[1.53] Brigid reads out an anonymous listener’s story and question. Dr Pat and Brigid talk about how this is a common story and why people may be waiting for the ‘perfect time’ to have a baby.

[3.33] Dr Pat talks about the process of seeing a gynaecologist before IVF if you are suffering from infertility. Dr Pat talks about how the starting point is a medical history and some test. A semen analysis and ovulation tests may be done, it is also assessed whether the woman has pelvic pain, the possibility of endo and/or pain with intercourse. A gynaecologist and obstetrician would normally manage this couple up until the point where they would be referred to an IVF specialist.

[4.50] Dr Pat talks about some of the other fertility options that may be done prior to a couple being referred to an IVF specialist. Dr Pat also talks about how much information a gynaecologist and obstetrician may receive about a couple while they are going through IVF.

[6.30] Brigid introduces Dr Raelia Lew.

[7.55] Dr Pat talks about how he uses ovulation induction to treat patients who may have anovulatory infertility and asks Dr Raelia if ovulation induction is an under-utilised process for women who may be struggling with infertility due to their ovulation. Dr Raelia talks about how she rarely treats patients for IVF who are suffering from anovulatory infertility and how it is important to provide individualised care and offer the most appropriate treatment for each patient.

[10.29] Dr Pat asks Dr Raelia if there has been a change in the patients who are needing IVF, Dr Raelia talks about how the biggest change she has seen is people who are coming in for egg freezing and how the most common problem her patients are needing IVF for is age related infertility. Dr Raelia talks about how infertility is a very complex issue.

[14.03] Dr Pat asks Dr Raelia about the role reproductive technology has for couples who may not be infertile but may not have a lot of natural conceiving years left. Dr Raelia talks about how this is a very valid reason for people to choose egg freezing and how it is very important to talk with patients and couples about their long-term family goals.

[15.26] Brigid encourages listens to listen to Dr Raelia’s knocked up podcast ep on egg freezing.

[15.36] Brigid asks Dr Raelia about the most common scenario patients come and see her for egg freezing and the ideal age for this. Dr Raelia talks about how a lot of women coming for egg freezing are not yet committed to parenthood or couples coming for egg and embryo banking. Dr Raelia talks about how the ideal age for egg freezing in her opinion is late 20s to early 30s, Dr Raelia talks about why this is the case.

[17.37] Dr Pat asks about whether there is any data on women who have frozen eggs but have not needed to use them and have conceived naturally. Dr Raelia talks about how there is no registry for natural conception and some assisted conceptions to keep track of this data. Dr Raelia talks about how according to IVI in Spain about 1 in 5 women who have frozen their eggs have used them in a 5 to 10 year period, however this is not complete data because women can use frozen eggs up until their early 50s.

[18.40] Brigid asks if women should have an AMH test, Dr Raelia talks about what an AMH test is and why it may be used in a range of different situations.