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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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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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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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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TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes audio of Emma receiving the result of her pregnancy test. 

Is she? Isn't she? Emma has recorded all the twists and turns of her two-week wait - and the eventual result of the dreaded pregnancy test. Gabby and Emma talk about the result, and what happened afterwards, while Gabby discusses her preparations for IVF. Professor Tim Child, medical director of Oxford Fertility, tackles food supplement Inositol. 

Swears (including a liberal smattering of the f-bomb) throughout.

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Gabby's had a big week, with two important appointments which may make or break her first IVF cycle. Meanwhile, Emma's finally in her two-week wait - but you won't hear about that until next week. In the meantime, they're joined by Jocelyn, aka Motheringsolo, to talk about what it's like to do IVF when you don't have a partner (and her criteria for the perfect sperm donor). Professor Tim Child of Oxford Fertility tackles CoQ-10 - can it really help you to get pregnant?

Swears a-plenty this week.

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Both Gabby and Emma are playing the waiting game this week as they get ready for big dates with their clinics. Before that, though, they're joined by Richard Mackney, co-author of Get A Life: His & Hers Survival Guide to IVF. He talks about IVF from a male point of view, and describes (in pretty graphic detail, FYI) his disastrous first attempt at producing sperm during a round of treatment. 

It's an adult one this week - graphic descriptions, F bombs from the beginning. #sorrynotsorry

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Jayne-Anne Gadhia, the former CEO of Virgin Money, joins Emma and Gabby to talk about doing IVF while holding down one of the most senior jobs in UK finance. Meanwhile, Emma is on the countdown to a Big Moment, while Gabby has resorted to at-home testing. Professor Tim Child of Oxford Fertility tackles the myth of whether the big O can help you conceive.

Some mild swears and, this week, pretty adult themes.

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This week Emma is celebrating the arrival of a certain missing friend, while Gabby's wallet is looking decidedly lighter after she and Mr. Gabby decided to go ahead with some tests. They're joined by Sophie Sulehria and Jonny Baker, whose podcast, The Long Road to Baby, explores the options after IVF. Meanwhile, Professor Tim Child of Oxford Fertility explains when to have sex during ovulation week.

Swears throughout.

Check out The Long Road to Baby on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Gabby and Emma are still stuck in limbo, but they've decided not to dwell: to pass the time, Gabby has been checking out organic makeup, while Emma has been getting creative on Instagram. They're joined this week by journalist Kat Brown, who discusses her diagnosis of unexplained infertility - while Professor Tim Child, medical director at Oxford Fertility, talks caffeine.

Swears, including f-bombs, throughout.

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We've got Keeley Dwight, aka Instagram's @tryingtobeamum, in the studio today, where she talks about her 'journey' (ugh) - and the curious case of her missing embryo. Meanwhile, Emma's ovulation is MIA, and Professor Tim Child of Oxford Fertility addresses pomegranate juice - can it really improve your chances after embryo transfer?

We've also finally got around to planning our Christmas knees-up! Find out more here (or on our website).

Some mild swears.

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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: This episode contains babies. Gurgling takes place between 25:13 and 53:47 - please skip if you need to.

Emma and Gabby are visiting Katya and Oscar and their twins Mara and Wolf to find out all about doing IVF abroad. They've also accidentally stumbled upon a deeply contentious issue, but the debate keeps raging - are you team front or team back? Plus, Professor Tim Child of Oxford Fertility tackles running when TTC.

Mild swears.

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It's just Emma and Gabby this week, as they tackle subject everyone in the TTC world is talking about: stress. They've got an extended interview with Professor Tim Child of Oxford Fertility, who provides a definitive answer to whether or not stress will harm your prospects of conception.

Some swears.

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Forgive any yawning: Emma has given up caffeine, and she's suffering - and Gabby has made an important decision. Meanwhile, superstar urologist Jonathan Ramsey talks about infertility from the boys' perspective, while Professor Tim Child of Oxford Fertility is addressing McDonald's fries: can they really help implantation, or is it too good to be true?

We forgot to say: please help others find BFN by subscribing, rating and reviewing wherever you get your podcasts.

Swears throughout.

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It's Wine Tuesday, yo: Gabby and Emma are joined by CNN anchor Hannah Vaughan Jones – who has very publicly documented her IVF journey - and a nice bottle of Chablis. Rather fittingly, Professor Tim Child of Oxford Fertility addresses whether booze is really such a problem if you're trying to conceive.

Drunken swearing throughout. You can see Hannah's videos on her YouTube channel here.

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We're pretty chirpy this week - Gabby's just back from her holidays and Emma's celebrating a small win. Meanwhile, Emma has interviewed Kate Davies from Your Fertility Journey (yourfertilityjourney.com) about PCOS and what sufferers can do about it, while Gabby has been on the phone to Oxford Fertility's Professor Tim Child about sperm morphology.

We also forgot to read out the email address - it's bigfatnegativepodcast@gmail.com.

Some swears.

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Gabby and Emma are talking about the boom and bust of TTC again - and why Gabby might have ended up all-out lying to Emma. Gasp! Gabby speaks to the creator of the Mindful IVF app, Gordon Mullins, and Professor Tim Child of Oxford Fertility explains when to test after embryo transfer. 

To find out more about the #Scream4IVF campaign, go to scream4ivf.org.

There are f-bombs all over the shop this week. Sorry about that.

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It's been a philosophical week for Gabby and an annoying one for Emma - but it's ok, because they are joined by eternal optimist Alice Rose. They talk about what it takes to enter the hope zone, how to find coping strategies when you're struggling with infertility, and Alice's new campaign. Professor Tim Child, of Oxford Fertility, explains whether or not wearing socks during embryo transfer will help you get pregnant.

Alice's campaign, Think! What Not to Say, launches on 20 September. Stay up to date by following her on Instagram @thisisalicerose or visiting www.thisisalicerose.com

Some mild swears throughout.

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Emma's best friend Sophie is in the studio to talk about the care and keeping of friendships when you're going through infertility - especially when those friends keep getting pregnant. Meanwhile, Gabby has some surprising news and Professor Tim Child is talking about balls and baths.

Some F Bombs.

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It's been a relatively dramatic week for both Gabby and Emma, fertility-wise - but they've also had Cat Strawbridge, aka @tryingyears in the studio. They talk about why social media is helping people speak out about infertility and how to stop IVF destroying your confidence. Professor Tim Child also sheds light on the ultimate fertility rumour - that eating a pineapple can help you conceive.

Mild swears throughout.

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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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BFN is the podcast about infertility, IVF and the trials of trying for a baby. Journalists Emma and Gabby explain why they've decided to start a podcast, then come over all Californian as they talk you through their 'journeys' in infertility so far. We've also got Professor Tim Child, Oxford Fertility, telling us about the science behind the old wives' tale that raspberry leaf tea will help you conceive.

NB. This episode was recorded back in June - and contains some mild swears.

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

Swears 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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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 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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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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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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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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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 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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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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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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*** 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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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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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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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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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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