Big Fat Negative: TTC, fertility, infertility and IVF

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, medical director of The Evewell, West London, joins us to explain whether IVF can help with recurrent miscarriage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  director and co founder of Testhim and Izzy Judd, an author, podcaster and musician, to discuss what we're getting wrong about fertility -- including education, lifestyle, and asking whether it's a hidden health crisis.You can download your own copy of the Fertility Disconnect report, and book a session with a Wild Nutrition nutritional therapist, at https://www.wildnutrition.com/pages/the-fertility-disconnect.See you tomorrow! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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'Neill's research is giving us new information about why, for example, male embryos develop slightly faster than female embryos. Meanwhile, Emma Whitney, director of embryology and genetics at The Evewell, explains PGT-A to us. Is it worth it?Swears throughout (probably). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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 NHS. Now they're launching Aloomah, a support platform for people going through infertility. Check it out at https://www.aloomah.com/. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 how you can get involved.Prof Tim is talking about Ayurvedic medicine.Dov Fox has an audiobook! It's called Donor 9623, and it's about a reproductive hoax. You can find it at https://www.audible.com/podcast/Donor-9623-Part-One/B08GC5KWW8, and part two at https://www.audible.com/podcast/Donor-9623-Part-Two/B0C62FFNL4. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.com/privacy for more information.

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.uk/We-Are-One-Eight-infertility/dp/B092H9TMT8No Prof Tim this week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 movie, why it was important to centre the story on Purdy, and which of the stars is the most beautiful cryer.No Prof Tim this week - see you on Tuesday! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Emma read is here: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/nov/16/friendship-after-motherhoodSwears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Tim addresses natural killer (NK) cells: should you be tested? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 out Emma's interview with Jessica Valenti, you can read it here: https://www.thepersistent.com/us-presidential-election-abortion-voter-issues-jessica-valenti-interview/.Swears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 be Doing It? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 his books) at www.harrybaker.co. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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 should you do? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.com/privacy for more information.

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 likely to be the same sex?Swears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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.

A bonus episode: Gabby prepares for the transfer of her final embryo.Swears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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.

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 helps others to find the podcast.Swears, as always, throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Swears, as always, throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

'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 always a bad sign? If you want to skip Emma's bit, stop listening after Prof T - around 53 minutes.Swears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Emma's part of the podcast, switch off after Professor Tim - at about 47:30.Swears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 TWW, and Professor Tim explains what can be done if your body doesn't respond to stims. Swears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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.

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

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

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 Strategy, announced last week, included free IUIs for same-sex couples, and Professor Tim addresses hair dye during IVF.Swears throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 going. Also - a drinking game!Meanwhile, Prof T stages his glorious return, and Emma has Some News. Swears throughout. To read Emma Barnett's Times piece, click here (or go to https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/emma-barnett-five-rounds-of-ivf-one-miscarriage-and-no-baby-257tkztct). You can sign up for her newsletter, Trying, at emmabarnett.substack.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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.

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.

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? 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.

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.

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

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 [email protected] with your answer and the subject line "BFN Book Win". Competition closes at midnight on Tuesday 18 January.Swears throughout this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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