Little Bean Journey

21/03/2025

We are looking for compassionate and reliable part-time nurses to support our patients with their IVF injections.

Hours: Mornings and evenings (e.g. 7pm–10pm) – specific times to be agreed with patients.

Location: Highgate (Postcodes: N2, N6)

Remuneration: Competitive pay plus travel expenses

Requirements:
✔ Qualified nurse
✔ Fertility experience preferred but not essential
✔ Detail-oriented
✔ Punctual and professional

📩 To apply, please email:
hello@gyniime.co.uk
hr@littlebeanjourney.com

If you’re interested or know someone who might be, we’d love to hear from you!

08/04/2023

24/05/2022

HFEA, the UK’s fertility regulator, is considering scrapping anonymity for future s***m and egg donors.

Under rules in place since 2005 (https://bit.ly/3MI40RY), people conceived using donated eggs, s***m or embryos can access identifying information about the donor when they reach the age of 18, but donors can choose to remain anonymous until then.

HFEA chief executive Peter Thompson said that genetic testing from websites such as 23andMe and Ancestry were making it impossible to preserve the anonymity of donors.

What does this mean to the UK’s fertility industry? Will more patients become more likely to seek treatment abroad? Will this have an impact on people’s willingness to donate?

Read more https://bit.ly/39Rdqfv



Carrie Yang Stella Wooder Nina Y. Thomas Hopkins Alison Labya

23/05/2022

How much savings do I need to have for childcare before I start my family?

It is common knowledge that childcare is expensive! Regardless of whether you plan to start the journey on your own or with your partner, it is wise to start saving up for your childcare.

In the UK, you will need money for childcare before your child goes to school. After they go to school, you may still need childcare for after-school care and school holidays. Here are a few examples of the average costs.

• Nursery: £50 - £70 a day
• Childminder: £7 - £10 per hour
• Nanny: £10 - £18 per hour
• Au Pair: £200 - £500 per month; however, this all depends on the agreement between you and your Au Pair
• Holiday clubs: £40 - £70 per day

Which country do you live in? How much does your childcare cost? Leave your comments below or share your stories at stories@littlebeanjourney.com.

17/05/2022

Failed IVF cycles : What to do next after a failed cycle?

A failed IVF cycle can be heart-breaking and frustrating. Unfortunately, IVF treatment can be unsuccessful in many cases and can take longer than you expect. Here are a few things you can do after a failed cycle:

1. Give yourself and your body a break! It is devastating to experience a failed cycle but do keep in mind that the average IVF success rate worldwide is only 30%. Most people will experience at least 1 or 2 failed cycles. You are not alone!

2. Schedule a follow-up consultation to review your previous IVF cycle. Most of the time, it is difficult to know exactly why it failed. However, a follow-up consultation will help you understand more about your body, your fertility and future plans. In the UK, most fertility clinics offer a FREE follow-up consultation after a failed cycle, so definitely take up the offer! Even if you are planning not to have your next IVF cycle in the same clinic, it is still helpful to ask what could be done differently going forward.

3. Start to plan where and when you would like to have the next cycle. If you already have 2 or 3 failed cycles in the same clinic, it is worth exploring a different clinic, a different treatment protocol or a different doctor.

4. Explore PLAN B. If you have already experienced 5 or more failed cycles, it is time to start thinking about PLAN B. For example, how many more cycles can I do or can I afford? When do I stop? Do I need donor eggs, s***m or donor embryos? Shall I consider adoption?

Sending lots of love to those who have experienced failed IVF cycles. If you need someone to talk to and help you feel better, we are always here for you.

12/05/2022

Can I have a successful career and be a hands-on mum at the same time?

Well, it is a tough one.

It depends on the type of career you want to have, the sector you are in and the nature of your job. For those with client-facing roles in financial services, for example, it could be tricky to balance long working hours and being a hands-on mum. If you are in a male-dominated competitive work environment, it is even harder as you have less time.

So, what can we do? Managing expectations, setting priorities and starting to plan earlier are the obvious answers. Women can have a successful career and be a hands-on mum but might not have both at the same time.

What are your thoughts? Leave your comments below or share your stories at stories@littlebeanjourney.com

10/05/2022

Q: I am in my late 30s / early 40s. Is it too late to freeze my eggs?

A: It all depends on your ovarian reserve.

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and antral follicle count (AFC) are the most common ovarian reserve tests. If you are in your late 30s or early 40s and you are not sure when you will start your family, it is best to get your ovarian reserve assessed as soon as you can. You can then discuss your options with a fertility doctor.

Q: I have low AMH. Is it possible to increase my egg production?

A: No.

This is because you are born with all the eggs you will ever have. Your supply of eggs decreases over your lifespan – by the time you hit puberty, the number of eggs you have decreases to 300,000 – 400,000. After your mid-thirties, the rate of decline in the quantity and quality of your eggs accelerates.

If you have low AMH, regardless of your age, it is best to discuss your options as soon as you can with your fertility doctor.

Q: Are there any health implications with egg freezing?

A: Egg freezing is a safe process in general. However, it is worth knowing that some women may feel bloated or experience ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). It is important to choose a credible clinic and make sure that you understand the process yourself before you start the medical procedure.

Q: I couldn’t decide when to do egg freezing. What should I do?

A: Remember: the earlier you freeze your eggs, the higher your chances of success will be later on.

If you could not decide when to freeze your eggs, the first thing is to get your ovarian reserve assessed and have a gynaecological examination. If you are young, healthy and your test results show that you have a good ovarian reserve, then you have a bit more time before freezing your eggs. Otherwise, it is best to get the journey started soon.

If you have any more questions on egg freezing, please leave them in the comments or drop us an email at support@littlebeanjourney.com. You can also learn more about fertility in our website www.littlebeanjourney.com.

05/05/2022

We are so excited to join The Festival of Female Empowerment this Saturday (7th May). This event will be held at The Amelia Scott ( ) in Tunbridge Wells. The Amelia Scott is a new cultural hub opened recently to celebrate culture, education and community.

Our director, Carrie Yang, will give a talk on Managing Fertility and Career at 14:35 on Saturday. We look forward to seeing you there!

Little Bean Journey Team
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27/04/2022

Are you planning to return to work after a year’s maternity / paternity leave or career break?

Are you looking for a job that could fulfil your potential?

Do you find it hard to look for a job which is more in line with your skills and experience?

Join our “Return to Work” program – How to Make my CV Stand Out? to get practical tips and advice on how to get more opportunities.

Sign up this coaching program on our website https://littlebeanjourney.com/.../returning-to-work-how.../ or email us at support@littlebeanjourney.com for more information

It doesn’t matter whether you’re senior or junior, what industry or occupation you worked in previously, or how long your career break has been. You may have been taking a year’s maternity leave; you may have taken a lower- paid, part-time, temporary or self-employed role to fit around your ca...

09/02/2022

In the first issue of 360 ME – our new magazine all about raising awareness of – we had the amazing opportunity to sit down and talk to Rhian about how her egg freezing journey.

We got to learn about Rhian’s initial considerations when, at the age of 35, she decided she wanted to take the pressure off her dating life and look into freezing her eggs. As she continued her journey, we learnt what worked for her and what didn’t, and how she managed to fit egg freezing into her lifestyle during the pandemic. Although the process required time and research, Rhian told us how “it was good to be in control” of her body and future.

If you’re considering egg freezing yourself, Rhian’s story is a must-read! Her in-depth answers shine a light on the most common questions many people have about egg freezing, and show how empowering the process of egg-freezing can truly be.

Check the link in our bio to read the full article in our magazine, 360 ME, and be sure to to learn more about her experience!

02/02/2022

Miscarriage is a tremendously difficult experience that unfortunately affects many couples. While there are understandably more resources available to help women, in general there is a lack of support for men, who often also struggle with the fallout of miscarriage.

Both women and men deserve help as they work through their grief, yet so many men suffer in silence. That’s why Chris Whitfield founded his website, Miscarriage for Men (www.miscarriageformen.com) after his wife had a in February 2021. He discovered first-hand that not only is there minimal support for , but that most male partners choose to suppress their emotions instead of speaking up about their feelings.

Gynii Me partnered with Miscarriage for Men to create a survey that would help us learn more about the impact of miscarriage on male partners and how best to support them.

Now, in our reproductive health magazine, 360 ME, we are sharing the results with you.

Click the link below to read them and more. If you would like to receive support or learn how to provide support for a loved one, please get in touch with Chris Whitfield at Miscarriage for Men or Gynii Me (360me@gyniime.co.uk).

https://bit.ly/3qL5O4c

25/01/2022

For a number of different reasons, an increasing number of women are deciding to have a go at starting a family by themselves. Starting a family is a big decision for anyone, whatever your situation. Single women will think long and hard about becoming a solo mum before deciding it’s the right option for them.

We had the wonderful opportunity to talk to entrepreneur and solo mum, Angel Xue about her experience with IVF and having her beautiful son in our new magazine, 360 ME! She is one of many women that have decided to start a family by themselves. As the founder of womenswear line ANGELEYE (www.angeleyefashion.com) Angel has always been a driven and independent individual, so when she realised she wanted to have a baby in 2012, she knew she had a lot to consider.

Join us as we unpack her journey to motherhood, from dating to choosing an unknown donor to telling her friends and family. Now, as a proud mother, she has told us that “her only regret is not having him sooner!”

Whether you’re considering solo motherhood yourself or just curious, Angel’s story is well-worth reading.

You can read the article through the following links:

Read on our website (https://bit.ly/3qL5O4c)
Read on ISSUU (https://bit.ly/3GOa4p8)

If you would like to share your story, please contact us at 360me@gyniime.co.uk.