10 IVF Rounds, No Embryos: Finding Motherhood Through Embryo Donation

10 IVF Rounds, No Embryos: Finding Motherhood Through Embryo Donation

Author: Women's Health Melbourne August 30, 2026 Duration: 39:05


After 10 rounds of IVF using her own eggs without creating a single embryo, Fiona O’Neil and her husband faced an incredibly difficult question: were they willing to let go of genetic parenthood to experience life as parents?


Their journey included undiagnosed stage four endometriosis, an ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy loss, known egg donation, two trips to South Africa for anonymous donor eggs and, ultimately, becoming parents through embryo donation.


In this deeply personal episode of Knocked Up, Fiona joins fertility specialist Dr Raelia Lew to share the emotional reality of transitioning from IVF with your own eggs to donor conception.


Fiona speaks honestly about grieving the child she initially imagined, worrying whether she would bond with a donor-conceived baby and the fear that her child might one day reject her. She also shares why those concerns disappeared when her son arrived.


Now the founder of The Fertility Framework, Fiona uses her lived experience to support individuals navigating fertility treatment and help workplaces become more informed, compassionate and fertility aware.


The Fertility Framework:

Instagram: @fertilityframework

Fertility coaching and workplace support:

Learn more through The Fertility Framework



ABOUT WOMEN’S HEALTH MELBOURNE

Women’s Health Melbourne is an innovative fertility and women’s health practice led by Dr Raelia Lew. Its specialist team provides evidence-based care across fertility, IVF, egg freezing and women’s health.


Learn more or book an appointment through Women’s Health Melbourne.


This podcast provides general information and should not replace personalised medical advice from your healthcare professional.



Embryo donation, egg donation Australia, donor conception, donor-conceived children, IVF journey, IVF failure, infertility support, fertility trauma, miscarriage support, pregnancy loss, fertility in the workplace, reproductive leave, workplace fertility support, stage four endometriosis, fertility specialist, genetic parenthood, anonymous egg donation, known egg donor and fertility podcast.



Ever found yourself with a question about your body or your journey to parenthood that felt too awkward or complex to ask? That’s exactly the space where Knocked Up: The Podcast About Fertility and Women's Health lives. Hosted by Dr Raelia Lew, a specialist from Women's Health Melbourne, alongside Jordi Morrison, this series digs into the realities of fertility, pregnancy, and overall health without the jargon or judgement. Each episode feels like a candid chat with knowledgeable friends who aren’t afraid to tackle the tough topics, translating complicated medical concepts into conversations you can actually follow and use. It’s more than just a fertility podcast; it’s a resource for anyone curious about how their body works, from preconception through to postpartum and general wellbeing. The tone is straightforward, empathetic, and grounded in real experience, making often overwhelming subjects feel manageable. You’ll come away with clearer insights, practical knowledge, and perhaps a bit of reassurance for your own path. For regular updates, the team can be found on social media, but the heart of it all is in these frank and essential discussions. Tune in for a genuinely accessible take on women’s health, where no question is off the table.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Knocked Up: All About Fertility and Women's Health
Podcast Episodes
You ask, we answer. Our Q&A episode. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:42
Thank you for your questions! In this episode we discuss: Why do some IVF clinics genetically test embryos and some do not? What can I do before FET to assist chances of success? Going to try for a 2nd child. Should I st…
Fresh or Frozen? Understanding Embryo Transfer Decisions in IVF [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:34
Fresh or frozen embryo transfer. Which is better? In this episode of Knocked Up, Jordi Morrison and fertility specialist Dr Raelia Lew unpack one of the most common and confusing IVF questions. Together, they explain wha…
IVF Step by Step [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:29
Starting IVF can feel overwhelming, but understanding each stage can make the experience far less daunting. In this episode, we walk through the IVF process from your first consultation right through to that all importan…
We Can Make Eggs from Skin Cells?! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:03
In this episode of Knocked Up, Jordi Morrison and Dr Raelia Lew unpack one of the newest breakthroughs in reproductive science: the creation of human egg cells from skin cells. Dr Raelia explains how stem cells work, wha…
Fertility and Peri/Menopause Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:52
In part 2 of our fertility and perimenopause series, Dr Raelia Lew takes us through the treatment pathways available for women in their 40s who are trying to conceive. We discuss embryo banking, PGT testing, IVF, donor e…
Fertility and Peri/Menopause Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:09
In part one of understanding our fertility and peri/menopause, we unpack why fertility becomes more challenging as we approach perimenopause. Dr Raelia explains how shifting hormones, irregular cycles, and declining egg…
PCOS: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:47
When you hear “PCOS”, it’s easy to think only of the negatives. But the story is far more complex. From why women with PCOS can actually have higher egg counts, to the fertility myths that cause unnecessary fear, this ep…
Lifestyle Factors Explored Part 2 with Dr Alexandra Harvey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:20
Part 2 of our 2-part series on lifestyle factors and fertility features Dr. Alexandra Harvey, Senior Research Scientist at Melbourne IVF. With 25 years of experience in embryology and fertility research, Dr. Harvey break…
Lifestyle Factors Explored Part 1 with Dr Alexandra Harvey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:45
Part 1 of our 2-part series on lifestyle factors and fertility features Dr. Alexandra Harvey, Senior Research Scientist at Melbourne IVF. With 25 years of experience in embryology and fertility research, Dr. Harvey break…