PODCAST · health
IVF Real Talk
by Lucy and Yaelle
Welcome to IVF Real Talk a weekly podcast hosted by Lucy and Yaelle, two friends who’ve been through IVF . Each week they share honest conversations with real people about their fertility journeys, alongside insights from leading doctors and specialists. IVF Real Talk is a safe space for anyone navigating infertility, reminding you that you’re not alone on this journey.Disclaimer: please refer to your medical professional for medical advice as this podcast is based on individual personal experiences.
Episodes
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EP 97 | You Asked, We Answered: The Season Finale
After another huge season of IVF Real Talk, Lucy and Yaelleare sitting down together in their new studio for a more personal episode, answering your questions, addressing a fertility dilemma and having a proper catch-up. The podcast will then be taking a short three-week break,but don’t worry…
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EP 96 | Could Your Diet Be Affecting Your Fertility? With Clinical Nutritionist Monique Cormack
Clinical Nutritionist Monique Cormack joins us for thisepisode to share her own fertility journey, including her experience with hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA), a condition where the body can stop ovulating when it isn’t getting enough energy to meet its needs, often in the context ofunder-eating,...
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EP 95 | Cancer & Fertility: Understanding Fertility Preservation with Dr Ben Kroon
A cancer diagnosis brings countless decisions, but oneconversation is often missed: how treatment could impact your future fertility. In this episode, Monash IVF fertility specialist Dr Ben Kroon explains everything you need to know about fertility preservation before starting cancer treatment.…
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EP 94 | Am I over reacting !? Infertility Addition
We’re reading YOUR fertility stories and asking the question… are we overreacting, or are we completely justified? From unfollowing a fertility clinic because of a post that rubbed you the wrong way, to someone assuming you can pick the gender of your baby because you’re doing IVF… When you’re on...
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EP 93 | Genetic Testing 101: What It Is, Who It's For, and When to Start with Dr Tamara Hunter
Genetics can feel like one of the most confusing parts of IVF. But having the right information can be empowering, helping you make informed decisions for your future family. In this episode, CREI fertility specialist Dr Tamara Hunter from Monash IVF joins Lucy and Yaelle to answer the most…
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EP 92 | Reading Our IVF Diaries We Never Thought We'd Read Out Loud
Lucy and Yaelle open the pages of their personal IVF journals and read back the entries they wrote while they were actually going through their fertility journeys. From the emotional exhaustion of treatment to the reality offailed cycles, they share what it was really like to keep going when they...
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EP 91 | Fertility Care Wherever You Are: A Regional Care Conversation
This week we’re joined by Regional Nurse Team Leader, Janefrom Monash IVF, to talk about fertility care and the unique experiences of regional patients receiving treatment outside major cities. From travel, monitoring, and treatment logistics to emotional support and access to specialist care, we...
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EP 90 | You Thought Part 1 Was Bad... More Pregnancy Announcements Gone Wrong
For anyone navigating infertility, IVF or pregnancy loss, pregnancy announcements can bring a mix of emotions, and the way they're delivered can make all the difference. After the response to Part 1, the IVF Real Talk community had even more stories to share... and once again, you delivered. In...
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EP 89 | Finding Your Own Path to Parenthood: Emily & Temica Gielnik’s Donor Conception Journey with Dr Ben Kroon
In this episode Matildas forward Emily Gielnik and her wife Temica Gielnik sit down with their fertility doctor Dr Ben Kroon for an honest conversation about their path to parenthood through IUI, IVF, and donor conception. They open up about navigating failed IUI rounds, Temica’s unexpected...
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EP 88 | Pregnancy Announcement Dilemmas: Your Stories Had Us Speechless
For anyone navigating infertility, IVF or pregnancy loss, pregnancy announcements can bring a mix of emotions, the way they're delivered can make all the difference. In this episode, we asked the IVF Real Talk community to share the most awkward, weird, strange and downright unbelievable…
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EP 87 | Not Ready for IVF? Understanding Your Fertility Treatment Options with Dr Juliette Koch
If you're trying to conceive and wondering what your options are before IVF, this episode is for you. Lucy and Yaelle are joined by fertility specialist Dr Juliette Koch from Repromed to unpack the different fertility treatments available and explain how specialists determine the right pathway…
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EP 86 | The Ultimate IVF Hacks Episode
After asking listeners to share their best IVF hacks and tips, the hosts dive into the responses, discussing the practical, the surprising, and the heartwarming ideas that helped people through treatment. Along the way, they chat about which tips are backed by experience, which ones simply make…
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EP 85 | Embryology Explained: Inside the IVF Lab
In this episode, Professor Deirdre Zander-Fox, Chief Scientific Officer at Monash IVF Group talks about all things embryology and what happens behind the scenes in the lab. From fertilisation and embryo development to understanding attrition rates, embryo quality, and why some embryos stop...
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EP 84 | IVF Brain Is a Thing (And It’s Not Just You)
In this episode, Lucy and Yaelle explore something many people experience during fertility treatment but rarely hear talked about: IVF brain. From forgetfulness and brain fog to emotional overwhelm and mental fatigue, they unpack why it happens, including the impact of hormones, stress, and the...
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EP 83 | The Male Fertility Wake-Up Call Couples Need
This week for Men’s Health Week, we’re joined by Dr Kishani Kannangara from Monash IVF to talk all things male infertility. From understanding male factor infertility and when to get tested, to the lifestyle factors that can impact sperm health, this episode is packed with important conversations...
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EP 82 | Hey Friends & Family of Someone Trying to Conceive… Listen to This
Hey friends and family of someone trying to conceive, this episode is for you. Lucy & Yaelle open up about the inner thoughts, emotional triggers and hidden struggles that can come with infertility and IVF. From pregnancy announcements and baby showers to everyday comments people don’t realise…
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EP 81 | Navigating the IVF Noise with Dr Dhanushi Fernando
This week we’re joined by Dr Dhanushi Fernando from Monash IVF to talk about navigating the overwhelming world of fertility advice and IVF information. From social media trends and online fertility advice to knowing when to stop researching and trust your specialist, we unpack how to stay…
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EP 80 | The Emotional Toll of Infertility
This week we’re joined by Claire Byrne, Senior Psychologist at Monash IVF, to talk about the emotional side of fertility treatment and why emotional wellbeing is such an important part of the IVF journey. From anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and feeling like you’re “not coping,” to navigating...
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EP 79 | I Still Haven’t Spoken to My Sister-in-Law After What Happened at Her Baby Shower…
In this episode, the hosts read out listeners’ juicy baby shower dilemmas and share their honest reactions and relatable experiences. From family drama and awkward moments to the emotional reality of attending baby showers while trying to conceive. This conversation is raw, relatable and one so...
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EP 78 | Fertility Unfiltered: The Questions You Really Want Answered with Dr Ying Li
In this episode, Dr Ying Li, fertility specialist at Genea, joins us for a no-filter conversation covering the topics everyone is thinking about. We talk through when to seek help, how much lifestyle really matters, and why male fertility is still not talked about enough. We also unpack the myths...
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EP 77 | A Wearable for Fertility… Meet OTO and Monday Fertility
In this episode, we’re joined by an IVF nurse Fran from Monday Fertility to talk about OTO, a wearable designed to track stress, sleep, and 50+ biomarkers. Fran breaks down how it works, what it actually measures, and where it might fit into a real-life fertility journey. We also share practical...
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EP 76 | Talking All Things Egg Freezing with Dr Anthony Marren
In this episode, Dr Anthony Marren, Sydney CBD Medical Director at Genea Fertility, joins us to talk through egg freezing, what it involves, who it’s for, and what to consider before making the decision. We discuss how age plays a role, what the process can look like in reality, and the key...
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EP 75 | IVF Egg Retrieval Day, What Really Happens!?
Egg collection is one of the biggest milestones in IVF and also one of the most overwhelming. In this episode, we break it all down in a simple, honest way from injections and trigger, to the procedure itself, to what recovery actually feels like. We also share the emotional highs and lows that...
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EP 74 | Strength Through It All: Sarah’s Journey with Crohn’s, IVF & Surrogacy
Sarah was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at just 13, a moment that would shape so much of her life. In this episode, she opens up about living with chronic illness, undergoing surgery and having a stoma, and the unexpected challenges she faced on her journey to motherhood. Through IVF, loss, and...
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EP 73 | Fertility Dilemmas Part Two, The Decisions That Keep You Up at Night
In Part Two, the hosts continue the conversation around real fertility dilemmas sent in by listeners. They explore the emotional toll of staying or starting over and unpack the moments that feel impossible to choose between. These stories highlight the mental load of infertility and the quiet...
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EP | 72 Listener Fertility Dilemmas are back: IVF, Avoiding Pregnant Friends & Everything In Between
In this episode, the hosts open the floor to fertility dilemmas sent in by listeners. From IVF decisions and the stress of changing clinics to the pressure felt from family members, they talk through the real-life situations people face while trying to conceive. These stories reflect the…
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EP 71 | We Answer the Listeners Questions, Nothing Was Off Limits!
In this episode, we’re opening the floor to your questions and sharing more about ourselves. From our IVF journeys and even the times we’ve disagreed, we get real about what it’s like running this podcast together, and how friendship, honesty, and a little laughter keep us going. DISCLAIMER…
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EP 70 | IVF and the Power of Community
Infertility can feel incredibly isolating. In this episode, we share how we found the IVF community, where it actually exists, and how it completely changed our journey. From feeling alone and misunderstood to finding people who truly get it, we talk about the online spaces, friendships, and...
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EP 69 | Endometriosis vs Adenomyosis: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
This week, we’re having an essential conversation about endometriosis and adenomyosis, two conditions that affect so many people, yet are still widely misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and dismissed. In recognition of Endometriosis and Adenomyosis Awareness Month, we’re joined by Dr Devini…
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EP 68 | Laparoscopy, Our Experience, Tips, Hospital Bag, Recovery & Do We Regret It?!
Laparoscopy can be a huge, overwhelming decision, whether it’s suggested for fertility reasons, endometriosis diagnosis, or to help manage ongoing pain. And if they’re being honest… Lucy and Yaelle were so scared. In this episode, Lucy and Yaelle share their full laparoscopy experience, from the...
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EP 67 | Unexplained Infertility with Dr Kokum
Being told “everything looks normal” can feel anything but reassuring, especially when you’re still not getting pregnant. In this episode, we gently explore unexplained infertility with Dr Kokum, a fertility specialist from Melbourne IVF, who also understands this diagnosis on a deeply personal...
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EP 66 | Your Most Unhinged Fertility Stories!
Lucy and Yaelle are back! In their first episode of 2026, the hosts ease back into things with a check-in on where they’ve been. Then, things get a little unhinged. Listeners were asked to send in their most outrageous ,unexpected, and unforgettable fertility moments, and they absolutely…
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EP 65 | Wrapped! Last Episode Of 2025
For the season finale, and the last episode of the year, we’re looking back at the moments that shaped this season. We chat about the episode we’d delete if we could, the one that almost didn’t make it to air, and what really goes on behind the scenes. A massive thank you to our listeners and...
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EP 64 | Calming the Chaos: Jen Edmonds on Stress, Regulation & Her Personal Journey
In this powerful episode, we sit down with Jen Edmonds todive deep into stress, nervous system regulation, and the transformative turning points that reshaped her life. Jen opens up about her own fertility journey and the moment she realised stress had completely taken over, the signsshe ignored,...
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The Miracle Mini Series: Growing, Learning, Parenting: Our Current Update
Today Lucy and Yaelle are giving you a real-time update: how they are navigating food, what sleep currently looks like with toodlers, and how our parenting style continues to evolve. No perfect routines, no expert advice, just our experience, what’s working, and what we’re still figuring out our...
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EP 63 | A Day in the Life of a Fertility Specialist with Dr Charley Zheng
We asked Dr Charley to take us through every part of his day, yes, including how many coffees he needs to survive it. He tells us when he starts, when he finishes, whether lunch is a myth, and all the chaos that happens behind the scenes of fertility care. It’s the nitty-gritty no one ever talks...
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The Miracle Mini Series: Trimester 4
In this episode, Lucy and Yaelle look at the fourth trimester and what those early weeks were really like from recovering after birth, getting the hang of feeding, adjusting to life at home, and working out new routines. We share what helped, what surprised us, and how we found our way through...
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EP 62 | Denied IVF: Ainara’s Fight as an HIV Positive Woman in Ireland
Ainara joins us to share her powerful story of being denied IVF in Ireland solely because she is HIV positive, a decision rooted in outdated laws, not modern science. We unpack the misconceptions, the medical truths, and the emotional toll of being told she cannot access fertility treatment in…
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The Miracle Mini Series: Lucys IVF Birth Story
After years of trying and the emotional journey of IVF, Lucy finally met her little miracle, Alexia. In this episode, she shares every detail of her birth: the long three-day labour, all the things she did to help labour come naturally. With her baby arriving one day before her planned induction...
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EP 61 | Unsolicited Fertility Advice: Our Pettiest Replies
Today we’re diving into the comments, advice and unwanted opinions every couple trying to conceive seems to collect. From the classic “just relax” to annoying advice, oversharing success stories, and those deeply intrusive questions, we’ve heard it all. We share our own experiences, what we wish…
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The Miracle Mini Series: Yaelle's IVF Birth Story
Yaelle shares her beautiful and empowering birth story, a moment that brought her long three-year IVF journey full circle. After three heartbreaking miscarriages, Yaelle opens up about finally welcoming her miracle baby, Olivia. She talks about her decision to have a c-section, how she overcame…
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EP 60 | Your Best Start, Preconception Health and Fertility with Dr Hector Georgiou
This episode is your ultimate guide to preconception health, what it really means, when to start preparing, and how to get your body (and mind!) ready. We’re joined by Dr Hector Georgiou, Fertility Specialist from Melbourne IVF, to break down everything you should know before trying to conceive.…
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The Mini Miracle Series: Our Successful IVF Pregnancies, From First Trimester to Third
After years of trying to get pregnant, we finally made it through IVF. This mini-series takes you inside our pregnancies from the first pink line to each passing week. We share the highs, the fears, and everything in between: symptoms, sleep, cravings, doctor appointments, and the emotional...
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EP 59 | Fertility Dilemmas Are Back!
Lucy and Yaelle are diving into all the trickyquestions and real-life scenarios, from leftover embryos and untestable ones, to navigating pregnancy after miscarriage, ovulation induction, and so much more. No topic is off-limits. DISCLAIMER: please refer to your medicalprofessional for medical...
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The Mini Miracle Series: The Two Week Wait That Worked
Two weeks that felt like forever. The waiting, the overthinking, the symptom spotting, and the constant swing between hope and fear. In this mini-series, Lucy and Yaelle open up about our two very different experiences: Yaelle, holding her breath after going through prior miscarriages, and Lucy,...
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EP 58 | Our Spiciest Episode Yet: The Fertility Queen Herself, Dr Lynn Burmeister, Joins the Podcast
Get ready, this one’s a big one! We’re joined by Dr Lynn Burmeister, the fertility queen herself and founder of No.1 Fertility, for one of our spiciest and most insightful episodes yet. Dr Lynn doesn’t hold back as we dive into what’s trending in IVF treatments, how to boost sperm health, why...
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The Mini Miracle Series: Our Successful IVF Transfers
In this mini-series, Our Success IVF Transfers, Lucy and Yaelle open up about the transfer that finally worked. From the lead-up and the emotions leading into the day, to the mindset they carried and the quiet moments of hope,they share it all. Did it feel like it was going to be the one? Maybe....
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EP 57 | Courtney’s Story: Dual Factor Infertility, PCOS, OHSS & a First-Round IVF Success
Courtney joins the podcast to open up about the many layers of her fertility journey. What began with her husband’s male factor infertility diagnosis quickly became more complex when Courtney discovered she had PCOS while preparing for IVF. The process wasn’t easy, she experienced OHSS and the...
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The Mini Miracle Series: Our Successful Egg Collections
Today’s episode is sponsored by arxi, nail your preconception with OvaGold Shop here: https://fromarxi.com/products/ovagold and follow along on socials at https://www.instagram.com/from.arxi Use the codeIVF10 for $10 off your first order. Welcome to Our Mini Miracle Series, where Lucy and Yaelle...
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EP 56 | What We Wish We Knew Before Starting IVF
Lucy and Yaelle get real about all the things no one tells you before starting IVF, what appointments and medications are really like, the truths that surprised them the most, and the mental load it takes on your body and relationships. This is the episode they wish they had before their first...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to IVF Real Talk a weekly podcast hosted by Lucy and Yaelle, two friends who’ve been through IVF . Each week they share honest conversations with real people about their fertility journeys, alongside insights from leading doctors and specialists. IVF Real Talk is a safe space for anyone navigating infertility, reminding you that you’re not alone on this journey.Disclaimer: please refer to your medical professional for medical advice as this podcast is based on individual personal experiences.
HOSTED BY
Lucy and Yaelle
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does IVF Real Talk have?
IVF Real Talk currently has 106 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is IVF Real Talk about?
Welcome to IVF Real Talk a weekly podcast hosted by Lucy and Yaelle, two friends who’ve been through IVF . Each week they share honest conversations with real people about their fertility journeys, alongside insights from leading doctors and specialists. IVF Real Talk is a safe space for anyone...
How often does IVF Real Talk release new episodes?
IVF Real Talk publishes regularly with 106 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to IVF Real Talk?
You can listen to IVF Real Talk on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts IVF Real Talk?
IVF Real Talk is created and hosted by Lucy and Yaelle.
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