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
Could Your Gut Hold the Key to Fertility? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:53
Research suggests that digestive health may play a role in reproductive health, alongside established factors like ovulation tracking and prenatal nutrition. We are joined by gastroenterologist Dr. Lindy Jackson to uncov…
The Vitamin D and AMH connection [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:34
Ever wondered why your fertility specialist tests both AMH and vitamin D? In this episode of "Knocked Up," Dr. Raelia Lew explains the relationship between these two crucial markers and why it matters for your fertility…
Could IVM be the future of fertility care? With Dr Violet Kieu [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:17
In our latest Knocked Up podcast episode we are joined by fertility specialist Dr. Violet Kieu to explore IVM—In Vitro Maturation—a promising alternative to IVF. Unlike IVF, IVM collects immature eggs and matures them in…
Embryo Centred Care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:04
Unlike traditional patient-centred care, embryo-centred care focuses on optimising every step of the IVF process to prioritise what gives the embryo the best chance of success. Dr. Lew explains that IVF is not a one-size…
Fertility Futures with Professor David Gardner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:01
We welcome back Prof David Gardner to the Knocked Up Podcast to talk to us about the latest developments in fertility treatment and what to expect in the future. Listen to our previous episode with Prof David Gardner on…
How to interpret a Semen Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:51
Understanding Male Fertility: What You Need to KnowDid you know male factors contribute to infertility in over 50% of couples struggling to conceive? In this episode, Dr. Raelia breaks down what a semen analysis really t…
Why the Media Doesn't Get Egg Freezing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:55
With elective egg freezing being so new, how we interpret the data in the context of today's population doesn't quite give the accurate story. Dr Raelia Lew explains. We recommend listening to the 'Beyond Expectations' p…