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
What you should know before freezing your eggs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:58
Deciding to freeze your eggs can be a big decision, we ask Dr Raelia Lew how we should be informed. What tests do you recommend your patients undergo before freezing your eggs? What factors could affect a patient’s eligi…
We Answer Your Questions, Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:39
Part 2 of answering your questions. If you don't hear your question answered in this episode, it will be in part 1. What are the options for getting pregnant with cystic adeno? Treatment options for short luteal phase Wh…
We Answer Your Questions, Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:13
Such great questions! Thank you listeners :) If you don't hear your question answered in this episode, it will be in part 2, coming our in two weeks. Please explain the difference between egg freezing and and embryo free…
Having sex to get pregnant; try Ellechemy’s Protectility Lubricant [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:19
You know us as the hosts of Knocked Up, some of you may know Raelia as your Doctor. We are also the founders of Ellechemy, an intimate wellness company – we make very clever lubricants. Ellechemy’s collection of medicall…
The Cycle Guide App with Dr Caroline Fiddler [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:22
Our guest today is Dr Caroline Fiddler, a medical doctor and new mother to baby Alice who was conceived via IVF. IVF can be overwhelming and keeping track of appointments, self-injections, procedures etc only adds to thi…
Obesity and Fertility [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:31
What is the definition of Obese? How does Obesity, and weight in general impact fertility? Challenges conceiving Challenges when trying ART Challenges during pregnancy and birth Why are there weight limits? Is this an is…
What to expect when using Preconception Genetic Testing to conceive [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:40
We have recorded many episodes in the past on Preconception Genetic Testing (PGT) – the science, what we are looking for and what we can know about embryos created in IVF through genetic evaluation. This episode is about…
Making Room for a Womb with Prue Craven [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:53
Prue Craven was 17 years old when she found out that she didn’t have a uterus. Prue has ovaries and can produce eggs. But without a uterus, she cannot carry a baby. Today, Prue and baby Rose, join us on knocked up to sha…