Christmas is meant to be joyful.
But when you’re trying to conceive, it can quietly become one of the hardest times of the year.
In this special Christmas episode, Tasha speaks honestly about losing the joy of the festive season during her own fertility journey, and why Christmas can feel like a painful reminder of what hasn’t happened yet.
You’ll hear from a group of trusted experts and advocates, all with lived or professional experience of infertility, pregnancy loss and IVF. Together, they share compassionate, practical advice to help you protect your heart, navigate family gatherings, and move through this season with more steadiness and self-kindness.
This episode is for anyone dreading the questions, the triggers, or the quiet grief that can surface at Christmas.
You’ll learn how to:
1. Protect your energy during Christmas events
You don’t have to attend everything. Kirsten Mclennan shares why being selective, leaning on the infertility community, and creating new traditions can make this season feel more manageable.
2. Use movement, breath and boundaries to stay grounded
Jen from Element Pilates & Yoga explains how gentle movement, sunlight, breathwork and having prepared responses can help you regulate your nervous system before difficult conversations or gatherings.
3. Remember that you are not alone
Meg from For the Barreness gives you a permission slip to opt out of events and conversations if you need. And reminds you that you’re never alone in this journey.
4. Communicate clearly and allow space for grief
Psychologist Cath Corcoran outlines why explicit communication with partners and family matters, how authentic gratitude differs from toxic positivity, and why grief, sadness and disappointment are allowed to exist during the festive season.
5. Slow down and honour the pause
Jennifer Tupaea from Pink Elephants reframes the holiday shutdown as a chance to rest, reduce overwhelm, and create small rituals that support healing after miscarriage or loss.
6. Find moments of joy without forcing them
This episode reminds you that joy doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. Small pockets of peace, rest and meaning still count, and they matter more than ever right now.
[00:00] Christmas and the quiet grief of infertility
[01:26] Why the festive season can magnify what’s missing
[02:04] Kirsten Mclennan on selective events and community support
[03:26] Jen on movement, breath and setting boundaries
[06:15] Kath Corcoran on communication, grief and self-care
[10:54] Jennifer Tupaea on loss, rest and creating rituals
[13:45] A message of hope and kindness for the new year
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Kirsten Mclennan – Straight Up Infertility https://www.straightupinfertility.com/
Jen – Element Pilates & Yoga https://www.elementpilatesyoga.com/
Meg – For the Bareness https://www.forthebarreness.com/
Cath Corcoran – Conception, Fertility & Perinatal Psychology https://cathcorcoran.com/
Jennifer Tupaea – Pink Elephants Support Network https://www.pinkelephants.org.au/
Tasha’s Your Fertile Pantry Program yourfertilepantry.com