IVF Real Talk

If you're trying to conceive and wondering what your options are before IVF, this episode is for you. Lucy and Yaelle are joined by fertility specialist Dr Juliette Koch from Repromed to unpack the different fertility treatments available and explain how specialists determine the right pathway for each patient. From ovulation induction and timed intercourse through to IUI, IVF, and ICSI, we ex...

After asking listeners to share their best IVF hacks andtips, the hosts dive into the responses, discussing the practical, the surprising, and the heartwarming ideas that helped people through treatment. Along the way, they chat about which tips are backed by experience, which ones simply make the journey more manageable, and why every IVF experience is different. Whether you're preparing for...

In this episode, Professor Deirdre Zander-Fox, Chief Scientific Officer at Monash IVF Group  talks about all things embryology and what happens behind the scenes in the lab. From fertilisation and embryo development to understanding attrition rates, embryo quality, and why some embryos stop developing, we unpack one of the most anxious parts of the IVF journey. We also discuss the emotional side o...

In this episode, Lucy and Yaelle explore something many people experience during fertility treatment but rarely hear talked about: IVF brain. From forgetfulness and brain fog to emotional overwhelm and mental fatigue, they unpack why it happens, including the impact of hormones, stress, and the emotional load of treatment. They also discuss what it can feel like to navigate everyday life, work, an...

This week for Men’s Health Week, we’re joined by Dr Kishani Kannangara from Monash IVF to talk all things male infertility. From understanding male factor infertility and when to get tested, to the lifestyle factors that can impact sperm health, this episode is packed with important conversations we don’t hear enough about. We also chat about how to support your partner through a male factor diagn...

Hey friends and family of someone trying to conceive, this episode is for you. Lucy & Yaelle open up about the inner thoughts, emotional triggers and hidden struggles that can come with infertility and IVF. From pregnancy announcements and baby showers to everyday comments people don’t realise can hurt, this honest conversation gives insight into what your loved one may be silently carrying. A...

This week we’re joined by Dr Dhanushi Fernando from Monash IVF to talk about navigating the overwhelming world of fertility advice and IVF information. From social media trends and online fertility advice to knowing when to stop researching and trust your specialist, we unpack how to stay informed without feeling completely overwhelmed. We also chat about comparison, family expectations, and prote...

This week we’re joined by Claire Byrne, Senior Psychologist at Monash IVF, to talk about the emotional side of fertility treatment and why emotional wellbeing is such an important part of the IVF journey. From anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and feeling like you’re “not coping,” to navigating relationship challenges, family opinions, and the unexpected emotional weight of treatment, we unpack the rea...

In this episode, the hosts read out listeners’ juicy baby shower dilemmas and share their honest reactions and relatable experiences. From family drama and awkward moments to the emotional reality of attending baby showers while trying to conceive. This conversation is raw, relatable and one so many women will understand. DISCLAIMER: please refer to your medical professional for medical advice as...

In this episode, Dr Ying Li, fertility specialist at Genea, joins us for a no-filter conversation covering the topics everyone is thinking about. We talk through when to seek help, how much lifestyle really matters, and why male fertility is still not talked about enough. We also unpack the myths patients are hearing online, and what’s actually fact vs fiction when it comes to fertility. We dive i...

In this episode, we’re joined by an IVF nurse Fran from Monday Fertility to talk about OTO,  a wearable designed to track stress, sleep, and 50+ biomarkers. Fran breaks down how it works, what it actually measures, and where it might fit into a real-life fertility journey. We also share practical tips on navigating sleep, the two-week wait, and more, because it’s not just about the data, it’s abou...

In this episode, Dr Anthony Marren, Sydney CBD Medical Director at Genea Fertility, joins us to talk through egg freezing, what it involves, who it’s for, and what to consider before making the decision. We discuss how age plays a role, what the process can look like in reality, and the key differences between freezing eggs and embryos. We also unpack the risks of putting it off, along with some b...

Egg collection is one of the biggest milestones in IVF and also one of the most overwhelming. In this episode, we break it all down in a simple, honest way from injections and trigger, to the procedure itself, to what recovery actually feels like. We also share the emotional highs and lows that come with it and the things we wish someone had told us beforehand. Whether you're about to go throu...

Sarah was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at just 13, a moment that would shape so much of her life. In this episode, she opens up about living with chronic illness, undergoing surgery and having a stoma, and the unexpected challenges she faced on her journey to motherhood. Through IVF, loss, and ultimately surrogacy, Sarah’s story is raw, honest, and incredibly powerful. This conversation is a rem...

In Part Two, the hosts continue the conversation around real fertility dilemmas sent in by listeners. They explore the emotional toll of staying or starting over and unpack the moments that feel impossible to choose between. These stories highlight the mental load of infertility and the quiet decisions happening behind the scenes, ones that can feel just as heavy as the journey itself. The podcast...

In this episode, the hosts open the floor to fertility dilemmas sent in by listeners. From IVF decisions and the stress of changing clinics to the pressure felt from family members, they talk through the real-life situations people face while trying to conceive. These stories reflect the emotional complexities of infertility and the many challenges people experience along the way. DISCLAIMER: plea...

In this episode, we’re opening the floor to your questions and sharing more about ourselves. From our IVF journeys and even the times we’ve disagreed, we get real about what it’s like running this podcast together, and how friendship, honesty, and a little laughter keep us going. DISCLAIMER: please refer to your medical professional for medical advice as this podcast is based on individual persona...

Infertility can feel incredibly isolating. In this episode, we share how we found the IVF community, where it actually exists, and how it completely changed our journey. From feeling alone and misunderstood to finding people who truly get it, we talk about the online spaces, friendships, and unexpected connections that carried us through some of our hardest moments. If you’ve ever wondered where y...

This week, we’re having an essential conversation about  endometriosis and adenomyosis, two conditions that affect so many people, yet are still widely misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and dismissed. In recognition of  Endometriosis and Adenomyosis Awareness Month , we’re joined by  Dr Devini Ameratunga https://www.instagram.com/dr_dev_ameratunga/ a board-certified Fertility Specialist, Medical Dire...

Laparoscopy can be a huge, overwhelming decision, whether it’s suggested for fertility reasons, endometriosis diagnosis, or to help manage ongoing pain. And if they’re being honest…  Lucy and Yaelle were so scared . In this episode, Lucy and Yaelle share their  full laparoscopy experience , from the anxiety leading up to surgery day to recovery at home. They talk openly about  why they choose to h...

Being told  “everything looks normal”  can feel anything but reassuring, especially when you’re still not getting pregnant. In this episode, we gently explore  unexplained infertility  with  Dr Kokum , a fertility specialist from  Melbourne IVF , who also understands this diagnosis on a deeply personal level after walking through her own journey with unexplained infertility. We talk about what une...

Lucy and Yaelle are back! In their first episode of 2026, the hosts ease back into things with a check-in on where they’ve been. Then, things get a little unhinged. Listeners were asked to send in their most outrageous ,unexpected, and unforgettable fertility moments, and they absolutely delivered. From laugh-out-loud chaos to stories that made everyone pause and take a breath, the hosts read thro...

For the season finale, and the last episode of the year, we’re looking back at the moments that shaped this season. We chat about the episode we’d delete if we could, the one that almost didn’t make it to air, and what really goes on behind the scenes. A massive thank you to our listeners and sponsors. we’re taking a break and will be back in the new year! DISCLAIMER: please refer to your medical...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Jen Edmonds todive deep into stress, nervous system regulation, and the transformative turning points that reshaped her life. Jen opens up about her own fertility journey and the moment she realised stress had completely taken over, the signsshe ignored, and the breakthroughs that sparked her healing. We explore how chronic stress shows up in the body, wh...

Today Lucy and Yaelle are giving you a real-time update: how they are navigating food, what sleep currently looks like with toodlers, and how our parenting style continues to evolve. No perfect routines, no expert advice, just our experience, what’s working, and what we’re still figuring out our new IVF mums