Couples describe the IVF treatment program as a journey with a lot of emotion. It can last for many months, even years. The emotional journey that Anne undertook had her balancing hopes against the realities. It became a struggle that often looked bleak.

The journey through IVF treatment brings many emotions to the surface. Couples who undertake the journey are often taken by surprise by the demands that IVF can make. Success and failure are always possibilities. In this program we hear about Anne's disappointment that is not often talked about but can be a very real part of the IVF journey. In listening to this podcast series please bear in mind that Anne's experience is not universal, it is her story. This podcast is not intended to replace or replicate medical advice.

Elizabeth, a parent of three donor-conceived adults born as a result of donor treatment in the late 1970s and early 1980s at the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne, recounts her experience of early donor treatment and having donor-conceived children.

The journey through IVF treatment brings many emotions to the surface. Couples who undertake the journey are often taken by surprise by the demands that IVF can make. Success and failure are always possibilities. In this program we hear about Alister's disappointment that is not often talked about but can be a very real part of the IVF journey. In listening to this podcast series please bear in mind that Alister's experience is not universal, it is his story. This podcast is not intended to replace or replicate medical advice.

Ben talks about the effects of IVF and coping strategies. Dinah and Ben's IVF treatment lasted four years until Dinah finally gave birth to their daughter Tallulah in 2010. In listening to this podcast series please bear in mind that Dinah and Ben's experience is not universal, it is their story. This podcast series is not intended to replace or replicate medical advice.

I have always known that my husband was a sperm donor while at university in the 70s. It was undertaken on a strictly confidential basis and over the years we really did not give it much of a thought. All this changed when my husband saw an advertisement in a National newspaper announcing that sperm donor children now had the right to find out who their biological fathers were and asked for people to come forward if they felt they wanted to assist in this process.

Dinah and Ben's IVF treatment lasted four years until Dinah finally gave birth to their daughter Tallulah in 2010. In listening to this podcast series please bear in mind that Dinah and Ben's experience is not universal, it is their story. This podcast series is not intended to replace or replicate medical advice.

New research reveals that having children in the future is equally important to male and female university students, but they have poor understanding of when fertility declines. The study highlights the challenges for young people, particularly university-educated women, in balancing study, career and other life goals with parenthood.

The ‘Donor conception: towards openness’ exhibition, which is currently showing at the City Library Gallery, Flinders Lane, Melbourne, is more than worth a visit.

A review of research by a team of American experts has shed more light on who is likely or unlikely to benefit from ICSI – a technique commonly used in Australian fertility clinics.