Know Your Normal - Breaking the Silence on Women's Intimate Health
Title: Know Your Normal - Supporting Fertility Journeys in the Workplace with Natalie Silverman
Host: Laura Cartwright
Guest: Natalie Silverman one of the founders behind @fertilitymattersatwork who are dedicated to raising awareness of #fertility issues in the workplace, educating companies about the reality of #IVF at work & support that is needed.
Length: ~ 19 minutes
Navigating fertility challenges at work can feel overwhelming, isolating and emotionally heavy - yet it’s the reality for 1 in 6 people. In this episode of Know Your Flow, we sit down with Natalie Silverman, co-founder of Fertility Matters at Work, broadcaster, and long-time fertility advocate.
Drawing on her lived experience of IVF and her decade hosting The Fertility Podcast, Natalie shares invaluable insights into what employees really go through - and what managers need to know to support with empathy, clarity and confidence.
These show notes summarise the key themes, resources and takeaways from the conversation.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
- Why fertility struggles remain one of the least discussed yet most impactful experiences in the workplace.
- How IVF, pregnancy loss and fertility treatment affect emotional wellbeing and day-to-day performance.
- Why many employees hide their fertility journeys at work - and the cost of staying silent.
- The importance of compassionate management and psychological safety.
- How managers can create supportive, inclusive environments (even without a corporate policy).
- The hidden experiences of men and LGBTQ+ individuals navigating fertility.
- Why training, language and culture shifts matter just as much as policies.
- How organisations can move from “doing nothing” to “doing better”.
About Our Guest - Natalie Silverman
Natalie Silverman is a broadcaster, podcaster, fertility advocate, and co-founder of Fertility Matters at Work - the UK’s leading organisation dedicated to improving fertility support, training and policy in the workplace.
She founded The Fertility Podcast after her own IVF journey and has spent over a decade amplifying the voices and experiences of people navigating fertility challenges, treatment and loss.
Her work has helped reshape the national conversation around fertility at work, policy change, and inclusive wellbeing support.
Key Themes from the Episode
1. Fertility is a workplace wellbeing issue - not a private one
Natalie shares that fertility struggles affect mental health, focus, productivity and sense of belonging - yet most workplaces still treat it as a personal matter employees must navigate alone.
2. Why so many employees stay silent
People fear judgement, career repercussions, being perceived as “distracted” or “difficult,” and managers not understanding the emotional toll.
Natalie explains the layers of shame, confusion and self-protection that keep people quiet, even when support exists.
3. The emotional reality of IVF and fertility treatment
From constant appointments to hormone shifts, grief, uncertainty, financial pressure and physical symptoms - fertility journeys often hit every corner of a person’s life, including work. Managers rarely see the full picture.
4. What managers can actually do to help
Natalie outlines simple, human-first approaches:
- Using compassionate, clear language
- Offering flexibility where possible
- Asking “What do you need right now?”
- Creating psychological safety
- Knowing what not to say
- Being consistent, calm and private
These small behaviours make a monumental difference.
5. Policies matter - but culture matters more
While fertility, pregnancy loss and family-building policies are growing, Natalie stresses that culture, training and leadership behaviour determine whether employees feel safe accessing them.
6. Men and LGBTQ+ people experience fertility challenges differently
The conversation highlights the need for more inclusive approaches, acknowledging that fertility journeys look very different across families, identities and pathways.
7. Why Fertility Matters at Work exists
Natalie shares how the organisation was created to fill the gap between HR policy and lived experience - offering training, consultancy and support to workplaces of all sizes.
Episode Chapters
00:00 – Understanding Fertility Challenges in the Workplace
We open the conversation by exploring why fertility struggles are not just a “personal issue” but a significant workplace wellbeing challenge. Natalie shares how fertility treatment, uncertainty and emotional strain spill into work life, and why many employees feel they must suffer in silence.
03:33 – The Role of Managers in Supporting Employees
Natalie discusses the crucial role managers play in creating a safe, empathetic environment. This section breaks down what supportive behaviour looks like, how managers can build trust, and why it’s okay not to have all the answers - as long as you show up with care.
05:57 – Navigating Sensitive Conversations
Here we look at what to say (and what not to say) when someone opens up about fertility issues. Natalie provides simple, human-first language and guidance for holding compassionate, private and respectful conversations, even when the topic feels delicate.
08:56 – Creating a Supportive Work Environment
This chapter focuses on culture. We discuss the small but powerful actions workplaces can take: flexibility for appointments, privacy, normalising conversations and ensuring policies are backed by real behaviour change - not just words on a page.
11:49 – Learning from Past Mistakes
Natalie reflects on common employer missteps and missed opportunities for support. She shares examples of where organisations unintentionally caused harm - and how those lessons helped shape better policy, training and leadership approaches today.
13:16 – The Emotional Toll of Fertility Issues
This chapter dives deeper into the psychological impact of fertility challenges: grief, stress, fear, exhaustion, and the constant pressure to maintain performance. Natalie discusses the “invisible load” many employees carry and why emotional validation matters.
15:52 – Men’s Experiences with Fertility Challenges
Fertility journeys affect everyone - not just women. Here, we explore how men often struggle in silence, face different stigmas, and receive little support. Natalie highlights how inclusive language and awareness can improve the experience for all partners.
18:18 – Grief and the IVF Journey
We close with a powerful look at the grief, loss, hope and emotional complexity within IVF. Natalie shares personal reflections on how the IVF process affects identity, mental health, relationships and daily life, and why compassionate workplaces can make such a difference.
Listen & Subscribe
Listen to Know Your Flow by femme on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts — and don’t forget to subscribe to catch the next episode in Season 3.
Key Takeaways
- Fertility journeys deeply impact work, even when no one talks about them.
- Managers play a crucial role in creating safety and compassion.
- Employees don’t need perfection - they need empathy, privacy and a willingness to listen.
- A supportive workplace isn’t built by policies alone, but by culture.
- Changing the conversation requires all of us - leaders, HR, colleagues, and teams.
Helpful Links & Resources
- Fertility Matters at Work: https://fertilitymattersatwork.com
- The Fertility Podcast: https://www.thefertilitypodcast.com
- NHS – Fertility Treatment Information: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/infertility
Join the Conversation
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode.
How can workplaces better support fertility journeys? What is your workplace doing to support fertility journeys?
Have you experienced any of the challenges Natalie described?
Share your reflections, stories or ideas with us on Instagram @femmehealthstore or via email talktous@femmehealth.co.uk 💛
