Q&A: Infertility, the club no one wants to be part of

Jaimee Lupton is the co-founder of best-selling beauty and personal care brands MONDAY Haircare, Osāna Naturals, Châlon Paris and Being haircare. She is also the founder of Gingernut’s Angels, an organisation that provides fertility grants in New Zealand Aotearoa.

Is there a specific topic relating to Women’s Health that resonates with you? Why? 

I have had a complex fertility journey, and it's something I have become quite passionate about raising awareness around and helping to 'normalise' the conversation a little. My partner Nick and I did multiple rounds of IVF, on and off, over the course of about five years. In that time I experienced a lot of setbacks and heartbreak, and our daughter Gingernut was born still but perfect at 24 weeks. After several more rounds of IVF our second daughter Noa was born in March 2024 and she is the most special little gift. 

What would you say to someone who may be struggling with infertility? 

It can be hard to give advice, because often the experience is so difficult and isolating, sometimes nothing anyone can say will make you feel any better. They say infertility is like a club that no one wants to be part of! But I found a lot of solace in connecting with people who had been through similar experiences, and leaning on my support network of family, friends and of course my partner. Speaking to a mental health professional if you are able can also be so valuable. People underestimate the toll a difficult fertility journey can take on your mental wellbeing, your emotions and your relationships.

Earlier this year, I established Gingernut’s Angels in order to provide financial grants to individuals and couples who are on that less-than-straightforward fertility path. Grants can be used for IVF and other fertility treatments, to help alleviate some of this burden—and keep the hope for people. This year we raised $680,000 which will go toward dozens of grants for deserving New Zealanders. Establishing Gingernut’s Angels has been incredibly rewarding and my hope is it helps create families all across NZ in my daughter’s legacy. 

How has your journey or approach to your own health changed over the last 10 years?

I can be guilty of working constantly and not making time for myself, especially during particularly busy periods. I have to make a real effort to carve out time for myself to do things like Pilates, get a massage or just switch off and spend time with friends and family. Since my daughter has arrived it's been so special to spend quality time with her and this is something that has forced me to disconnect a little more. 

What is something you do on a daily basis that contributes positively to your own health? 

Spending time with my daughter is something that brings me a huge sense of fulfilment and fills up my cup, so to speak. On a physical level, taking walks with her and doing weekly Pilates classes keeps me moving and feeling healthy and balanced.

What are you prioritising in the next 10 years to support a long and healthy lifestyle?

As we grow our family I'm committed to looking after myself and prioritising my health. Personally, my difficult fertility journey has taken a huge emotional, mental and physical toll. While I can't always put myself first because of work and family, learning to tend to my own needs and stresses is something that has been key for me.