The Space Between Two Lines

In this deeply moving, educational, and resilient episode of The Space Between Two Lines, Alex sits down with Susan, a 28-year-old nurse from Melbourne. Susan candidly reflects on her three-and-a-half-year journey to parenthood—a path marked by 10 surgeries, dual-factor infertility, a balanced chromosomal translocation, two devastating pregnancy losses, and the life-changing decision to pursue altruistic embryo donation in Australia. After coming off Depo-Provera, Susan experienced short, painful 21-to-23-day cycles. An emergency surgery for suspected ovarian torsion revealed a dual diagnosis: active endometriosis and a full septate uterus. Over the next several years, Susan and her husband, Joel, endured failed IVF stimulation cycles, a chemical pregnancy loss, and a silent 10-week miscarriage caused by an unbalanced chromosomal translocation. Following deep-excision laparoscopy for Stage 4 deep infiltrating endometriosis and a cycle that yielded zero viable embryos, Susan discovered an Australian donor embryo network. She shares the complex legal paperwork, medicated donor transfer protocols, an emergency C-section for a placental abruption and placenta accreta, and the overwhelming joy of bringing home her baby boy, Finn. Please take a moment to listen to the full episode, rate, subscribe, and follow The Space Between Two Lines on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform so you never miss an episode. Share Your Story: If you would like to register to share your own fertility, loss, or family-building journey on the podcast, please visit our website: https://www.twolines.space/register

In this honest, empathetic, and highly informative episode of The Space Between Two Lines, Alex sits down with a 32-year-old Melbourne resident who candidly shares her two-year journey navigating infertility, the emotional turmoil of ovulation tracking, repeated treatment failures, a Stage 3 endometriosis diagnosis, and an early chemical pregnancy loss. After marrying in May 2023, our guest and her husband began trying to conceive, assuming youth and regular cycles would make the process straightforward. When months of tracking yielded no results, they sought medical help, entering a world of tubal flushes, unsuccessful IUI cycles, and a high-yield IVF egg retrieval that required a freeze-all due to overstimulation. After three failed frozen embryo transfers (FETs), an exploratory laparoscopy revealed active Stage 3 endometriosis. Following excision surgery, a chemical pregnancy loss, and a fifth transfer, she shares how taking a mental health break, switching to a new Melbourne clinic for specialized testing (such as uterine natural killer cells), and finding online community gave her a renewed sense of empowerment and strength. Listen & Follow the Podcast:This episode is a powerful reflection on resilience, self-advocacy, and finding strength in community while navigating the complex realities of fertility treatment.Share Your Story: If you would like to register to share your own fertility, loss, or IVF journey on the podcast, please visit our website: https://www.twolines.space/register

In this profoundly moving, raw, and inspiring episode of The Space Between Two Lines, Alex sits down with Jess R, a Gold Coast mother of four, author, and women's health advocate. Jess shares her extraordinary journey across more than two decades—from battling severe, undiagnosed teenage endometriosis to navigating devastating pregnancy losses, complex IVF protocols, and ultimately reclaiming her life through a total hysterectomy. When Jess was just 27, her first IUI cycle led to a joyous pregnancy, only for a routine 12-week scan to reveal a severe structural heart defect caused by a rare chromosomal deletion (IQ44 deletion). Faced with a heartbreaking prognosis of "incompatible with life," Jess endured a Termination for Medical Reasons (TFMR) at 18 weeks, delivering her daughter, Jean. Jess candidly unpacks the profound grief of walking out of the hospital without a baby, the anxiety of pregnancy after loss, enduring natural miscarriages and D&Cs while climbing the corporate ladder, and spending $60,000 on repeated failed IVF cycles. Her story takes an empowering turn when she sought a second opinion on the Gold Coast with renowned fertility specialist Dr. Kee Ong, who discovered a blocked fallopian tube and initiated an innovative protocol that brought her son, Kingsley, into the world—followed later by a surprise natural conception, Rocky. Special Announcement: Book Launch & Event DetailsBook Launch Event: Renowned fertility specialist Dr. Kee Ong will be joining Jess in conversation live at her upcoming book launch event for While the Baby Slept (launching November 24, 2026). Keep an ear out for event details and ticketing closer to the date!Website & Press: For full details, press releases, media articles relating to Jason Rigby’s case, and updates on Jess's memoir, visit: https://www.jessicarigby.comFollow the Campaign & Story: Connect with Jess and follow the movement for justice on Instagram & Facebook: @justiceforjasonrigby Listen & Follow the Podcast:Jess's journey is a powerful reminder that while loss and fertility struggles burn deeply into your soul, self-advocacy and finding the right care team can change everything. If you found this episode empowering, please take a moment to listen to the full episode, subscribe, rate, and follow The Space Between Two Lines on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform. Share Your Story: If you would like to register to share your own journey on the podcast, please visit our website: https://www.twolines.space/register

In this candid and emotional episode of The Space Between Two Lines, Alex sits down with Alison, a 29-year-old living in Heathcote, Victoria. Alison opens up about her four-year journey trying to conceive with her partner, Nick—a path that shifted dramatically when they discovered that Nick's childhood leukemia chemotherapy treatments had resulted in severe male factor infertility (low sperm count and low motility). Told by specialists that they had less than a 1% chance of conceiving without medical intervention, Alison and Nick were shocked to fall pregnant naturally in late 2025. Tragically, that pregnancy ended in a missed miscarriage and subsequent D&C surgery. Alison openly shares the grief of pregnancy loss, the patience required while navigating Victoria's public IVF system in Melbourne and Bendigo, and the unpredictable reality of egg retrieval. Listen & Follow the Podcast:Alison’s story is a poignant, honest reminder that fertility journeys rarely follow a straight line, and that taking time to heal physically and emotionally is a vital part of the process. Please take a moment to listen to the full episode, rate, and follow The Space Between Two Lines on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform so you never miss an episode. Share Your Story: If you would like to register to share your own fertility, loss, or IVF journey on the podcast, please visit our website: https://www.twolines.space/register

In this deeply moving, resilient, and educational episode of The Space Between Two Lines, Alex speaks with Kel, a 37-year-old educator living in South Australia's Clare Valley. Kel shares her four-year journey from trying to conceive naturally to facing unexpected miscarriages, an emergency rare cancer diagnosis, a 16-hour radical surgery, and the heartbreak of navigating frozen embryo transfers without ovaries. When a routine fertility scan led to an emergency MRI, Kel was diagnosed with Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP)—a rare cancer-like condition caused by a burst mucinous appendix tumor. Before undergoing a life-saving 16-hour cytoreductive surgery and intraoperative chemotherapy that removed her ovaries, fallopian tubes, spleen, gallbladder, and part of her bowel, Kel underwent an emergency IVF cycle to freeze three precious embryos. Kel candidly discusses surviving surgical menopause, advocating for herself during IVF, navigating chemical pregnancies and a missed miscarriage, and preparing for her next chapter with donor eggs. Listen & SubscribeKel’s story is an extraordinary testament to strength, patient advocacy, and navigating grief while holding onto hope. Tune in to hear her full journey on this episode of The Space Between Two Lines. If you found this conversation meaningful, please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and follow The Space Between Two Lines on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform so you never miss an episode. Share Your Story: If you would like to register to share your own journey on the podcast, please visit our website: https://www.twolines.space/register