What To Expect When You're Injecting by Fiercely Infertile

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 optimal timing, donor selection, treatment protocols (IUI vs IVF), success rates by age, and the unique challenges solo mothers face. From pre-treatment screening to pregnancy support, this episode provides essential guidance for women considering or pursuing solo parenthood, backed by the expertise of one of Perth's leading reproductive medicine specialists. This episode honours the resilience and empowerment of solo mothers while providing essential medical insights for women considering this transformative path to parenthood. 

This episode is proudly supported by Genea Fertility

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 her years of experience as a gynaecologist and fertility specialist, Dr. Parmar creates a judgment-free zone where nothing is off limits, proving that the questions that make you blush are often the ones that matter most.

This episode is proudly supported by Genea Fertility Melbourne City

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 conception. As OG listeners of the podcast from the very beginning of their journey, Shannon and Jared's conversation offers honest insights into the practical and emotional aspects of a long fertility journey. With Jared joining the conversation to offer a male perspective on the challenges men face during fertility treatment, their story explores the emotional complexity of moving from own gametes to donor conception, the physical and mental toll of multiple procedures, and how they maintained hope and their relationship through years of setbacks. From clinic changes to travel adventures that kept their spirits alive, their story reminds us that sometimes the path to parenthood looks different than we imagined, but the destination - holding your longed-for baby - makes every step worthwhile.

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 cutting-edge biotechnology are transforming every aspect of reproductive medicine, from AI-powered embryo selection systems that predict success rates with remarkable accuracy, to breakthrough genetic discoveries unlocking new treatment pathways. With her exceptional ability to translate complex scientific concepts into accessible insights, she brings clarity to the most exciting developments in fertility technology, showing how today's innovations are becoming tomorrow's standard of care, and why the next chapter of reproductive medicine promises to be the most transformative yet.

 This episode is proudly supported by Fertility SA and Genea Fertility.

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 personal process of donor selection, Brooke breaks down what intended parents really need to know about this special pathway to family building. We explore the practical differences between known and unknown donors, how recent Medicare changes are making treatment more accessible, and the emotional journey of creating families through the extraordinary act of genetic generosity.  Whether you're considering donor eggs, sperm, or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers honest insights that honour every family's unique journey while celebrating the beauty of how donor-conceived people come to be

This episode is proudly supported by Fertility SA powered by Genea

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,' creating the positive, uplifting stories she was desperately searching for when she was in treatment. Stories of people who chose to step away and are building vibrant, joy-filled lives on their own terms.

This conversation with the Fiercely Infertile host Cassie Silver, challenges the 'never give up hope' narrative and explores what happens when walking away becomes the brave choice. Whether you're actively trying or questioning your next steps, Katie's perspective will give you so much to think about.

Sometimes the most courageous thing you can do is choose yourself.

Read Katie's work: https://open.substack.com/pub/afterglowbykatie

#WhatToExpectWhenYoureInjecting #AlternativeHappyEndings #FiercelyInfertile #FierceFertility #FertilityJourney #InfertilityAwareness #TTC

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 preservation, challenging outdated advice to "just get pregnant" as a treatment. She explores the latest evidence-based options including excision surgery, hormonal suppression, and specialised IVF protocols designed specifically for endometriosis patients, offering practical strategies for navigating this dual challenge of treating the disease while pursuing conception. From painful periods to fertility struggles to conception challenges, this episode uncovers how endometriosis impacts your entire journey to getting pregnant with quality of life at the forefront. 

This episode is proudly supported by Genea Fertility Melbourne City

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, treatment options, and success rates that patients need to understand. At Genea Fertility Melbourne City, Dr. Cameron helps patients navigate the delicate balance between medical investigation and emotional support, addressing both the physiological and psychological aspects of pregnancy after loss. From unexplained losses to genetic factors, immunological treatments to lifestyle modifications, this episode offers evidence-based guidance for those facing one of fertility's most difficult journeys, with insights that only someone who has walked both sides of the patient-doctor divide can provide.

This episode is proudly supported by Genea Fertility Melbourne City

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, IVF challenges, and the anxiety of a high-risk pregnancy, this couple's resilience shines. Their story is a testament to the unexpected medical hurdles that can complicate fertility journeys and the incredible strength required to fight for the family you've always dreamed of. From heartbreak to heart surgery to holding their perfect baby girl Mia, this is a story of hope, medical miracles, and the lengths we go to for love.

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 male fertility and how men can become active participants rather than sideline spectators in the fertility process. Whether you're anxious about the collection room, considering sperm freezing for future family planning, or supporting a partner through IVF, this Men's Health Week episode provides the information men need but rarely receive. This episode is proudly supported by Genea Fertility Melbourne City.