The IVF Journey with Dr Michael Chapman

In this episode, Prof Chapman takes you inside the IVF laboratory to follow the journey from egg to embryo. He explains why stimulation aims for multiple eggs, how scientists recognise a mature egg, and why egg quality can decline with age. He also covers the two ways eggs are fertilised, conventional IVF and ICSI, what to expect from that next-morning phone call, and how time-lapse incubators have improved success rates. Finally, he explains why most Australian clinics now grow embryos to the day five blastocyst stage before transfer. 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

In this episode, Prof Chapman answers a listener question from Mary, who asks whether stopping Ozempic six weeks before an IVF cycle could affect the outcome. He explains that while drug companies remain cautious for now, no abnormalities have been detected in the many pregnancies occurring in women using these medications. In fact, because obesity can impair fertility, the weight loss these drugs bring may make pregnancy more likely. Prof Chapman shares the current advice to pause before trying to conceive, points to a leading US reproductive endocrinologist who sees no downside beforehand, and explains why he expects the guidance to change. 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

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

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

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.