The IVF Journey with Dr Michael Chapman

The most difficult part of IVF is to make the decision to stop when you haven’t been successful. When is it the end of the journey? When do you decide you’ve arrived at the final stage of your IVF journey and it’s best to make a choice not to continue. In this episode, Prof shares his views on the end of the journey and how to decide when you’ve arrived at that point. Do you know someone else who...

The harsh reality is that the number of eggs and the quality of eggs deteriorate with age. In this episode, Prof explains how age affects both the number and quality of eggs. Do you know someone else who would benefit from this podcast? If so, please do share it with them.

Recently one of our listeners asked Prof what the difference was between the Antagonist cycle vs the Agonist cycle. In this episode, Prof explains how each of the drugs work, and when each is used during the cycle. Do you know someone else who would benefit from this podcast? If so, please do share it with them.

The use of the growth hormone is one particular drug that has been suggested as being useful in helping patients who are having difficulty with the number of eggs, and the quality of eggs. The growth hormone costs around $1500 for a course of treatment. In this episode, Prof shares his perspective on the growth hormone and whether or not he believes it’s worth the $1500 cost. if you know someone e...

One complication of IVF that can be life-threatening is Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome: when a large number of eggs are produced by the stimulation regimes. The estrogen levels get very high. In this episode, Prof explains Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome, it’s effects and alternative options. Do you know someone else who would benefit from this podcast? If so, please do share it with them.

Recently Prof was interviewed on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation relating to patient satisfaction surveys around IVF. In this episode, Prof discusses the key themes that emerged from the survey. Do you know someone else who would benefit from this podcast? If so, please do share it with them.

One of the effects of stimulating follicles and collecting eggs is that the lining of the womb starts to break down early and this could affect the chances of pregnancy. To address this issue progesterone was introduced into the IVF process. In this episode, Prof discusses synthetic progesterone and the role it plays in the IVF cycle. A standard medication when you undergo an IVF cycle. Do you kno...

Laparoscopy (Keyhole Surgery) In this episode, Prof discusses a keyhole surgery, also known as laparoscopy. Many infertile patients are advised to have laparoscopy by their specialist. Several causes of infertility can be detected by laparoscopy. Laparoscopy isn’t without its problems though. For one, it requires a general anesthetic. If you find this episode useful and know someone else who would...

Vasectomy Reversals It’s not uncommon for a male who has undergone a vasectomy, to have a change of heart and request a reversal. In this episode, Prof discusses the various options available and the issues that may arise around these options. If you find this episode useful and know someone else who would benefit, please do share it with them.

Different Kinds of Cysts Cysts aren’t uncommon in couples dealing with infertility. A cyst is a fluid-filled object (usually round) and sits somewhere in the pelvis. In this episode, Prof explains what a cyst is and explains it’s implications in the context of an IVF cycle. If you find this episode useful and know someone else who would benefit, please do share it with them.

Genetic Testing of Embryos In this episode, Prof discusses the controversy around genetic testing. The controversies are related to its cost, its risk, and its accuracy. Why has genetic testing not been widely used in some countries? Does genetic testing really improve the chances of success in a cycle? Prof answers these questions and more in this episode. If you find this episode useful and know...

What To Expect In An IVF Cycle You’ve been through the various investigations and your specialist has recommended you move on to IVF. In this episode, Prof discusses what processes you can expect if you choose to proceed with an IVF cycle. You’ll need to sign various consent forms that attempt to cover off issues that may arise in the future (related to treatment-related complications and other is...

How Can We Make ‘Old’ Eggs ‘Young’ In IVF? A question that’s been asked for about a decade now is how do we make old eggs young in IVF. This has become an increasingly important question given that the average age when women consider childbirth is starting to increase. As women age, their eggs reduce in quality and unfortunately affects their egg quality. In this episode, Prof discusses an issue t...

A Day In An IVF Clinic In this episode, Prof discusses shares some thoughts and insights relating to specific consultations in his clinic. Did yo find this episode useful? Can you think of someone else who would benefit? Please do share it with them.

Endometriosis Endometriosis has been getting a lot of coverage in the media lately. There’s been a call for better treatment options. Endometriosis is a situation where the cells that typically line the uterus (called the endometrium) grow outside the uterus in the abdominal cavity and/or the pelvis. It occurs in approximately 15 to 20% of women by the time they are in their 30s In this episode, P...

The Second Half of The Cycle of An IVF Typically the IVF cycle tends to involve stimulation of hormone levels. Post egg collection there is a rapid fall in those hormone levels. In this episode, Prof explains what to expect in the second cycle and how to support that second half of the cycle. If you find this episode useful and know someone else who would benefit, please do share it with them.

Should You Stop IVF? Is This The End Of The Road? In this episode, Prof discusses one of the most difficult questions he faces in his practice: “Is this the end of the road? Should I stop IVF treatment?” While one can never say never, Prof often finds himself having to tell his patients that continuing on their IVF journey to a successful conclusion would be nothing short of miraculous. While it’s...

What Does Prof Have To Say About Minimal Stimulation (Stimulation Regimes In IVF) One of Prof’s listeners writes in and asks him what he knows about minimal stimulation. In this episode, Prof starts by explaining why stimulation is required in the first place. He then goes on to explain how that plays into the broader IVF process. Listen in to find out more. If you find this episode useful and kno...

Prof Responds to ‘Fan Mail’ (Which Poses An Important Question) In this episode, Prof discovers he’s starting to receive ‘fan mail’. A wonderful email signed off as “Your Fan” asks Prof a question that’s asked quite often: “Why do we (tend to) only put one embryo back at a time (in Australia)?” Listen in to discover what Prof has to say and why doctors in Australia usually choose to stay away from...

The Emotional Side Of Male Infertility A high proportion of fertility is focused on the female. However, we tend to oversee the fact that men feel a whole range of emotions around their inability to contribute to conception. In this episode, Prof explains what it’s like to be the male in an infertile couple. He talks about the impact on the male and the various options available to him. If you fin...

How Can I Tell When I’m Ovulating “How can I tell when I’m ovulating?” That’s one of the most common questions Prof gets asked in his clinic. Tune in to this episode, to listen to Prof’s response. If you find this episode useful and know someone else who would benefit, please do share it with them.

The False Positive Pregnancy Test Can you get a false positive pregnancy test? Sadly, the answer to that question is “Yes”. In this episode, Prof explains what a false positive pregnancy test is, and it’s implications on IVF success rates. If you find this episode useful and know someone else who would benefit, please do share it with them.

Genetic Testing In IVF A significant proportion of embryos that look perfectly normal under a microscope are not genetically sound. Nature does a good job of screening out these genetically abnormal embryos. The number of genetically abnormal embryos increases with age. In this episode, Prof discusses genetic testing and how it plays into the IVF cycle. If you find this episode useful and know som...

Recent Debates Around Abortion Laws, Sex Selection and ‘Designer Babies’ In this episode, Prof discusses recent issues in relation to abortion laws and ethical guidelines around sex selection. Prof explains how the process of sex selection works in IVF and how it relates to the recent controversy around the sex selection guidelines. If you find this episode useful and know someone else who would b...

Endometriosis, It’s Effects and Solutions What’s endometriosis? What’s an endometrioma assist? In this episode, Prof explains endometriosis, and then discusses the different effects of this condition. If you find this episode useful and know someone else who would benefit, please do share it with them.