We sit down with Jess and Harry to share a fertility journey that didn’t go how they expected.
After months of trying, Harry received a poor fertility test result, adding another layer of uncertainty and loss of hope. As they prepared for IVF and a fresh start abroad, Jess then fell pregnant naturally…but that wasn’t the end of the struggle.
Jess experienced Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), being sick up to 16 times a day and needing hospital treatment, while also navigating her mental health and past struggles with bulimia.
This is an honest conversation about the side of fertility and pregnancy people don’t talk about.
The physical toll, the mental strain, and the reality behind the “happy ending”.
They now have a beautiful little girl, but getting there was anything but simple.
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Resources mentioned in this episode:
If anything in this conversation around fertility, pregnancy, IVF or mental health resonated with you, these may help:
• NHS self-referral (fertility & mental health support):
https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/self-refer
• Support for dads / male fertility & fatherhood:
https://futuremen.org/fatherhood/future-dads/
• NHS Perinatal Mental Health Support (pregnancy & postnatal care):
https://www.england.nhs.uk/2024/05/record-numbers-of-women-accessing-perinatal-mental-health-support
Over 57,000 new and expectant mums received specialist mental health support last year, with services now available across all of England.
• PANDAS Foundation (UK-wide fertility & postnatal mental health charity):
https://pandasfoundation.org.uk
Free support for prenatal and postnatal mental health, including:
– WhatsApp support
– Call-back service
– Email + peer support groups
A safe, non-judgmental place to start if you’re struggling.
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