What To Expect When You're Injecting by Fiercely Infertile

Family is not defined by genes and parenthood requires love not just DNA. As a mother herself, Rose Oates couldn’t imagine someone not having the opportunity to experience- which is why she donated her eggs.  On this episode, we chat about motherhood, egg donation, miscarriage and how this self-worth warrior is determined to keep the fertility conversation going. *language warning*  

The role of a fertility nurse is both exciting and emotionally challenging but it has huge rewards, just ask Senior Fertility Nurse, Janet Livingston at Fertility Specialists of WA. On this episode we chat about how your fertility nurse is just as invested in the end result as you are.  This episode is proudly supported by Fertility Specialists of WA

What went wrong? Why won’t it implant and what’s wrong with me? Just three questions many of us have asked ourselves. On this episode we chat to the Medical Director at Fertility North, Dr Vince Chapple about multiple implantation failure, recurrent pregnancy loss and premature ovarian failure. A little reminder, just because the process might be labelled with the word failure, doesn’t mean you ar...

They have one of the most delicate and dedicated jobs in the fertility world. On this episode we delve deep inside the dish with Laboratory Manager, Emily Zuvela to chat about just how cool (literally cool) her job is. This episode is proudly supported by Fertility Specialists of WA

Throughout the history of medicine, thousands of medications have been developed but only one has been influential enough to earn the title of simply, the pill. With much debate around its impact on fertility, I wanted to put some of the myths and misconceptions to bed with Fertility Specialist and gynaecologist Dr Shital Julania.  This episode is proudly supported by Fertility Specialists of WA. 

Let's talk about sex, baby! For those on the fertility journey, it’s pretty common to throw spontaneous sex out the window- but that doesn't mean intimacy has to as well. On this episode, I chat with Curtin University’s Sexology Course Co-Ordinator Jacqui Hendriks about sex, or lack of it- and how we can still stay connected to our partner.  

Cum, sprog, jizz, sperm; have I got your attention now?  Well it takes two key ingredients to make a baby and that’s right lads, your stuff needs to be tip top to ensure the best chance of success. I sat down with Professor Roger Hart from Fertility Specialists of WA to chat about sperm health and how small changes can make the biggest difference for male fertility. This episode is proudly support...

His episode went down so well the first time, my husband is back on the couch for another round of honest questions. We chat about intimacy, what we wish we knew before starting, advice for someone starting and how we got through it all. We will be back to tackle IVF again for our hopeful second child with a greater understanding- but for now, we hope this episode provides listeners with some comf...

Many women struggling to fall pregnant might have that friend or sister who offers up their oven as a home for 9 months for you- but what about strangers? Can they be surrogates? Plus, what kind of hoops and legislation do the three of you need to jump through? We chat to Anne Wigham from Pivet Medical Centre about everything from advertising and payments to counselling and eligibility in the worl...

You would've heard the saying, ‘you are what you eat', but this also rings true for reproductive health. Researchers agree, nutrition can have a positive impact on both male and female fertility. Fertility Dietitian from Fertility Specialists of WA, Nick Nation sits down with me to talk about the small changes and additions we should be making.  This episode is proudly supported by Ferti...

She’s one of the most selfless guests we’ve ever had on the show. She’s a single mum and an egg donor, giving the gift of family. On this episode, we talk about if she remains in the child’s life, her role, the process and how she feels about handing over her genetics to another couple. Having her own daughter, Lauren says she understands how life changing having a child is, and this is her way of...

NEW EPISODE OUT NOW! How are you going with it all? No- I mean mentally? Where’s your head at? Sometimes we can get so caught up with follicle counts, hormones, collections and tests, that our mindset can get overlooked. Jacinta Hatton is more than a clinical psychologist, she’s also an IVF warrior herself so she actually understands what some of her patients go through- first handedly. 

Holistic Health Coach Sarah Hopkins has been on her own health journey for the past 15 years and now is dedicated to helping others heal their bodies too. In this episode, we talk about ancient fertility foods, the ones backed by research and even delve into Sarah’s own journey to create her family. Not a fan of liver? Mmmm I’ll ask you again after this episode.  https://luminousfertility.teachabl...

It goes without saying, our bodies need to be nurtured whilst on the fertility journey, but what about nurturing ourselves and our relationships? On this episode, I chat with Cailin Jordan, Psychologist and Senior Fertility Counsellor at Genea Hollywood, about preparing for treatment, expectations, and communication. Because hey, you need to look after YOU too, not just your uterus. This episode i...

Her fertility rap sheet is long and emotional, but oh so inspiring. From PCOS and chemical pregnancy to cancelled cycles and hyperstimulation. She's experienced it all, including no period, or ovulation, suffering from PCOS and undergoing ovarian drilling- there’s a lot of hurdles to overcome. But amongst the heartbreak, Perth’s Aly D’Ortona gives us all a bit of hope, with her incredible sto...

Why won’t it stick? It’s one of the toughest questions to answer but naturopathic clinician,  Angela Hywood from Floralia Wellness, is going to give it a red hot crack. With so many variables coming into play, from the egg to sperm DNA, lining and our immune response, it’s hard to know “what went wrong?”.  On this episode we delve into the heartbreak of recurrent implantation failure (RIF) and wha...

For Perth’s Belinda Daya, falling pregnant seems to be the easy bit- she’s fallen 11 times but also lost 10. What is an exciting milestone for majority of us, comes with a huge dark cloud for Bel and her husband. In this emotional episode we delve into both IVF and natural conception for the couple; talking marriage, hope and grief whilst also answering the hardest question of all- when will you c...

For many couples, it’s a tough decision to make when it comes to discarding unused embryos or donating them to science. But, there’s also a third option. Giving someone the gift of life anonymously; could you do it?  On this episode, we chat to Senior Embryologist and Embryo Donation Coordinator Rachel Wicks from Pivet Medical Centre about embryo donation. From the process to the hurdles and avail...

In her late 30’s she was told "not to bother" because she had left trying to conceive too late, but for TV personality Haley Thompson, those words just gave her more motivation. Tackling the IVF world as a "geriatric" (as they say) was tough, it took 2 and a half years and 5 rounds of IVF and extremely high doses of hormones to produce her blastocysts. Also, language warning- H...

Welcome to Season 2 of What To Expect When You're Injecting, we're glad you're back for more. This new season kicks off with an update from your fiercely infertile host, Cassie Silver. She's a Perth born and raised girl with blocked tubes, endometriosis, PCOS the inability to ovulate with a big fear of failing and needles. The perfect combo for an IVF patient hey? What’s her IV...

Naturopathic medicine, patient-centric philosophy, has helped countless couples resolve their fertility challenges. Perth Naturopath, Herbalist, Natural Fertility Specialist and Conception Mentor, Natalie Pickering has been nurturing, guiding and supporting women to overcome their health challenges for more than two and a half decades. On this episode we discuss the benefits of naturopathy and cha...

Some say doctors share the end result, but fertility nurses share the journey. They’re with us every step of the way, from our first consultation, to scans, phone calls and transfers- a day in life of a fertility nurse is busy- just ask Jill Briggs from Genea Hollywood in Perth. On this episode we chat about the power of compassion in a clinical setting and just how special her role really is. Thi...

For those going through lows, losses, lulls or just feeling a little flat… this one is for you.  He’s known around Australia as Mr Happy but it hasn’t always been that way for human behaviour specialist and founder of Happiness Co, Julian Pace. Using life experience, he’s made it his mission to make the world a happier place by sharing his tools to overcoming grief, loss and unhappiness, ensuring...

It's not everyday you get to have an open and honest conversation about wanking and sex with an elite Australian sporting family. For former Wallaby and current Western Force Director of Rugby Matt Hodgson, creating his two sons via IVF with wife Jodi has been his greatest achievement. In this refreshing episode, the pair opens up about their IVF journey to encourage others to continue the co...

Nature VS nurture. Biological mother vs maternal instincts. Heading overseas for transfers via egg donation. The rollercoaster which is international IVF. These are all topics discussed on this incredible episode with Canadian born West Aussie Erica Price. She's a mum of three with an incredible IVF story spanning more than 6 years and reminds listeners that even if you need to use someone el...