The IVF Journey with Dr Michael Chapman

Epizode

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  570. The Truth About Steroids and IVF Add-Ons 18.09.2026 7min

  In this episode, Prof Chapman unpacks the science behind immune add-ons in IVF, explaining why an embryo behaves almost like a transplant and how a woman’s body has to tolerate a pregnancy that is half foreign. Responding to a listener’s question about steroids, NK cells and CRP, he separates the one immunological condition backed by real evidence, antiphospholipid syndrome, from the many popular tests that offer little scientific justification. With characteristic warmth and candour, he explains why he remains sceptical of steroids for most patients, what the soon to be released Australian IVF data shows about persistence, and why pregnancy rates keep climbing cycle after cycle even without any add-ons. Explore the ‘Prof. Michael Chapman – The IVF Journey’ Facebook Page, your reliable destination for cutting-edge insights and guidance within the realm of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Don’t miss out on the IVF Journey podcast; stay informed with the latest episode updates. Tune in for expert discussions and valuable information on navigating the intricate path of IVF
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  569. How Many Eggs Do You Really Need? The Science of Your IVF Cycle 15.09.2026 8min

  In this episode, Prof Chapman unpacks the science behind IVF stimulation protocols and why they sit at the heart of a fertility specialist’s skill. He explains how the short antagonist cycle became the standard for around 95% of Australian cycles, why it has largely replaced the older long protocol, and how it lowers the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation. He also breaks down how your doctor decides the right dose of FSH, weighing age, ovarian reserve and weight, and makes a clear, evidence-based case for why more eggs usually mean more embryos and more chances of success. Along the way he tackles the popular claim that minimal stimulation produces higher quality eggs, and explains why he believes the logic simply doesn’t hold up. Explore the ‘Prof. Michael Chapman – The IVF Journey’ Facebook Page, your reliable destination for cutting-edge insights and guidance within the realm of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Don’t miss out on the IVF Journey podcast; stay informed with the latest episode updates. Tune in for expert discussions and valuable information on navigating the intricate path of IVF
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  568. Varicocele Repair or Straight to IVF: What the Evidence Really Says 09.09.2026 6min

  In this episode, Prof Chapman unpacks one of the more contested questions in male fertility, whether to surgically repair a varicocele or move directly to IVF. He explains why these varicose veins around the testicle may quietly warm it beyond its optimal temperature and dampen sperm production, and why the evidence for fixing them is far more borderline than many assume. Drawing on decades of research, including a striking study tracking one man’s sperm counts across 120 weeks, he shows just how much counts naturally rise and fall with illness, stress and time. His honest verdict, small varicoceles rarely need surgery, and repair is only worth considering for large ones where the count is suboptimal but not zero. A clear, myth-busting look at when intervention helps and when it simply doesn’t. Explore the ‘Prof. Michael Chapman – The IVF Journey’ Facebook Page, your reliable destination for cutting-edge insights and guidance within the realm of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Don’t miss out on the IVF Journey podcast; stay informed with the latest episode updates. Tune in for expert discussions and valuable information on navigating the intricate path of IVF.
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  567. Your Fertility Questions Answered: PMOS Myth and Endometriosis Before IVF 07.09.2026 6min

  In this episode, Prof Chapman answers two listener questions that cut to the heart of some common fertility confusion. First, does the pill cause PCOS? The short answer is no, but the fuller story is more interesting, including why scientists may soon be renaming the condition PMOS, and how coming off the pill can unmask irregular periods that were there all along. Prof Chapman then turns to a listener with stage two endometriosis and a frozen embryo who has faced implantation failures before, weighing whether to pursue further surgery or suppress the endometriosis ahead of transfer. It’s a warm, practical conversation for anyone trying to separate fertility fact from fear. Explore the ‘Prof. Michael Chapman – The IVF Journey’ Facebook Page, your reliable destination for cutting-edge insights and guidance within the realm of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Don’t miss out on the IVF Journey podcast; stay informed with the latest episode updates. Tune in for expert discussions and valuable information on navigating the intricate path of IVF.
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  566. Extended Carrier Screening Explained: Preventing Rare Childhood Diseases 03.09.2026 8min

  In this episode, Prof Chapman unpacks extended carrier screening, the test that helps prevent some of the rarest and most serious childhood diseases before a baby is even conceived. He explains how we all carry genetic mutations without knowing it, in fact 98% of us do, and why they only become a problem when both partners happen to share the same one. Prof Chapman walks through the three most common conditions worth testing for, cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy and fragile X, and shares the good news that Australia now funds this screening through Medicare, along with the IVF needed to avoid passing these conditions on. It’s a warm, clear guide to a topic that sounds daunting but offers real peace of mind for anyone planning a pregnancy. Explore the ‘Prof. Michael Chapman – The IVF Journey’ Facebook Page, your reliable destination for cutting-edge insights and guidance within the realm of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Don’t miss out on the IVF Journey podcast; stay informed with the latest episode updates. Tune in for expert discussions and valuable information on navigating the intricate path of IVF.
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  565. Why 95% of IVF Patients Don’t Need Mental Health Screening 24.08.2026 4min

  In this episode, Prof Chapman tackles a question many patients wonder about but rarely ask: should depression and anxiety screening be standard before starting IVF? His answer is a firm no, and he explains why, drawing on the history of mandatory counselling in Victoria that was eventually abandoned because 95% of patients simply didn’t need it. But that doesn’t mean the emotional side gets brushed aside. Prof Chapman walks through the psychological build up of a cycle, from the hope of a strong egg collection to the gut punch of a negative test, and why supporting patients through that drop is such a vital part of the job. It’s an honest look at the real mental toll of IVF, and a reminder that for most people, resilience, not a screening form, is what carries them through. Explore the ‘Prof. Michael Chapman – The IVF Journey’ Facebook Page, your reliable destination for cutting-edge insights and guidance within the realm of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Don’t miss out on the IVF Journey podcast; stay informed with the latest episode updates. Tune in for expert discussions and valuable information on navigating the intricate path of IVF.
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  564. Banking Time: Why Freezing Eggs Now Buys You Options Later 17.08.2026 6min

  In this episode, Prof Chapman unpacks the reality behind delayed parenthood, a trend driven by both partners as often as by women alone. He explains how the odds of conceiving within a year fall from around 90% at 35 to roughly 60% by 40, and why declining egg quality and numbers sit at the heart of that shift. He walks through egg freezing as a hedge against the ticking clock, noting that 30 to 35 is the ideal window, and shares the sobering statistics on how many eggs are needed at different ages to give a good chance of a baby later. He also steps back to the bigger picture, looking at falling birth rates across the Western world and what governments might do, from baby bonuses to genuinely affordable childcare, to help turn the trend around. Explore the ‘Prof. Michael Chapman – The IVF Journey’ Facebook Page, your reliable destination for cutting-edge insights and guidance within the realm of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Don’t miss out on the IVF Journey podcast; stay informed with the latest episode updates. Tune in for expert discussions and valuable information on navigating the intricate path of IVF.
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  563. The Truth After Four Miscarriages: Still 60-70% 13.08.2026 4min

  In this episode, Prof Chapman cuts through the tests and treatments marketed to women after recurrent miscarriage and asks a simple question: where’s the evidence? He unpacks the $1,500 endometrial receptivity test shown to have no benefit, the pivot to microbiome testing, and immune treatments sold without solid proof — while separating what’s genuinely useful from what he calls “bad medicine.” The reframe that matters most: even after four losses, the odds of carrying a baby next time, doing nothing, are still well over 60 to 70%. Explore the ‘Prof. Michael Chapman – The IVF Journey’ Facebook Page, your reliable destination for cutting-edge insights and guidance within the realm of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Don’t miss out on the IVF Journey podcast; stay informed with the latest episode updates. Tune in for expert discussions and valuable information on navigating the intricate path of IVF.
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  562. What the Evidence Really Says About Miscarriage Prevention 11.08.2026 6min

  In this episode, Prof Chapman takes a hard look at the growing menu of tests and treatments marketed to women after recurrent miscarriage — and asks a simple question: where’s the evidence? He unpacks the $1,500 endometrial receptivity test that took eight years and a gold-standard trial to show no benefit, the same company’s pivot to uterine microbiome testing, and the murky world of immunological treatments like steroids, intralipid and immunoglobulins. Along the way he separates the genuinely useful (spotting and treating chronic endometritis, working on smoking and weight) from what he calls “bad medicine.” The number that reframes everything? Even after four miscarriages, a woman’s chance of carrying a baby next time — doing nothing at all — is still well over 60 to 70%. A clear-eyed, honest conversation about knowing which interventions are worth it, and which are just being sold. Explore the ‘Prof. Michael Chapman – The IVF Journey’ Facebook Page, your reliable destination for cutting-edge insights and guidance within the realm of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Don’t miss out on the IVF Journey podcast; stay informed with the latest episode updates. Tune in for expert discussions and valuable information on navigating the intricate path of IVF.
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  561. Recurring Miscarriage,Egg Freezing, and the IVF Cliff 03.08.2026 7min

  In this episode, Prof Chapman tackles one of the most heartbreaking questions in fertility, why miscarriages keep happening. Responding to a listener who has faced four losses across natural and IVF conceptions, he walks through the biggest culprit, genetic abnormalities in the embryo, and explains why age and egg quality sit at the centre of it all. He unpacks the other hidden causes worth investigating, from chromosome translocations carried by healthy parents to fibroids, scar tissue, and abnormalities in the shape of the womb. Along the way he covers the surprising fertility effects of COVID, the global decline in birth rates, and why more women in their early 30s are choosing to freeze their eggs while quality is still on their side. Practical, honest, and deeply reassuring for anyone navigating the road to a baby. Explore the ‘Prof. Michael Chapman – The IVF Journey’ Facebook Page, your reliable destination for cutting-edge insights and guidance within the realm of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Don’t miss out on the IVF Journey podcast; stay informed with the latest episode updates. Tune in for expert discussions and valuable information on navigating the intricate path of IVF.
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  560. Egg Quality, Chromosomes, and the Race Against Time 31.07.2026 6min

  In this episode, Prof Chapman unpacks what specialists actually mean when they talk about egg quality. He explains that quality comes down to an egg’s competency to fertilise and produce an embryo with the right number of chromosomes, and why that process becomes less reliable as women age. He describes the tiny energy-producing structures called mitochondria, the batteries inside every egg, and how their decline disrupts the delicate work of lining up chromosomes at the right moment. He also walks through the spindle, the internal structure his own team studies using polarised light at Life Fertility, and how checking it before fertilisation helps predict whether a pregnancy is likely. It is an honest, reassuring look at the uphill odds women over 40 face, why most early miscarriages trace back to the egg rather than the parents, and what the science can and cannot tell us. Explore the ‘Prof. Michael Chapman – The IVF Journey’ Facebook Page, your reliable destination for cutting-edge insights and guidance within the realm of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Don’t miss out on the IVF Journey podcast; stay informed with the latest episode updates. Tune in for expert discussions and valuable information on navigating the intricate path of IVF.
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  559. The Egg Countdown: Why Age is Fertility’s Biggest Factor 28.07.2026 4min

  In this episode, Prof Chapman explains one of fertility’s biggest puzzles: why a woman’s biological clock runs down so much faster than the rest of her body. Drawing on decades of experience and more than three and a half thousand babies, he walks through the remarkable journey of your eggs, from the millions laid down before you were even born, to the half a million you had at birth, to the slow decline that ends in menopause. He unpacks why older women get fewer eggs from IVF, what the AMH test can and can’t tell you, and the crucial difference between egg quantity and egg quality. A clear, honest look at the science every woman deserves to understand. Explore the ‘Prof. Michael Chapman – The IVF Journey’ Facebook Page, your reliable destination for cutting-edge insights and guidance within the realm of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Don’t miss out on the IVF Journey podcast; stay informed with the latest episode updates. Tune in for expert discussions and valuable information on navigating the intricate path of IVF.
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  558. PCOS Is Now PMOS. Here’s What Changed 23.07.2026 4min

  In this episode, Prof Chapman and fertility nurse Natalie tackle one of the most-asked questions on the YouTube channel: the recent renaming of PCOS to PMOS. Prof Chapman explains how the change came out of a roomful of specialists, each with their own stake in the name, and why he sees it as a positive move, not least because so many patients hear “cysts on the ovary” and immediately worry about cancer. He unpacks what the new name signals about the hormonal and metabolic sides of the condition, while making clear that the condition itself hasn’t changed at all. And above everything else, he keeps the focus where it matters most for the women he sees: getting pregnant. Explore the ‘Prof. Michael Chapman – The IVF Journey’ Facebook Page, your reliable destination for cutting-edge insights and guidance within the realm of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Don’t miss out on the IVF Journey podcast; stay informed with the latest episode updates. Tune in for expert discussions and valuable information on navigating the intricate path of IVF.
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  557. Over 40 and Repeating IVF Cycles: Get a Second Opinion First 20.07.2026 6min

  In this episode, Prof Chapman is joined by fertility nurse Natalie to answer one of the most common questions from listeners: what should you do when you’re in your 40s and cycle after cycle isn’t working? Natalie explains why going back to basics matters — reviewing your initial workup, checking whether tests like AMH and antral follicle counts need repeating, and looking at inflammatory markers that may be overlooked. She walks through what a thorough second opinion involves, from treatment protocols and medication dosages to egg numbers, insemination methods and blastocyst outcomes, and why genetic testing (PGT-A) is often never discussed despite being valuable. If you’re wondering whether to push on or pause and reassess, this episode is for you. Explore the ‘Prof. Michael Chapman – The IVF Journey’ Facebook Page, your reliable destination for cutting-edge insights and guidance within the realm of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Don’t miss out on the IVF Journey podcast; stay informed with the latest episode updates. Tune in for expert discussions and valuable information on navigating the intricate path of IVF.
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  556. IVF Breakthrough: What’s Actually Coming Next 18.07.2026 5min

  In this episode, Prof Chapman answers a listener question about the future of IVF, covering what innovations are genuinely exciting and whether treatment will become more accessible and affordable. He reflects on how success rates have climbed from 10% to around 40% per embryo transfer over three decades, and gives his honest take on the current “flavours of the month”: AI in embryo selection, non-invasive genetic testing, and research into environmental toxins. With a fertility nurse adding the patient perspective on accessibility and public sector options, this is a candid look at where fertility science is really heading, and why steady 1% gains may matter more than headline breakthroughs. Explore the ‘Prof. Michael Chapman – The IVF Journey’ Facebook Page, your reliable destination for cutting-edge insights and guidance within the realm of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Don’t miss out on the IVF Journey podcast; stay informed with the latest episode updates. Tune in for expert discussions and valuable information on navigating the intricate path of IVF.
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  555.Beyond the Cycle: The Support IVF Patients Are Missing 16.07.2026 5min

  In this episode, Prof Chapman sits down with fertility nurse Natalie to talk about the moments IVF patients often face alone — the late-night bleeding scare, the anxious wait after a positive test, the questions that come up between appointments. They discuss why a positive pregnancy test isn’t the finish line, the reassurance of regular early-pregnancy monitoring through to 10 weeks, and how fertility care is shifting towards truly patient-centred support, where feeling informed, heard and supported matters just as much as clinical outcomes. Explore the ‘Prof. Michael Chapman – The IVF Journey’ Facebook Page, your reliable destination for cutting-edge insights and guidance within the realm of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Don’t miss out on the IVF Journey podcast; stay informed with the latest episode updates. Tune in for expert discussions and valuable information on navigating the intricate path of IVF.
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  544. The Failed Cycle Conversation Every IVF Patient Needs 13.07.2026 4min

  In this episode, Prof Chapman is joined by a fertility nurse to unpack what should happen after a failed IVF cycle — and why so many patients are left without answers. They explore the emotional fallout of a negative pregnancy test, the delays patients face in getting support from busy clinics, and the value of having someone who can genuinely listen between appointments. Prof Chapman also shares his frustration with clinics that simply repeat the same protocol after a failed cycle, explaining why a detailed review of drug dosages, egg numbers, and fertilisation outcomes is essential before planning the next attempt — plus when it might be time to seek a second opinion. Explore the ‘Prof. Michael Chapman – The IVF Journey’ Facebook Page, your reliable destination for cutting-edge insights and guidance within the realm of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Don’t miss out on the IVF Journey podcast; stay informed with the latest episode updates. Tune in for expert discussions and valuable information on navigating the intricate path of IVF.
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  553. Your First IVF Injection: Who Do You Call When You’re Not Sure 10.07.2026 5min

  In this episode, Prof Chapman is joined by a fertility support nurse to explore the gaps in patient care during IVF treatment. They discuss the most common concerns women face — from needle phobia and administering that first injection, to post-egg-collection bleeding and knowing when symptoms warrant escalation. Prof Chapman offers a frank comparison of Australia’s premium versus low-cost IVF clinics, and why patients often absorb only a fraction of what they’re told in consultations — leaving many too embarrassed to ring their clinic with “silly” questions that deserve real answers. Explore the ‘Prof. Michael Chapman – The IVF Journey’ Facebook Page, your reliable destination for cutting-edge insights and guidance within the realm of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Don’t miss out on the IVF Journey podcast; stay informed with the latest episode updates. Tune in for expert discussions and valuable information on navigating the intricate path of IVF.
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  522. This is Why 60% of IVF Patients Fail on Their First Cycle 03.07.2026 8min

  Prof. Chapman introduces Natalie from Australia IVF Concierge, highlighting the emotional and practical support gap patients face at home during fertility treatment. Focus: the psychological burden of IVF (60% first-cycle failure rate), medication management, injection anxiety, and waiting uncertainty. Natalie explains how nurse-led home visits provide reassurance, education, and holistic support beyond clinic appointments—positioning aftercare as essential to the patient journey. Explore the ‘Prof. Michael Chapman – The IVF Journey’ Facebook Page, your reliable destination for cutting-edge insights and guidance within the realm of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Don’t miss out on the IVF Journey podcast; stay informed with the latest episode updates. Tune in for expert discussions and valuable information on navigating the intricate path of IVF.
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  551. The Truth About Ovarian Tissue Freezing and IVF Pregnancy Monitoring 18.06.2026 4min

  In this episode, Prof Chapman explains ovarian tissue cryopreservation, including who it is genuinely suitable for, why it remains largely an experimental fertility preservation technique, and its role for women facing urgent cancer treatment. He also answers a detailed question from a patient who has received a strong positive beta hCG result following embryo transfer. Prof Chapman discusses whether repeat blood tests are necessary, what healthy hCG progression should look like, the importance of early viability scans, and how pregnancy milestones at 7, 10, and 12 weeks help predict the likelihood of a successful outcome. A reassuring discussion for anyone navigating the anxious early days of pregnancy after IVF. Explore the ‘Prof. Michael Chapman – The IVF Journey’ Facebook Page, your reliable destination for cutting-edge insights and guidance within the realm of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Don’t miss out on the IVF Journey podcast; stay informed with the latest episode updates. Tune in for expert discussions and valuable information on navigating the intricate path of IVF.