The former education secretary reveals she had IVF and was told she had less than a 1 per cent chance of having a child
Read more in The Times
LISTEN HERE:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/breaking-the-taboo-with-theo-clarke/id1791997791
In this powerful and deeply personal episode, former UK Cabinet Minister Gillian Keegan speaks to our host Theo Clarke publicly for the first time about her experience of infertility and IVF. She reflects on the challenges of undergoing fertility treatment while building an international career, the heartbreak of unsuccessful IVF, finding purpose after infertility, and the unexpected joys of becoming a stepmother. Gillian also shares lessons from public life and why she believes women’s health must become a greater national priority.
Topics discussed on the show include: IVF; infertility; fertility treatment; balancing career and family aspirations; being a stepparent; building resilience; improving women’s health policy; fertility awareness; support for women trying to conceive; and breaking the stigma around reproductive health.
BIOGRAPHIES
Gillian Keegan has had a long career which took her from an apprenticeship in a car factory in Liverpool, the start of a successful 30 year business career, and led her to the top of the UK Government. She served as the Secretary of State for Education from 2022-2024 and held various other ministerial portfolios during her seven years in Parliament. Since leaving Parliament she has continued to invest in businesses and is a broadcaster and political commentator regularly appearing on Good Morning Britain and Sky News. She lives in Petworth with her husband Michael and has been a step-mother to two stepsons for the past 27 years.
Follow @gilliankeegan
Theo Clarke is a podcaster, author and former Member of Parliament. She chaired the first parliamentary inquiry into birth trauma in British history and won Speech of the Year at the Parliamentarian of the Year Awards. She has been included in the prestigious Top 100 Women in Westminster list three years in a row. Theo hosts the hit podcast ‘Breaking the Taboo’ which ranks in the Top 5% most listened to shows globally, and a monthly book club at ‘A Thread of One’s Own’. She has also published a bestselling memoir ‘Breaking the Taboo: why we need to talk about birth trauma‘ which was shortlisted for the Westminster Book Awards.Follow: @theoclarkemp
Resources
Fertility Network UK
https://fertilitynetworkuk.org
HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority)https://www.hfea.gov.uk
NHS IVF Information https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ivf/
How to Fail by Elizabeth Day
This podcast is sponsored by the law firm Irwin Mitchell.
DISCLAIMER: This show is not intended to be medical advice – please seek advice from a GP or doctor.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theodoraclarke.substack.com