Best known as Shortland Street’s Dr Harper Whitley, Ria Vandervis’ journey to motherhood wasn’t an easy one. When she miscarried at 12 weeks, Ria had to continue her character's pregnancy and act out giving birth on screen. That was just the first of many struggles in a six-year fertility journey. She explains the setbacks, struggles and traumas she endured on the road to having her son, Teddy.

Originally published in 2023. 

Best known as Shortland Street&rsquo;s Dr Harper Whitley, Ria Vandervis&rsquo; journey to motherhood wasn&rsquo;t an easy one. When she miscarried at 12 weeks, Ria had to continue her character's pregnancy and act out giving birth on screen. That was just the first of many struggles in a six-year fertility journey. She explains the setbacks, struggles and traumas she endured on the road to having her son, Teddy.
Originally published in 2023.&nbsp;

Making a baby isn't necessarily easy. One in four people in Aotearoa-New Zealand experience infertility - and half of those need medical help to get pregnant.

Then there are people challenged by circumstances rather than health concerns - singles, members of Rainbow communities ...But it’s still a subject many have trouble talking about.

In The Human Race, Dan and Nadine Higgins meet Kiwis who’ve spent years trying to make a tiny human before it’s too late. After experiencing a long fertility fight of their own, Dan and Nadine are here to provide comfort and community to those walking an often lonely road.

Their guests - some high-profile, others everyday - share challenges posed by age, health, sexual orientation, prejudice and plain bad luck. They offer tales of resilience, tenacity, heartache and hope. So, whether you’re in the race of your life, you’ve been there before, or you know someone who is struggling, this is a must-listen podcast.

Trigger Warning: This podcast covers topics that will be upsetting for some, including miscarriage, stillbirth and infertility. A range of organisations can help. For support around miscarriage and stillbirth see wheturangitia.services.govt.nz. For support with fertility visit fertilitynz.org.nz.

Making a baby isn't necessarily easy. One in four people in Aotearoa-New Zealand experience infertility - and half of those need medical help to get pregnant.
Then there are people challenged by circumstances rather than health concerns - singles, members of Rainbow communities ...But it&rsquo;s still a subject many have trouble talking about.
In The Human Race, Dan and Nadine Higgins meet Kiwis who&rsquo;ve spent years trying to make a tiny human before it&rsquo;s too late. After experiencing a long fertility fight of their own, Dan and Nadine are here to provide comfort and community to those walking an often lonely road.
Their guests - some high-profile, others everyday - share challenges posed by age, health, sexual orientation, prejudice and plain bad luck. They offer tales of resilience, tenacity, heartache and hope. So, whether you&rsquo;re in the race of your life, you&rsquo;ve been there before, or you know someone who is struggling, this is a must-listen podcast.
Trigger Warning:&nbsp;This podcast covers topics that will be upsetting for some, including miscarriage, stillbirth and infertility. A range of organisations can help. For support around miscarriage and stillbirth see <a href="https://wheturangitia.services.govt.nz/">wheturangitia.services.govt.nz</a>. For support with fertility visit <a href="https://www.fertilitynz.org.nz/">fertilitynz.org.nz</a>.

Dan and Nadine Higgins meet people in the race of their life - to create a life.

The Human Race

Making a baby isn't necessarily easy. One in four people in Aotearoa-New Zealand experience infertility - and half of those need medical help to get pregnant.

Then there are people challenged by circumstances rather than health concerns - singles, members of Rainbow communities ...But it’s still a subject many have trouble talking about.

In The Human Race, Dan and Nadine Higgins meet Kiwis who’ve spent years trying to make a tiny human before it’s too late. After experiencing a long fertility fight of their own, Dan and Nadine are here to provide comfort and community to those walking an often lonely road.

Their guests - some high-profile, others everyday - share challenges posed by age, health, sexual orientation, prejudice and plain bad luck. They offer tales of resilience, tenacity, heartache and hope. So, whether you’re in the race of your life, you’ve been there before, or you know someone who is struggling, this is a must-listen podcast.

Trigger Warning: This podcast covers topics that will be upsetting for some, including miscarriage, stillbirth and infertility. A range of organisations can help. For support around miscarriage and stillbirth see wheturangitia.services.govt.nz. For support with fertility visit fertilitynz.org.nz.

Originally published in 2023. 

Making a baby isn't necessarily easy. One in four people in Aotearoa-New Zealand experience infertility - and half of those need medical help to get pregnant.
Then there are people challenged by circumstances rather than health concerns - singles, members of Rainbow communities ...But it&rsquo;s still a subject many have trouble talking about.
In The Human Race, Dan and Nadine Higgins meet Kiwis who&rsquo;ve spent years trying to make a tiny human before it&rsquo;s too late. After experiencing a long fertility fight of their own, Dan and Nadine are here to provide comfort and community to those walking an often lonely road.
Their guests - some high-profile, others everyday - share challenges posed by age, health, sexual orientation, prejudice and plain bad luck. They offer tales of resilience, tenacity, heartache and hope. So, whether you&rsquo;re in the race of your life, you&rsquo;ve been there before, or you know someone who is struggling, this is a must-listen podcast.
Trigger Warning:&nbsp;This podcast covers topics that will be upsetting for some, including miscarriage, stillbirth and infertility. A range of organisations can help. For support around miscarriage and stillbirth see <a href="https://wheturangitia.services.govt.nz/">wheturangitia.services.govt.nz</a>. For support with fertility visit <a href="https://www.fertilitynz.org.nz/">fertilitynz.org.nz</a>.
Originally published in 2023.&nbsp;