Unlike traditional patient-centred care, embryo-centred care focuses on optimising every step of the IVF process to prioritise what gives the embryo the best chance of success. Dr. Lew explains that IVF is not a one-size-fits-all treatment and each patient requires a highly individualised plan, including careful timing of egg retrieval, embryo transfer, and even whether to transfer embryos fresh or frozen. Dr. Raelia explains how embryo-centred care influences lab decisions, the role of scientif...
Jun 22, 2025•19 min
We welcome back Prof David Gardner to the Knocked Up Podcast to talk to us about the latest developments in fertility treatment and what to expect in the future. Listen to our previous episode with Prof David Gardner on The science behind the best success rates with Professor David Gardner Find us on Instagram - @knockeduppodcast Join our community! Follow Women's Health Melbourne on Facebook and Instagram ( @womenshealthmelbourne ), and follow Dr Raelia Lew on Instagram ( @drraelialew ). Have a...
Jun 08, 2025•33 min
Understanding Male Fertility: What You Need to Know Did you know male factors contribute to infertility in over 50% of couples struggling to conceive? In this episode, Dr. Raelia breaks down what a semen analysis really tells us — and why one test is never the whole story. From sperm count and motility to the often-overlooked DNA fragmentation test, we explore how male fertility is assessed, what can impact it (hello, fevers and stress!), and which treatments might help. We also unpack the surpr...
May 25, 2025•30 min
We speak with Dr Lironne Wein about the BRCA gene and its implications for breast and ovarian cancer risk. Topics covered: BRCA Gene Basics Cancer Risk Statistics Screening and Prevention Genetic Testing Fertility Considerations Menopause After Surgery Find us on Instagram - @knockeduppodcast Join our community! Follow Women's Health Melbourne on Facebook and Instagram ( @womenshealthmelbourne ), and follow Dr Raelia Lew on Instagram ( @drraelialew ). Have a question about women's health? Is the...
May 11, 2025•37 min
With elective egg freezing being so new, how we interpret the data in the context of today's population doesn't quite give the accurate story. Dr Raelia Lew explains. We recommend listening to the 'Beyond Expectations' podcast episode "Kate Lancaster on What They Don't Tell You About Egg Freezing" Find us on Instagram - @knockeduppodcast Join our community! Follow Women's Health Melbourne on Facebook and Instagram ( @womenshealthmelbourne ), and follow Dr Raelia Lew on Instagram ( @drraelialew )...
Apr 27, 2025•24 min
Today we are joined by guest experts Dr. Vanessa Ross and Dr. Samantha Mooney to discuss the new research they are conducting on endometriosis and fertility. With endometriosis affecting about 1 in 7 women generally, and more like 1 in 3 infertile women. We discuss the dilemma of whether to recommend surgery or IVF for patients with moderate to severe endometriosis who are trying to conceive. We also learn more about their new Endometriosis Longitudinal Fertility Study (ELFs), which aims to gath...
Apr 13, 2025•38 min
This week Australia's Medicare has broadened the definition of infertility, aligning with recommendations from the Gorton Review and the 2018 MBS review. So, we ask Dr Raelia Lew, what does this mean for us? We quickly mention a few organisations by their abbreviations: ANZREI - Australia and New Zealand Society of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Fertility and Sterility - Fertility and Sterility is a monthly peer-reviewed medical journal published by Elsevier on behalf of the American...
Apr 06, 2025•10 min
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Lima Wetherall, an AGES Specialist Gynaecologist and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon. Dr. Wetherall brings her expertise to a comprehensive discussion about endometriosis, exploring critical topics including surgical treatments, diagnostic challenges, and the latest innovations in women's reproductive health. We discuss the complexities of endometriosis, addressing everything from surgical techniques and patient expectations to fertility preservation and multid...
Mar 30, 2025•42 min
Pregnancy after fertility treatments can differ from spontaneous conception. Patients typically discover pregnancy earlier through blood tests, receive more intensive monitoring in the first trimester, and face slightly elevated risks for complications like multiple pregnancies, preterm birth, and placenta previa before transitioning to regular obstetric care around 8-12 weeks. The psychological journey presents unique challenges as patients navigate anxiety, fear of loss, and identity shifts af...
Mar 16, 2025•31 min
We speak to Dr Daniel Lantsberg, featured in the channel 9 show "Big Miracles" with his patient, Anna. Dr. Daniel Lantsberg is a Fertility Specialist at Melbourne IVF. After graduating with honors from Israel's Ben Gurion University in 2008, he completed extensive training at world-class Israeli hospitals before relocating to Australia for an additional three-year subspecialty fellowship at the Royal Women's Hospital and Melbourne IVF. With special interests in elective egg freezing, age-related...
Mar 02, 2025•27 min
With Big Miracles back on TV for 2025, we speak with one of the Doctors featured in the series, Dr Kokum Jayasinghe. Dr Kokum combines extensive medical expertise in fertility and IVF with deep personal understanding from her own fertility journey, and alongside her clinical practice, she is dedicated to training the next generation of reproductive medicine specialists. Big Miracles offers an unprecedented look into fertility treatment journeys, and we discover how patients were selected, how th...
Feb 16, 2025•26 min
At the start of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month we learn more about this 'silent killer' with Dr Tzippi Ben-Harim , Specialist Gynaecologist from the WHM team. What is ovarian cancer – where does it grow, how does it develop? Why do we often hear ovarian cancer described as a 'silent killer'? What makes ovarian cancer particularly challenging compared to other cancers? Are there any key risk factors that we should be aware of? I’ve heard there’s a myth that the contraceptive pill increases ovaria...
Feb 02, 2025•20 min
Dr Raelia Lew talks us through the testing that we may undergo before starting fertility treatment. Find us on Instagram - @knockeduppodcast Join our community! Follow Women's Health Melbourne on Facebook and Instagram ( @womenshealthmelbourne ), and follow Dr Raelia Lew on Instagram ( @drraelialew ). Have a question about women's health? Is there a specific topic you'd like us to cover? Email [email protected]. We keep all requests anonymous. Women's Health Melbourne is a hol...
Jan 19, 2025•25 min
Happy New Year! As we start a new year, it's a nice time to hit reset and set some intentions for the coming year. We welcome back Wendy Fedele , Master's degree qualified accredited practicing Dietitian and Nutritionist who is part of the WHM team of experts, to discuss how we can be proactive about our wellbeing (and fertility goals) in 2025. Find us on Instagram - @knockeduppodcast Join our community! Follow Women's Health Melbourne on Facebook and Instagram ( @womenshealthmelbourne ), and fo...
Jan 05, 2025•16 min
Dr Rebecca Mackenzie-Proctor join us on Knocked Up to discuss the importance of the thyroid gland, its function and how things have recently changed when comes to your fertility. Find us on Instagram - @knockeduppodcast Join our community! Follow Women's Health Melbourne on Facebook and Instagram ( @womenshealthmelbourne ), and follow Dr Raelia Lew on Instagram ( @drraelialew ). Have a question about women's health? Is there a specific topic you'd like us to cover? Email podcast@womenshealthmelb...
Dec 22, 2024•30 min
What does PPOS mean? What is it?, and how does it compare to conventional IVF? Is the timeline different? Who is it suitable for? Are the results the same? What is the success rate? How does the treatment differ? Side effects of the medication? What are the benefits? Are there disadvantages? Are there any recommended lifestyle modifications? What are the options if a patient doesn’t respond as expected? Find us on Instagram - @knockeduppodcast Join our community! Follow Women's Health Melbourne ...
Dec 08, 2024•20 min
Deciding to freeze your eggs can be a big decision, we ask Dr Raelia Lew how we should be informed. What tests do you recommend your patients undergo before freezing your eggs? What factors could affect a patient’s eligibility for egg freezing? How long does the entire process take? Will I need to take time off work whilst freezing eggs? What are the potential side effects of the medications and procedure? Are there any long-term health risks? What are the success rates with egg freezing and sub...
Nov 24, 2024•26 min
Part 2 of answering your questions. If you don't hear your question answered in this episode, it will be in part 1. What are the options for getting pregnant with cystic adeno? Treatment options for short luteal phase What pre-conception supplements do you have to take? How to work on mindset before procedure? How would someone know when it’s time to stop? What do I do if I feel my specialist doesn’t have the same sense of urgency that I feel What is the average drop in AMH from late 20’s to ear...
Nov 10, 2024•22 min
Such great questions! Thank you listeners :) If you don't hear your question answered in this episode, it will be in part 2, coming our in two weeks. Please explain the difference between egg freezing and and embryo freezing, which is best and why? Can you please explain the ICSI process How important is embryology grading in a euploid bastocyst? When a patient has multiple frozen embryos, how do you select the best one to implant? Why would a day 2 transfer be recommended if a day 5 blastocyst ...
Oct 27, 2024•28 min
You know us as the hosts of Knocked Up, some of you may know Raelia as your Doctor. We are also the founders of Ellechemy , an intimate wellness company – we make very clever lubricants. Ellechemy’s collection of medically-backed, customisable intimate skincare and pleasure products that provide effective solutions for complex concerns. One of our products, Protectility , was designed to aid natural conception, by allowing for more comfortable, and pleasurable, sex. On Knocked Up we talk so ofte...
Oct 13, 2024•19 min
In this episide we discuss the outcomes of Assisted Reproductive Treatment (ART) and IVF. Key topics covered in the podcast include: Possible outcomes of ART: pregnancy, unsuccessful treatment, biochemical pregnancy, miscarriage, and ectopic pregnancy. The process and timing of informing of treatment outcomes. The importance of review appointments with your specialist after treatment. Find us on Instagram - @knockeduppodcast Join our community! Follow Women's Health Melbourne on Facebook and Ins...
Sep 29, 2024•32 min
Our guest today is Dr Caroline Fiddler, a medical doctor and new mother to baby Alice who was conceived via IVF. IVF can be overwhelming and keeping track of appointments, self-injections, procedures etc only adds to this. So, Caroline developed the CycleGuide App during treatment to keep track of treatment instructions on her phone. It helped her stay organised, feel more in control and gave her some peace of mind during treatment. Find us on Instagram - @knockeduppodcast Join our community! Fo...
Sep 01, 2024•25 min
What is the definition of Obese? How does Obesity, and weight in general impact fertility? Challenges conceiving Challenges when trying ART Challenges during pregnancy and birth Why are there weight limits? Is this an issue for men as well as women? Why is preconception weight loss important? What role can GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro play in this context? Are there contraindications or risks the patient and Dr need to consider when using GLP-1 drugs in anticipation of pregnancy and/...
Aug 19, 2024•34 min
We have recorded many episodes in the past on Preconception Genetic Testing (PGT) – the science, what we are looking for and what we can know about embryos created in IVF through genetic evaluation. This episode is about what to expect when you are using PGT when trying to conceive. For more on PGT: Listen to 'What is Preconception Genetic Testing' Read 'Medicare funding and PGT in Australia' Listen to 'Who should consider PGT' Listen to Pre-implantation Genetic Screening Read ' Preconception Sc...
Jul 21, 2024•37 min
Prue Craven was 17 years old when she found out that she didn’t have a uterus. Prue has ovaries and can produce eggs. But without a uterus, she cannot carry a baby. Today, Prue and baby Rose, join us on knocked up to share their story. https://www.royalwomen.org.au/areas-of-the-royal/programs Find us on Instagram - @knockeduppodcast Join our community! Follow Women's Health Melbourne on Facebook and Instagram ( @womenshealthmelbourne ), and follow Dr Raelia Lew on Instagram ( @drraelialew ). Hav...
Jul 07, 2024•39 min
Find us on Instagram - @knockeduppodcast Join our community! Follow Women's Health Melbourne on Facebook and Instagram ( @womenshealthmelbourne ), and follow Dr Raelia Lew on Instagram ( @drraelialew ). Have a question about women's health? Is there a specific topic you'd like us to cover? Email [email protected]. We keep all requests anonymous. Women's Health Melbourne is a holistic care precinct, for more information about the work we do click here . This episode is brought ...
Jun 09, 2024•31 min
It sounds pretty good doesn't it? Ovarian rejuvenation. What is it and how can this procedure help our chances of getting pregnant. Find us on Instagram - @knockeduppodcast Join our community! Follow Women's Health Melbourne on Facebook and Instagram ( @womenshealthmelbourne ), and follow Dr Raelia Lew on Instagram ( @drraelialew ). Have a question about women's health? Is there a specific topic you'd like us to cover? Email [email protected]. We keep all requests anonymous. W...
May 26, 2024•21 min
If you or your partner has had a vasectomy what are the options if circumstances change and you want to conceive. Find us on Instagram - @knockeduppodcast Join our community! Follow Women's Health Melbourne on Facebook and Instagram ( @womenshealthmelbourne ), and follow Dr Raelia Lew on Instagram ( @drraelialew ). Have a question about women's health? Is there a specific topic you'd like us to cover? Email [email protected]. We keep all requests anonymous. Women's Health Melb...
May 05, 2024•15 min
For International Cesarean Awareness month Dr Raelia Lew talks us through both performing and giving birth by Caesarean section. Find us on Instagram - @knockeduppodcast Join our community! Follow Women's Health Melbourne on Facebook and Instagram ( @womenshealthmelbourne ), and follow Dr Raelia Lew on Instagram ( @drraelialew ). Have a question about women's health? Is there a specific topic you'd like us to cover? Email [email protected]. We keep all requests anonymous. Wome...
Apr 21, 2024•28 min
What is an artificial cycle for embryo transfer? Preparing the womb for embryo transfer What are the upsides? What are the downsides? How it is used Find us on Instagram - @knockeduppodcast Join our community! Follow Women's Health Melbourne on Facebook and Instagram ( @womenshealthmelbourne ), and follow Dr Raelia Lew on Instagram ( @drraelialew ). Have a question about women's health? Is there a specific topic you'd like us to cover? Email [email protected]. We keep all requ...
Apr 07, 2024•25 min
