It All Starts Here

This week, Olivia is joined by Dr Chiara Petrosellini, as they delve into the critical topic of perinatal mental health, exploring its definition, the unique challenges faced by women during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and the importance of specialized mental health support. Chiara emphasises the distinct features of perinatal mental illness, including conditions like postpartum depression and psychosis, and highlights the need for tailored expertise in this area. To get evidence-based information and support on different perinatal mental health conditions, please see: PANDAS foundation: https://pandasfoundation.org.uk/ Action on Postpartum Psychosis: https://www.app-network.org/ Perinatal OCD Resource centre: https://iocdf.org/perinatal-ocd/ Birth Trauma Association: https://www.birthtraumaassociation.org/ Mind charity (for suicide support and prevention resources): https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/suicidal-thoughts-and-suicide-prevention/ Credits: Date of episode recording: 2025-11-24 Language of episode: English Presenter: Olivia Moir Guests: Dr Chiara Petrosellini Producer: Olivia Moir, UCL IFWH Podcast owner: Olivia Moir; Sarah Mayhew

Today Olivia is joined by Dr Jessica Farren, a consultant gynaecologist at University London College Hospital (UCLH) with a passion for early pregnancy care, and for empowering women with education about their health. Jessica’s PhD focused on the psychological impacts of early pregnancy loss. Today we dive into her work by discussing what these psychological impacts are, and how best to support women who are experiencing this, whether as a healthcare professional, colleague, friend or family member. This episode highlights the importance of seeing early pregnancy loss not as one diagnosis or experience, but rather acknowledging the range of factors and emotions involved. To learn more about ‘This is Womanhood’, and how you can register your businesses interest in a session to learn essential medical knowledge and support every woman needs, every step of the way, visit https://www.thisiswomanhood.uk/ If you or someone you know is experiencing pregnancy loss and needs support, you may wish to point them in the direction of three wonderful organisations: The Miscarriage Association, The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, and Saying Goodbye.Date of episode recording: 2025-03-22T00:00:00ZDuration: 00:31:10Language of episode: EnglishTAGS:Presenter:Olivia MoirGuests: Dr Jessica FarrenProducer: Olivia Moir, Institute for Women's Health

Today's episode hosted by Olivia, features Miss Adeola Olaitan, who is a Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist, for a discussion on gynaecological cancers and Human papilloma virus (HPV). We discuss the five different types of gynaecological cancers, including: ovarian cancer, uterine or endometrial (womb) cancer, cervical cancer, vaginal and vulval cancer. Adeola also describes the overarching theme of preventative medicine, and the steps that should be taken as early as 11 years of age aiming to prevent certain types of gynaecological cancers. She touches on HPV, and some common misconceptions in this area, and the importance of screening in this area. Listen to learn more, and how you can take action for preventing these diseases.To learn more about Adeola's work, visit: londongynaecology.clinic/team/adeola-olaitan/For help on screening and prevention, visit:eveappeal.org.uk/ - UK based charity that aids in supporting women with all 5 gynae cancersjewishbrca.org/ - help for women of Jewish ancestry who wish to know their BRCA status (Having Jewish ancestry increases your risk of having a BRCA gene fault)Date of episode recording: 2024-11-26T00:00:00ZDuration: 00:26:39Language of episode: EnglishPresenter:Olivia MoirGuests: Adeola OlaitanProducer: UCL EGA Institute for Women's Health; Olivia MoirTranscript: www.ucl.ac.uk/womens-health/news…ens-health-podcast

Hosted by Olivia Moir, this episode with Dr. Bassel Wattar guides us through heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB); what it is, how common it is, how do we diagnose it, and how do we treat it? We also talk about research in this area, and specifically the importance of including community perspectives in research practise, and how Dr. Bassel Wattar's team has been going about this. Dr. Bassel Wattar has been a guest on the pod previously where we talked about PCOS. If you missed that episode, definitely go and check it out. For anyone who hasn't listened to the PCOS episode, Dr. Wattar is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist based in London. He has advanced expertise in various areas including fertility, assisted conception, endocrine gynaecology, menopause and importantly for today, heavy menstrual bleeding! I also have to mention, he is the co-leader of a research group dedicated for evidence synthesis at UCL, which is something so important and we have focused a lot on in this pod, the importance of evidence based research. To read more about Bassel's work, visit: https://basselwattar.info/ Charities and Communities affiliated with HMB: Menstrual Health Project: https://linktr.ee/menstrualhealthproject Wellbeing of Women: https://www.wellbeingofwomen.org.uk/what-we-do/ Date of episode recording: 2024-05-14T00:00:00Z Duration: 00:26:57 Language of episode: English Presenter:Olivia Guests: Dr. Bassel Wattar Producer: Olivia, UCL changemakers

Hosted by Olivia Moir, this week we dip our toes into the field of immunology as it relates to the functioning of our lungs. Ever wanted to learn more about why this organ is so key to our survival? Dr. Jens Madsen, who is an associate professor at the IfWH here at UCL, has spent many years researching lung function and is here to explain! We focus our attention on a group of proteins called collectins, and their importance when it comes to the proper functioning of our lungs right at birth and throughout our lives. We also discuss the clinical applications of studying these collectins, called surfactant, and their administration in cases such as premature birth. If you don’t know very much about lungs or immunology, as always, don’t worry, because today we will dive into the basics of what is so important about them and their development for our early life and throughout our life course.For more information and to access the transcript: www.ucl.ac.uk/womens-health/it-all-starts-here-ega-ifwh-institute-womens-health-podcast Date of episode recording: 2023-10-25Duration: 00:18:40Language of episode: EnglishPresenter:Olivia MoirGuests: Dr. Jens MadsenProducer: Olivia Moir, UCL changemakers

This week's episode is about PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome. To do this, we have Dr. Bassel Wattar, who is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist based in London – United Kingdom with advanced expertise in the fields of fertility, assisted conception, endocrine gynaecology, polycystic ovary syndrome, and menopause. He is a experienced clinician scientist and currently co-leads a research group dedicated to evidence synthesis at University College London. We discuss what PCOS is, the different signs and symptoms associated, and the management of this condition. Date of episode recording: 2023-09-05Duration: 00:33:17Language of episode: English Presenter: Olivia MoirGuests: Dr. Bassel WattarProducer: Olivia Moir, UCL Changemakers

Today's episode, hosted by Olivia Moir, discusses preconception health, or health before pregnancy with Dr. Jenny Hall. She is a Clinical Associate Professor and NIHR Advanced Fellow here at the Institute for Women's Health. When it comes to reproduction, socialization often focusses on two main areas: either not getting pregnant or being pregnant. But there is more to it, and it’s important to educate on and consider the additional areas in between and the seemingly tiny details are part of these topics – because when it comes to reproduction, it’s often those tiny details that can go on to make a huge difference in terms of pregnancy outcomes and maternal health. For more information and to access the transcript: www.ucl.ac.uk/womens-health/it-all-starts-here-ega-ifwh-institute-womens-health-podcastDate of episode recording: 2023-06-12Duration: 00:35:56Language of episode: EnglishPresenter:Olivia MoirGuests: Dr. Jenny Hall Producer: Olivia Moir

Hosted by Olivia Moir, this week's topic focusses on Fertility Education with the lovely Professor Joyce Harper. She has as worked in the fields of fertility, genetics, reproductive health and women’s health for over 30 years and is passionate about education and discussion of all aspects of women’s health. We discuss the the lack of fertility education in school systems, how this might be overcome, and why it's so important to be taught about topics relating to Fertility from a young age. For more information and to access the transcript: www.ucl.ac.uk/womens-health/episode-3-fertility-educationDate of episode recording: 2023-06-05T00:00:00ZDuration: 31:52Language of episode: EnglishPresenter: Olivia MoirGuests: Professor Joyce Harper

Hosted by Olivia Moir, this episode dives into science communication with guest Dr. Kim Botting. We discuss the progression of this field across time and the importance of continual developments and contributions being made. We unpack the barriers faced by scientists attempting to contribute to this field, as well as flaws of this field from the perspective of the public. For more information and to access the transcript: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/womens-health/episode-1-science-communicationDate of episode recording: 2023-05-17Duration: 00:31:32Language of episode: EnglishPresenter: Olivia MoirGuests: Dr. Kim BottingProducer: Olivia Moir