Episode 12

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Published on:

7th Jul 2025

BONUS EPISODE: IVF Abroad - Navigating Treatment after 40 with your own eggs

In this second episode of our special mini-series with fertilityclinicsabroad.com, Natalie is joined once again by Joanna Jewell, Head of Patient Experience at IVF Media, to explore the realities of IVF abroad if you're over 40 and using your own eggs. 

This episode is packed with honest, compassionate, and practical advice for older patients whether you're solo, in a couple, or part of the LGBTQ+ community. Joanna shares what to expect, how to manage your options, and how to emotionally prepare for the challenges and decisions ahead. 

What we discuss: 

  • Are there age restrictions for IVF with your own eggs abroad? 
  • The difference between clinic policies and country laws 
  • The reality of success rates over 40 and why some clinics will say no 
  • What PGT-A testing is and why it’s often recommended after age 38 
  • Navigating treatment decisions in LGBTQ+ couples, including ROPA treatment 
  • Countries that are more inclusive (and those that aren't) for solo women and LGBTQ+ patients 
  • The psychological weight of choosing between own eggs and donor eggs 
  • How IVF Media handles difficult conversations with honesty, support, and care 
  • What happens when partners aren’t on the same page and the role of counseling 
  • Why over 40s often go abroad: more treatment options, fewer restrictions, and better support 
  • Understanding the risks and clinic policies around multiple embryo transfer 
  • Additional tests some clinics require (like cardiac screening and blood work) 
  • Planning logistics around school holidays, remote work, and personal comfort 
  • Choosing a clinic near the beach? Joanna says yes, whatever lowers stress! 

Links & Resources: 

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About the Podcast

The Fertility Podcast
The Fertility Podcast|Expert interviews|Women and Men sharing #TTC stories|Wellbeing support
If you’ve found your route to parenthood hasn’t been straightforward, The Fertility Podcast is for you. From how to optimise your fertility to getting pregnant naturally, navigating IVF, understanding donor conception or surrogacy to how to prepare for a life without children. Whatever your situation, you are not alone. Created by Natalie Silverman, a former fertility patient in 2014 Natalie set about speaking to experts and sharing lived experience and expert interviews In 2019 Kate Davies, an independent fertility nurse consultant joined as co-host and from 2023-2024, Kate hosted the podcast solo sharing more of her expert insight and stories from her patients. As The Fertility Podcast reached its 10th anniversary the decision was taken to cease publishing.. until now. The Fertility Podcast is proud to partner with Fertility Action, a new UK charity dedicated to supporting anyone affected by infertility, secondary infertility, or sub-fertility. Together, we aim to amplify our mission of education, empowerment, and support. Fertility Action combines patient advocacy with expert knowledge to offer peer support, therapy, and reliable information. They are also committed to improving fertility care access, raising awareness, and driving research to advance understanding and treatment.

PLEASE NOTE: The Fertility Podcast has an archive of its 300 episodes on new podcast feeds called: Getting Pregnancy Ready, Infertility Support, Male Fertility, Alternative Routes to Parenthood, and Pregnancy Loss.
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Natalie Silverman