All About Fertility Podcast

There is no way around the shortage of egg or sperm donation!  Or is there?  I have to wait near 2 years or find my own egg donor!  Or do you?

You've tried everything and now you don't know where to go.  You're at a crossroad and you're thinking about donor egg but there is a shortage, what do you do?  What if there was a way that you could achieve your family goals and dreams, but it involves leaving your home country.  What if I also said it was cost effective?  Would you consider it?

My role is provide all the information you need so you can decide what path to take in the next step of your fertility journey.  I speak to the gorgeous Saghar from Cryos International, and she gave me food for thought, it's very interesting.  When you think all is lost sometimes there is another way.  Grab a cup and enjoy.

Saghar Kasiri from Cryos. Saghar, is a Healthcare professional, with a background in Clinical Embryology and Fetal Medicine.  Kasiri's background specialty is in Clinical Embryology, and she has vast experience working in the fertility field. She often provides expert opinion as a fertility specialist on current topics at the BBC World Service and in a Channel 5 News program.

If you would like to discuss egg donation with Cryos International details 👇

Customer Care Team:

Monday - Thursday: 8:00am - 6:00pm (CET)

If you would like to hear more from Cryos please head to the expo and download their session, it's in the Media Library, in the video session.  Please  be patient when looking for your session, if you can't find it please reach out.

Register here if you haven't already https://bit.ly/3bXkLbF

Best of luck XOXO

I'm not sure what you thought about when you were growing up.  I dreamt of a veil, getting married and then having kids. That was the dream and I didn't think about another way, why would I?

No until I met my husband and because of aggressive cancer treatment it leave him infertile, not able to have his own children, and so we researched into sperm donation.  If it wasn't for the gift of sperm donors we wouldn't have been able to have a family.  

This episode raises the issues of a declining donation list in Australia and I speak with a sperm donor to understand why he donated and what it means to him.  We discuss the current laws and what it means to the donor recipients.

I'm forever grateful for our donor and every donor and I will always advocate in this space.  Do you think the laws will change and the way donors are compensated? 

Have you registered for the All About Fertility Virtual Expo 2021?

Saturday 26th June 2021 at 9am AEST - this event is an international event for Australia and New Zealand, it's a great source of information and if you have a question keeping you up, please come a long and hear from the expects.

This is a free event, please register your details

https://bit.ly/3bXkLbF

We look forward to seeing you!

Shhhhh! Do you feel like that sometimes when you hear the word thrush or yeast infection?  What about bacterial vaginosis (BV)? Open the floor and swallow me up!  However it's a common in women's health and yet we don't discuss it, perhaps we don't feel the need to discuss it because there's lots of over the counter medication we can purchase.  Or is it just like fertility, miscarriages, abortion and other women's health are taboo subjects?  I'd like to change that of course, so I speak with Cassandra Woollett to open up the convestation.

Cassandra is a Fertility Educator accredited with Natural Fertility NZ who runs her own Fertility clinic in Christchurch NZ.  She works with clients throughout NZ and has a large International client base.  She works on line with women and their partners to help them learn about their fertility to either maximise their chances of conceiving or to avoid pregnancy in a natural way,  teaching the Sympto-Thermal Method of Natural Family planning.

Cassandra is also the National Clinical Supervisor for Natural Fertility NZ and is responsible for: auditing NZ Fertility Educators professional practice, training of new educators, providing ongoing training and clinical support to educators.  She has been an educator for 21 years.  Cassandra originally trained as a Registered Nurse working in the hospital system and then as a Public Health Nurse working in schools and with families.

Her true passion is in teaching and educating women and their partners about the menstrual cycle and male and female fertility and then seeing them use this information to reach their fertility goals.

If you would like to contact her, her details are:

Cassandra Woollett

Fertility First

www.fertilityfirst.co.nz

[email protected]

+64273092089

Have you registered for the All About Fertility Virtual Expo 2021?

Saturday 26th June 2021 at 9am AEST - this event is an international event for Australia and New Zealand

This is a free event, please register your details

https://bit.ly/3bXkLbF

We look forward to seeing you!

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers past, present and future.  Mother's in waiting I see you and stand with you as you keep your vision in alive and guarded. 

Mother's Day, at times, can't be possible without the generosity of donors to make it happen and so I speak to Dr Melissa Cameron from Melbourne IVF to discuss the gift of egg donation and the shortage and how education is the key and who can donate.

· Melissa trained in obstetrics and gynaecology at the Mercy Hospital for Women, obtaining her Fellowship in 2006. This included fellowships in paediatric and adolescent gynaecology at the Royal Children’s Hospital, and in advanced laparoscopic gynaecological surgery at the Mercy Hospital for Women. She's also completed Master degrees in both Reproductive Medicine and Public Health, specialising in women’s health and fertility issues.

· With a focus on fertility issues affecting women with endometriosis, fibroids and uterine abnormalities, Melissa helps couples with some of the most challenging fertility problems.

· Melissa also has a special interest in helping same sex couples, people who are transgender and gender diverse, and single women create a family through the Melbourne IVF donor program.

· Through research in these areas, Melissa shares her expertise with other specialists, presenting at local and international conferences, workshops and lectures. Melissa also holds public appointments at The Women’s Hospital.

· Melbourne IVF Instagram - melbourneivf_official

· Facebook @MelbourneIVF

https://www.mivf.com.au/specialists/melbourne-ivf-doctors/dr-melissa-cameron

If you need support during this time and would like to connect with a support group

https://fertilitysupport.org.au/

https://www.togetherwewait.com/

Need a chat and to contact Ella the host [email protected]

All About Fertility Virtual Expo 2021!!!! *****Register for Free*****

All About Fertility Virtual Expo 2021 will be packed with companies supporting everyone on their journey, no matter where you're at.  Whether you're just thinking about your fertility and what it means to prepare yourself for the future, or perhaps you're having fertility issues, male infertility, women's health, men's health, looking to embark on surrogacy or need more information on donor program.  If you have a question keeping you up, or worrying...we're here supporting you, you're not alone and staying silent will not make it go away.

Saturday 26th June 2021 at 9am AEST - this event is for Australia and New Zealand

This is a free event, please register your details

https://expo.allaboutfertility.com.au/register/aafe---2021/020c2285-627e-4ef1-d8d3-08d8a6956614/020c2285-627e-4ef1-d8d3-08d8a6956614

National Infertility Awareness Week was filled with lots activities, where people from around the world shared their stories and walked their journey with us all.  It was a powerful week.

While NIAW has come to a close raising awareness doesn't stop, we still have to reach out and support women and men going through some tough times to achieve their family dreams and vision.  

I'm so grateful for 89.9FM TheLight to support #niaw and have me on their show to share my journey and how supporting the fertility community is imperative.  

All About Fertility Virtual Expo 2021 will be packed with companies supporting everyone on their journey, no matter where you're at.  Whether you're just thinking about your fertility and what it means to prepare yourself for the future, or perhaps you're having fertility issues, male infertility, women's health, men's health, looking to embark on surrogacy or need more information on donor program.  If you have a question keeping you up, or worrying...we're here supporting you, you're not alone and staying silent will not make it go away.  

Saturday 26th June 2021 at 9am AEST - this event is for Australia and New Zealand

This is a free event, please register your details

https://expo.allaboutfertility.com.au/register/aafe---2021/020c2285-627e-4ef1-d8d3-08d8a6956614/020c2285-627e-4ef1-d8d3-08d8a6956614

My guest Akua Ankrah aka Jane Ankrah, is a fertility advocate who is passionate about;

She's a mother to two lovely girls and mom to a schnoodle dog son Buddy Ankrah, her girls were born out of IVF and surrogacy. Akua says...

"As IP’s ( intended parents) we had an amazing journey and experience with our GC. Since starting our surrogacy journey, we are constantly being asked for surrogacy advice . The constant support we give to people as well as the need to help create a wonderful experience for potential IP’s led my family and I to start a surrogacy agency and a foundation that will be used to help educate, advocate and offer fertility treatments to families that have very limited resources.

My family’s very existence with the exception of our only schnoodle son, was all made possible thanks to Assistant Reproductive Technology (ART)."

Follow Akua on her IG  https://www.instagram.com/akua.ankrah/

Have you got your free tick for the All About Fertility Virtual Expo 2021?  

Saturday 26th June 2021 at 9am AEST - this event is for Australia and New Zealand

This is a free event, please register your details

https://expo.allaboutfertility.com.au/register/aafe---2021/020c2285-627e-4ef1-d8d3-08d8a6956614/020c2285-627e-4ef1-d8d3-08d8a6956614

We look forward to seeing you!

If you're trying to have a family via assisted reproductive technology goal is to have healthy embryos that implant into the uterus which turns into a healthy baby.

Have you ever wondered once the egg and sperm are in the lab who is behind the magic?  Meet Lucy Lines.  She's an Embryologist turned Fertility Project Manager and Guide, creator of Two Lines Fertility, wife, and mother of 2 little people.

She helps women and couples who are trying to conceive to create the families they are dreaming of,  and (if they need it) helps them to understand the overwhelming field of assisted conception.

She comes backed with over 20 years experience in the fertility field - 12 years as a clinical embryologist and global customer support embryologist, 5 years in GP education and 3 1/2  years working one on one with women and couples, supporting their individual fertility journeys  - Over all those years she has held literally millions of embryos and helped to create thousands of families!

When she’s not supporting women to become Mums (and men to be Dads), you’ll usually find her having a coffee with friends or juggling the work-from-home Mum stuff or maybe even sleeping (which is her super-power!)

She shares her experience and knowledge about what happens in the labs in order to create the ingredient to achieve family dreams.

You can find Lucy 

f: www.facebook.com/twolinesfertility

i: www.instagram.com/twolinesfertility

w: www.twolinesfertility.com.au

All About Fertility Virtual Expo 2021

Saturday 26th June 2021 at 9am AEST - this event is for Australia and New Zealand

This is a free event, please register your details

https://expo.allaboutfertility.com.au/register/aafe---2021/020c2285-627e-4ef1-d8d3-08d8a6956614/020c2285-627e-4ef1-d8d3-08d8a6956614

We look forward to seeing you!

All About Fertility Podcast gave the reins to Access Australia CEO, Maree Pickens, as we discussed the new government website Your IVF Success with Prof. Georgina Chambers, Director of the National Perinatal Epidemiology and Statistics Unit (NPESU) at UNSW and A/Prof. Peter Illingworth an Infertility & IVF /Reproductive Endocrinology specialist.

Maree Pickens is the volunteer CEO of Access Australia’s National Infertility Network. With a Bachelor of Science from the University of Western Australia, she spent the first 20 years of her working life in the biomedical industry and the next 15 years in information management. She is also a passionate public speaker committed to making a difference. Her journey with infertility started 20 years ago when she and her husband needed IVF to have a child together. After 3 long years of treatment, 4 gruelling egg collection cycles and 8 disappointing embryo transfers they were finally successful and now have a feisty 16year old daughter!

When her daughter was born she vowed to make a difference for others struggling to have a child. To use her voice to ensure patients were heard, their concerns listened to and their needs met.  To have input on tools designed for patients, like the YourIVFSuccess website.

ACCESS Australia’s National Infertility Network is a not-for-profit, consumer-controlled, independent charity supporting those undergoing infertility treatment and their supporters. With a community of more than 53,000 Access Australia is the national voice with Government, medical industry, researchers and the media to ensure equity of access to IVF treatment for those who need medical help to have a family and to provide the education and support needed for those suffering from infertility.

Keep up-to-date with Access Australia:

https://access.org.au/

Fact Sheet #20 – How to choose an IVF Clinic and Understand Success Rates

https://access.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/20-How-to-choose-an-IVF-clinic-and-understand-success-rates-1.pdf

All About Fertility Virtual Expo 2021 

Saturday 26th June 2021 at 9am AEST - this event is for Australia and New Zealand

This is a free event, please register your details

https://expo.allaboutfertility.com.au/register/aafe---2021/020c2285-627e-4ef1-d8d3-08d8a6956614/020c2285-627e-4ef1-d8d3-08d8a6956614

We look forward to seeing you!

Saara Jamieson is the co-founder and co-inventor of Cool Beans Men’s Health Underwear.  Together with her husband Jordan, Saara has experienced fertility issues and has undergone fertility treatment in the past before her successful pregnancies.  Happily, she is now the mother of two young children.

Saara earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Queensland, majoring in animal and veterinary bioscience.  As a result of her own fertility journey, her university studies, previous work as a medical researcher at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research and her work on developing Cool Beans Underwear; Saara has extensively researched male reproductive physiology, factors surrounding sub-optimal fertility and infertility, and strategies for improvement of male fertility.

Keep up-to-date with Cool Beans:

https://www.coolbeansunderwear.com/

https://www.instagram.com/coolbeansunderwear/

Belinda Kirkpatrick, the author of ‘Healthy Hormones’, is an expert Naturopath and Nutritionist with over 15 years of clinical experience.

Belinda specialises in women’s health and is especially passionate about hormonal health, fertility management, miscarriage prevention and menopause. Belinda is known for her extensive knowledge of natural and conventional treatment in addition to her evidence-based approach to integrative healthcare.

Belinda is the creator of several online courses including the 7-Day Nutrition Reset, 14-Day IVF Support Program and Five Weeks to Fertility. These programs have been endorsed by senior Fertility Specialist, Associate Professor Dr Gavin Sacks from IVF Australia and are designed to support all women who are trying to conceive naturally or with IVF.

Belinda’s tertiary qualifications include - Masters of Reproductive Health, Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy), Associate Degree in Clinical Sciences and Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy.

Belinda is in clinical practice in Sydney, Australia; author of Healthy Hormones, creator of the Seed iPhone App; is a mother of two beautiful girls; loves yoga and meditation and feels like a full-time cook!

FREE GIFT –

#1 - Download a few chapters and recipes from Belinda’s book, ‘Healthy Hormones’ using this link - https://belindakirkpatrick.com.au/secret-page/

#2 – Receive a 25% discount when you sign up to any of Belinda’s online courses (7-Day Nutrition Reset, 14-Day IVF Support Program and Five Weeks to Fertility ) using the code ALLABOUTFERTILITY using this link - https://programs.belindakirkpatrick.com.au/

www.belindakirkpatrick.com.au

@bknaturopathy

Feel free to join her private FB group – Healthy Hormones with Belinda Kirkpatrick - https://www.facebook.com/groups/438834833295825

All About Fertility Virtual Expo  Saturday 26th June 2021 for Australia and New Zealand 

This is a free event, please register here

See you there ❤️