{ EPISODE 8: HIGHWAY TO IVF } in this episode we hear from Zoe regarding her cycle update, as well as covering all the stops before IVF. ⁣

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We chat about how we both discovered our own medical issues regarding infertility, what steps we took following this procedure wise and how we chose our specialists. ⁣

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We address the common misconception that IVF is the only option after failing to fall pregnant naturally. Wrong! There are many steps and explorative medicine that is performed first and at a GP level, before specialist intervention is/if it's required. ⁣

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We hope you find this episode informative and squeeze in a giggle a long the way. I know our entire community are thinking of Zoe and her family this week and we are crossing everything that this next scan brings with it a positive result.

In this episode we talk to Nicky Burnett about her experience with IVF. From growing up with a severely disabled brother, learning of her mother's heartbreaking losses and in turn deciding that motherhood wasn't for her.

However, this all changed when she met her now husband, but their battles had only just begun. Soon into their relationship she learned that her husband's family had a rare genetic condition that could potentially be problematic when trying to conceive a healthy baby of their own.

After almost 12 months of medical tests, ethics committee submissions to approve gender selection due to their medical conditions, to Belle - their beautiful 5 yr old daughter.

A big thank you to Nicky for being so open and honest with us. Her love of a good meme and cheeky sense of humour definitely resonated with us!

In episode 6 of All That Triggers we speak to Melbourne fertility specialist, Dr Melissa Cameron. We cover the juggernaut that is donor conception, as well as touching on podcast host, Sarah Jane's own personal story with Melissa as her IVF doctor. This one pulls at the heartstrings! ⁣

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Dr Cameron, who works with Melbourne IVF, is trained in obstetrics and gynaecology, obtaining her Fellowship in 2006. This included fellowships in paediatric and adolescent gynaecology and in advanced laparoscopic gynaecological surgery. She 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 programme.⁣

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A big thank you to Dr Cameron for taking the time to speak with us and we are looking forward to welcoming her back later in season one to cover endometriosis, adenomyosis and fibroids. If you have any Qs for Dr Cameron please head over to our Instagram page and get in touch. ⁣

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This episode is a special one and we know you will all shed a tear and share a giggle with us, as Tanya opens up so candidly about her struggles over the last 10 years.

At just 25 years of age Tanya and her husband were told they would never conceive naturally. As they embarked on the IVF pathway, what followed was a roller coaster of events: male infertility, PCOS, fibroids, miscarriage, dangerous health scares during her pregnancies, a hysterectomy and the question of what to do with their remaining embryos. What a wild ride she takes us on, but all with her uniquely warm, bubbly and positive outlook on life.

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us, Tanya. What an honour it was to sit with you during this cathartic unraveling. We hope this episode is both informative and inspiring to our listeners. If you any questions about Tanya's story, please head over to our Instagram page and get in touch.

If you like what you hear, we would love for you to rate/review us on the Apple podcast app.

In episode 4 we discuss all the things you shouldn't say and some of the things you could say, to someone struggling with infertility. We also discuss ALL of our own personal triggers. All the things people say with good intentions, but in reality can make us feel really crappy! This episode is pretty open and could benefit even the greater community - whether it's to do with grief, trauma, loss of any kind and COMMON SENSE!

We hope you enjoy this episode and join in for a giggle. Head over to our social media and tell us your own stories! Because as we always say, if we don't laugh, we'll absolutely F$N cry!

Please don't forget to subscribe, rate & review our podcast on Apple Podcast. We really feel this episode is a goodie that needs to be shared around!

So, what can you expect from IVF? UGH. Where do we begin?! In many ways, you can't possibly prepare for the process. It's emotionally, physically and mentally draining and at times, soul destroying. But we both feel if we had known what we do now or even just a little insight into the road ahead, we may have not struggled so much in those early days. This episode covers some of the things we wish we had known and of course, it's paired back with some comedic banter to deflect the pain! Duh! We hope this is an informative episode for those of you who are new to this and brings a comforting smile to your face knowing you are not alone.

Zoe Karlis here aka help!

I'm quite the private person, majority know very little about me and the remaining know EVERYTHING, down to the number of bowel movements I have a day !

Articulating the last 9 years of my life in detail, let alone broadcasting it to the world, is very new to me and I must say I find it very cathartic.

Looking back at it now, our first baby was conceived relatively easily. Pretty much once my endometriosis was discovered by my specialist @fertility_queen_dr_burmeister (who remains my specialist to this day ❤️) I was pregnant within weeks of surgery. THAT'S IT! EASY PEASY RIGHT!

Now, this is when shit hit the fan.....trying for baby no 2. We commenced trying when I was 35 years old, when statistically our eggs take their first major decline 🤦🏼‍♀️ . We've since done every test known to mankind and there has been no explanation. Legs have been spread, I have had enough injections to compete with the local addict, my husband's jizzed enough times in a cup to pregnate a small town, been put under aesthetic countless times (not complaining!), enough blood has been drawn to save many lives and my insides have been investigated so many times that they now throw a welcome back party every time that probe enters.

This episode has lots of laughs and many tears because that's how I roll. For anyone silently battling infertility, I get it and it's ok to keep it private but remember you're not alone xx

Hey! I'm Sarah Jane and I am the potty-mouthed and gassy co-host of this awesome podcast!

Here's a small grab of a total clusterf%&k of events, sorry... I mean my life! From growing up with an abusive father and the #daddyissues that followed. To marriage in my early 20's and then learning I was reproductively challenged, to motherhood, loss, IVF and picking up the pieces.

What has followed though can only be described as a beautiful chaos and I wouldn't change for the world. It's a story filled with heartbreak, anger, hope and finally finding happiness - my new normal.

Thanks for listening and don't try ANY of this at home!

Welcome to All That Triggers - we are your hosts, Zoe & Sarah Jane.

We are two Melbourne mummas who have turned our low-key car therapy conversations into a supportive, informative and at times, cynical podcast!

We are of the mindset: if you don't laugh, you'll FKN cry! So while this will be an 'enlightening' platform to discuss all things infertility like mature adults, we won't hold back!