The IVF Journey with Dr Michael Chapman

In this episode, Prof Chapman is joined by a fertility support nurse to explore the gaps in patient care during IVF treatment. They discuss the most common concerns women face — from needle phobia and administering that first injection, to post-egg-collection bleeding and knowing when symptoms warrant escalation. Prof Chapman offers a frank comparison of Australia’s premium versus low-cost I...

Prof. Chapman introduces Natalie from Australia IVF Concierge, highlighting the emotional and practical support gap patients face at home during fertility treatment. Focus: the psychological burden of IVF (60% first-cycle failure rate), medication management, injection anxiety, and waiting uncertainty. Natalie explains how nurse-led home visits provide reassurance, education, and holistic support...

In this episode, Prof Chapman explains ovarian tissue cryopreservation, including who it is genuinely suitable for, why it remains largely an experimental fertility preservation technique, and its role for women facing urgent cancer treatment. He also answers a detailed question from a patient who has received a strong positive beta hCG result following embryo transfer. Prof Chapman discusses whet...

In this episode, Prof Chapman explains how he approaches patients who have already spent tens of thousands of dollars on unsuccessful IVF treatment and are seeking a second opinion. He discusses the importance of reviewing previous cycles in detail, identifying anything that may have been missed, and tailoring a new treatment strategy to improve outcomes. Prof Chapman also highlights the often-ove...

In this episode, Prof Chapman answers a listener’s question about the success rates of IUI and IVF for a 37-year-old woman, explaining when IUI may be worth trying, why success rates drop after a few cycles, and how IVF can offer significantly higher cumulative pregnancy rates. He also shares practical advice on choosing the right fertility clinic, including what to look for in specialists, labora...

In this episode, Prof Chapman explores how ethical concerns around IVF have evolved over the past four decades. He reflects on the early fears surrounding IVF, including concerns about interfering with nature and the long-term health of IVF-conceived children, and explains how decades of research have helped address many of those worries. Prof Chapman also shares his views on topics such as gender...

In this episode, Prof Chapman answers a listener’s question about whether frozen embryos should be thawed, genetically tested, and refrozen for PGT. He explains the small risk of embryo loss associated with the process, how PGT can significantly improve the chances of selecting a genetically normal embryo, and why the decision often depends on age, embryo numbers, and individual fertility goals. P...

In this episode, Prof Chapman explains why human fertility is far less predictable than most people expect — and why even healthy couples may need up to 12 months to conceive naturally. He breaks down the real monthly chances of pregnancy, why IVF isn’t always the first answer, and the importance of patience when trying for a baby. Prof Chapman also shares a serious warning about anabolic steroids...

In this episode, Prof Chapman explains how fertility specialists help couples decide between continuing to try naturally, moving to IUI, or starting IVF — without losing valuable time. He breaks down how age, fertility history, success rates, costs, and previous pelvic surgeries all influence treatment decisions. The discussion also covers IVF after endometriosis surgery, ectopic pregnancy, fibroi...

In this episode, Prof Chapman explains the critical role mitochondrial health and energy metabolism play in egg competence and embryo development. He breaks down why egg quality declines with age, how chromosome errors happen, and the science behind popular fertility supplements like CoQ10, NADH, and DHEA. Prof Chapman also discusses emerging treatments such as PRP ovarian rejuvenation, why many t...

In this episode, Prof Chapman explains how he approaches patients seeking a second opinion after a disappointing IVF experience at another clinic. He discusses the emotional toll of failed fertility treatment, the importance of reviewing previous cycles in detail, and why individualized treatment strategies can sometimes make a difference. Prof Chapman also shares the realities of IVF success rate...

In this episode, Prof Chapman answers a common and important question from patients with low ovarian response: is it worth doing two IVF stimulation cycles close together to improve results? He explains why current evidence doesn’t strongly support repeated or back-to-back stimulation as a way to boost egg numbers, and highlights the role of natural biological variation from cycle to cycle—especia...

In this episode, Prof Chapman explains how AMH levels and antral follicle counts are used to assess ovarian reserve—and why they don’t tell the full story about egg quality or natural conception chances. He clarifies common misconceptions, especially for women trying to conceive in their 30s and 40s, and shares when it may be time to consider IVF. Prof Chapman also discusses the growing role of AI...

In this episode, Prof Chapman explains ovarian reserve, how AMH testing works, and why low levels don’t always mean poor fertility. He highlights that egg quality depends on age—not AMH—and cautions against rushing into IVF based on misunderstood results. Explore the ‘Prof. Michael Chapman – The IVF Journey’ Facebook Page, your reliable destination for cutting-edge insights and g...

In this episode, Prof Chapman breaks down the facts about fibroids—what they are, why they form, and how they impact fertility. He explains the different types of fibroids based on their location, highlighting why submucosal fibroids are the most significant when it comes to implantation and miscarriage risk. Prof Chapman also walks through how fibroids are diagnosed, when treatment is necessary,...

In this episode, Prof Chapman answers key questions from patients navigating their fertility journey—from what tests to take before starting IVF to how to interpret mosaic embryo results. He breaks down the science behind embryo genetics in simple terms, offering clarity on what mosaic embryos really mean and why they may not be as concerning as they seem. The discussion also explores when fresh v...

In this episode, Prof Chapman addresses a challenging case of repeated frozen embryo transfer (FET) failures and explores what truly matters before trying again. He discusses why immune therapies like steroids and Clexane may not be as effective as commonly believed, and highlights the importance of embryo quality—particularly genetic testing to rule out aneuploidy. Prof Chapman also shares emergi...

In this episode, Prof Chapman cuts through common misconceptions in fertility treatment explaining why a previous natural pregnancy doesn’t change the diagnostic process, what “euploid” and “aneuploid” embryos actually mean for IVF success, and why the popular belief that quality always trumps quantity when it comes to eggs is more nuanced than most patients realise....

In this episode, Prof Chapman breaks down recurrent miscarriage, including which baseline tests are truly worth doing, which findings actually change treatment, and which commonly suggested tests have weak evidence behind them. He explains the role of embryo chromosomal abnormalities, balanced translocation, uterine assessment, antiphospholipid syndrome, sperm DNA fragmentation, and when options l...

In this episode, Prof Chapman answers two important IVF questions: whether an Ovidrel trigger can cause a rise in TSH, and why the same patient can have very different ovarian responses in back-to-back IVF cycles. He explains the biology behind temporary thyroid changes during treatment, the role of rising estrogen, and why ovarian response is never exactly the same from one cycle to the next. Pro...

In this episode, Prof Chapman explains why severe endometriosis can create a difficult fertility dilemma, especially when ovarian cysts need surgical removal. He shares how surgery for endometriomas, while sometimes necessary, can reduce ovarian reserve by damaging healthy ovarian tissue. Prof Chapman discusses why many fertility specialists now recommend doing IVF first, freezing embryos before s...

In this episode, Prof Chapman breaks down why endometriosis is one of the most underdiagnosed causes of infertility — affecting up to 30% of infertile women, often with no symptoms at all. He explains exactly how it damages fertility, what to watch for, and why getting the right diagnosis early can make all the difference. Explore the ‘Prof. Michael Chapman – The IVF Journey’ Fac...

In this episode, Prof Chapman cuts through the noise to reveal what’s truly moved the needle in IVF over the past decade — and it’s not what most patients expect. From the quiet revolution happening in fertility lab culture mediums and incubators, to the game-changing shift in embryo freezing techniques, Prof Chapman shares the under-the-radar advances that have pushed pregnancy rates...

In this episode, Prof Chapman explains why selecting the right fertility specialist can significantly influence your IVF journey and outcomes. Responding to questions about failed protocols, limited embryos in storage, and embryo grading, he breaks down what classifications like “3BB” really mean and how treatment strategies can be refined to improve your chances. Drawing on over four decades of e...

In this episode, Prof Chapman answers a listener’s question about recovering from surgery before restarting IVF, and then opens up about one of the most challenging parts of his work which is the difficult conversations that follow failed embryo transfers. He explains why even in women under 38, the success rate per transfer is only around 40%, and why that still leaves so many patients searching...