Today Zoe speaks to Charlie Watson, a successful blogger who has only recently shared her fertility prognosis with the world. An episode which talks about Charlie’s journey of discovery with her condition but also her and her partners next big step to create their own unique family; surrogacy.

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS
Charlie was born with the condition MRKH, which means that although she has functioning ovaries her uterus and cervix did not develop properly which means she cannot carry her own children.
Charlie is a very successful blogger, her blog and Instagram started off being about running but have now transitioned into being about all of life.
Surrogacy is still quite complex in the UK so Charlie and her Partner Tom have decided to do it in the US which has much better legal protection for them as the genetic parents.
Charlie and her partner wanted to be really open an honest about their surrogacy journey as it isn’t spoken about enough. Most people only know about surrogacy from celebrities!
Now was the perfect time for Charlie to open up about her issues as she feels most of her friends support would have not been quite the same 10, 8 or even 5 years ago as they are all in a different life stage now. She also feels like the more awareness around mental health and the fertility communities on places like Facebook and Instagram have somewhat paved the way for people like herself to talk openly.
The rules and regulations around workplaces and IVF need to change, it’s astounding how unsupportive some workplaces can be. Women are given time off around maternity appointments but often not to undertake IVF.

 

BEST MOMENTS

 

“It’s really reframed me accepting…I’m so lucky”

 

“This is ridiculous…the NHS doesn’t help at all and the law protects the birth mother and not the genetic parents”

 

“It’s been invaluable speaking to women about their experiences”

 

 

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/cook-eat-run/id1500910254

https://www.amazon.com/Cook-Eat-Run-Performance-Ultimate/dp/1787134296

 

https://www.beautifulyoumrkh.org

https://surrogacyuk.org

 

www.petalscharity.org

www.tommys.org

www.arc-uk.org

www.sands.org.uk

 

 

ABOUT THE GUEST

Charlie Watson

 

IG: @therunnerbeans

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/cook-eat-run/id1500910254

https://www.amazon.com/Cook-Eat-Run-Performance-Ultimate/dp/1787134296

 

https://www.beautifulyoumrkh.org

https://surrogacyuk.org

 

 

 

ABOUT THE HOST

Zoe Cresswell

Devoted mother of two (and a big hairy dog), UK trained midwife, doula and personal trainer, specialising in pre and postnatal fitness.

Zoe was born in the UK and before moving to Dubai in 2013 and worked as a midwife in central London, both in a birth centre and a very busy NHS hospital.

Although late to the scene, Zoe is an aspiring athlete having won numerous triathlons and representing Great Britain where she placed within the top 10 on the world stage.

With her husband James, the couple will soon be launching their cloth nappy company, Bop & Bee, where they hope to inspire families to swap a few disposable nappies a day for the more planet friendly option of cloth.

Zoe’s goal is to share her knowledge and experience, tell real life stories, manage expectations and open up those often difficult conversations.

Zoe’s own motherhood journey has been full of twists and turns as she put everything on hold and went through numerous miscarriages and rounds of IVF.

 

CONTACT DETAILS

Instagram : @zoecresswell_me

Facebook: Zoe Cresswell

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-cresswell

Today Zoe speaks to Charlie Watson, a successful blogger who has only recently shared her fertility prognosis with the world. An episode which talks about Charlie&rsquo;s journey of discovery with her condition but also her and her partners next big step to create their own unique family; surrogacy.
&nbsp;
KEY TAKEAWAYS
<ul>
<li>Charlie was born with the condition MRKH, which means that although she has functioning ovaries her uterus and cervix did not develop properly which means she cannot carry her own children.</li>
<li>Charlie is a very successful blogger, her blog and Instagram started off being about running but have now transitioned into being about all of life.</li>
<li>Surrogacy is still quite complex in the UK so Charlie and her Partner Tom have decided to do it in the US which has much better legal protection for them as the genetic parents.</li>
<li>Charlie and her partner wanted to be really open an honest about their surrogacy journey as it isn&rsquo;t spoken about enough. Most people only know about surrogacy from celebrities!</li>
<li>Now was the perfect time for Charlie to open up about her issues as she feels most of her friends support would have not been quite the same 10, 8 or even 5 years ago as they are all in a different life stage now. She also feels like the more awareness around mental health and the fertility communities on places like Facebook and Instagram have somewhat paved the way for people like herself to talk openly.</li>
<li>The rules and regulations around workplaces and IVF need to change, it&rsquo;s astounding how unsupportive some workplaces can be. Women are given time off around maternity appointments but often not to undertake IVF.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
BEST MOMENTS
&nbsp;
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s really reframed me accepting&hellip;I&rsquo;m so lucky&rdquo;
&nbsp;
&ldquo;This is ridiculous&hellip;the NHS doesn&rsquo;t help at all and the law protects the birth mother and not the genetic parents&rdquo;
&nbsp;
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s been invaluable speaking to women about their experiences&rdquo;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
VALUABLE RESOURCES
<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/cook-eat-run/id1500910254">https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/cook-eat-run/id1500910254</a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cook-Eat-Run-Performance-Ultimate/dp/1787134296">https://www.amazon.com/Cook-Eat-Run-Performance-Ultimate/dp/1787134296</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.beautifulyoumrkh.org/">https://www.beautifulyoumrkh.org</a>
<a href="https://surrogacyuk.org/">https://surrogacyuk.org</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="http://www.petalscharity.org/">www.petalscharity.org</a>
<a href="http://www.tommys.org/">www.tommys.org</a>
<a href="http://www.arc-uk.org/">www.arc-uk.org</a>
<a href="http://www.sands.org.uk/">www.sands.org.uk</a>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
ABOUT THE GUEST
Charlie Watson
&nbsp;
IG: @therunnerbeans
<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/cook-eat-run/id1500910254">https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/cook-eat-run/id1500910254</a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cook-Eat-Run-Performance-Ultimate/dp/1787134296">https://www.amazon.com/Cook-Eat-Run-Performance-Ultimate/dp/1787134296</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.beautifulyoumrkh.org/">https://www.beautifulyoumrkh.org</a>
<a href="https://surrogacyuk.org/">https://surrogacyuk.org</a>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
ABOUT THE HOST
Zoe Cresswell
Devoted mother of two (and a big hairy dog), UK trained midwife, doula and personal trainer, specialising in pre and postnatal fitness.
Zoe was born in the UK and before moving to Dubai in 2013 and worked as a midwife in central London, both in a birth centre and a very busy NHS hospital.
Although late to the scene, Zoe is an aspiring athlete having won numerous triathlons and representing Great Britain where she placed within the top 10 on the world stage.
With her husband James, the couple will soon be launching their cloth nappy company, Bop &amp; Bee, where they hope to inspire families to swap a few disposable nappies a day for the more planet friendly option of cloth.
Zoe&rsquo;s goal is to share her knowledge and experience, tell real life stories, manage expectations and open up those often difficult conversations.
Zoe&rsquo;s own motherhood journey has been full of twists and turns as she put everything on hold and went through numerous miscarriages and rounds of IVF.
&nbsp;
CONTACT DETAILS
Instagram : @zoecresswell_me
Facebook: Zoe Cresswell
LinkedIn:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-cresswell">www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-cresswell</a>

Welcome to Motherhood Exposed. Join me, Zoe Cresswell, mum of two and a UK trained midwife and doula, as I meet with an array of amazing women navigating life and motherhood.

 

Since becoming a mum for the second time, after my own complex journey, i have become more and more aware that motherhood is so unique. There is no one story the same and women need support now, more than ever. i hope by allowing mothers to openly speak we can help to break the silence around many topics. We need to shout out that there is no normal and that is something we need to embrace. Motherhood isn't always picture perfect, so lets bust some myths, realign expectations and share the journey together.

 

Podcast Description:

Join Zoe, mum of two, a UK trained midwife, doula and pregnancy personal trainer as she meets with an array of empowering women navigating motherhood.

Whether you’re trying to conceive, pregnant or have your own children or grandchildren, Motherhood Exposed busts myths, re-aligns expectations and shares stories of real women we can all relate to.

Grab a coffee as Zoe and her guests have honest, frank and often funny conversations, showing that birth and motherhood isn’t always picture perfect. From the downright heart-breaking and messy times, to the beautiful joyous moments which make your heart melt, being a mum is a journey, so lets learn, laugh and cry as we go on it together.

 

About Zoe

Devoted mother of two (and a big hairy dog), UK trained midwife, doula and personal trainer, specialising in pre and postnatal fitness.

Zoe was born in the UK and before moving to Dubai in 2013 and worked as a midwife in central London, both in a birth centre and a very busy NHS hospital.

Although late to the scene, Zoe is an aspiring athlete having won numerous triathlons and representing Great Britain where she placed within the top 10 on the world stage.

With her husband James, the couple will soon be launching their cloth nappy company, Bop & Bee, where they hope to inspire families to swap a few disposable nappies a day for the more planet friendly option of cloth.

Zoe’s goal is to share her knowledge and experience, tell real life stories, manage expectations and open up those often difficult conversations.

Zoe’s own motherhood journey has been full of twists and turns as she put everything on hold and went through numerous miscarriages and rounds of IVF.

Welcome to Motherhood Exposed. Join me, Zoe Cresswell, mum of two and a UK trained midwife and doula, as I meet with an array of amazing women navigating life and motherhood.
&nbsp;
Since becoming a mum for the second time, after my own complex journey, i have become more and more aware that motherhood is so unique. There is no one story the same and women need support now, more than ever. i hope by allowing mothers to openly speak we can help to break the silence around many topics. We need to shout out that there is no normal and that is something we need to embrace. Motherhood isn't always picture perfect, so lets bust some myths, realign expectations and share the journey together.
&nbsp;
Podcast Description:
Join Zoe, mum of two, a UK trained midwife, doula and pregnancy personal trainer as she meets with an array of empowering women navigating motherhood.
Whether you&rsquo;re trying to conceive, pregnant or have your own children or grandchildren, Motherhood Exposed busts myths, re-aligns expectations and shares stories of real women we can all relate to.
Grab a coffee as Zoe and her guests have honest, frank and often funny conversations, showing that birth and motherhood isn&rsquo;t always picture perfect. From the downright heart-breaking and messy times, to the beautiful joyous moments which make your heart melt, being a mum is a journey, so lets learn, laugh and cry as we go on it together.
&nbsp;
About Zoe
Devoted mother of two (and a big hairy dog), UK trained midwife, doula and personal trainer, specialising in pre and postnatal fitness.
Zoe was born in the UK and before moving to Dubai in 2013 and worked as a midwife in central London, both in a birth centre and a very busy NHS hospital.
Although late to the scene, Zoe is an aspiring athlete having won numerous triathlons and representing Great Britain where she placed within the top 10 on the world stage.
With her husband James, the couple will soon be launching their cloth nappy company, Bop &amp; Bee, where they hope to inspire families to swap a few disposable nappies a day for the more planet friendly option of cloth.
Zoe&rsquo;s goal is to share her knowledge and experience, tell real life stories, manage expectations and open up those often difficult conversations.
Zoe&rsquo;s own motherhood journey has been full of twists and turns as she put everything on hold and went through numerous miscarriages and rounds of IVF.

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