Podcast Review: If These Ovaries Could Talk – Your uterus, your choice

If these ovaries could talk is a podcast dedicated to educating listeners about queer and non-traditional families. The hosts, Jaimie Kelton and E~ Bradshaw, both belong to the LGBTQ+ community and are friendly, bubbly presenters. In the episode 'Your Uterus, Your Choice', the pair interview Jenni and Lauren, a same-sex female couple from the USA who are currently undergoing fertility treatment. This episode focused on the positive and negative experiences they have faced going through assisted conception as a queer couple.

I enjoyed Kelton and Bradshaw's lighthearted approach to interviewing. You could tell that their occasional jokes helped put Jenni and Lauren at ease and made the podcast pleasant to listen to. As the couple relayed their story, the presenters would occasionally ask them to explain certain words and phrases, including pansexual, and reciprocal IVF. Although I knew what these words meant, I appreciated them taking the time to explain these terms for listeners who may not.

Jenni and Lauren started their fertility journey with a positive experience. Lauren had recently started a new job with insurance that covers fertility treatment. Once the couple decided they were ready to start their family, they contacted the insurance company. Lauren and Jenni were assigned a 'personal care assistant' who explained treatment options and helped them decide on their preferred treatment plan. The couple decided that Jenni would try to become pregnant using intrauterine insemination (IUI).

As someone from the UK, I found it interesting to hear that an insurance company would provide this kind of service. Here, the conversations about treatment choices would typically be had with a doctor. However, I think it's wonderful that the insurance company provides contacts who are informed about fertility choices. Overall, Lauren and Jenni found their insurance company to be very helpful and inclusive, which is great to hear.

Unfortunately, the positive experiences did not last once the couple started fertility treatment. For the first few appointments, Jenni attended the clinic alone and found the staff very helpful and friendly. However, when Jenni brought Lauren to the clinic and introduced her as her wife, the atmosphere changed. The staff were suddenly cold and unwelcoming, with some being outwardly rude. The couple believe this change in behaviour was due to their sexual orientation.

I felt really badly for Jenni and Lauren as they described how poorly they were treated. Unfortunately, due to location and insurance coverage, they do not have the option of transferring to a different fertility clinic. Understandably, the couple is hesitant to make a complaint while still going through treatment.

I think Jenni and Lauren's experience highlights how essential it is that fertility professionals, and healthcare providers in general, receive training that explains the importance of inclusivity and treating all patients with respect and dignity. Fertility treatment can be stressful enough without worrying about how you are going to be treated by staff based on your sexual orientation.

As they are in a same-sex relationship, Jenni and Lauren require donated sperm to have a child. Both are white and have opted for a sperm donor of another ethnicity. There were a few reasons why Jenni and Lauren wanted a donor of different ethnicity, with a key factor being that they did not want their child to be a white male. Though this may be somewhat controversial, the podcast hosts were very supportive of the couple's decision. One of the presenters mentioned that it's Jenni's uterus and it's therefore her choice what she does with her own body, which is a sentiment I agree with.

Unfortunately, not everyone has been so supportive of their choices. Prior to treatment, Lauren and Jenni attended counselling sessions, which is often a mandatory step for patients using donated eggs or sperm. Typically, these sessions are a useful way for patients to discuss potential implications of using a donor and voice any concerns they have about the donation process.

Sadly, Jenni and Lauren had a negative experience with their counsellor. The counsellor told them they should not choose a sperm donor that's a different ethnicity to them as the child would 'already feel alienated enough having two moms'. In my opinion, this comment crossed professional boundaries. The counsellor could have brought up donor ethnicity to ensure Lauren and Jenni understood the potential implications of caring for a mixed-race child, however, I do not think they were in the right to pass judgement or tell them what they should do.

Overall, this podcast was an informative and interesting interview that examined the experiences of a same-sex female couple undergoing fertility treatment. It highlighted the prejudiced views that some people in the healthcare system still hold towards LGBTQ+ patients and emphasised the importance of inclusivity training for all.