IVF: Surviving Stims, Staying Sane & Swollen Ovaries | The Fertility Diaries

BONUS x Zita West: Ask Isabelle | Liabetes & Living Life

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 important than chasing perfection. In this week’s Myth Busting segment, we tackle the idea that fertility should be focused primarily on the woman and discuss why fertility is very much a team effort. Plus, we answer a listener dilemma about a husband who wasn’t entirely honest about his healthy habits, leading us into a conversation about little white lies, accountability and what we’ve officially named… liabetes. New bonus episodes every Thursday. Follow along: @thefertilitydiariespod @zita.west Looking for personalised support? You can book a 1:1 fertility product consultation with the Zita West team at zitawest.com/book [http://zitawest.com/book]. Use code FDP10 for 10% off Zita West supplements. 10% off valid once per customer. Applies to one-time or subscription purchase. Subscription discount applies to first month only; standard price applies thereafter. Full T&Cs at zitawest.com/terms [http://zitawest.com/terms] Got a dilemma? We’d love to hear from you. Send us your listener dilemmas, fertility thoughts of the week, or situations you’d like us to discuss on a future bonus episode at thefertilitydiariespod@gmail.com [thefertilitydiariespod@gmail.com].

IVF: Two Week Wait Trenches & Tinder Sperm | The Fertility Diaries

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 needing a little accountability to get back on track. In this weeks IVF mini series episode,the main focus is the infamous two-week wait. We talk about when to test, whether we’d do things differently now, and the two distinct phases we feel most people experience during this emotional rollercoaster. We discuss ways to keep yourself occupied during the wait, when acupuncture might fit in, and some of the weird and wonderful things we’ve been told to do over the years, whether proven or not. We also chat about symptom spotting, going to extremes, and when trying to stay in control can tip into obsession. Portia even shares her very unexpected TV addiction from her last two-week wait. In Between the Lines, we talk about navigating Father’s Day during a fertility journey and why occasions like these may bring up unexpected emotions. And we are clsing the page on a sperm related topic...one clue "Tinder Sperm!" New episodes every Tuesday. Follow along: @thefertilitydiariespod @charlyhoencoach @portia_christina_ Use code FDP10 for 10% off Zita West supplements. 10% off valid once per customer. Applies to one-time or subscription purchase. Subscription discount applies to first month only; standard price applies thereafter. Full T&Cs at zitawest.com/terms [http://zitawest.com/terms] We want to hear from you. Send us your dilemmas, questions or fertility thoughts of the week to thefertilitydiariespod@gmail.com [thefertilitydiariespod@gmail.com] 💛

BONUS x Zita West: Ask Isabelle | Gut Health & Gaslighting

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 microbiome plays in fertility. Isabelle also shares why probiotics can be beneficial for both women and men when trying to conceive. Plus, we answer a listener dilemma about a partner who secretly booked a holiday over her ovulation window, leading us into a discussion about communication, expectations and whether gaslighting might be at play. New bonus episodes every Thursday. Follow along: @thefertilitydiariespod @zita.west Looking for personalised support? You can book a 1:1 fertility product consultation with the Zita West team at zitawest.com/book [http://zitawest.com/book]. Use code FDP10 for 10% off Zita West supplements. 10% off valid once per customer. Applies to one-time or subscription purchase. Subscription discount applies to first month only; standard price applies thereafter. Full T&Cs at zitawest.com/terms [http://zitawest.com/terms] Got a dilemma? We’d love to hear from you. Send us your listener dilemmas, fertility thoughts of the week, or situations you’d like us to discuss on a future bonus episode at thefertilitydiariespod@gmail.com [thefertilitydiariespod@gmail.com].

IVF: Transfers, Trust Issues & Thrush Face | The Fertility Diaries

In 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 embryo transfers. We talk through the different types of transfers, what to expect on the day, and the things we wish we’d known beforehand. We discuss fresh versus frozen transfers, natural versus medicated cycles, and the differences we’ve experienced between UK and overseas clinics. Portia shares her own transfer experiences and we also chat about how we approached the days and weeks after transfer, the supplements we took, and the advice we were given along the way. We also dive into a common IVF debates, whether or not to test embryos, how to navigate conflicting advice, who to trust, and some of the add-ons that are often offered during treatment. And we’re closing the page on… some IVF politics and discuss Go fund me pages!  New episodes every Tuesday. Follow along: @thefertilitydiariespod @charlyhoenfit @portia_christina_ Use code FDP10 for 10% off Zita West supplements. 10% off valid once per customer. Applies to one-time or subscription purchase. Subscription discount applies to first month only; standard price applies thereafter. Full T&Cs at zitawest.com/terms [http://zitawest.com/terms] We want to hear from you. Send us your dilemmas, questions or fertility thoughts of the week to thefertilitydiariespod@gmail.com [thefertilitydiariespod@gmail.com].

BONUS x Zita West: Ask Isabelle | Male factor matters

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 blood sugar levels, medication-related nutrient depletion, and whether pomegranate juice lives up to the fertility hype. Plus, we answer a listener dilemma from someone wondering whether they’re being realistic or simply catastrophising during their fertility journey. New bonus episodes every Thursday. Follow along: @thefertilitydiariespod @zita.west Looking for personalised support? You can book a 1:1 fertility product consultation with the Zita West team at zitawest.com/book [http://zitawest.com/book]. Use code FDP10 for 10% off Zita West supplements. 10% off valid once per customer. Applies to one-time or subscription purchase. Subscription discount applies to first month only; standard price applies thereafter. Full T&Cs at zitawest.com/terms [http://zitawest.com/terms] Got a dilemma? We’d love to hear from you. Send us your listener dilemmas, fertility thoughts of the week, or situations you’d like us to discuss on a future bonus episode at thefertilitydiariespod@gmail.com [thefertilitydiariespod@gmail.com].