MATRESCENCE

Dr Lucy Lord, a leading obstetrician with 40 years’ experience and 6,000 births, joins us to cut through the noise on safety, risk and real choice in childbirth. We explore why the pursuit of a “perfect birth” can leave women more vulnerable, how to understand your true risk, and what really matters: a healthy baby, a healthy mother, and a plan grounded in clarity - not guilt, pressure or ideology.

If you’ve decided you’re ready to start trying for a baby, it can feel both exciting and daunting. Many of us spend years actively avoiding pregnancy, only to realise when the time comes that we’ve never been taught how conception actually works or how to give ourselves the best chance. Fertility is influenced by biology, age, lifestyle, and health in both partners. Understanding these factors lets you approach conception confidently, not fearfully.

In this episode, Dr Natalie Hutchins breaks down how fertility really works — from egg quality and age to lifestyle, timing, and proven supplements. Learn the science behind conception, why fertility doesn’t vanish after 35, and how both partners can optimise their health. Discover the truth about AMH, PCOS, endometriosis, egg freezing, and when to seek help — with clear, compassionate, evidence-based guidance for hopeful parents.

If you're pregnant (or planning to be), you might’ve come across ads for cord blood banking. They paint a hopeful picture: your baby's umbilical cord could hold the key to future life-saving treatments. The message is powerful, and so is the emotion behind it. Who wouldn’t want to give their child every possible protection? Let’s take a closer look at what cord blood freezing really involves, what the research says, and how to make a decision that feels right for you.

If you're pregnant, have recently given birth, or are supporting someone who has, understanding perinatal mental health can save lives. Here’s what every woman and her support network need to know, straight from the experts.

We talk a lot about balance when it comes to our bodies and in the vagina, that balance is maintained by a complex ecosystem of microbes called the vaginal microbiome. When that balance is disrupted, the symptoms can be hard to ignore: unusual discharge, odour, irritation, or recurring infections like thrush or bacterial vaginosis (BV). In recent years, researchers have started to explore the potential of vaginal probiotics; live, beneficial bacteria that restore a healthy v

When we talk about women’s health, there’s an important player that often goes unmentioned: the vaginal microbiome. It might not be something you think about every day, but it plays a major role in everything from period health to pregnancy, infections and immunity.  Understanding what your vaginal microbiome is (and how to support it) can help you take better care of your body across every life stage.

When we think about living a long and healthy life, we tend to focus on things like food, sleep, and exercise. But the science is clear: our relationships matter just as much. Social connection isn’t just “nice to have”; it’s a biological necessity, hardwired into our nervous systems. Growing research shows that friendships, community, and emotional closeness have a profound impact on our health and life, for women in particular.

Most of us have heard of “baby brain”. That foggy feeling, the forgotten keys, the mental blanks mid-conversation; all chalked up to pregnancy. It’s become one of the most widely accepted, often joked-about symptoms of expecting a baby.  But what if “baby brain” isn’t just a harmless myth or a hormonal side-effect? What if it’s a sign of something deeper (and more powerful) happening under the surface? 

A doctor's perspective on vaccine safety, vaccine hesitancy, and childhood immunisation.

Learn how to boost fertility and prepare for pregnancy with expert tips on nutrition, vaccinations, weight management, and more