Ever wondered what really makes the difference in fertility treatment success? Lucy Lines pulls back the curtain on the fertility industry with unparalleled insider knowledge from her 25 years as a clinical embryologist and fertility educator.

The conversation shatters common misconceptions, particularly the myth of “the best” fertility specialist. Lucy explains why personal connection with your doctor, laboratory quality, clinic accessibility, and staff responsiveness collectively impact your fertility outcomes more than a specialist’s reputation alone. Her apple cake analogy brilliantly illustrates how the fertility process relies on multiple factors working in harmony—from the quality of your eggs and sperm to the skill of laboratory scientists handling your precious embryos.

Lucy helps to fill critical knowledge gaps, empowering individuals to understand their bodies, ask informed questions, and advocate for themselves throughout treatment.

Ready to become your own fertility advocate? Lucy’s resources in this episode guides people become collaborative partners in their fertility care rather than passive recipients.

You can follow Lucy’s active and engaging content on instagram www.instagram.com/twolinesfertility and her work at https://www.twolinesfertility.com.au/

Lucy Lines Bio:

Over Lucy’s first 17 years in the fertility ‘industry’ (12 of those as a clinical embryologist and global customer support embryologist and 5 in GP education) Lucy became increasingly frustrated over the ‘business’ aspect that was creeping in to much of the decision making within large IVF companies and the huge gaps that was creating for patients accessing those services. Making patients feel like a ‘number’ on a conveyer belt of fertility treatment. After a redundancy rather late in a rainbow pregnancy, (at 44 years old) she saw an opportunity to fill those gaps – with education, care, support, guidance and space for women and couples experiencing difficulties with their fertility – totally independent of the big businesses! As a fully qualified and experienced embryologist, Lucy now offers her services through Two Lines Fertility – with her website, blog, courses and, of course, her 1:1 support, Lucy now helps women and couples feel empowered, and more importantly EDUCATED and in control of their fertility, whether they are right at the beginning of considering growing their families, or in the depths of IVF treatment.

In this episode

The psychological burden of fertility treatment is largely preventable with the right support, yet nearly half of patients discontinue IVF due to stress rather than medical or financial reasons.

• Alarming statistics show 76% of women experience anxiety and 56% experience depression at clinical levels during fertility treatment
• Traditional advice to “just relax” is harmful when your nervous system is in fight-or-flight mode
• Dr. Alice Domar’s research shows women who completed her mind-body program achieved 52-55% pregnancy rates versus 20% in control groups
• Trauma history and neurodivergence are two hidden factors that make fertility treatment particularly challenging for some individuals
• Green flags for emotional readiness include self-advocacy skills and effective stress management tools
• Red flags suggesting additional support is needed include panic attacks, procedure avoidance, and relationship strain
• Group interventions are more effective than individual counseling because isolation is a major challenge
• Skills-based approaches consistently outperform traditional talk therapy for fertility patients
• EMDR therapy shows significant reductions in anxiety, depression and PTSD symptoms in fertility contexts
• Early psychological intervention can prevent treatment discontinuation and improve overall outcomes
• Breaking generational cycles begins with healing trauma before conception

The shocking reality behind fertility treatment often goes unaddressed—nearly 50% of patients abandon IVF early due to psychological distress rather than medical or financial limitations. This powerful conversation with psychologist Liz Bancroft reveals why emotional support isn’t just a luxury but a critical factor in treatment success.

Liz shares groundbreaking research showing that proper psychological support can triple pregnancy success rates, with women receiving mind-body interventions achieving 52-55% pregnancy rates compared to just 20% in control groups. This isn’t about “just relaxing” or positive thinking—it’s about evidence-based techniques that address the nervous system’s fight-or-flight response during treatment.

The discussion explores two hidden factors that make fertility treatment particularly challenging: trauma history and neurodivergence. With 70% of the population having encountered trauma and Bancroft’s research finding 90% of her fertility patients show elevated neurodivergent traits, these underlying factors significantly impact how patients experience treatment. Female presentations of autism and ADHD are often missed, yet autistic women have double the rates of PCOS and higher rates of endometriosis.

Listeners will learn practical ways to assess their emotional readiness for fertility treatment through Bancroft’s green flag/red flag framework. Green flags include self-advocacy skills and effective stress management tools, while red flags like panic attacks or procedure avoidance don’t mean you’re not ready for treatment—they mean you’re ready for targeted support.

Ready to transform your fertility journey? Discover how early intervention with the right psychological tools can prevent treatment burnout and create lasting positive change. This isn’t just about having a baby—it’s about breaking generational cycles of trauma and becoming the best version of yourself in the process.

You can find details about Liz Bancroft’s evidence-based support program at www.hopeaffirmthrive.com.au, designed specifically for fertility populations with flexible scheduling to work around IVF and work commitments.

In this episode

In this heartfelt episode of The Home of Fertility, host Helen Zee speaks with Julia Macken, mama, business owner, and IVF warrior, who courageously shares her story of fertility treatment, pregnancy loss, resilience, and ultimately hope. Julia opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of unexplained infertility, IVF cycles, and the devastating loss of her baby Thomas — and how she and her husband found strength, healing, and love through grief. She shares candid insights on partner support, the impact of hormones and injections, navigating setbacks, and celebrating even the smallest milestones along the way. Together, Helen and Julia highlight the importance of honest conversations, community, and holistic care for anyone on a fertility journey. This conversation is raw, real, and infused with compassion, offering comfort and encouragement to anyone navigating IVF, loss, or the dream of becoming a parent.

*Sensitive content in this episode regarding pregnancy loss.

In this episode:

The fertility journey is never one-size-fits-all. It’s personal, messy, miraculous—and often misunderstood. In this season opener, Liz Walton and Helen Zee reunite to launch Season 2 of The Home of Fertility podcast, weaving together science and soul, lived experience and professional expertise, in a space where all stories are welcome.

What began as a connection at the Australian Fertility Summit has evolved into a shared mission:
To reimagine how we speak about fertility, how we support one another, and how we hold the full spectrum of what it means to create family.

Together, Helen and Liz bring decades of experience—both professionally and personally—to this new chapter. Liz shares her decade-long fertility path, including six rounds of IVF before conceiving naturally at 46, after surrendering to a child-free future. Helen’s work as a fertility lifestyle practitioner is deeply rooted in a lifelong calling to motherhood and her passion for conscious conception.

This podcast is for anyone navigating fertility and family creation: Solo parents and same-sex couples

Donor-conceived and surrogacy journeys Those just beginning and those who’ve been trying for years Those who carry grief, hope, uncertainty—or all three at once

Each episode brings together voices from both medical and holistic fields—IVF specialists, naturopaths, somatic therapists, and people with lived experiences—to bridge the gap between conventional care and whole-person healing. This is a place where:

• Vulnerability meets knowledge
• Medical meets integrative
• Personal stories become medicine
• No one walks the path alone

Whether you’re navigating your own journey or walking beside someone you love, we invite you in.

Subscribe, share, or leave a review to help more people find this space of truth, tenderness, and transformation.

Subscribe, share, or leave a review to help more people find this space of truth, tenderness, and transformation.

Follow along @AustralianFertilitySummit on Instagram and Facebook.
To learn more about Helen’s work, visit helenzee.com

To learn more about Liz’s work visit www.lizwalton.org

Find us on Instagram and Facebook @AustralianFertilitySummit.

Please share this podcast, leave a review, or subscribe to help us support more people on this path.

In this episode: