Meanwhile, Professor Tim is answering an interesting question: are babies born from the same egg retrieval lik
Childless cat ladies with Kat Brown
We're kicking off the seventh series by examining the problem of childless cat ladies: who, exactly, were JD Vance's comments aimed at? Not us, apparently - and yet we have taken great offence anyway. We're joined by Kat Brown, a self-confessed childless cat lady, to discuss what it all means.Meanwhile, Professor Tim is looking at probiotics - can they help implantation?Swears throughout. Hosted
Gabby's last go: The conclusion
It's Gabby's last spin of the wheel, as she uses her final embryo. How did it go? Find out here.TRIGGER WARNING: This episode reveals the result of a round of IVF. If you are not ready to hear that, please look after your heart and listen some other time.Contains swears. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Gabby's last go
A bonus episode: Gabby prepares for the transfer of her final embryo.Swears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Gabby Special: Episode 4 - Test time
*** TRIGGER WARNING: THIS EPISODE INCLUDES DISCUSSION ABOUT A PREGNANCY TEST RESULT AFTER AN IVF ROUND. PLEASE DO NOT LISTEN IF THIS ISN'T THE RIGHT TIME FOR YOU ***It's the end of the TWW, which means... pregnancy test time. But it isn't straightforward for Gabby. The girls discuss the result of the (eventual) test, how it feels when she already has one child and what it means for her future.Swea
Gabby Special: Episode 3 - Elbow deep in the TWW
It's just after transfer day and Gabby, stuck in the two-week wait (TWW) isn't doing well. The girls discuss symptom spotting, when to test and how to get through the TWW without losing your mind.Swears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Gabby Special: Episode 2
Hi! Are you a new listener? We suggest you go back and start from the beginning, so you get to know us properly.BFN is back for a special mini-series, as we follow Gabby on her second jourrrrney! In the second episode she prepares for her transfer, enjoys a moment of notoriety and worries about her scan - for an uncharacteristically gross reason.Enjoying the series? Please rate and review it - it
Gabby Special: Episode 1
Hi! Are you a new listener? We suggest you go back and start from the beginning, so you get to know us properly.BFN is back for a special mini-series, as we follow Gabby on her second jourrrrney! In this episode we're talking about her decision to go again, the process so far and why she's worried about her timing.Enjoying the series? Please rate and review it - it helps others to find the podcast
Izzy Judd
It's the last episode of the series, so we've got a special guest for you: Izzy Judd, one of the first celebrities to speak out about her infertility. We talk about what it was like to go through IVF in the public eye, and how she discovered what had stopped her periods. Meanwhile, Prof Tim is talking about endometriosis - can it prevent implantation?Swears - including one big one - throughout. H
Leftover embryos: The options
'Embabies', 'frosties' - we give our embryos many names, but there may come a time when we reach the end of the TTC road and have blastocysts left over. Today we speak to fellow fertility podcaster Natalie Silverman about how she came to the decision to say goodbye to hers, while embryologist Millie Kanani explains how the process works.Meanwhile, Prof T addresses bleeding during the TWW - is it a
The world's first fertility officer
This week we're joined by Natalie Sutherland, the world's first fertility officer, and Somaya Ouazzani. With a shared background in corporate law, the two have started In/Fertility in the City, a space to share stories about going through fertility struggles while working in high-powered roles. Meanwhile, Professor Tim addresses Covid and its effect on embryo quality. If you don't want to hear Emm
Erin Holland
TRIGGER WARNING: CONTAINS THE RESULT OF A PREGNANCY TEST. PLEASE TURN OFF AFTER 44:19 IF YOU CAN'T LISTEN - and please look after your heart first. Model, presenter, singer and generally impressive woman Erin Holland joins us to talk about her slightly unusual fertility journeeey, and the circumstances in which she finds herself having to hoard embryos. Meanwhile, Emma announces the results of her
The Worst Girl Gang Ever
The people we're talking to today need no introduction: The Worst Girl Gang ever is one of the UK's biggest podcasts on pregnancy loss and miscarriage - so big they've just published their first book. We speak to Bex and Laura about losing their babies, the 'uglies', and why they started their gang.Meanwhile, Professor Tim explains whether you can ever have too much progesterone.Swears throughout.
Claire Lynch on the significance of Small
Author Claire Lynch joins us to talk about her book Small: On Motherhoods, same-sex TTC, and what it's like to have premature twins. Meanwhile, Emma has Some News and Professor Tim addresses our second-silliest question so far.Swears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Knackered Knackers on male factor infertility and using a sperm donor
What is wrong with Emma's mic today? We don't know, but we're sorry. Normal service will resume next week.We're joined by Shaun Greenaway, aka Knackered Knackers, who talks about what it's like to find out you have azoospermia and how he came to the decision to use a sperm donor.Meanwhile, Professor Tim explains why you can't breastfeed and go through IVF treatment at the same time. Swears through
Bonus: Paying for IVF and fertility treatment
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GAIA: We're here on a Monday for a special episode to discuss funding IVF and fertility treatment. We've got an amazing panel including campaigners Wegan, journalist Alex Holder and Nader AlSalim, the founder and CEO of Gaia, to talk about the ups and downs (mainly downs) of financing your fertility treatment.To find out more about Gaia, visit https://gaiafamily.com/. Hosted on
Interior Design Masters' Amy Davies on multiple miscarriage
Amy Davies moved thousands of viewers to tears (and dozens of you to message us) when she shared her experiences of infertility on the show Interior Design Masters. Today she joins us to talk about the multiple miscarriages she has suffered, and how she used her time on the show to pull herself out of the IVF trench.Elsewhere, we are speaking to Wegan about their triumph after the Women's Health S
Emma Barnett on infertility, IVF and endometriosis
Emma Barnett is the host of Woman's Hour and Newsnight - and she's also struggling to conceive her second child. In May this year she wrote a tell-all piece for the Times, in which she described her six (now seven) rounds of IVF and the miscarriage she suffered. Here, she tells Emma and Gabby what she's been through, how she holds down her career with debilitating endometriosis, and why she keeps
Fertility Show special
Gabby and Emma speak to Sophie Sulehria and Laura Biggs from the Fertility Show ahead of their appearance at the show next month, and in IVF WTF, Gabby asks Dr Wael Saab, fertility consultant and Deputy Clinical Director at the CRGH, about some of the basics of IVF. If you want tickets to the show, use the code BFN20 to get 20% off at checkout, valid until midnight on 7 May. Book tickets at fertil
Catching up with Sophie
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains people describing the result of fertility treatment. if you can't listen right now, switch off when we tell you (after 18:14). Emma and Gabby catch up with Sophie, their guest from last season, to find out what happened after her egg collection - and where she's at now. Swears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Embryology 101 with Alease the Embryologist
This week, Gabby talks to TikTok star and embryologist Alease Daniel about how embryos are made, what embryologists are looking for - and whether embryo grades really make a difference.Emma and Gabby also discuss This Is Going to Hurt, the new BBC series.Swears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Toby Trice: Why balls matter
Gabby and Emma speak to Toby Trice, a racing driver with a mission to spread the word about male infertility, and why men need to be checked out too. He talks about his jourrrney and why he is committed to helping men talk about their experiences.Swears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What happens to your body after miscarriage
What happens to your body after miscarriage? Emma speaks to Lyanne Nicholl, the author of Your Postnatal Body, who explains why focusing on the physicality of loss and grief is important - and why doctors' suggestion that 'it's just like a heavy period' is often wrong. Swears (and rampant Britishisms) throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
You gotta fight! For your right! To have NHS-funded IVF!
Gabby and Emma are talking to Jynna Yarrum, a CBT therapist and trainer who fought her CCG to get NHS-funded IVF - and won.Outside of that interview, please be aware that some very hungover book promoting is taking place. It isn't pretty.Swears (and groans) throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Pippa Vosper on pregnancy loss
Writer, presenter and brand consultant Pippa Vosper joins us to talk about the loss of her baby boy and the infertility journey that followed, and why she has chosen to write a book about it.Meanwhile, Gabby and Emma are being very boring about their book. Sorry about that - but don't let that put you off ordering it. It's available on Amazon and at all good book shops.Swears throughout. Hosted on
Finally talking TFMR
Termination for medical reasons: it's such a difficult subject, Emma hasn't been able to bring herself to talk about it. Until now. We're joined by Hayley Manning, the co-host of Time to Talk TFMR, a podcast where women share their experiences of making an impossible choice. You can find Hayley's podcast on all good platforms.If you want to enter the book competition, email bigfatnegativepodcast@g
How it feels to discover you're donor conceived
The girls are joined this week by Lizzie, who discovered two years ago that she was conceived through a sperm donor. She talks about how that felt, how she's come to terms with it and what it means to go from only child to one of 11 half-siblings (and counting).Swears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Doing your own research, with Professor Joyce Harper
Professor Joyce Harper has spent 30 years on both sides of the IVF counter: as an embryologist, professor of women's health and one of Europe's leading voices on fertility treatment, and also as an IVF patient. She joins us to explain how to do your own research: how to read scientific papers, how to spot a dodgy study and how to get clued-up on your own treatment.Swears throughout. Hosted on Acas
Raquel Horn on late miscarriage
The girls are back with a new series - kicking off with entrepreneur, TV star and hip hop royalty Raquel 'Rocky' Horn, who talks us through her infertility 'jourrrrney' and why she has chosen to share it with the world, and explains what it's like when you're a stepmother who desperately wants her own baby.Swears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bonus: Foxes TWW episode
We're back for a Fertility Week special, with an update from the Foxes: did they manage an embryo transfer? What was their TWW like? What was their result?TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes an audio diary of a two-week wait, including the results of a pregnancy test. As always, please look after your heart. Swears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Chasing Creation: Living with childlessness
Katy from Chasing Creation (chasingcreation.org) joins Gabby and Emma to talk about her decision to have a hysterectomy, its repercussions and how she is creating her unexpectedly childfree life. Meanwhile, Liz gives advice to someone struggling with the uncertainty of infertility.Sign up to BFN's newsletter at https://www.bigfatnegative.com/newsletter-the-waiting-room.See you in January!Swears th
Maybehood: TTC, childless - or both?
This week we're discussing the state between TTC and childlessness - at what point do you cross over? Gabby and Emma are joined by Annabel from Maybehood (https://maybehood.com/) to discuss it. Meanwhile, Sophie has had her egg collection.Subscribe to our newsletter at bigfatnegative.com.Swears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Surrogacy after cancer
Kreena Dhiman's story has more twists and turns than Emma's wonky fallopian tubes: having survived cancer and heart failure, she embarked on a surrogacy journey, and - well, we won't give away the ending. She joins us to tell us her jourrrrney, and what happens when everything goes more right than could possibly imagine.Meanwhile, agony aunt Liz gives advice to someone who needs advice on how to k
The infertile midwife
How do you navigate infertility if you have to work with babies, children or - horror! - pregnant women every day? Sophie Martin lost her twins, Cecil and Wilfred, at 21 weeks, and went through gruelling rounds of IVF to get pregnant again. During all of it, she was working as a midwife, helping women to bring their babies into the world. She talks about her journey, and how she coped in her day j
When doctors ignore your pain: Dr Belinda Coker on self-advocacy
Gabby and Emma are joined by Dr Belinda Coker, the founder of Your Trusted Squad, to talk about how it feels to be a doctor whose pain is ignored by other doctors, and why she started Your Trusted Squad, her fertility concierge service. Meanwhile, Liz is tackling the thorniest question there is: what's the point? You can subscribe to the newsletter, buy t-shirts and pre-order our book at http://ww
Time to talk second babies
By popular demand, Emma and Gabby give you an update on where their heads are at on second babies. TRIGGER WARNING: If this is a point in your jourrrrney where listening to this might be hard, please look after your heart and skip this episode! You have been been warned!Meanwhile, Sophie has received her drugs and is getting ready for her first jab.Swears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com
A surrogate speaks
Emma and Gabby are joined by Rachel Westbury, the founder of the Nappy Endings surrogacy agency and a three-time surrogate (of four babies).Meanwhile, Liz is addressing the question of whether or not to do IVF.If you want to listen to Sophie Sulehria's podcast, check it out here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06nxjd.Swears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information
Keeping the love alive: intimacy and TTC
This week we are joined by Marissa Nelson, a marriage and family therapist, and (crucially) also a sex therapist, who joins us to talk sex while TTC: can it ever actually be sexy?Meanwhile, we are squee-ing with Sophie about her upcoming IVF round. For those who are interested in the history of Gonal-F and how the Vatican was involved in its development, here's that article: https://qz.com/710516/
Elle Wright: Feathering the Empty Next
Emma and Gabby are joined this week by blogger and author Elle Wright, whose new book, A Bump in the Road, chronicles the infertility journey she endured after the loss of newborn son, Teddy. You can buy it here.Meanwhile, BFN agony aunt Liz is talking PTSD.No Prof Tim this week - he'll be back in a few weeks.Swears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Doing IVF abroad: Everything you need to know
Do you have questions about doing IVF abroad? Emma Haslam from Your IVF Abroad (yourivfabroad.co.uk) is here to answer them all - from what to do about language barriers to how to find a decent clinic.Meanwhile, Sophie has some exciting (but 100% non-triggering) news, and Professor Tim is tackling blood groups - do they affect fertility?Here is a link to a video of a watermelon with a lot of elast
Meet Lui, our acupuncturist
They've been going on about her for long enough - today, Emma and Gabby have finally dragged their acupuncturist, Lui Yeung, onto the podcast. She explains the principles of acupuncture and why it's helpful for fertility (also: which one of the girls is better at it. It's a bit tense). Meanwhile, Liz and special guest Nick are talking about performance anxiety and Prof Tim is talking linings again
What's more gruelling - TTC or skiing solo to the South pole?
... clue: you won't get frostbite from the difficult one. Emma and Gabby are joined by polar explorer Jenny Wordsworth, who tells them about the parallels between extreme endurance expeditions and infertility (because there sure as hell aren't many differences), while Sophie is talking furry friends and Professor Tim is tackling thin linings: what can you do about them? Hosted on Acast. See acast.
'Coming out' - and the PCOS Dr
We're talking 'coming out' this week: how to tell people what you're going through. Plus, we're talking to The PCOS Dr, aka Dr Amina Hersi, and Professor Tim tackles retrograde ejaculation.Find Dr Amina's Instagram profile here.Swears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ruth Corden and an embryo dilemma
It's Liz's first turn as BFN's agony aunt - this week she's addressing an embryo dilemma: to fork out or not to fork out? Meanwhile, we're speaking Ruth Corden (you can find her podcast here or by searching 'Finding the Funny' on your podcast app) about childlessness not by choice, and Prof Tim is talking thyroids.Many, many swears. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Taking a break and Wegan on same-sex TTC
Sophie is back this week to talk about the highs and lows (mainly lows, let's be honest) of taking a break from TTC. Meanwhile, we meet Wegan, the 'wafty, floaty, delicious' (Gabby's words) influencer couple who launched a campaign last year to get same-sex couples the same infertility rights as heterosexual couples. We also ask Professor Tim about embryo transfers: is having two transferred reall
The Browns: IVF abroad and egg donation
This week we're catching up with the Foxes to find out what has transpired since we last heard from Liz at Christmas (spoiler: everyone's still frustrated AF). We also meet Tia and Lee Brown, a couple who are undergoing egg donation in Greece.No Prof T this week, but send any questions for Liz to bigfatnegativepodcast@gmail.com (they'll be anonymous, of course). And you can find all the other stuf
We're back! Samantha Busch - and (finally) our Big Announcement
Team BFN is back in your headphones with a bumper episode to kick off their brand new series - and That Big Announcement, potentially the most-trailed announcement in history - as well as a reshuffle of our BFN regulars.We've also interviewed Samantha Busch about her experience of secondary infertility, and how it felt when even trying a surrogate led to a BFN. Meanwhile, Professor Tim Child is ta
The BFN Christmas Party 2020
Hi! Are you a new listener? It might help to go back and listen from the beginning - you'll get to know us better that way.Crack open a bottle and dig out your novelty Santa hats: you're joining us mid-way through the BFN Christmas party. Gabby, Liz and Emma discuss Christmases past and present and answer questions from listeners. TRIGGER WARNING: the end of this episode includes an update and Gab
Fertility Week 2020: All Foxes, all the time
Hello! Are you a new listener? Why not go back and listen from the beginning? You'll get to know us better that way.It's Fertility Week 2020 and to celebrate, we're having a massive catch-up with the Foxes. Yep: it's an hour and a half of Liz and Nick, updating us on everything that's happened since we last spoke to them back in August. What's happened since a cyst ruined their party? Tune in to f
Our Worst Guests Ever; IUI
Hello! Are you a new listener? It might be helpful to go to the beginning of the podcast and listen from there. You'll get to know us better that way.It's the last episode of the third series, and unfortunately we've got by far the worst guests ever on the show. Sorry about that. Have a listen anyway and let us know what you think. Meanwhile, Liz and Nick are reflecting on their cycle so far, whil
All Our Eggs' Martha Goddard; Embryo disposal
Hello! Are you a new listener? It might be worth going back to the beginning of the podcast - you'll get to know us better that way.Martha Goddard is the co-writer and director of All Our Eggs, a series of micro-shorts (the film kind, not the pants kind) chronicling one couple's five-year infertility 'journey' (sorry). Martha joins us to talk about what inspired her to create it, and why she was d
Self Advocacy with Broken Brown Egg; Sperm O'Clock
Hello! Are you a listener? Why not go back to the beginning of the podcast and listen from there - you'll get to know us better that way.Regina Townsend is the founder of Broken Brown Egg, an advocacy group for women of colour who are going through infertility. She discusses her years-long infertility battle and how she learned to fight her own corner. Meanwhile, Liz and Nick are off to the clinic
Taking Inspiration From Infertility With Anna German; Sleep
Hi! Are you a new listener? Why not listen to our podcasts from the start? You'll get to know us better that way.Anna German is an illustrator and art teacher whose picture book, So When Are You Going to Have Kids?, explains what it feels like to be asked that question when you are trying to conceive. We talk to her about how she drew creative inspiration from her five-year struggle. Meanwhile, Li
Fertility in Colour; PGD and PGS
Hi! Are you a new listener? It might be useful to go back to the beginning of the podcast and listen from there - you'll get to know us better that way.After repeated pregnancy losses, Will and Sherisa Rivera were inspired to start Fertility in Colour, an advocate group to help black and brown families going through infertility. Here, they share their experiences of infertility, ttc and explain ho
A Queer TTC Journey; Yoga vs Ovaries
Hello! Are you a new listener? It might be helpful to go back and listen from the beginning. You'll get to know us better that way.Beth Leonard identifies as queer and non-binary, and has been trying for a baby since they were 31. In this episode, they describe their 'journey'. Meanwhile, Liz and Nick have Added to Cart - and Professor Tim is tackling yoga. Will it really twist your ovaries?Swears
