IVF Real Talk

At just 24 years old, Simone’s world shifted when she came off the pill and was told she was going through early menopause. What followed was something she never expected to face so young. In this episode, Simone shares how she navigated the shock of her diagnosis, processed the need for an egg donor, and how a remarkable friend, who crossed her path at just the right time, stepped forward with a...

In this heartwarming and honest conversation, we sit down with Elizabeth Car, the very first baby born through IVF in the United States. Elizabeth shares the incredible story of how her parents made history, what it was like growing up with the world watching, and how she turned that spotlight into a lifelong mission to educate and advocate. We talk about the challenges her family faced, the press...

Considering surrogacy abroad? This episode is your guide to navigating the complex world of international surrogacy. We break down what intended parents need to know, from choosing the right country and avoiding common pitfalls, to understanding the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ families. We chat with Olga from The Surrogacy Insider, an independent surrogacy consultant who supports intended pa...

We’re back with our trusted Fertility Specialist, Dr. Charley Zheng, someone who has supported both of us through our own fertility journeys, for a deeply honest and, at times, controversial conversation. In this episode, we ask Charley all the burning, unanswered questions we’ve been holding onto, the ones that so many patients think about but rarely get to discuss openly with their doctor. Toget...

In this episode, we’re joined by Professor Georgina Chambers, Director of the National Perinatal Epidemiology and Statistics Unit at UNSW Sydney, to discuss the award winning YourIVFSuccess website. Professor Chambers explains how this government-funded platform is Australia’s first and only independent source of IVF clinic success rates to help bring transparency to patients on their fertility jo...

What really happens in the lab where life begins? In this episode, we sit down with a senior embryologist from Genea, Sanj, a passionate and dedicated embryologist, to explore the science, emotion, and wonder behind fertility treatments and early human development. From handling precious embryos to navigating the ethical and emotional terrain of IVF, Sanj shares powerful insights, unexpected chall...

The episode everyone has been asking and waiting for. You may know Ilina from Big Miracles, but today, you’ll hear the story behind the scenes, in this intimate and heartfelt conversation, Ilina opens up about her IVF journey: the quiet moments of waiting, the private heartbreaks, and the flickers of hope that kept her going. She reflects on what it means to live in limbo, to grieve and hope at th...

Trying to conceive isn’t always straightforward and when terms like “unexplained infertility” or “secondary infertility” come into play, it’s easy to feel lost. In this candid and empowering episode, Dr. Simon Nothman a top fertility specialist, joins us to break down what these terms actually mean, what the journey to answers can look like, and why fertility care is about so much more than just I...

Bree and Lou, a same-sex couple, share their deeply personal journey through IUI and IVF. What began with optimism quickly shifted when they realised the clinic saw them as an “easy case” a label that didn’t reflect the complexity of their experience. From navigating challenges in their relationship to starting new treatment interstate, their story highlights the unique experiences LGBTQ+ couples...

In this episode, we delve into the rising trend of solo IVF, where individuals are choosing to build families independently. Dr. Violet Kieu Fertility specialist and Clinical Director at Melbourne IVF and an expert in reproductive medicine, unpacks the societal, emotional, and practical factors driving this shift. From donor options to legal considerations, we explore the landscape of solo parenth...

In this episode, Blanka, an IVF Patient Care Coordinator at Genitrix IVF in Prague, provides clear, expert advice on what to expect when seeking IVF treatment abroad. Prague has become a leading destination for fertility care, offering high-quality services at competitive prices. Blanka discusses everything from the process of IVF treatment and how to prepare for your trip, to the important factor...

Research fellow Dr Sarah Lensen joins this episode to discuss the launch of Evidence-based IVF, a new website developed by University of Melbourne researchers to help IVF patients make informed decisions about optional treatment add-ons. Dr Sarah Lensen, who leads the initiative, discusses how the site uses high-quality research to clarify the benefits, risks, and costs of commonly offered extras,...

Lucy and Yaelle reflect on their IVF experiences—what they wish they’d done differently, and what they learned along the way. They also answer listener-submitted questions about their journeys. This episode is sponsored by WHEN FertilityCheck your egg count at home with a simple finger-prick test. Get fast, clear insights into your fertility health—on your terms. Use discount code REALTALK20 for 2...

In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to be joined by Dr. I-Ferne Tan, a fertility specialist with a patient-centered approach who has personally navigated her own fertility journey. Dr. Tan answers your burning questions, including:IVF dos and don’ts, How fertile are we really? What tests should be done before considering IVF?Are there any long-term effects from multiple IVF cycles?...and much more!...

Big Miracles - Billie joins us to share her emotional journey of discovering, at the age of 12, that she was born with a rare condition called MRKH, which meant she was born without a uterus. in this heartfelt conversation, Billie opens up about the emotional challenges she faced growing up feeling different and navigating life with a condition that meant she couldn’t carry her own baby. One of th...

In this enlightening and controversial episode, A/Prof Dr. Michael Cooper, a leading endometriosis surgeon and fertility doctor with over 30 years of experience, joins the podcast to take a deep dive into the complex world of endometriosis, IVF and fertility. Dr. Cooper is asked some pressing questions, including:- Should surgery or IVF be the first step when facing infertility ?- How can one prev...

In this episode, we speak to Jon, known on socials as The Infertility Man, who shares his personal story of dealing with infertility after being diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2011. Jon opens up about how the diagnosis and its aftermath deeply affected him. Jon talks about undergoing two microTESE (microsurgical testicular sperm extraction) procedures and the emotional toll they took on him....

Jo and Adrian join the podcast to share their IVF journey, which began with an overwhelming sense of uncertainty, as the cause of their struggles remained unexplained despite numerous attempts and treatments. After multiple miscarriages, they both found themselves navigating a maze of doctors, specialists, and testing, yet answers remained elusive. The emotional toll was immense, and the fear of n...

We sit down with Stef, a fertility dietitian & nutritionist, to dive deep into all things fertility nutrition! From her own egg freezing journey to answering YOUR burning questions like: Does eating McDonald's fries after an IVF transfer really help? Are Brazil nuts, pomegranates, and pineapple cores fertility superfoods? What supplements are a MUST for fertility? Foods and drinks to avoid whi...

In today’s episode, we are joined by A/Prof. Mikhail Sarofim, an excision surgeon who is passionate about women’s health. We have an open discussion, sharing some of our own experiences living with endometriosis, while also asking Professor Sarofim questions that the listeners have sent in, such as: Excision vs. ablation surgery? What is silent endometriosis? Where is the strangest place you have...

In this episode, we speak with A/Prof Gavin Sacks, a leading fertility specialist known for his groundbreaking work in treating infertility and recurrent miscarriage. As the Clinical Director of IVF Australia’s Bondi and Alexandria Clinics, Professor Sacks shares insights on his pioneering "Bondi Protocol" for implantation failure and miscarriage, and the Natural Killer Cell activity test, tune in...

Chantelle joins today's episode to share her 4-year long journey, which included 5 specialist, countless tests, tears and back-to-back failures, Chantelle followed her intuition and gut in the search for answers. Follow Chantelle on socials @ https://www.instagram.com/chantelle.barresi/ https://www.pinkelephants.org.au/ DISCLAIMER: please refer to your medical professional for medical advice a...

In today's episode, we chat with Carissa, an experienced acupuncturist, about the role acupuncture can play in supporting IVF journeys. She answers all of our questions and explains how acupuncture works alongside IVF treatments to enhance success. Carissa discusses the best times to begin acupuncture, the frequency of sessions, and the overall benefits it can offer throughout the IVF process....

Yana, a lawyer and a typical Type A personality, joins us from the UK to share her IVF journey, which began with back-to-back total fertilisation failure rounds—something that only happens 2-5% of the time in IVF. Feeling lost and confused, she traveled to Belgium to participate in a scientific experiment, determined to find answers. Unfortunately, Yana was left with more questions than answers. A...

When Sarah and her husband decided they were ready to try for a baby the unthinkable happened, her husband got diagnosed with cancer, after successful radiotherapy treatment they were faced with further challenges and told they would need to delay trying for a further 6 months, after patiently waiting yet again it was not straight forward as they struggled to conceive on their own. Sarah asked for...