What To Expect When You're Injecting by Fiercely Infertile

Pregnancy after infertility is supposed to feel like relief… but for so many, it feels like fear. In this episode, clinical and counselling psychologist Liz Bancroft helps us unravel the messy, unspoken truth that comes after “good news.” We talk about the terror that replaces joy, the constant checking and overthinking, the grief that travels with you into every scan, and the guilt of not feeling...

Turns out, the male fertility experience is more than just "going into a room"—though let's be real, those rooms are dire . Journalist Simon Collins breaks down what blokes actually need to know about IVF: how to support your partner, why educating yourself matters more than your sample quality, and why making fertility your entire personality helps absolutely no one. From earning t...

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month and this week's episode features Jacqui, who turned her grief after two losses into purpose as Chair of the Rose Garden committee at KEMH. She shares how she transformed that devastating grief into something powerful. We discuss why we need to completely reframe the language we use around pregnancy loss, the well-meaning comments that cause...

Donor conception is a deeply personal decision, whether you're considering becoming a donor or choosing one to build your family. Caily Martin and Hayley Gale, Donor Coordinators at Concept Fertility, guide both sides of this journey with compassion and clarity. For those considering donation, they explain the screening process, counselling requirements, and what it means to help create famil...

Weight and fertility is far more complex than BMI numbers suggest. Dr. Michelle Wellman and Nicole McPherson from Fertility SA tackle this sensitive topic from both female and male perspectives. Dr. Wellman examines the complete weight spectrum, from the overlooked dangers of being underweight to obesity complications, addressing clinic BMI requirements, eating disorders' hidden impacts, and...

That first fertility clinic appointment can feel overwhelming, the waiting room anxiety, wondering if you've prepared enough, not knowing what questions to ask. In this essential episode, Dr. Chandrika Parmar, Director at Genea Fertility Melbourne City, walks through everything patients need to know before, during, and after their first consultation. From the must-have tests to request from y...

Meet Marcia, a stylist turned wellbeing entrepreneur, as she shares the story behind her 6-part Substack series My Story . What begins as a four-year journey through burnout, medical trauma, and unexplained infertility evolves into a path of holistic healing, transformation, and ultimately, a profound spiritual awakening. Along the way, Marcia reflects on the pivotal moments that have shaped her,...

OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome) is a condition that can occur during IVF treatment, and understanding it helps you make informed decisions about your care. Dr. Sebastian Leathersich, Medical Director at Concept Fertility and CREI specialist, joins us for an informative conversation about what OHSS is, who might be more likely to experience it, and what treatment options are available. Dr....

The first phone call to a fertility clinic can be one of the most vulnerable moments in someone's journey to parenthood. In this heartwarming episode, Leana Fallen, Patient Engagement Coordinator at Fertility SA, shares the crucial role she plays in making that first interaction meaningful and supportive. Leana discusses how patient engagement goes far beyond scheduling appointments - it&apos...

Meet Rosie, who wanted to share her story even though she's still in the thick of it all and is a beautiful reminder that you don't need a happy ending to inspire others, sometimes sharing the messy middle is exactly what someone else needs to hear. Rosie thought she'd be a young mum but found herself starting her fertility journey at 28. After a heartbreaking chemical pregnancy and...

Join us as we celebrate the incredible women choosing solo motherhood with fertility specialist Dr. Rose McDonnell from Genea Perth. These remarkable women are redefining family on their own terms, showing extraordinary courage and determination to pursue their dreams of motherhood. Dr. McDonnell shares her admiration for these patients and provides expert guidance on the medical journey, from opt...

In this episode, Dr. Chandrika Parmar fearlessly tackles the fertility questions that keep patients awake at night but too embarrassed to ask out loud. As Director of Genea Fertility Melbourne City, she dives into collection room etiquette, post-procedure intimacy, and whether naming your embryos is totally normal (spoiler: it is). With her clinical expertise, refreshing candour, and drawing from...

Shannon and Jared Baker's four-year fertility journey is a testament to resilience, love, and never giving up on their dream of parenthood. Facing the dual challenge of azoospermia and endometriosis, this determined couple navigated two micro TESA surgeries, seven egg collections, and nine embryo transfers across three different clinics before welcoming their beautiful baby boy through donor...

As we commemorate World IVF Day on July 25th, celebrating nearly five decades since the first IVF baby changed reproductive medicine forever, we're witnessing an unprecedented technological revolution that's reshaping the future of fertility treatment. Join Nicole McPherson, Director of Research & Science Education at Genea Fertility, as she explores how artificial intelligence and c...

Some of the most wanted, most loved children in the world are conceived through the incredible gift of donor conception. In this heartwarming episode, Senior Fertility Counsellor Brooke Calo from Fertility SA powered by Genea brings over 20 years of women's health experience to guide us through the beautiful, complex world of donor conception. From the evolving legislation, to the deeply pers...

Meet Katie Dunn, a voice we desperately need in the fertility space. At 39, Katie made the conscious decision to step away from fertility treatment after multiple rounds of IUI and IVF across two different chapters of her life. But here's what makes Katie's story so powerful - she calls this her HAPPY ending. Katie writes about alternative happy endings on her Substack 'Afterglow,&a...

Endometriosis affects millions of women worldwide, with many discovering its impact only when they face difficulties conceiving. In this compelling episode, Dr. Catarina Ang unpacks the complex relationship between this often-misunderstood condition and fertility challenges. At Genea Fertility Melbourne City, Dr. Ang implements innovative approaches that consider both pain management and fertility...

Recurrent pregnancy loss leaves couples searching for answers and hope in the face of repeated heartbreak. In this episode, Dr. Julianne Cameron explores the complex medical, genetic, and emotional factors that contribute to this devastating fertility challenge. Drawing from both her personal journey through recurrent loss and her clinical expertise, she unpacks the latest testing protocols, treat...

Meet Dom and Matt, whose journey to parenthood took an unexpected turn when a routine anaesthesia check revealed a life-threatening heart condition. After devastating pregnancy losses and the crushing news that conception wasn't safe until major heart surgery, Dom faced the ultimate choice: fix her heart to save her life and future family. Through two open-heart surgeries, months of recovery,...

This Men's Health Week, we're shining a spotlight on the crucial yet often overlooked role men play in the fertility journey. In this episode, Dr. Eashan Tambimuttu brings his specialised expertise to discuss male fertility in straightforward, practical terms. At Genea Fertility Melbourne City, he cuts through myths and misconceptions, offering clear guidance on what actually impacts mal...

When one partner is ready to end the IVF journey while the other wants to continue, couples face one of fertility treatment's most challenging emotional crossroads. In this episode, Dr. Alice Huang addresses this delicate relationship dynamic with sensitivity and clinical wisdom, exploring how couples can navigate different grief timelines, financial considerations, and future family-building...

Meet Emily O'Donohoe, an avid listener to now a welcome guest on the show, here sharing her raw and honest journey through the complexities of secondary infertility. Emily's story is one that so many of you will relate to - from the joy of her first successful pregnancy after an ectopic, to the devastating loss of miscarriage, and now navigating the confusing world of unexplained seconda...

From old wives' tales to TikTok trends, fertility advice comes from everywhere, but which claims actually stand up to scientific scrutiny? In this enlightening episode, Dr. Mathias Epee brings his 20+ years of global obstetrics and gynaecology experience to debunk common fertility misconceptions and validate surprising truths. Drawing on his diverse clinical background across Australia, Europ...

To celebrate International Nurses Day, I'm sitting down with the unsung heroes of fertility treatment, the dedicated nursing team from Concept Fertility Centre who become your lifeline throughout the journey. Join me in conversation with Michaela Hegarty (Nurse Manager - Coordination), Corry Moore (Nurse and Donor Coordinator), and Chantelle Trower (Nurse Coordinator) as they share insights f...

Our most requested guest returns for our milestone 100th episode! My husband is back (by popular demand) to celebrate this journey from uncertain beginnings to the thriving community we've built together. We're popping champagne and cracking beers as we look back at memorable moments, interview highlights, and yes—there's the inevitable candid conversation about sperm collection tha...