Does the NHS have a fertility at work problem?

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode deals with discussions of in/fertility and/or baby loss.

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In this episode Natalie and Somaya are joined by Jemma Shanley, a paediatric doctor who shares her tumultuous journey through fertility challenges while balancing a demanding medical career. From initial naivety about conceiving to enduring multiple miscarriages, IVF treatments, and the emotional toll of working in paediatrics, Jemma opens up about her struggles and triumphs.

Her story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and advocacy for better support systems in the workplace for those facing similar challenges. Jemma discusses the importance of mental health, the need for compassionate policies, and her efforts to create a guide for medical professionals navigating fertility issues.

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Jemma Shanley is a paediatric doctor. She is married to a paediatric emergency medicine consultant, and they share a 3 and a half year old gorgeous tornado! Jemma is from Ireland but studied medicine and trained as doctor in the UK.

At 18, Jemma studied pharmacy and obtained a Masters degree, after which she came to London to undertake her postgrad in clinical pharmacy at Guys and St Thomas Hospital. Jemma worked as a clinical pharmacist for 5yrs before she started graduate entry medicine at the University of Bristol.

Jemma is now 38 and both her and her husband have spent the last five years trying to start and grow their family, largely during her time as a paediatric/neonatal doctor. Jemma has experienced being a paediatric doctor whilst not trying to conceive, whilst struggling to conceive, while miscarrying, whilst carrying a baby to term, returning from maternity leave, continuing to miscarry/struggle to conceive and most recently whilst undergoing IVF.

As a result of her lived experiences within a medical speciality that is considered family centered, Jemma set about developing a guide for doctors and their partners experiencing pregnancy/baby loss along with fertility/infertility issues in the workplace.

A group of doctors from both paediatrics and obstetric and gynaecology kindly contributed to the guide, all of whom have lived experiences of fertility issues.

Jemma's aim for this guide is to help advocate for all doctors in medicine experiencing fertility issues, to help start supportive kind conversations and to help educate managers, to help those who can’t find their voice through shared stories and examples of good practice.

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SEASON 4 SPONSOR:

Apricity https://www.apricityfertility.com/uk