A couple of weeks ago I spoke to the brilliant Hannah Pearn, who is a fertility acupuncturist and host of the ‘Don’t tell me to relax’ podcast (and recent winner of the Best Fertility Podcast in the EFS Fertility care awards).
We chat about the role acupuncture can play in supporting people through infertility and fertility treatment. Together, we explore some of the common myths surrounding acupuncture, how it works alongside conventional fertility treatment, and why many people find it beneficial not only for their physical health but also for their emotional wellbeing.
Hannah explains how acupuncture can support fertility by helping to optimise your health before treatment, reduce stress, improve sleep, and create space to focus on your overall wellbeing. We also discuss the importance of preparing your body ahead of IVF where possible, the role of lifestyle factors such as nutrition and inflammation, and why acupuncture should be seen as one part of a holistic approach rather than a miracle cure.
As well as talking about the physical aspects of treatment, we explore the emotional side of the fertility journey and why having someone to listen, reassure and guide you can make such a difference. Hannah shares practical advice on choosing a qualified fertility acupuncturist, what to expect from your first appointment, and how acupuncture can support both women and men throughout treatment.
Whether you're curious about acupuncture or wondering if it's something that could help you, this conversation offers balanced, evidence-informed guidance to help you decide what's right for you.
Hayley shares both her personal journey to parenthood and her professional experience supporting families, offering an honest insight into the emotional, practical, and clinical realities of donor conception.
In this conversation, I chat with Katie Rollings from Fertility Action to talk openly about the realities of infertility and the emotional rollercoaster that so many people experience while trying to build their family.
If a friend/family member confides in you that she is struggling to conceive and undergoing fertility treatment, the most important thing you can do for her is to be there for her, allow her to talk when she wants to and be sensitive to how she is feeling.