Knocked Up: All About Fertility and Women's Health

A positive pregnancy test after IVF can bring enormous joy, but it can also open the door to an entirely new set of questions and anxieties.

Is every IVF pregnancy considered high risk? Will you need additional monitoring? Does conceiving through assisted reproduction affect how or when you give birth? And how can you manage the fear that often follows infertility or pregnancy loss?

In this episode of Knocked Up, fertility specialist Dr Raelia Lew speaks with Melbourne obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Scott Shemer about what happens after the long-awaited positive pregnancy test.

Together, they explore the transition from fertility treatment to obstetric care and explain why pregnancy after IVF should never be approached with a one-size-fits-all label. Dr Shemer discusses the factors that may influence pregnancy risk, including maternal age, existing medical conditions, multiple pregnancy and the reason IVF was required.

They also unpack birth choices after IVF, including induction, planned caesarean section and spontaneous labour, and why there is no single “right” way to give birth.

The conversation also covers twin pregnancies, miscarriage, recurrent pregnancy loss and the heightened anxiety that can accompany pregnancy after infertility. Dr Shemer explains the very real experience of “scanxiety”, when reassurance after an ultrasound gradually gives way to fear before the next appointment, and how personalised monitoring and mental health support can help.

In this episode:

• Is an IVF pregnancy automatically considered high risk?

• The factors that may increase pregnancy complications after IVF

• Moving from a fertility specialist to an obstetrician

• Why preconception care with an obstetrician can be valuable

• Private and public maternity care options

• Private health insurance and pregnancy cover

• Induction, caesarean section and vaginal birth after IVF

• Twin pregnancies following single or double embryo transfer

• How different types of twins affect pregnancy monitoring

• Pregnancy loss and recurrent miscarriage investigations

• When it may be physically and emotionally appropriate to try again

• Managing pregnancy after miscarriage

• “Scanxiety” and the need for additional reassurance

• Why home Doppler monitoring can provide false reassurance

• Perinatal anxiety, depression and mental health support

• The importance of personalised, compassionate pregnancy care

  
  

Dr Scott Shemer is a specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist based at Epworth Freemasons Hospital in Melbourne. His practice provides evidence-based, inclusive and highly personalised care from preconception through pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. Dr Shemer also brings a personal understanding of the fertility journey, having experienced IVF with his own family.

Connect with Dr Scott Shemer

• Dr Scott Shemer’s website

• Dr Scott Shemer on Instagram

• Epworth Freemasons Hospital

  
  

  Connect with Dr Raelia Lew and Women’s Health Melbourne

• Women’s Health Melbourne

• Dr Raelia Lew

• Women’s Health Melbourne on Instagram

• Dr Raelia Lew on Instagram

• Melbourne IVF

• Email: [email protected]

• Knocked Up Producer: Jess Clark @clark_collective_

  
  

Episode sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by Ellechemy, an Australian-made, gynaecologist-designed intimate lubricant and skincare range co-founded by Dr Raelia Lew.

• Discover Ellechemy

• Ellechemy on Instagram

Follow Knocked Up on Instagram and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube for more evidence-based conversations about fertility, IVF, pregnancy and women’s health.

This podcast is intended for general education only and does not replace personalised medical advice. Speak with your healthcare professional about your individual circumstances.

How does a breast cancer diagnosis affect fertility, pregnancy and future family planning? And does IVF increase your risk of developing breast cancer?

In this important episode of Knocked Up, fertility specialist Dr Raelia Lew is joined by specialist breast cancer surgeon Dr Chantel Thornton and filmmaker Sue Collins, producer and director of the documentary Conquering Breast Cancer.

Dr Thornton explains the latest thinking around breast cancer risk, screening and early detection, including the signs and changes women should never ignore. She also discusses BRCA gene mutations, preventative breast surgery, breast reconstruction and the role of lifestyle factors such as exercise, alcohol, smoking and maintaining a healthy weight.

Later, filmmaker Sue Collins joins the conversation to share the decade-long journey behind Conquering Breast Cancer. Sue reflects on the women featured in the documentary, the psychological impact of diagnosis and recurrence anxiety, and why personal stories can provide hope to people experiencing their darkest moments.

• Why breast cancer diagnoses are increasing

• Breast cancer risk factors and the importance of early detection

• Breast changes and symptoms that should be investigated

• How breast density can affect screening and individual risk

• BRCA gene mutations and genetic testing

• Using IVF and embryo testing to avoid passing on a genetic mutation

• Whether IVF or egg freezing increases breast cancer risk

• How chemotherapy can affect ovarian function and fertility

• Urgent egg and embryo freezing before cancer treatment

• Fertility preservation for younger women with breast cancer

• Tamoxifen, pregnancy timing and future family planning

• Preventative mastectomy and modern breast reconstruction

• Exercise, alcohol, smoking, weight and breast cancer risk

• The emotional and psychological impact of a cancer diagnosis

• Why bringing a support person to appointments can help

• The stories behind the documentary Conquering Breast Cancer

• Finding hope, support and the right medical team

This episode of Knocked Up is proudly sponsored by Breast Imaging Victoria.

When it comes to breast cancer screening and diagnosis, having access to high‑quality imaging - and clinicians who specialise in breast health - makes all the difference. Breast Imaging Victoria provides expert mammography, ultrasound, and contrast mammograms, stereotactic biopsy and us guided core biopsies and FNA’s biopsies,delivered by a team who understand how important clarity, accuracy, and compassion are during what can be an anxious time.

Their radiologists and breast imaging specialists work closely with referring doctors to ensure women receive timely results and personalised follow‑up. Whether you’re attending routine screening or investigating a new breast change, Breast Imaging Victoria offers evidence‑based care in a supportive environment.

To learn more or to book an appointment, visit breastimagingvictoria.com.au

This podcast provides general information and does not replace individual medical advice. If you notice a new lump, nipple discharge, skin or nipple changes, unusual pain, or a change in the size, shape or appearance of your breast, speak with your GP or healthcare professional.

• Women’s Health Melbourne

• Learn more about Dr Raelia Lew and fertility care

• Request an appointment with Women’s Health Melbourne

• Knocked Up on Apple Podcasts

• Follow Knocked Up on Instagram

• Dr Chantel Thornton’s official website

• Follow Dr Chantel Thornton on Instagram

• Watch or learn more about Conquering Breast Cancer

• Learn more about filmmaker Sue Collins

• Breast Imaging Victoria

• Follow Breast Imaging Victoria on Instagram

• Book a breast screen with Breast Imaging Victoria

• Self Breast Check Guide

• Breast Cancer Network Australia

• Cancer Council Australia: breast cancer screening information

Have a question about fertility or women’s health? Email [email protected]. All submissions are treated anonymously.

What can a fertility ultrasound actually tell you about your chances of becoming pregnant?

In this episode of Knocked Up, Dr Raelia Lew speaks with a specialist obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound doctor to uncover what expert fertility scans can reveal about your reproductive health.

They explore how ultrasounds can identify endometriosis, adenomyosis, blocked fallopian tubes, fibroids and other conditions that may affect fertility. They also explain the difference between a standard pelvic ultrasound and a specialist gynaecological scan, including why the person performing and interpreting your scan matters.

You’ll learn what an antral follicle count really measures, why a low egg count does not automatically mean infertility, and how flushing the fallopian tubes may improve the chance of spontaneous conception for some couples.

The conversation also covers what doctors look for during a six-week pregnancy scan, including the location of the pregnancy, the number of embryos and early signs of viability. Importantly, they explain why an inconclusive first scan does not necessarily mean that a pregnancy will be unsuccessful.

In this episode:

• The difference between a general and specialist gynaecological ultrasound

• How endometriosis can appear on an ultrasound

• The subtle signs of superficial endometriosis

• How doctors assess whether the fallopian tubes are open

• Whether a tubal flush can improve natural conception

• What adenomyosis is and how it may affect fertility

• Transvaginal, abdominal and transrectal ultrasound options

• What your antral follicle count says about ovarian reserve

• Why a low egg count does not equal infertility

• What doctors look for during an early pregnancy scan

• Why pregnancy dating and viability can sometimes remain uncertain

  
  

Episode chapters

00:46 What does a specialist ultrasound doctor do?

01:44 Specialist versus general gynaecological ultrasound 05:54 The anatomy required for natural conception

07:08 Detecting endometriosis on an ultrasound

09:03 How blocked fallopian tubes affect fertility

10:05 What happens during a tubal patency test?

12:02 Poppy seed oil versus foam tubal flushing

13:27 Can flushing your tubes improve conception?

14:41 Understanding adenomyosis

18:20 The subtle ultrasound signs of endometriosis

21:15 Pelvic pain, tenderness and organ mobility

24:01 Alternatives to transvaginal ultrasound

28:41 What is an antral follicle count?

30:23 Do you lose eggs during IVF or egg freezing?

32:08 Why low egg count does not mean infertility

32:38 What happens during a six-week pregnancy scan?

33:59 When early pregnancy viability is uncertain

ABOUT WOMEN’S HEALTH MELBOURNE

Women’s Health Melbourne is an innovative fertility and women’s health practice led by Dr Raelia Lew. Its specialist team provides evidence-based care across fertility, IVF, egg freezing and women’s health.

Learn more or book an appointment  womenshealthmelbourne.com.au.

This podcast provides general information and should not replace personalised medical advice from your healthcare professional.

• Host: CREI Fertility Specialist, Dr Raelia Lew

• Guest: Dr Lufee Wong www.wum.com.au 

• Knocked Up Producer: Jess Clark  

• Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠@knockeduppodcast ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠@drraelia lew⁠⁠ ⁠⁠@womenshealthmelbourne⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@knockeduppodcast⁠⁠

  
  

Women’s Health Melbourne is an innovative fertility and women’s health practice led by Dr Raelia Lew. Its specialist team provides evidence-based care across fertility, IVF, egg freezing and women’s health.

Learn more or book an appointment through Women’s Health Melbourne.

This podcast provides general information and should not replace personalised medical advice from your healthcare professional.

Embryo donation, egg donation Australia, donor conception, donor-conceived children, IVF journey, IVF failure, infertility support, fertility trauma, miscarriage support, pregnancy loss,

After 10 rounds of IVF using her own eggs without creating a single embryo, Fiona O’Neil and her husband faced an incredibly difficult question: were they willing to let go of genetic parenthood to experience life as parents?

Their journey included undiagnosed stage four endometriosis, an ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy loss, known egg donation, two trips to South Africa for anonymous donor eggs and, ultimately, becoming parents through embryo donation.

In this deeply personal episode of Knocked Up, Fiona joins fertility specialist Dr Raelia Lew to share the emotional reality of transitioning from IVF with your own eggs to donor conception.

Fiona speaks honestly about grieving the child she initially imagined, worrying whether she would bond with a donor-conceived baby and the fear that her child might one day reject her. She also shares why those concerns disappeared when her son arrived.

Now the founder of The Fertility Framework, Fiona uses her lived experience to support individuals navigating fertility treatment and help workplaces become more informed, compassionate and fertility aware.

The Fertility Framework:

Instagram: @fertilityframework

Fertility coaching and workplace support:

Learn more through The Fertility Framework

• Host: CREI Fertility Specialist, Dr Raelia Lew

• Guest: Fiona Oneil 

• Knocked Up Producer: Jess Clark  

• Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠@knockeduppodcast ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠@drraelia lew⁠⁠ ⁠⁠@womenshealthmelbourne⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@knockeduppodcast⁠⁠

ABOUT WOMEN’S HEALTH MELBOURNE

Women’s Health Melbourne is an innovative fertility and women’s health practice led by Dr Raelia Lew. Its specialist team provides evidence-based care across fertility, IVF, egg freezing and women’s health.

Learn more or book an appointment through Women’s Health Melbourne.

This podcast provides general information and should not replace personalised medical advice from your healthcare professional.

Embryo donation, egg donation Australia, donor conception, donor-conceived children, IVF journey, IVF failure, infertility support, fertility trauma, miscarriage support, pregnancy loss, fertility in the workplace, reproductive leave, workplace fertility support, stage four endometriosis, fertility specialist, genetic parenthood, anonymous egg donation, known egg donor and fertility podcast.

What happens to your eggs, sperm and embryos once they enter an IVF laboratory?

In this episode of Knocked Up, Dr Raelia Lew speaks with senior embryologist Alex about the science, precision and human care behind every stage of embryo development.

Alex explains how embryologists care for eggs and embryos from collection through to transfer, freezing and genetic testing. They discuss the strict identification systems used to prevent embryo mix-ups, including double witnessing, barcodes and electronic RFID tracking.

The conversation also explores embryo grading, what grades such as 4AA or 5BB can and cannot tell us, and why even a beautiful-looking embryo may not result in pregnancy.

Raelia and Alex unpack ICSI, sperm-selection techniques, embryo freezing and warming, and the difference between an embryo’s appearance and its chromosomal health. They also look at how artificial intelligence is helping embryologists assess embryos and identify sperm, without replacing human expertise.

It’s a fascinating look behind the laboratory door at the people, technology and safeguards supporting every IVF journey.

In this episode:

• What an embryologist does during IVF

• How embryo biopsies are performed

• How IVF clinics prevent embryo mix-ups

• What egg and sperm quality can reveal

• How AI is being used to rank embryos

• What IVF embryo grades actually mean

• Whether lower-grade embryos can become healthy babies

• How safely embryos survive freezing and warming

• How ICSI works and when it may be recommended

• Sex selection, ethics and “designer babies”

• Why a good-quality embryo may fail to implant

• How IVF success rates are measured

Episode chapters:

00:38 Meet embryologist Alex

02:09 Training as an embryologist

03:08 How embryo biopsies work

04:01 Preventing embryo mix-ups

06:56 The human side of embryology

09:21 Learning from embryo development

10:04 Egg and sperm-selection techniques

12:20 Artificial intelligence in IVF

15:52 Understanding embryo grading

17:55 Can a poor-grade embryo become a baby?

20:04 Embryo freezing and survival rates

22:19 How ICSI works

25:46 Using AI to identify sperm

27:07 Sex selection and designer babies

28:39 Automation in IVF laboratories

31:33 Understanding IVF success rates 33:25 Why a good-looking embryo may not implant

About Knocked Up

Knocked Up is hosted by CREI fertility specialist Dr Raelia Lew and features honest, evidence-based conversations about fertility, IVF, reproductive health and pregnancy.

This episode is sponsored by Women’s Health Melbourne, providing expert fertility assessment, IVF, egg freezing, endometriosis management and personalised preconception care.

Learn more or book an appointment at womenshealthmelbourne.com.au.

This podcast provides general information and does not replace personalised medical advice. Please speak with a qualified healthcare professional about your circumstances.

Resources and support

Learn more about fertility treatment, IVF and egg freezing through:

• Host: CREI Fertility Specialist, Dr Raelia Lew

• Guest: Alex Davenport 

• Knocked Up Producer: Jess Clark  

• Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠@knockeduppodcast ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠@drraelia lew⁠⁠ ⁠⁠@womenshealthmelbourne⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@knockeduppodcast⁠⁠

  
  

This episode of Knocked Up is brought to you by Women’s Health Melbourne. To book an appointment visit www.womenshealthmelbourne.com.au 

The information shared in this podcast is general in nature and should not replace personalised medical advice.

Subscribe to Knocked Up and leave a review to help more people access informed, compassionate conversations about fertility and women’s health.

IVF nurse, IVF nursing, fertility nurse, fertility treatment, IVF treatment Australia, IVF emotional support, two-week wait IVF, embryo transfer pregnancy test, negative pregnancy test IVF, positive pregnancy blood test, HCG levels pregnancy, fertility preservation children, paediatric fertility preservation, egg freezing, embryo banking, donor eggs,

What if eggs could be collected before they mature and developed outside the body, potentially reducing the medications, time and physical burden involved in conventional IVF?

In this episode of Knocked Up, fertility specialist Dr Raelia Lew is joined by CREI fertility specialist Dr Violet Kieu to explore in vitro maturation, known as IVM.

Unlike conventional IVF, where hormone injections are used to mature eggs inside the ovaries before collection, IVM involves retrieving immature eggs and completing part of the maturation process in the laboratory.

Raelia and Violet take listeners inside the Melbourne IVF CAPA-IVM study, explaining how the procedure works, who may be suited to it and why researchers are particularly interested in its potential for patients with high egg numbers.

In this episode

• What in vitro maturation is and how it differs from IVF

• Why conventional IVF commonly involves hormone injections

• How immature eggs can be matured outside the body

• Who may be eligible for the Melbourne IVF CAPA-IVM study

• Why patients with high egg counts may benefit from IVM

• IVM for people with PMOS 

• Reducing the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

• How an IVM egg collection differs from a conventional IVF collection

• The step-by-step process of maturing an egg in the laboratory

• Why embryos created through IVM are frozen before transfer

• The potential role of IVM in fertility preservation before chemotherapy

• What international IVM research has shown so far

• The limitations and unanswered questions surrounding IVM

• Why age remains important when considering egg quality

• The future of IVM and elective egg freezing

• How fertility technologies move from scientific research into patient care

  
  

Episode timestamps

00:00 Could eggs be matured outside the human body?

02:23 Who may be a suitable candidate for IVM?

03:36 How an IVM egg collection works

07:54 IVM for patients with PMOS, PCOS or high egg numbers

12:50 Why IVM embryos must be frozen

16:37 Melbourne IVF message

19:11 What researchers hope to learn from the Melbourne study

24:02 Dr Violet Kieu’s journey into fertility medicine2

28:16 Could IVM change when people freeze their eggs?

About Dr Violet Kieu

Dr Violet Kieu is a fertility specialist at Melbourne IVF with specialist training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

She is involved in the Melbourne IVF CAPA-IVM study and has trained with international teams working in IVM research and clinical practice.

In this conversation, Violet explains both the scientific possibilities of IVM and the importance of carefully evaluating its safety, feasibility and effectiveness.

Resources and support

Learn more about fertility treatment, IVF and egg freezing through:

• Host: CREI Fertility Specialist, Dr Raelia Lew

• Guest: Dr Violet Kieu 

• Knocked Up Producer: Jess Clark  

• Follow us on Instagram @knockeduppodcast  @drraelia lew @womenshealthmelbourne

• www.youtube.com/@knockeduppodcast

This episode of Knocked Up is proudly brought to you by Melbourne IVF - where world‑class science meets personalised fertility support.” For more information or to book an appointment visit www.mivf.com.au 

The information discussed in this episode is general in nature and does not replace personalised medical advice. Eligibility for IVM, IVF or a clinical study depends on individual circumstances and must be discussed with a qualified fertility specialist.

Subscribe to Knocked Up and leave a review to help more people discover evidence-based conversations about fertility, reproductive medicine and women’s health.

What happens behind the scenes during an IVF cycle, and who supports patients through the uncertainty, injections, scans and pregnancy-test results?

In this episode of Knocked Up, fertility specialist Dr Raelia Lew sits down with IVF nurse Lucy Elam to explore the essential role fertility nurses play throughout IVF treatment.

Lucy shares her journey from paediatric nursing into reproductive medicine, including her experience supporting children and families through fertility preservation before chemotherapy and other gonadotoxic treatments.

Together, Raelia and Lucy discuss the emotions patients commonly experience when beginning IVF, why information overload can make treatment feel overwhelming and how fertility nurses help break the process into manageable steps.

They also explore one of the hardest realities of IVF: not being able to control every outcome. From the uncertainty of ovarian stimulation to the emotional two-week wait following an embryo transfer, Lucy explains how patients can maintain some normality while staying connected with their clinical team.

In this episode

• How Lucy transitioned from paediatric nursing into IVF nursing

• Fertility preservation for children undergoing cancer treatment

• What an IVF nurse does throughout a treatment cycle

• Why IVF can feel overwhelming for new patients

• Managing injections, scans, procedures and medical anxiety

• The loss of control patients can experience during fertility treatment

• Coping with the two-week wait after an embryo transfer or IUI

• Why clinics recommend waiting for a pregnancy blood test

• Understanding low or unclear HCG pregnancy results

• Delivering negative and positive pregnancy news

• How fertility nurses manage the emotional weight of their work

• Egg freezing after a relationship breakdown

• Planning ahead for future children through embryo banking

• Age-related changes in egg quality and fertility

• The emotional and practical considerations surrounding donor eggs

• Why teamwork between doctors, nurses and embryologists matters
  

Episode timestamps

00:48 Meet IVF nurse Lucy Elam

02:13 Fertility preservation for children undergoing cancer treatment

05:29 The science behind IVF and fertility preservation

06:14 How fertility nurses support patients from beginning to end

07:22 Common emotions patients experience before starting IVF

10:06 Personality traits, organisation and managing information overload

12:13 Patient vulnerabilities during fertility treatment

14:37 Coping with the loss of control during IVF

15:53 Managing the two-week wait after embryo transfer or IUI

18:04 Making positive and negative pregnancy calls

21:13 The emotional impact of finally receiving a positive result

23:54 Understanding unclear or borderline pregnancy blood tests

26:40 How fertility nurses carry the emotional weight of patient care

29:13 Memorable patient stories from Lucy’s IVF career

30:33 Returning to IVF to grow a family

32:30 Why fertility planning should consider future children

33:31 Knowing when to consider donor eggs

38:27 How Raelia and Lucy work together as an IVF team

About the guests

Dr Raelia Lew is a CREI-certified fertility specialist, gynaecologist, Founder of Women’s Health Melbourne and Medical Director of Melbourne IVF.

Lucy Elam is an experienced IVF nurse who has worked across adult fertility treatment and paediatric fertility preservation.

Resources and support

Learn more about fertility treatment, IVF and egg freezing through:

• Host: CREI Fertility Specialist, Dr Raelia Lew

• Guest: Lucy Elam 

• Knocked Up Producer: Jess Clark  

• Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠@knockeduppodcast ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠@drraelia lew⁠⁠ ⁠⁠@womenshealthmelbourne⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@knockeduppodcast⁠⁠

If you are considering IVF, egg freezing or exploring your fertility options, speak with an appropriately qualified fertility specialist about your individual circumstances.

The information shared in this podcast is general in nature and should not replace personalised medical advice.

In this episode we explore the often unspoken final chapter of fertility, the moment when individuals or couples begin to consider moving on. Dr Raelila explains that whilst so much focus is placed on creating embryos, freezing eggs and preserving future options, the decision to close that chapter can feel far more complex and confronting. For many, frozen eggs or embryos represent possibility and hope, which can make letting go even harder than the initial decision to preserve them. The conversation highlights how common it is to hold onto these options for years, often until a natural or regulatory milestone prompts reflection, and acknowledges the emotional weight, grief and uncertainty that can come with deciding whether a family feels complete.

The episode also offers a thoughtful and practical look at what comes next, from understanding storage timelines and legal considerations to exploring the options of extending storage, discarding or donating. Donation, in particular, is discussed as a deeply personal yet potentially transformative choice, offering the chance to help others build their families. Ultimately, this is a nuanced conversation about identity, timing and acceptance, reminding listeners that there is no single “right” decision, only the one that aligns with your circumstances, values and readiness to move forward.

And there's an announcement about what's next for Knocked Up. 

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 to you by Ellechemy - Lubricants and intimate care to meet your needs created by women's health authority and Gynaecologist Dr Raelia Lew

Discount Code for 10% off and free shipping: KNOCKEDUP
Website: ellechemy.com.au/
Instagram: @ellechemy.com.au

Hosts: Dr Raelia Lew and Jordi Morrison

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when the path to parenthood looks different from what you imagined? In this episode of Knocked Up, CREI fertility specialist Dr Raelia Lew explains donor conception and the extraordinary ways families can be created through donor sperm, donor eggs or donor embryos.

We discuss who might consider donor conception, the emotional and legal considerations in Australia, and the careful screening and counselling that supports families along the way. Most importantly, we talk about what many hopeful parents worry about most: connection. As Dr Raelia explains, the bond between parent and child goes far beyond genetics, and for many families, donor conception becomes the beginning of a deeply loved and meaningful story.

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 to you by Ellechemy - Lubricants and intimate care to meet your needs created by women's health authority and Gynaecologist Dr Raelia Lew

Discount Code for 10% off and free shipping: KNOCKEDUP
Website: ellechemy.com.au/
Instagram: @ellechemy.com.au

Hosts: Dr Raelia Lew and Jordi Morrison

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re not ovulating regularly, or you’ve been trying without success, ovulation induction (OI) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) are often the first treatments discussed before IVF. In this episode, we unpack what ovulation actually is, why some women don’t ovulate reliably and how medication can safely recreate the hormonal sequence needed to release an egg.

Dr Raelia also explains where intrauterine insemination fits in, who it’s right for and why it’s not simply “the turkey baster method”. From success rates to risks, monitoring and when to move on, this conversation will help you understand your options and what might be the right next step for you.

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 to you by Ellechemy - Lubricants and intimate care to meet your needs created by women's health authority and Gynaecologist Dr Raelia Lew

Discount Code for 10% off and free shipping: KNOCKEDUP
Website: ellechemy.com.au/
Instagram: @ellechemy.com.au

Hosts: Dr Raelia Lew and Jordi Morrison

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.