579. Embryo Donation: Counselling, Known vs Unknown Donors, and the Big Decisions
In this episode, Prof Chapman answers a listener question about embryo donation, a lesser-known path to parenthood for women who can’t produce their own eggs and have no partner or a partner with sperm problems. He explains why so few couples with leftover frozen embryos choose to donate them, comparing the decision to adoption, and walks through the rigorous counselling process for both known and anonymous donation. From whether donors will be part of the child’s life to how and when a child is told where they came from, Prof Chapman shares the questions families most need to consider, along with the joy of seeing wonderful babies born to very grateful patients.
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.
19 Oct 2026
578. From Zero Sperm to Solo Motherhood: Two Paths to Parenthood
In this episode, Prof Chapman explains what happens when a semen test shows no sperm at all. He describes how blood tests and an ultrasound show whether the cause is a blockage, such as a vasectomy, or a problem with sperm production in the testicle. He also explains how modern microsurgery can often find small pockets of sperm, even in a testicle thought to be inactive. Prof Chapman then turns to single women using donor sperm, who now account for around 12 to 14% of IVF cycles in Australia. He covers the counselling process, why telling the child is now the norm, and why a small, dedicated donor support team makes all the difference.
15 Oct 2026
577. Septums and Ectopics: The IVF Surprises Nobody Warns You About
In this episode, Prof Chapman tackles two IVF questions that often catch patients off guard. He explains why a uterine septum may affect implantation, why small septums are best left alone, and why removing larger ones remains a contested “may help” option reserved for repeated failed transfers. He then turns to ectopic pregnancy, explaining why single embryo transfer has pushed the risk below 1%, lower than in the general community, and how a previous ectopic or damaged fallopian tubes can shape the approach to future transfers.
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.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.6 / 5
19 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 77 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
97
Social presence
94
YouTube
0
Engagement
92
Contact The IVF Journey with Dr Michael Chapman
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
