Big Fat Negative: TTC, fertility, infertility and IVF (Big Fat Negative)

The countdown to transfer begins for Gabby, as the girls are joined by author and journalist Lynn Enright to talk vaginas, vulvas and her new book. Meanwhile, Professor Tim Child, medical director at Oxford Fertility, makes his glorious return to talk about baby aspirin.

Some swears. Pregnancy chat avoiders: skip 15:35 to 22:55.

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**TRIGGER WARNING**: Pregnancy is discussed throughout this episode. Please do not listen if you don't feel able to right now.

It turns out infertility doesn't stop at two pink lines. Gabby chairs a short discussion between Emma, Cat Strawbridge and Roma Agrawal, who discuss the effect infertility and loss have had on their pregnancies.

Our usual service will return on WEDNESDAY, rather than Tuesday.

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When fertility treatments work, what happens next? Emma and Gabby are back for a one-off episode to talk about Emma's experiences of giving birth, and how infertility continued to frame her experiences.

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains conversations about giving birth, motherhood and successful IVF treatments. Please protect your heart and don't listen if you don't feel able to.

We'll be back before Christmas with another bonus episode.

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Emma and Gabby are joined by Rachel Westbury, the founder of the Nappy Endings surrogacy agency and a three-time surrogate (of four babies).

Meanwhile, Liz is addressing the question of whether or not to do IVF.

If you want to listen to Sophie Sulehria's podcast, check it out here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06nxjd.

Swears throughout.

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It's a scary week: Gabby's fallen off the wagon, and Emma is gearing up to ditch the IVF drugs. They're talking to Amy and Lucy from Our Big Gay Journey about TTC as a single-sex couple, while Professor Tim Child of Oxford Fertility addresses flying after embryo transfer - is it ok?

Find Amy and Lucy at youtube.com/ourbiggayjourney. Some swears.

Pregnancy chat avoiders: please skip 5:43 to to 14:17. Enjoy!

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Hello! Are you a listener? Why not go back to the beginning of the podcast and listen from there - you'll get to know us better that way.

Regina Townsend is the founder of Broken Brown Egg, an advocacy group for women of colour who are going through infertility. She discusses her years-long infertility battle and how she learned to fight her own corner. Meanwhile, Liz and Nick are off to the clinic, while Professor Tim Child is talking sperm - is there a good time for them?

Swears throughout.

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It's the eve of Gabby's frozen embryo transfer, so we've consulted experts, the wider infertility community and, er, Emma, to help her prepare for her big day. Professor Tim Child tackles the thorny issue of folates vs. folic acid.

Pregnancy chat skippers: avoid 6:00 until 12:00. Some swears.

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Are you a new listener? It might be better to go back and start from the beginning - you'll get to know us better that way.

This week we're joined by journalist, blogger and podcaster Alison Perry, aka Not Another Mummy Blogger, to talk about secondary infertility - what happens when your body suddenly can't do what it did before? Meanwhile, Liz and Nick look further into egg donation and Professor Tim Child, medical director of Oxford Fertility, tackles Coconut Water - can it really prevent OHSS?

Link to NHS Covid-19 testing guidelines: https://www.hfea.gov.uk/treatments/covid-19-and-fertility-treatment/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-patients/frequently-asked-questions-for-patients-on-coronavirus-covid-19/ (scroll down to 'do I need a test?') and government guidance on testing: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested.

Swears throughout.

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Hi! Are you a new listener? Why not listen to our podcasts from the start? You'll get to know us better that way.

Anna German is an illustrator and art teacher whose picture book, So When Are You Going to Have Kids?, explains what it feels like to be asked that question when you are trying to conceive. We talk to her about how she drew creative inspiration from her five-year struggle. Meanwhile, Liz and Nick are coming to terms with using donor eggs, while Professor Tim addresses sleep: does it affect fertility?

You can read Anna's book here.

Some swears.

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Ahead of National Infertility Awareness Week in the US, we're collaborating with Sarah and Kaela from the Infertile Mafia podcast, who are answering our questions this week. Meanwhile, Gabby is mid-two week wait, while Professor Tim addresses HSGs and HyCoSys: can they really make you more fertile?

Pregnancy chat skippers: avoid 8:28 to 18:34.

Some swears.

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Hello! Are you a new listener? Why not start from the first episode? You'll get to know us better that way.

It's a post-Easter egg-stravaganza: while the Foxes browse an egg bank for the first time, Professor Tim talks low AMH and egg quality - is there a correlation? Meanwhile, Emma and Gabby talk to HR specialists Becky Kearns and Claire Ingle, who explain what your rights are at work when you're undergoing fertility treatment - and whether it's a good idea to take that big new job.

Mild swears throughout.

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Hello! Are you a new listener? It might be worth going back to the beginning of the podcast - you'll get to know us better that way.

Martha Goddard is the co-writer and director of All Our Eggs, a series of micro-shorts (the film kind, not the pants kind) chronicling one couple's five-year infertility 'journey' (sorry). Martha joins us to talk about what inspired her to create it, and why she was drawn to the story. Meanwhile, Liz and Nick have taken one step forward and two steps back, while Professor Tim tackles embryo disposal.

You can find All Our Eggs on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Swears throughout.

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Hello! Are you a new listener? Why not go back and listen from the beginning? You'll get to know us better that way.

It's Fertility Week 2020 and to celebrate, we're having a massive catch-up with the Foxes. Yep: it's an hour and a half of Liz and Nick, updating us on everything that's happened since we last spoke to them back in August. What's happened since a cyst ruined their party? Tune in to find out.

Some swears.

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Hello! Are you a new listener? It might be a good idea to go back to the start of the podcast and listen from there. You'll get to know us better.

Emma and Gabby are joined by Becky Kearns to talk about how she conceived her three daughters via egg donation after she was diagnosed with early menopause. Professor Tim explains why clinics ask IVF patients to stop drugs at different stages during early pregnancy.

Some swears.

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TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains audio of Gabby doing her pregnancy test. Please do not listen in you don't feel able to.

It's the big one: did Gabby's embryo transfer work out? She takes you through her two week wait in her audio diary. Elsewhere, Professor Tim tackles DHEA.

Some swears.

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As the UK braces for the pandemic to hit, thousands of patients undergoing fertility treatment are having cycles cancelled. How do you cope? We spoke to perinatal psychologist Julianne Boutaleb, of Parenthood in Mind, about keeping calm when it feels like your world is crashing down.

Some mild swears.

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Hello! Are you a new listener? It might be better to go back and start from the beginning - you'll get to know us better that way.

Emilie Ransley thought she had won her infertility battle: after pregnancy loss, Asherman's syndrome and 10 rounds of IVF, she and her husband opted to use a surrogate in Ukraine. It was good news - until Coronavirus hit and Ukraine closed its borders. Emilie talks about what happens next. Meanwhile, Liz and Nick get a second opinion, while Professor Tim tackles unexplained infertility.

Some swears.

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Hi! Are you a new listener? It might be useful to go back to the beginning of the podcast and listen from there - you'll get to know us better that way.

After repeated pregnancy losses, Will and Sherisa Rivera were inspired to start Fertility in Colour, an advocate group to help black and brown families going through infertility. Here, they share their experiences of infertility, ttc and explain how their faith is helping them through it. Meanwhile, Liz and Nick reflect on their fertility treatments so far, and Professor Tim tackles PGD and PGS - what are they are how do they differ?

Some swears.

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Emma and Gabby are joined by Kate Pinney, a midwife from Tommy's, to talk about miscarriage, while Professor Tim tackles apple cider vinegar - can it help regulate hormones? NB. we've banished pregnancy chat to the end of the podcast, so it's easier for you to avoid if you need to.

Are you a new listener? It might be better to start from the beginning. Warning: some swears.

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The girls are still stuck in separate parts of the country - but this week they've spoken to Nicole Robinson, whose IVF cycle was cancelled because of the Coronavirus outbreak, while the Foxes run through their options. Professor Tim Child, medical director of Oxford Fertility, tackles cold blood - can feeling chilly really hinder conception?

Swears throughout.

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TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes descriptions of baby loss and pregnancy after baby loss.

Are you a new listener? It might be better to go back and start from the beginning - you'll get to know us better that way.

Zoe Clark-Coates, author of Saying Goodbye, The Baby Loss Guide and Beyond Goodbye, talks about how she dealt with becoming pregnant after multiple losses. Meanwhile, the Foxes delve deeper into adoption, while Professor Tim Child, medical director of Oxford Fertility, addresses long and short IVF protocols.

Some strong swears.

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Hello! Are you a new listener? It might be better to go back and start from the beginning - you'll get to know us better that way.

Cast your minds back to a world in which Coronavirus was but a distant threat. It's under those conditions that Emma met - and shared coffee with! - Catherine Hendy, co-founder of Elanza Wellness, to talk egg freezing - who, what, why and how. Meanwhile, Liz and Nick have a curveball thrown at them, while Professor Tim tackles Agnus Castus.

Swears throughout.

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Hello! Are you a new listener? Why not start from the first episode? You'll get to know us better.

For the penultimate episode of this series, Emma and Gabby are joined by their friend Ally, who talks about raising a child after infertility, her journey to conceive a second child and what it took to make the difficult decision to terminate a pregnancy after the baby was diagnosed with a chromosomal disorder. You can find Ally on Instagram at @ally_ttc_the_second. Trigger warning: this episode contains discussion of successful IVF, pregnancy and abortion.

As usual: some swears.

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They've been going on about her for long enough - today, Emma and Gabby have finally dragged their acupuncturist, Lui Yeung, onto the podcast. She explains the principles of acupuncture and why it's helpful for fertility (also: which one of the girls is better at it. It's a bit tense). Meanwhile, Liz and special guest Nick are talking about performance anxiety and Prof Tim is talking linings again - can they ever be too thick?

You can find out more about Lui at https://www.luiacupuncture.com/ or on her Instagram account at @luiyeungacupuncture.

Swears throughout.

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This week we are joined by Marissa Nelson, a marriage and family therapist, and (crucially) also a sex therapist, who joins us to talk sex while TTC: can it ever actually be sexy?

Meanwhile, we are squee-ing with Sophie about her upcoming IVF round. For those who are interested in the history of Gonal-F and how the Vatican was involved in its development, here's that article: https://qz.com/710516/the-strange-story-of-a-fertility-drug-made-with-the-popes-blessing-and-gallons-of-nun-urine/.

Swears from the start, and throughout.

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Gabby and Emma are joined by Dr Belinda Coker, the founder of Your Trusted Squad, to talk about how it feels to be a doctor whose pain is ignored by other doctors, and why she started Your Trusted Squad, her fertility concierge service. Meanwhile, Liz is tackling the thorniest question there is: what's the point?

You can subscribe to the newsletter, buy t-shirts and pre-order our book at http://www.bigfatnegative.com.

Swears throughout.

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How do you navigate infertility if you have to work with babies, children or - horror! - pregnant women every day? Sophie Martin lost her twins, Cecil and Wilfred, at 21 weeks, and went through gruelling rounds of IVF to get pregnant again. During all of it, she was working as a midwife, helping women to bring their babies into the world. She talks about her journey, and how she coped in her day job. Meanwhile, Sophie is on day nine of her stims.

Swears throughout.

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Kreena Dhiman's story has more twists and turns than Emma's wonky fallopian tubes: having survived cancer and heart failure, she embarked on a surrogacy journey, and - well, we won't give away the ending. She joins us to tell us her jourrrrney, and what happens when everything goes more right than could possibly imagine.

Meanwhile, agony aunt Liz gives advice to someone who needs advice on how to keep going.

Kreena's podcast is called The Intended Parent and it's available wherever you get your podcasts.

Swears throughout.

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This week we're discussing the state between TTC and childlessness - at what point do you cross over? Gabby and Emma are joined by Annabel from Maybehood (https://maybehood.com/) to discuss it. Meanwhile, Sophie has had her egg collection.

Subscribe to our newsletter at bigfatnegative.com.

Swears throughout.

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Team BFN is back in your headphones with a bumper episode to kick off their brand new series - and That Big Announcement, potentially the most-trailed announcement in history - as well as a reshuffle of our BFN regulars.

We've also interviewed Samantha Busch about her experience of secondary infertility, and how it felt when even trying a surrogate led to a BFN. Meanwhile, Professor Tim Child is talking about the Covid-19 vaccine - should you get it when you're TTC?

If you're new to the podcast, it might be worth going back and starting from the very beginning - you'll get to know us better that way.

Swears throughout.

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Katy from Chasing Creation (chasingcreation.org) joins Gabby and Emma to talk about her decision to have a hysterectomy, its repercussions and how she is creating her unexpectedly childfree life. Meanwhile, Liz gives advice to someone struggling with the uncertainty of infertility.

Sign up to BFN's newsletter at https://www.bigfatnegative.com/newsletter-the-waiting-room.

See you in January!

Swears throughout.

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We're back for a Fertility Week special, with an update from the Foxes: did they manage an embryo transfer? What was their TWW like? What was their result?

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes an audio diary of a two-week wait, including the results of a pregnancy test. As always, please look after your heart.

Swears throughout.

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The girls are back with a new series - kicking off with entrepreneur, TV star and hip hop royalty Raquel 'Rocky' Horn, who talks us through her infertility 'jourrrrney' and why she has chosen to share it with the world, and explains what it's like when you're a stepmother who desperately wants her own baby.

Swears throughout.

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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.

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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.

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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 bigfatnegativepodcast@gmail.com with your answer and the subject line "BFN Book Win". Competition closes at midnight on Tuesday 18 January.

Swears throughout this episode.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Hello! Are you a new listener? Why not start from the first episode? You'll get to know us better that way.

Kemi Olowe thought infertility was her story. It wasn't. After her son, Samuel, was born following years of fertility treatments, she discovered a lump in her breast. She tells her story today. Meanwhile, Liz and Nick are confronting the realities of egg donation.

Swears throughout.

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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.

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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.

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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/.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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'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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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*** 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.

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A bonus episode: Gabby prepares for the transfer of her final embryo.

Swears throughout.

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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.

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Hi! Are you a new listener? It might help to go back and listen from the beginning - you'll get to know us better that way.

Crack open a bottle and dig out your novelty Santa hats: you're joining us mid-way through the BFN Christmas party. Gabby, Liz and Emma discuss Christmases past and present and answer questions from listeners. TRIGGER WARNING: the end of this episode includes an update and Gabby and Emma's babies - but we give you plenty of warning in advance.

Have a lovely Christmas everyone! We'll be back next year. In the meantime, you can subscribe to our newsletter, The Waiting Room, at bigfatnegative.com.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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?

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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-motherhood

Swears throughout.

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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!

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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/B092H9TMT8

No Prof Tim this week!

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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/.

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Sophie is back this week to talk about the highs and lows (mainly lows, let's be honest) of taking a break from TTC. Meanwhile, we meet Wegan, the 'wafty, floaty, delicious' (Gabby's words) influencer couple who launched a campaign last year to get same-sex couples the same infertility rights as heterosexual couples. We also ask Professor Tim about embryo transfers: is having two transferred really so bad?

You can find out more about Wegan's campaign at change.org/fertilityequality - and pre-order our book and find out everything else about us at bigfatnegative.com.

Swears throughout.

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It hasn't been the easiest week for Gabby, who has discovered an unwelcome new friend, while Emma has taken yet another trip to the EPU. The two are joined by entrepreneur, tech superstar and former policy wonk Rohan Silva, who talks about his oligozoospermia, and why men won't talk about their infertility. Professor Tim Child, medical director at Oxford Fertility, tackles intralipids.

Pregnancy chat avoiders - skip 19:43 to 29:36. Some swears.

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Hello! Are you a new listener? It might be better to go back and start from the beginning - you'll get to know us better that way.

We're joined this week by food writer and digital marketer Seetal Savla to talk about going through infertility as part of the South Asian community. Meanwhile, Liz and Nick make a big decision, while Professor Tim Child tackles HPV - can it harm fertility?

Some swears.

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The girls are still on their backup mic this week, so bear with them. Gabby's had a wobble - and so has Emma. Luckily, they're joined by Fertility Fest organiser, channel swimmer and all-round fertility superstar Jessica Hepburn to cheer them up. Meanwhile, Professor Tim Child tackles embryo glue - is it worth it?

Pregnancy chat skippers - avoid 13:08 to 21:00. Some swears.

Check out Fertility Fest and buy tickets here.

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Hello! Are you a new listener? Why not start from the first episode? You'll get to know us better.

We're joined again by author and psychotherapist Julia Bueno for the second part of our conversation about miscarriage. Julia's book, The Brink of Being, is available on Amazon and in bookshops.

Meanwhile, Professor Tim Child, medical director at Oxford Fertility, discusses antihistamines - are they ok to take when TTC?

Also here is a link to CoFertility as mentioned in the intro: https://cofertility.com/ – go check it out!

Some swears.

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Hello, are you a new listener? It might be helpful to start from the beginning - you'll get to know us better that way.

It's the final episode before Emma and Gabby take a break, and we've got a bumper show for you. Lisa Faulkner - yes, her from off of the telly - talks infertility and her journey to adopting her daughter, while Professor Tim Child, medical director of Oxford Fertility, explains whether having a cold during IVF will hurt your chances.

Some swears. Trigger warning: pregnancy chat towards the end.

We'll be back <3

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Hello! Are you a new listener? Why not start from the first episode? You'll get to know us better.

Emma and Gabby are joined by author Genevieve Roberts, who discusses her book, Going Solo: My Choice to Become a Single Mother Using a Donor (out now!). Professor Tim Child, medical director at Oxford Fertility, addresses abnormal-shaped uteruses: how much do they affect your chances of conceiving?

Some swears. Find Genevieve's book on Amazon.

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Emma and Gabby are joined this week by blogger and author Elle Wright, whose new book, A Bump in the Road, chronicles the infertility journey she endured after the loss of newborn son, Teddy. You can buy it here.

Meanwhile, BFN agony aunt Liz is talking PTSD.

No Prof Tim this week - he'll be back in a few weeks.

Swears throughout.

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Team BFN are back for their second series.Emma gives us an update on her pregnancy, while Gabby takes her first steps in IVF. They talk to Clare Johnson, who discusses her experiences of Asherman's and her subsequent decision to use a surrogate, while Professor Tim Child of Oxford Fertility is on hand to explain whether jumping up and down before sex will really put your cervix in a better position for conception.

Some swears.

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Hello! Are you a new listener? Why not start from the first episode? You'll get to know us better.

We're joined by author and psychotherapist Julia Bueno for the first part of our conversation about miscarriage. Julia's book, The Brink of Being, is available on Amazon and in bookshops.

Meanwhile, Professor Tim Child, medical director at Oxford Fertility, addresses saliva - is it good or bad for semen?

Not many swears this week, but lots of adult themes.

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Why, hello there, stranger. Are you a new listener? Might we suggest you go back and start from the first episode of the podcast? You'll get a much better idea of what we're about.

This week we're joined by Alpesh Doshi, a consultant embryologist and the co-founder of IVF London, who demystifies the role of the embryologist. What does an embryologist do? How do they know they've got a good embryo? Can you really not feel an embryo implant? Doshi answers all your questions.

Meanwhile, Professor Tim Child, medical director at Oxford Fertility, explains how to bring on a period.

Some swears. Pregnancy chat skippers - please avoid 6:06 to 26:53. Some swears.

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Hello! Are you a new listener? It might be better to go back and start from the beginning - you'll get to know us better that way.

Sophie Payne is a plus-size YouTube star who had planned her social media pregnancy announcement down to the tiniest detail. The only problem: she has PCOS. She talks infertility and hospital gown issues with Emma and Gabby. Meanwhile, Liz and Nick have a tough decision to make, while Professor Tim tackles a confusing point: is it really ok to freeze, thaw and then re-freeze embryos?

Some swears.

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After a year and a half of BFN we finally sat down with the man, the myth, the legend: Professor Tim Child of Oxford Fertility. What does he do for fun? What's his favourite colour? Is there a Mrs Prof Tim? We answered all your questions and more...

Some F bombs.

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This week we're catching up with the Foxes to find out what has transpired since we last heard from Liz at Christmas (spoiler: everyone's still frustrated AF). We also meet Tia and Lee Brown, a couple who are undergoing egg donation in Greece.

No Prof T this week, but send any questions for Liz to bigfatnegativepodcast@gmail.com (they'll be anonymous, of course). And you can find all the other stuff we mentioned at bigfatnegative.com.

Some swears.

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This week Gabby is still thinking about her lumpy new friend, and Emma is on her high horse. They're joined by Katy Lindemann, aka Uber Barrens Club, who describes the many twists and turns of her 'journey' - including suspected PCOS, a lining that wouldn't co-operate and miscarriage. Meanwhile, Professor Tim Child, medical director of Oxford Fertility, tackles HCG - should its levels really double every 48 hours?

Lots of swears. Pregnancy chat avoiders - skip from 13:17 to 21:03. The Prof Tim section might not be your bag either...

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Happy Tuesday, yo. Gabby is still agonising over whether to fly to NYC after her transfer, while Emma is having a(nother) anxious moment. Gabby speaks to Vanessa Haye, a social entrepreneur and fertility campaigner, who talks about her faith and her experiences of infertility as a black woman. Meanwhile, Professor Tim tackles drugs timing: if you forget to take a pill, should you panic?

To get tickets to the Thriva event, visit https://blog.thriva.co/shes-so-hormonal-event-launch.

Pregnancy chat skippers: avoid 17:00 to 23:14. Some swears.

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By popular demand, Emma and Gabby give you an update on where their heads are at on second babies. TRIGGER WARNING: If this is a point in your jourrrrney where listening to this might be hard, please look after your heart and skip this episode! You have been been warned!

Meanwhile, Sophie has received her drugs and is getting ready for her first jab.

Swears throughout.

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Do you have questions about doing IVF abroad? Emma Haslam from Your IVF Abroad (yourivfabroad.co.uk) is here to answer them all - from what to do about language barriers to how to find a decent clinic.

Meanwhile, Sophie has some exciting (but 100% non-triggering) news, and Professor Tim is tackling blood groups - do they affect fertility?

Here is a link to a video of a watermelon with a lot of elastic bands around it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azA_zYYYy7I

Swears throughout.

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Hello! Are you a new listener? Can we suggest you go back and start from the beginning of the podcast? You'll get to know us better that way.

This week, Emma and Gabby are joined by their first anonymous guest, who talks about her journey and how she reconciles infertility with her Islamic faith. No Prof Tim this week! He'll be back soon.

Some swears.

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Hello! Are you a new listener? It might be a good idea to go back to the start of the podcast and listen from there. You'll get to know us better.

Gabby and Emma are joined this week by Dr Jan Toledano of the London Hormone Clinic to talk hormones and the role they play in TTC. Professor Tim addresses embryo quality - how to embryologists decide which one to put back?

Some swears.

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Emma and Gabby are joined by natural fertility expert Dee Armstrong, who talks about TTC sex - how those who don't need IVF can optimise their chances of having a baby naturally. No Professor Tim this week...

Some swears.

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We're talking 'coming out' this week: how to tell people what you're going through. Plus, we're talking to The PCOS Dr, aka Dr Amina Hersi, and Professor Tim tackles retrograde ejaculation.

Find Dr Amina's Instagram profile here.

Swears throughout.

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We're back for a third series - and we've got new friends to take us through their 'journey' (urgh). Liz and Nick share their story so far, while Professor Tim Child, medical director of Oxford Fertility, explains why Vitamin D is so important when it comes to fertility.

Some swears.

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