Curious about embryo optimisation? Dr Tiki Osianlis shares her expertise on the Conceive Baby Podcast

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Understanding embryo development

Although IVF and embryo development can be complex topics, Tiki and Tasha endeavour to make the science more accessible. The podcast episode breaks down the laboratory advances that Newlife IVF embryologists use day-to-day, in a way that’s easy to understand.

During the episode, host Tasha asks Tiki about the details of embryo development that patients often seek more information about. Sharing plenty of embryology pearls of wisdom along the way, Tiki describes the differences between a day 3 and day 5 embryo, the top factors that stop embryo growth, and the fine details of embryo grading and ranking.

However, as Tiki put it: ‘don’t agonise over grading’. Instead of getting too caught up in embryo grading, patients are encouraged to rely on the expertise of an embryologist, who can provide valuable insight into what their results truly mean.

Tiki also explains what mosaic embryos are, whether they are suitable for implantation, what PGT testing is and the special circumstances when PGT testing may not be recommended.

‘Genetic testing of embryos, including insights into mosaic embryos, offers a window into chromosomal normalcy but must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis,’ says Tiki.

Blending expertise in fertility care

You may notice from the podcast that Tiki and Tasha talk with an easy flow. This is not just their communication skills shining through – they have shared conversations in the past over their mutual passion to educate and inform patients.

As a naturopath and nutritionist, Tasha has a wealth of experience and specialist expertise in overcoming fertility challenges. She is passionate about supporting patients to achieve their best fertility health before ovulation and she regularly shares this expertise on ‘Conceive Baby Podcast’, as well as through media appearances, speaking seminars and journal publications.

As for, Tiki, she oversees our state-of-the-art laboratory – drawing on a wealth of experience in embryology and IVF. She is a driving force behind Newlife’s commitment to best scientific practice. Tiki is passionate about ensuring that the latest scientific fertility advances are offered to patients to help them achieve a healthy family as soon as possible.

‘Behind the laboratory doors, there are so many people that are hoping for our patients to have a fantastic outcome,’ says Tiki.

Putting patients first

If there was one thing that shone through from Tiki and Tasha’s conversation, it was the care that every team member has for their patients. This is integral to the ethos both Tiki and Tasha bring to their fertility work. Over a patient’s fertility journey, the team is cheering them on – they share in the highs and the lows and are deeply invested in supporting each patient to achieve their fertility goals.

‘And I do want to say that every embryologist that I’ve ever come across – and I’ve seen many of them – genuinely care about what they’re doing and they care so much about the patients,’ says Tiki.

Tune in now!

Whether you’re on a fertility journey yourself or simply curious about embryology, be sure to listen to the podcast episode. You can find it here.

The real cost of egg freezing – a candid conversation between Dr Nicole Hope and Victoria Devine

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Understanding egg freezing and the costs

Victoria Devine aims to make finance easier in every area of life, including fertility care. To do this, she strongly advocates that you take the time to do your research. Whether it be a new sweater, a first home or your future fertility – it pays to educate yourself first.

Victoria sat down with Dr Hope and asked her all about egg freezing. With a straightforward clarity that comes from her decades of fertility experience, Dr Hope outlined the egg freezing and IVF processes, and the differences between the two. She also explained how fertility care is timed to match the natural rhythms of your body. For this reason, a lot of fertility treatments are timed around your menstrual cycle.

‘The body has it all worked out and everything we do is actually trying to mimic or replicate what happens in the body,’ said Dr Hope.

Having covered the fundamentals, Victoria and Dr Hope then dived into the costs of egg freezing and IVF, as well as who is eligible for Medicare deductions to their fertility treatment. Dr Hope also discussed some of the patient financing options available to help people manage the costs of fertility care more comfortably.

Cutting out hidden fees at Newlife IVF

When it comes to any major expenses, Victoria recommends that it can be helpful to budget for both the known costs and any additional expenses that may come your way. In the case of egg freezing – depending on the healthcare provider you choose – you may have costs tacked on outside of the initial quote.

This is why at Newlife IVF, transparency with patients is a priority. It is rare for a patient to receive an unexpected or additional cost – and if there is a medical need for one, this will always be discussed beforehand.

‘People shouldn’t be getting too many extra costs outside what they are quoted,’ said Dr Hope.

Dr Hope also explained that all Newlife IVF patients receive an appointment with a member of the finance team before any treatment is started. This appointment helps people understand the costs of treatments and services, and the financing options available, which can help them make informed decisions about whether the treatment/service is right for them.

Infertility is more common than you may think

To complement Dr Hope’s fertility guidance, Victoria shared her own pregnancy experience, as well as the fertility journeys of some of her friends. It quickly became clear how varied fertility journeys can be and that there is no one-size-fits-all for family planning. This led Victoria to ask if there are any factors that can affect someone’s fertility.

Dr Hope explained that the quality of a woman’s eggs is one of the main contributors to their chances of having a baby. She added that although egg quality is affected by many factors, age is often the most crucial.

‘For women, the single biggest thing that predicts when we can get pregnant is our age,’ said Dr Hope.

Drawing on her proactive approach to fertility treatment, Dr Hope also talked through what people can do to improve their egg quality at any age.

A brief background about the webinar presenters

Victoria Devine is a multi-award-winning financial advisor, business owner, podcaster and author. She hosts the popular podcasts She’s on the Money and The Property Playbook, and is the CEO of Zella, a financial services company. Through all her ventures, Victoria aims to transform the way millennials think about money to make their financial dreams achievable.

Dr Nicole Hope is a highly experienced fertility specialist and the Medical Director of Newlife IVF. She also holds an advanced Certificate in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (CREI). This is the highest level of qualification you can have in fertility care and less than 100 Australian fertility specialists have it! Above all, Dr Hope is passionate about helping her patients start or grow their families, and she prioritises the importance of providing the right information and support at each step of fertility care.

Learn more about the financial side of egg freezing

Watch the webinar for a full breakdown of egg freezing, the costs and the financing options available.