The Fertility Diaries

Welcome back to Ask Isabelle, our weekly bonus series in collaboration with Zita West. This week, Isabelle answers a listener question about sugar, inflammation and whether natural sweeteners are a better option when trying to conceive. We discuss blood sugar balance, healthier swaps, and why finding balance is often more beneficial than cutting everything out. Isabelle also shares why enjoying fo...

In this week’s episode of The Fertility Diaries , Portia shares an update from another two-week wait, her birthday glow-up, and some of her latest book recommendations, along with a few fertility-friendly products she’s been loving. Charly gives an update on her bone broth revelation, how she’s been feeling since supplementing with iron, and why a phone call to her parents’ house finally prompted...

Welcome back to Ask Isabelle, our weekly bonus series in collaboration with Zita West. This week, Isabelle answers a listener question about the three things she believes make the biggest difference when trying to conceive and her answer might surprise you. We discuss why focusing on the basics can sometimes be more powerful than chasing perfection, and why it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the e...

In this week’s episode of The Fertility Diaries , Portia reflects on another birthday approaching and the emotions that can come with getting older whilst navigating a fertility journey. Charly shares an update on her skin struggles and the her experience of doing an event with the future generation of doctors !! The main focus of this episode is what happens when fertility treatment doesn’t go to...

Welcome back to Ask Isabelle, our weekly bonus series in collaboration with Zita West. This week, Isabelle answers a listener question about what people focus on too much when it comes to fertility nutrition – and her answer might be a little controversial. We discuss the pressure to be “perfect” when trying to conceive & Isabelle shares why nutrients, consistency and balance are often more im...

In this week’s episode, Portia shares an update on her protocol and an exciting appointment she has booked with Locus Medicus. She also talks about a company called Plan Your Baby, and we discuss how different everyone’s timelines can be. Charly shares an awkward fertility moment she recently had at work and opens up about feeling completely out of routine with her nutrition and training, and need...

Welcome back to Ask Isabelle, our weekly bonus series in collaboration with Zita West. This week, Isabelle answers a listener question about microbiome testing and whether there is any benefit to testing the uterine or gut microbiome if a vaginal microbiome test has come back normal. We discuss what optimal microbiome health looks like, why everything starts in the gut, and the important role the...

I n this week’s episode, Portia finally gets some answers about the mysterious rash on her face and it wasn’t what she expected. She also admits to being a bit of a hypocrite this week… Meanwhile, Charly shares an update from her recent holiday, whether she managed to switch off, enjoy all the food, and relax. The main focus of this episode, which is part of our IVF mini-series, is all about embry...

Welcome back to Ask Isabelle, our weekly bonus series in collaboration with Zita West. This week, Isabelle answers two listener questions focused on male fertility and how men can support themselves through diet, supplements and lifestyle changes when trying to conceive. We discuss the importance of testing for both men and women, key nutrients including iron, ferritin, B12 and folate, balancing b...

IVF mini series  In this first episode of our IVF mini-series, we’re talking all about surviving stims. Whether you’re about to start IVF, are currently going through it, or are supporting someone who is. Portia shares an update on her PMOS/PCOS journey and talks through some recent blood tests, while Charly opens up about where she’s at with her own fertility journey and the overwhelm that can co...

Welcome to the very first of our Ask Isabelle BONUS episodes, in collaboration with the Zita West Clinic. Joining us is Isabelle Obert, Fertility Nutritionist at Zita West, where she has specialised in fertility, IVF and pregnancy nutrition since 2005. Each week, Isabelle will be answering your questions and helping us navigate the often overwhelming world of fertility nutrition with practical, ev...

In this week’s episode of The Fertility Diaries , we debrief our recent fertility product consultations with the Zita West team and chat through all the new nutrition advice, vitamins, supplements, and lifestyle tips we’ve been recommended. From what we’ve bought in the shops to the changes we’re trying to make, we share everything we’ve learned so far. We also have a very exciting first guest… th...

In this week’s episode of The Fertility Diaries, Portia shares an update on whether or not to take intralipids, as well as a mysterious reaction on her face and the possible causes behind it. She also talks us through attending a fertility panel focused on male fertility, and some of the genuinely shocking things she learned about declining fertility rates. Charly gives an update on her recent blo...

In this week’s episode of The Fertility Diaries , Portia talks us through how she’s feeling with everything going on around her current protocol, feeling unsure what to do next and considering stripping everything back to basics. Charly shares an update on her own fertility journey and next steps with treatment, alongside the ongoing nail saga, after going gel-free, she’s questioning whether broke...

In this week’s episode of The Fertility Diaries, Portia chats about lactobacilli and then dives into navigating different opinions from specialists, conflicting advice, and what to believe and who to trust when you feel stuck at a crossroads. Charly chats about her latest hyper-fixation, which leads us into this week’s main topic, women’s health and the world of “low-tox” living. We talk about the...

In this week’s episode of The Fertility Diaries, Portia shares an update from her latest endocrinology appointment. Charly talks about hitting pause on HYROX to focus more on her fertility journey, how she’s feeling about that shift, and some small joys along the way, including her local coffee shop finally serving matcha. The main focus of this episode is positivity , manifesting , and maternal m...

In this week’s episode of The Fertility Diaries, Portia touches on intralipids and reflects on the growing number of women having children over 40 and why that conversation is changing. Charly gives an update after finally being able to book a doctor’s appointment, shares Tony’s latest semen analysis results, and we even hear a voice note from Tony himself. The main focus of this episode is male f...

In this week’s episode of The Fertility Diaries , Portia shares an update after another acupuncture session and chats about getting tickets to the upcoming Fertility Show. Charly reflects on her recent sleep scores and whether her new supplements could be having an impact, while also sharing an update on Tony stepping back into fertility testing. The main focus of this episode is communication, in...

In this week’s episode of The Fertility Diaries, Portia shares an update on whether her new protocol has worked this month, as well as her experience with acupuncture and why it’s worth exploring during a fertility journey. We also chat about lots of baby-related TV to life as a dog mum & unexpected emotions. The main focus of this episode is one of the hardest questions in fertility - when do...

In this week’s episode of The Fertility Diaries, Portia shares where she’s at in the two-week wait & imposter syndrome. We also chat about unexpected DMs (yes, those ones), food prepping to stay on track, and a very special birthday celebration The main focus of this episode is how to support someone going through fertility treatment, what to say, what not to say, and how well-meaning advice c...

In this week’s episode of The Fertility Diaries, Portia shares an update following her latest appointment and a deep dive into the world of peptides. We also chat about plastics, inspired by the recent Netflix documentary, and whether it’s actually realistic to reduce exposure. We share simple swaps, what changes we’re making, and how to find a balance without becoming overwhelmed. The main topic...

In this week’s episode of The Fertility Diaries, Portia shares an update on her latest test results and how a certain “summer season” in Magaluf might have played a part. The main focus of this episode is fertility testing, from scans (including HyCoSy and hysteroscopy) to blood tests and ultrasounds, and what to ask for when you’re starting to look into your fertility. We talk about the importanc...

In this week’s episode of The Fertility Diaries, Portia talks through her latest blood test results and fertility protocol. Then we dive into all things TTC, from supplements and toxins to sleep scores and the pressure to optimise everything when you’re trying to conceive, old wives’ tales, and the slightly unhinged things people admit to doing while trying to conceive.  Charly also touches on HII...

In this week’s episode of The Fertility Diaries, we start with an update from Portia following her recent fertility appointment and what her next steps might look like. We then dive into Charly’s story, wondering whether she has endometriosis, and where she’s at right now. Charly opens up about male factor infertility, including discovering Tony had a varicocele (an enlargement of veins in the scr...

Content note: This episode includes discussion of miscarriage. In this week’s episode of The Fertility Diaries, the focus turns to Portia’s fertility journey. We start with a conversation about an unexpected scene in Wuthering Heights that sparks a discussion around miscarriage, before moving into a deeper conversation about trying to conceive and navigating unexplained fertility. We talk about wh...