The Home of Fertility with Liz Walton & Helen Zee

Genetic Counseling For Fertility a Deep Discussion with Mona Saleh

We sit down with genetic counsellor Mona Saleh to unpack what genetic counseling really is and why it can be a game changer when you are trying to conceive or navigating IVF. We talk through carrier screening, Fragile X confusion in real-world reports, and how preimplantation genetic testing can support clearer choices and better odds. • what a genetic counselor is and why the role combines education with psychosocial support • why family history still matters even with modern genetic testing • how genetic carrier screening works and what it can reveal without any known family history • the common conditions discussed in screening like cystic fibrosis, Fragile X syndrome, and spinal muscular atrophy • a real example of a Fragile X report being misread and how the anxiety gets resolved • what preimplantation genetic testing is in IVF and how euploid vs aneuploid embryos affect outcomes • why asking questions early can protect your peace and improve decision-making • how to find Mona and when to check for in-house clinic genetic counselors A genetic test result can look like a wall of numbers, and when you are already carrying the emotional weight of IVF or fertility treatment, that uncertainty can hit hard. We’re joined by genetic counsellor Mona Saleh, who has three decades of experience helping people make sense of reproductive genetics with clarity, care, and zero shame for not knowing the jargon. We talk about what genetic counselors actually do, how they translate medical reports, and why that “translator” role can be the difference between panic and a plan.  We start with the basics that matter most for real life decisions: family history, inherited conditions, and how genetic counseling supports you as a person, not just a lab result. From there we dig into preconception genetic carrier screening, including common conditions like cystic fibrosis, Fragile X syndrome, and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Mona explains why carriers are often healthy, how two carriers can face a one in four risk for an affected child, and how informed choice looks different for different families, partners, and donor situations.  One of the most powerful moments comes from a true story: a Fragile X carrier screening report that was misread because the format was complex, which raised anxiety for both the GP and the patient. Mona walks us through how those reports are structured, how misunderstandings happen, and how a calm, expert conversation can quickly restore perspective and guide next steps.  We also explore preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) in IVF, including chromosome screening for euploid vs aneuploid embryos, why imbalance becomes more common with age, and how PGT can improve the chance of pregnancy while reducing miscarriage risk. If you’ve been wondering whether testing embryos increases IVF success, what it can and cannot tell you, or how to advocate for yourself with your clinic, you’ll leave with clearer language and better questions.  Subscribe, share this with someone who needs steadier footing, and leave a review to help more people find support on their fertility journey. Mona's details Website: www.dnadownunder.com.au @DNADownunder on Instagram and Twitter

Your Body Chooses Safety Before Pregnancy And Here Is How To Help It a Great Discussion with Tammy Shemesh

We talk with fertility nutritionist Tammy Shemesh about why disordered eating and food anxiety are far more common in fertility treatment than most people realize, and how that hidden stress can disrupt hormones and cycle health. We share a more compassionate path that blends evidence-based fertility nutrition with nervous system safety, cycle awareness, and real pleasure in eating. • the research on disordered eating in fertility treatment and why it often goes unspoken • what disordered eating can look like beyond clinical diagnoses, including restriction, orthorexia, binge cycles and rigid rules • how chronic stress shifts the body into survival mode and disrupts ovulation, progesterone and thyroid function • the link between gut health, inflammation, estrogen clearance and common fertility conditions like PCOS, endometriosis and fibroids • feminine energy as receptivity, rest and embodiment, and how diet culture pushes control and distrust • the four menstrual cycle phases and how energy, mood and nutrition needs can change across the month • three practical steps to rebuild trust with food and your body, starting today • resources mentioned, including Brene Brown’s Atlas Of The Heart Food can look “perfect” on paper and still feel like a war in your head. If you have ever followed fertility diets, tracked every bite, or swung between restriction and emotional eating while trying to conceive, you are not alone and you are not broken. Liz sits down with clinical nutritionist and certified fertility nutritionist Tammy Shemesh to talk about the quiet reality that many people bring disordered eating patterns into fertility treatment and often never mention it to their doctor, even though it can meaningfully impact hormones, cycle regularity, and stress levels. We unpack what disordered eating can look like beyond a formal diagnosis: chronic dieting, orthorexia and clean eating fixation, rigid food rules, binge cycles, and using food for control when fertility feels out of control. Tammy explains how chronic stress and food anxiety keep the nervous system in fight or flight, pulling resources away from reproduction. We connect the dots between cortisol, progesterone, ovulation signaling, thyroid function, estrogen clearance, inflammation, and gut microbiome health, and why “more willpower” is not the solution. You will also hear a powerful reframe around feminine energy as receptivity, intuition, rest, and cyclical living, plus a simple guide to the four phases of the menstrual cycle and what each phase tends to need. Tammy shares three practical steps you can start now: add one act of genuine nourishment and pleasure daily, track your cycle as body reconnection, and honor what your current phase asks for, especially rest. If you want a calmer, more sustainable approach to fertility nutrition that supports both body and mind, this conversation is for you. If this podcast resonated, please share it, leave a review or subscribe. And if you'd like to connect or share your story, find us on Instagram and Facebook at Australian Fertility Summit. Tammy Shemesh details; website - http://www.tammyshemesh.com email - http://www.tammyshemesh.com [http://www.tammyshemesh.com] socials; https://www.instagram.com/tammyshemesh.nutritionist  https://www.facebook.com/tammy.shemesh

How To Navigate International Surrogacy And Donor Options Conversation with Anita from Growing Families

We sit down with Anita from Growing Families to talk honestly about international surrogacy and donor pathways, from embryo shipping delays to the paperwork, timing, and trust issues that can shape every decision. We share what helps intended parents stay grounded through the long stretches of waiting and the very real emotional swings that show up from matching to birth and beyond. • how Anita supports intended parents globally through surrogacy and donor journeys • who uses surrogacy and donor eggs, donor embryos, and double donor pathways • real-world challenges with embryo shipping, hand-carry logistics, and changing travel routes • paperwork, reports, notarization, and why exit planning matters early • why mindset becomes the hardest part and where overwhelm tends to spike • what makes independent concierge-style support different from going it alone • Anita’s personal story of cancer, embryo loss, and rebuilding trust with better due diligence • practical first steps like consultations, webinars, and understanding country rules • common early mistakes like ignoring timelines, donor dropouts, and surrogate screening setbacks The hard part of surrogacy is not just getting a “yes” from a clinic. It’s the waiting, the paperwork, the cross-border rules, and the moments where you realize you cannot control the timeline the way you want to. We’re joined by Anita from Growing Families, a global support manager with both professional expertise and lived experience, to talk through what intended parents really face on international surrogacy and donor conception paths. We get practical about the logistics that can stall a dream, including embryo shipping and biomaterial transport, flight-route disruptions, hand-carry delays, and the mountain of documentation different countries require. Anita explains who she supports, from heterosexual couples who cannot carry, to gay couples and single men who need an egg donor and surrogate, to single women considering donor eggs, donor sperm, or double donor options. We also discuss why “know the exit plan” matters early, especially when return-home and citizenship steps can be time-sensitive. Just as important, we talk about the emotional reality. Mindset gets tested at every stage: IVF updates, surrogate matching, gaps in communication, and the countdown to birth when excitement and fear can hit at the same time. Anita shares how her own cancer diagnosis and surrogacy journey shaped her approach, and what she wishes more people understood before they sign with an agency or choose a destination like Georgia, Colombia, or the USA. If you’re researching surrogacy abroad, listen for the questions you should ask, the mistakes to avoid, and the support that can make the process feel steadier and safer.  Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so we can reach more families building their future. Find us on Instagram and Facebook at Australian Fertility Summit. Growing Families details; website - https://www.growingfamilies.org https://www.facebook.com/GrowingFamiliesGlobal  https://www.linkedin.com/company/growingfamilies/  https://www.instagram.com/growing_families_global For Anita - anita@growingfamilies.org

Part 2 - What Egg Freezing Estimators Measure And What They Miss - Fertility Naturopath Insights

Join fertility-focused naturopath Nicole Haak to unpack Australia’s egg freezing estimators and why a single percentage cannot capture your full fertility picture. We break down what the calculators measure, where they fall short, and the practical steps that can improve egg quality, sperm health, and IVF outcomes over time.  • How the federal egg freezing calculators are built from population data  • Why IVF cannot improve egg quality and why inputs matter before retrieval  • Male factor as a common blind spot and the value of deeper testing  • Why age influences results but does not define individual success  • The fertility context gap: endometriosis stage, thyroid, metabolic and gut health  • Modifiable risk factors that shift outcomes: endocrine disruptors, diet, weight, exercise, stress and sleep  • Why digestion and nutrient absorption matter for hormone balance  • The three to four month preconception care window for meaningful change  • Targeted nutrients: vitamin D, zinc, choline and antioxidants like CoQ10 and vitamin C  Show notes: Research study showing the impact of fertility with lifestyle changes. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8812443 [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8812443]/ About Nicole: With over 12 years of clinical experience, Nicole Haak is a naturopath with a strong focus on fertility, preconception care, and reproductive health. She is passionate about supporting individuals and couples on their journey to conceive, using practical, evidence-informed strategies that fit into everyday life. Nicole has a special interest in hormone balance, thyroid health, gut health, and stress—key factors that influence fertility outcomes. She provides personalised care for natural conception as well as IVF and assisted reproductive support, with a warm and empathetic approach. She is a registered member of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS) and holds a Bachelor of Health Science (Complementary Medicine) and an Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy. As a mother of three, Nicole understands the emotional and physical aspects of the fertility journey, offering realistic, supportive care tailored to each stage. https://nicolehaak.com.au/

Part 1- What Egg Freezing Estimators Measure And What They Miss - Fertility Specialist Insights

In Part One of the series, we unpack why egg freezing estimators can feel definitive while still missing the details that actually drive fertility outcomes. Dr. Sasha Edelstein explains how to use population statistics as a starting point without letting a calculator replace personalised medical advice and real-life planning. We also discuss: • How government and clinic calculators use population data  • Why limited inputs create a ballpark figure not a forecast  • The “set and forget” risk after freezing eggs  • Endometriosis severity and why diagnosis alone is too broad  • Egg freezing as opportunity rather than insurance  • Age, egg quality, lifestyle, and missed timing windows  • The full cost picture including storage, thawing, and ICSI  • Emotional burden, reproductive trauma, and decisions about unused eggs  • What informed consent and honest consultations should sound like  Dr Sascha Edelstein is a Fertility Specialist with Thrive Fertility, located at Northern Private Hospital in Epping, Melbourne, Australia. https://thrivefertility.com.au/