The Fertility Diaries

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].

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

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 come with planning the next steps towards IVF. In this episode, we cover everything from preparing your body for stims and navigating the unpredictability of treatment, to scans, side effects, injections, and trusting your clinic throughout the process. We also share what we would do differently next time, along with some funny stories from Portia’s experience of IVF abroad compared to the UK.. In Between the Lines, we share our top tips for looking after yourself during stims and making the experience a little easier, both physically and emotionally. 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 | NK Cells & Naked Dancing

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, evidence-based advice. This week, Isabelle answers a listener question on whether nutrition can support immune balance when considering NK cells and TH1/TH2 balance. We also discuss vitamin D, gut health and the wider role nutrition can play in supporting the immune system during a fertility journey. Plus, our weekly Myth Busting segment tackles the belief that eating healthily is expensive and can’t be done on a budget, and we dive into your listener dilemmas…  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].

Conceive, Consultations & Calm Within the Chaos | A Zita West Special | The Fertility Diaries

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… the fairy godmother of fertility herself, Zita West. We chat to Zita all about her brand new book Conceive, her thoughts on modern fertility, and why so many women are running what she describes as a “metabolic marathon in high heels.” We talk about the HUG method, stress, calming the nervous system, and the impact negative self-talk and language can have on our mental wellbeing during fertility journeys. We also ask Zita some of the questions we all want answered and she shares some incredibly wise, reassuring and practical advice throughout the episode. Which leads us to a very apt closing the page... You can buy Zita’s new book, Conceive, here: https://amzn.eu/d/045ql8jn [https://amzn.eu/d/045ql8jn] New episodes every Tuesday. Follow along: @thefertilitydiariespod @charlyhoenfit @portia_christina_ @conceivebyzitawest 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] We want to hear from you. Send us your dilemmas, questions or fertility thoughts of the week to thefertilitydiariespod@gmail.com [thefertilitydiariespod@gmail.com]