DATE: Wednesday 22nd March
Chair: Charlotte Gentry, Founder, The IVF Network
Panellist: Carole Gilling-Smith, CEO, Founder & Medical Director, The Agora Clinic
Panellist: Vanessa Tucker, Nutritional Consultant, Wild Nutrition

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a very common condition affecting the function of a woman’s ovaries and can lead to difficulty getting pregnant, but the good news is that it's treatable. Our leading experts will discuss what PCOS is, the symptoms and causes, and what treatment there is for PCOS if you are trying to conceive. We will also discuss the nutrients, supplements and herbs that can support PCOS and fertility.

We are delighted to be joined by leading experts Carole Gilling-Smith, CEO, Founder & Medical Director, The Agora Clinic and Vanessa Tucker of Wild Nutrition.

Carole Gilling-Smith graduated in Medicine from Cambridge in 1984 and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (FRCOG). Over her career she has acquired extensive knowledge and experience in the field of reproductive medicine and infertility.

Carole was awarded a Medical Research Council Training Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine in 1990 and completed her PhD thesis on the genetics of polycystic ovary syndrome whilst working as a Clinical Fellow in Reproductive Medicine at St Mary’s Hospital in London. She pursued further research there on pelvic pain and recurrent miscarriage as a Clinical Lecturer and Senior Registrar before being appointed Director of the Chelsea & Westminster Assisted Conception Unit in 2000. There she developed the UK’s first fertility programme for HIV infected patients and remains a national and international expert on the management of patients with viral illness who are trying to conceive safely.

With more than 14 years experience in women’s health, Vanessa Tucker is a registered naturopathic nutrition consultant, with a BSc (Hons) in Health Science in Complementary Medicine, and diplomas in Naturopathy and Herbal Medicine. Vanessa has particular expertise in PCOS, reproductive health, metabolic and glycemic control and thyroid health. Vanessa’s herbal medicine training has provided her with a deep understanding of plant biochemistry and the clinical benefits for PCOS and reproductive health. Vanessa is a nutrition consultant for Wild Nutrition’s online consultation services and frequently asked to comment on PCOS and reproductive health in the press.

Chair: Charlotte Gentry, Founder, The IVF Network
Panellist: Amanda Tozer, Gynaecologist & Reproductive Medicine Specialist, Aria Fertility
Panellist: Adrian Lower FRCOG

Endometriosis does not necessarily cause infertility but there is an association with fertility problems, although the cause is not fully established. In this session our leading experts will discuss why endometriosis can cause fertility problems and what treatments can help with getting pregnant if endometriosis is causing fertility problems.

We are delighted to be joined by leading experts Amanda Tozer, Gynaecologist & Reproductive Medicine Specialist at Aria Fertility and Adrian Lower, a highly respected and experienced gynaecologist who has specialised in the field of Reproductive Medicine for the past 30 years

Amanda Tozer is a consultant gynaecologist and sub-specialist in reproductive medicine at Aria Fertility, in Central London. Amanda has spent more than 20 years assisting couples experiencing infertility and trouble conceiving (subfertility). She is incredibly knowledgeable in all aspects of fertility and provides a wide range of services for assisted conception and fertility preservation, including egg freezing, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and genetic testing.

Adrian Lower is widely recognised as one of the best fertility specialists in London and in addition to providing a bespoke assisted conception service he is a highly accomplished reproductive surgeon with particular expertise in the treatment uterine fibroids and Asherman’s syndrome. He is also highly experienced in gynaecological ultrasound scanning and is able to offer same day scans using a state-of-the-art 3D ultrasound scanner in his office. 

‍Tuesday 21st February, 7:00pm – 7:45pm

Virtual Live Session

Leading Specialist: Carole Gilling-Smith, CEO, Founder & Medical Director, The Agora Clinic

Chair: Michael Johnson-Ellis, Founder, Two Dads UK

For this months Talk to the Expert we are delighted to be joined by leading fertility expert, Carole Gilling-Smith, CEO, Founder & Medical Director, The Agora Clinic. Our Talk to the Expert sessions are a fantastic opportunity to ask your questions directly to our leading fertility specialists. Carole Gilling-Smith will discuss The journey to parenthood for LGBTQ+ people. There will then be plenty of time for you to ask your questions to Carole Gilling-Smith on your fertility journey.

For this months Talk to the Expert we are delighted to be joined by leading fertility expert, James Nicopoullos. Our Talk to the Expert sessions are a fantastic opportunity to ask your questions directly to our leading fertility specialists. James Nicopoullos will share his expertise on Male Infertility. There will then be plenty of time for you to ask your questions to Mr Nicopoullos not just on male infertility but any questions you have for him on your fertility journey.

James Nicopoullos joined The Lister Fertility clinic in 2008. He graduated from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals in 1996, before training predominantly in London. Through this time, he trained under a number of eminent consultants specialising in reproductive medicine that fuelled his interest in the field. He undertook an MD research thesis in “the effect of sperm aneuploidy and DNA fragmentation on ICSI outcome” at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, where he also completed his subspecialist training in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery.

To celebrate the national day for girls and women in science day we are delighted that Emma Whitney, Laboratory Manager, The Evewell Clinic has joined us to share her career journey.

Emma Whitney is the laboratory manager at The Evewell Clinic in London. Emma is also aka @emmatheembryologist on Instagram.

With nearly 20 years of practical IVF laboratory experience, Emma specialises in pre-implantation genetic testing of embryos with a passion to prevent the transmission of inherited genetic disease and enhancing the capabilities of embryo selection.

Emma’s commitment to genetics, coupled with her multitude of experiences - allows for a pragmatic and honest approach when discussing embryology.

Emma believes IVF patients should have the opportunity to understand what goes on in an IVF laboratory. Her goal is to help patients alleviate some of the stress and anxiety caused by so many unknowns.

As we enter the new year when many of us begin to look at our health and nutrition we are delighted to be joined by Mel Brown, Nutritional Therapist, Specialist in Fertility, IVF and Pregnancy. The session discusses the most important things to consider with nutrition and how it can make a difference. We look at when you should start your fertility nutrition journey, the ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’, supplements and, other things outside of nutrition to consider such as mental health/fitness, to do in line with a nutrition plan.

Melanie Brown specialises in pre conceptual and pregnancy nutrition, and helping you to prepare for pregnancy. Mel’s two decades of experience working with doctors, gynaecologists, urologists, midwives and IVF specialists has given me a unique insight into the process of fertility treatment, and an understanding and empathy of how being unable to conceive affects the whole of your life. She is not a hard core kill joy; she enjoys wine, chocolate, roast potatoes and croissants. She wants client to feel that they are adding good things to their diet, not taking them away and generally making life a misery! She believes that by giving clients a rationale, so they can understand why some things are not so great for you, this makes it much easier to adapt to new, healthier habits.

Chair: Emma Cannon, Fertility Mentor & Adviser

Speaker: Melanie Brown, Nutritional Therapist, Specialist in Fertility, IVF and Pregnancy

A cancer diagnosis of any kind is a traumatic experience. Although fertility normally isn’t the initial concern, it is increasingly an important consideration; particularly since life expectancy post cancer diagnosis has significantly increased.

Some cancer treatments will impact short and long term fertility; either due to toxicity of chemotherapy or removal of ovaries (to reduce oestrogen). Male fertility may also be impacted by cancer treatments

This discussion, with leading Gynaecologist, Miss Sara Matthews & Emma Cannon, Fertility Mentor, will provide invaluable information to those facing cancer treatment who have yet to conceive or may want to extend their family post cancer treatment.

We are privileged to be joined by Sara Matthews.  Miss Matthews has one of the broadest experiences of all consultants in the UK in the field of Fertility Medicine, having worked in a number of the largest, most established and highly regarded fertility units in the country.  She is now based solely at the Portland Hospital for Women and Children in London, where she has had her own very successful independent practice since 2008.

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Talk to the Expert with Dr Lynne Chapman
Wednesday 11th January

Chair: Charlotte Gentry, Founder, The IVF Network
Leading Specialist: Dr Lynne Chapman, Reproductive Medicine Consultant

For the first of our Talk to the Expert series for 2023 we were delighted to be joined by leading fertility expert, Dr Lynne Chapman. Our Talk to the Expert sessions are a fantastic opportunity to ask your questions directly to our leading fertility specialists.

Dr Chapman will share her expertise on a wide range of fertility topics including IUI, previously failed IVF cycles, low ovarian reserves and recurrent pregnancy loss. There will then be plenty of time for you to ask your questions to Dr Chapman on your fertility journey.

Throughout her career, Reproductive Medicine Consultant Dr Lynne Chapman, MBBS BSc (Neuro) MRCOG, has been at the forefront of assisted conception and fertility science.

During that time, she has guided thousands of couples and families on their journey to conception with IVF, egg freezing, sperm and egg donor services, and fertility therapies.

She works in collaboration with leading laboratories and multidisciplinary teams including andrology, surgery, medical and obstetrics experts to provide outstanding personal and clinical care at every step of the journey.

Lynne is also proud to work with some of the UK’s foremost providers of complementary fertility therapies including dieticians, acupuncturists, counsellors and more.

There are many emotions that accompany infertility, jealousy, anger, grief, depression, sadness and these are often heightened at Christmas time.  We are joined by Alex will share how she has coped with her emotions.  We will discuss how it is important to be kind to yourself and realise you are not alone.  Feeling these emotions are normal and we will share advice on how to cope not just at Christmas but throughout the year.

Chair: Emma Cannon, Fertility Mentor & Advisor
Panellist: Alexandra Matthews, Marketer and Writer

Reproductive Immunology Testing is an area of fertility treatment that is often used when there has been repeat IVF failures, or pregnancy losses despite good quality embryos. It is considered controversial due to lack of evidence; yet despite this it appears to be on the increase.  We are extremely privileged to be joined by leading expert Professor Hassan Shehata to discuss the role of the immune system in fertility treatment.

Professor Hassan Shehata is a UK based Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and a subspecialist in Maternal Medicine at Epsom and St. Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust. He is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer in Obstetrics & Gynaecology at St George’s Hospital Medical School, University of London. He is also a Council member at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

During this live broadcast, you will have plenty of opportunity to ask Professor Hassan Shehata any questions you may have.

Chair: Emma Cannon, Fertility Mentor & Advisor

Speaker: Professor Hassan Shehata, Medical Director and Founder, Centre for Reproductive Immunology and Pregnancy Miscarriage Clinic

We are delighted to be joined by Mel Johnson, The Solo Parenthood Coach ™ and Founder of The Stork and I, to discuss pathways to solo parenthood.

Mel supports women from around the world who are single and keen to ensure they don’t miss out on parenthood, coaching them to feel empowered and in control of their route to parenthood.

Mel shares her own journey with us and offers advice and guidance for those looking at embarking on a solo parenthood journey. We discuss what to consider, the challenges, going through fertility treatment, choosing a sperm donor, and the importance of building your support network.

To celebrate #FertilityAwarenessWeek and our new collaboration with LGBT Mummies, The IVF Network Founder Charlotte Gentry and LGBT Mummies Founder Laura-Rose Thorogood, got together to share their fertility journey, experiences and share their knowledge to help others on their own fertility path.