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IMAGE Talks Fertility Podcast: Fertility and the holiday season

In this episode, we ask the experts for practical takeaways on how to navigate your fertility journey during Christmas time.

The journey toward starting a family is an exciting time, even if it isn’t always easy. Fertility journeys can be filled with highs, lows and sometimes a bit of uncertainty: what are the best things to do? What happens if you have difficulties?

Fertility is a deeply personal and emotive topic, and so often, these fertility journeys remain unspoken – they can be straightforward or rollercoaster rides made more complicated by contradictory information on the internet. Our fertility podcast – IMAGE Talks Fertility – helps break down all of this information, opening conversations and demystifying fertility in Ireland today.

In this second season, we talk to women and men about their fertility journeys. We will hear from some fantastic people who have been through it all and take inspiration and learnings from their experiences.

We also hear from Ireland’s leading experts in fertility, many of whom come from Waterstone Clinic – our partners in this podcast.

Season 2: Episode 5: Fertility and the holiday season

We are nearing that special time of year – Christmas. But for many, Christmas and large family events can be difficult. We start to assess the time that has passed since we saw people last, our lives in general, and what we want for the new year ahead. We start making resolutions and plans while at the same time juggling our calendars, meeting friends, family members and colleagues – where sometimes awkward questions can be asked and situations can feel uncomfortable. This is all especially true if fertility is something that is at the front of your mind.

This episode was recorded in Waterstone Clinic in Dublin with Dr Eithne Lowe (Consultant in Reproductive Medicine), Laura Hackett (Fertility Nurse Specialist), and Marian O’Tuama (Fertility Counsellor).

In this episode we get practical. Generally, the emotions people experience, no matter which treatment they may have, are very similar. So what can you, as a listener, do to lessen any worries and manage the holiday season ahead? How can you prepare for starting a fertility journey at this time? What do you need to know? What and where are the supports you might need, and how should you manage expectations and any anxieties? In this episode, we break it all down so you are empowered and comfortable for the Christmas season ahead.

Before signing off we would like to take this opportunity to thank Waterstone Clinic for partnering with us on IMAGE Talks Fertility, and thank you to all their phenomenal experts for sharing so generously their time and sage advice.

Thank you also, and especially, to all our guests this season. Your stories make all the difference. We would to make a special mention of Aine and James, who featured in our male factor infertility episode, and have since welcomed a beautiful baby boy into the world. We couldn’t be happier for you both.

And thank you finally, to you, dear listener. Please remember, you are not alone, reach out for help if you need it. Wishing you peace and prosperity for 2023.

Listen Now

Our Host

Dominique McMullan

Dominique McMullan is passionate about storytelling, and the power of women’s stories in particular. As Editorial Director of IMAGE Media, she guides the editorial vision of the company as it prospers in an ever-changing media landscape. With confidence, curiosity and passion Dominique continues to work with women across Ireland to tell the stories that matter.

Our Guest Speakers

fertility and the holiday season

Dr Eithne Lowe

Dr Eithne Lowe is a highly experienced consultant in reproductive medicine who leads the team at Waterstone Clinic Dublin.

She graduated from Queen’s University of Belfast in 1987 with a Distinction in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and she completed her post-graduate specialist training during ten years spent in London.

Dr Lowe has more than twenty years of experience in fertility and has a special interest in working with couples on lifestyle issues to try to improve their chances of natural conception.

She believes working on overall health and wellbeing will ultimately improve outcomes if fertility treatments are necessary.

fertility and the holiday season

Marian O’Tuama

Marian O’Tuama studied Counselling and Psychotherapy at CIT, graduating with a 2.1 honours degree in 2013. She has been in private practice since then.

Marian developed an interest in fertility counselling and perinatal mental health and undertook several short courses with Kings College London and IACP in this area.

She is a specialist fertility counsellor in Cork City. She is also a member of the Irish Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists and the Irish Fertility Counsellors Association.

fertility and the holiday season