Unspoken: The Fertility Network Podcast

Guest: Dr. Rima Rajkhowa MD FRCOG In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Rima Rajkhowa MD FRCOG, Consultant Gynaecologist and Medical Director of Gynaecology and Fertility Services at The Medical Travel Company. With over 25 years’ experience leading fertility and assisted conception services across the NHS and private sector, Dr. Rajkhowa brings valuable insight into the growing trend of patients t...

Guest: Dr. Natalie Crawford MD Anita Guru speaks with fertility expert Dr. Natalie Crawford to break down what every woman should know about hormones, cycle tracking, inflammation, and egg quality. They explore how the menstrual cycle really works, why irregular cycles matter, the impact of conditions like endometriosis and PCOS, and the lifestyle factors that influence fertility for both women an...

Guest: TIM ROYLE, TELEVISION DIRECTOR In this conversation, Tim Royle shares his personal journey through IVF, highlighting the emotional and mental challenges faced by men during the process. He discusses the creation of his impactful short film that aims to amplify the male perspective in infertility, the importance of mental health support, and the need for better communication and understandin...

Guest: Debbie Newson, Nurse and Author. In this conversation, Debbie shares her personal journey with infertility, describing her painful journey of trying to conceive, the impact on her mental health and relationships through all the trauma, and the experience of coming to the end of her fertility journey without conceiving. She shares how it’s shaped her life and led her to her purpose, whilst l...

Guest: Dr. Alice Domar Ph. D. In this conversation, Anita Guru speaks with Dr. Alice Domar who discusses the profound effects of stress on reproduction, drawing parallels between levels of stress and fertility outcomes. She explains how stress can inhibit reproductive capabilities and emphasizes the body's instinctual responses to environmental threats, suggesting that stress relief education and...

Guest: Clare Ettinghausen, Director of Strategy and Corporate Affairs at the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). In this conversation, host Anita Guru speaks with Clare Ettinghausen from the HFEA about the critical role of the HFEA in regulating fertility treatment in the UK. The HFEA plays a vital role in ensuring fertility clinics meet the highest standards of care and transpare...

Breaking the Silence – Fertility Journeys in the South Asian Community Five inspiring voices open up about fertility struggles, IVF, and breaking cultural taboos in South Asian communities. A raw, hopeful, and honest discussion about what it really means to navigate conception and community expectations. In this powerful opening episode, host Anita Guru is joined by: Dr Ravina Bhanot , GP & Wo...

Breaking the Silence – Fertility Journeys in the South Asian Community A heartfelt conversation about grief, miscarriage, and IVF loss in the South Asian community. Our guests share powerful stories of healing, compassion, and finding light after heartbreak whilst balancing cultural expectations from both a lived experience and expert perspective. In this deeply moving discussion, host Anita Guru...

Breaking the Silence – Fertility Journeys in the South Asian Community What happens when life doesn’t follow the path to parenthood? This heartfelt discussion explores identity, purpose, and creating a meaningful life beyond having children with honesty and openness. In this final episode of the Breaking the Silence series, host Anita Guru is joined by: Aisha Balesaria , Coach & Founder of Min...

Summary Doctor Abraham Zavala joins from Clinica Tambre in Alicante and in this episode shares his advice and tips for people starting out on a fertility journey, explaining baseline tests and shares advice for anyone considering treatment abroad. Clinica Tambre are the official sponsor for Season 2 of Unspoken, and we are so excited to invite him onto this episode. From an early age, Dr Abraham Z...

In this episode, Dr Sharleen Hapuarachi from Bourn Hall Clinic, delves into the process of egg collection and freezing, genetic testing and recurrent miscarriage. She shares some common misconceptions and great advice for anyone seeking treatment. Doctor Sharleen is a Consultant at Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic and has established herself as a leading expert in the field of reproductive medicine, se...

In this episode, Anita Guru is joined by Seetal Savla to discuss the nuances within the South Asian community in relation to fertility, the unhelpful comments, her own lived experiences during a heartbreaking journey, and how to support someone who is on a fertility pathway. Seetal is a fertility patient advocate, writer and speaker. Having experienced multiple failed IVFs and losses before becomi...

In this episode, host Anita is joined by Ogechi Ekwegh, an award-winning volunteer with Fertility Network UK, where she facilitates the Black Women's Group. Over the past four years, she has dedicated her time to volunteering for the charity, including partnering with Gaia Family and Fertility Network UK to organise a mental health and fertility event. Having undergone fertility treatment herself,...

Doctor Justin Chu, Medical Director at TFP Oxford Fertility, joins Anita Guru in today's episode, which focuses on male fertility. They explore some of the tests available, common myths and advice for men who wish to preserve or improve their fertility. In April 2024, Dr Justin joined TFP Oxford to provide clinical leadership. He is committed to delivering holistic and expert care to women and cou...

In this episode, host Anita is joined by Geordie Shore and TOWIE star Sophie Kasaei, who has been on a fertility journey for the last 2.5 years with her partner Jordan Brook. She has been documenting her personal journey with fertility on her own social media platforms and on her own 4-part documentary "Geordie Stories: Sophie’s Fertility Journey' available now to watch on Paramount Plus. Guest de...

In this episode, host Anita is joined by Jeremy Edwards who talks about his experience with infertility, IVF treatment and the experience from a male perspective. He is incredibly open about the journey to parenthood and the impact on his relationship. Guest details Jeremy’s career began in TV and as a model when Jeremy landed the role of Kurt Benson in Hollyoaks, he has been a guest presenter on...

Jessica Hepburn joins host Anita Guru to talk about her experiences with infertility, living a life childless not by choice and how adventure has formed a part of her healing journey from multiple losses due to infertility. Jessica openly shares the impact on her life, relationship and career, this is not an episode to be missed! Guest details Jessica is an author, arts producer and, refers to her...

In this episode, we are joined by Kim Stubbs from HSBC to talk about fertility in the workplace. Kim shares her own personal experiences of navigating infertility and recurrent baby loss in the workplace and shares advice for anyone navigating a journey to parenthood. Kim discusses the work that HSBC has done in supporting employees through the Employee Resource Group, Journey, and the ways that e...

In this episode, we are joined by the amazing, eloquent and brave Ruth Corden, who talks about the experience of being childless not by choice after a long journey with infertility. Ruth talks about the mental and emotional agony living with infertility, the impact of pregnancy announcements, how she navigated relationships, and how she made the decision after much heartache to live childless. Gue...

Summary Grace MacDonald is the second woman in the world to give birth through IVF and her story is significant in the history of reproductive medicine. Grace talks about her experiences with the early trials that are depicted in the Netflix film, Joy. She talks about her relationship with the scientists, especially embryologist Jean Purdy, how it has impacted her life and resilience through her j...

Jack Thorne and Rachel Mason join host Anita Guru to talk about the release on the 22nd November 2024 of the new Netflix film, Joy, which tells the story of how IVF was born and the story of the pioneering scientists behind it. Jack and Rachel are very candid and open about their own personal journey with infertility and IVF treatment, which was one of the driving forces to write the phenomenal fi...

Dr Thanos Papathanasiou from Bourn Hall Clinic joins Anita Guru and talks about the history of Bourn Hall, the first ever IVF clinic, which is part of the new Netflix film Joy, released on the 22nd November, which is all about the pioneers of IVF. Dr Thanos talks about the emotional triggers of treatment, how clinics can take a compassionate approach to support patient’s mental health, navigating...

Join us in our first ever episode of the new podcast with Andrea Byrne who discusses her new book ‘Desperate Rants and Magic Pants,’ and opens up about her own journey with fertility. Andrea talks about her experiences with fertility treatment, going public and the mental impact of her journey. If you are struggling and need support, please contact the charity at https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/ or...

Welcome to Unspoken; the Fertility Network podcast! Fertility Network UK is the nation's leading patient-focused fertility charity and have been around for over 20 years. We provide individuals with free and impartial support, resources, and information. Infertility affects 1 in 6 people, that is approximately 3.5 million people, which includes both men and women. This is why these discussions are...