The fertility taboo

Reflecting on an emotional couple of days in London, talking about my own experience of dealing with fertility challenges for UK Fertility Week. #FertilityAtWork

How do people juggle working with fertility treatment? Three women shared their stories of having treatment and working out whether to tell employers, how to manage unpredictable appointments around their work schedule, and the impact on their mental health. This is a really interesting topic which we covered on BBC Radio 5 Live for Fertility Day - it had a big reaction from 5 Live listeners. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ekZiKmn #fertilityatwork #ivftreatment #ivf #bbcnews #BBCFertility #bbcradio #wakeuptomoney #work

Such a beautiful video on such a heart-wrenching topic. I thought when I watched this how brave those featured were in speaking up – but isn't that ridiculous? That we think people are brave for speaking about a health issue. It shouldn't be 'brave' it should be normal. It really is such a taboo. It's a time in people's lives when they need support more than ever, but instead they shroud their struggles in secrecy for fear of being judged or penalised in some way at work. I don't know what the solution is, but hopefully videos and posts like this will help to normalise open discussion around fertility issues. #FertilityAtWork

This article illustrates just one way events outside of work can have a direct impact within the workplace. A common theme in the stories shared is of the importance of open communication.

When I had to tell my boss that I was pregnant, it felt a bit like telling my parents. There it was, out in the open: a public admission that I do ‘adult things’. #FertilityAtWork

Conversations around fertility are still taboo in most modern workplaces, yet 1 in 6 couples across the world experience fertility issues. It’s important to talk about it. Lisa Finnegan has bravely shared her story and explains why opening up the conversation is so important #FertilityAtWork

As for me, I’m back in my flat shoes, backstage, on what is likely to be my last day in work before I become a Mum. 15 rounds of IVF later and it’s still hard to fathom how we made it this far. I hope by speaking out about our long path to parenthood and all the heartbreak along the way, others will be empowered to own their own stories and not hide in shame anymore. #nobodyputsbabyinthecorner #IVF #smashingthestigma #fertilityawarenessweek #fertilityintheworkplace

It is National Fertility Awareness Week. My struggles with multiple unexplained miscarriage and the eventual blessing of this mini-me is the reason I retrained from my previous career as a corporate Exec and became a passionate advocate of natural health, beauty and wellbeing. Bringing together specialists in their chosen fields, including Fertility. In the time my wellness centre has been open, we have collectively supported many women and their partners through fertility challenges. Some have become pregnant, some have had babies, others have been better able to cope with what is going on. And for that reason I feel ever more committed to the cause of raising awareness about this often silent struggle. I’ll be posting every day this week about this area; please show your support to all people going through or have been through fertility issues by posting a ??. Thank you #strongertogether #nationalfertilityawarenessweek