Preconception Genetic Carrier Screening

Female Fertility · 6 min

Maximising the chance of Natural Conception

A practical guide to the fertile window, ovulation tracking methods, intercourse timing, and lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol and caffeine that affect natural conception chances.

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Hormones and Endocrine Health · 2 min

Hypothyroidism and Fertility

Explains how thyroid autoimmunity and hypothyroidism affect female and male fertility, and when to get thyroid levels checked before conceiving or fertility treatment.

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Reproductive Genetics · 3 min

Genetic carrier screening

Explains genetic carrier screening in Australia, covering spinal muscular atrophy, cystic fibrosis and Fragile X testing, the new Medicare rebate, and how it differs from NIPT.

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Female Fertility · 2 min

If you ovulate in the morning can you get pregnant that night?

Dr Raelia Lew explains sperm survival and the fertile window, answering common timing questions about sex and ovulation for conception.

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Male Fertility · 3 min

What issues in their past might make a man infertile?

Surveys past medical events that can cause male infertility, including undescended testes, Klinefelter syndrome, STIs, cancer treatment, cystic fibrosis and vasectomy.

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Preconception Genetic Carrier Screening · 1 min

Screening for syphilis – why am I being checked?

Explains why syphilis screening is routine in pregnancy planning, covering transmission, symptoms, risks to the baby, and antibiotic treatment.

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Preconception Genetic Carrier Screening · 2 min

Important vaccinations WHEN planning a pregnancy

Explains why rubella and varicella immunity are checked before pregnancy, plus which vaccines are recommended during pregnancy and for family members before a baby arrives.

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Female Fertility · 1 min

The Five Main Reasons We Order Laboratory Tests

Outlines the five main reasons Women's Health Melbourne clinicians order laboratory tests, from diagnosis and risk assessment to monitoring treatment and chronic conditions.

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Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis · 2 min

Preconception Genetic Testing: Medicare Rebates Introduced

Explains what preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) involves and outlines when PGT-M, PGT-R and PGT-A now qualify for Medicare rebates in Australia.

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Nutrition and Lifestyle · 2 min

Just found out you’re pregnant? Here’s why you might want to see a prenatal dietitian.

Dietitian Wendy Fedele explains why pregnancy nutrition matters for baby's lifelong health and how a prenatal dietitian can support food choices and supplement needs.

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Male Fertility · 2 min

Healthy Sperm: Myths, Truths and Missing Links

Fact-checks common claims about male fertility, covering age, smoking, weight, plastics, cycling, heat exposure, ejaculation frequency and antioxidant-rich foods.

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Reproductive Genetics · 5 min

The breast cancer gene BRCA and IVF

Explains BRCA1/BRCA2 gene mutations, their breast and ovarian cancer risks, and how PGT-M embryo testing in IVF can help carriers avoid passing the mutation to children.

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Male Fertility · 5 min

How is male infertility diagnosed?

Details how a semen analysis is performed and interpreted, symptoms and risk factors for male infertility, and surgical options including varicocoele repair and vasectomy reversal.

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Nutrition and Lifestyle · 2 min

Boosting immunity for Pre-Conception and Pregnancy

A naturopath's guide to supporting immune health before conception and during pregnancy through nutrition, sleep, exercise and safe herbal remedies.

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Reproductive Genetics · 4 min

MTHFR – WTF?

Explains what the MTHFR gene and its common polymorphisms do, clarifies they are a risk factor rather than a disease, and stresses the importance of folate supplementation for fertility.

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Nutrition and Lifestyle · 4 min

Foods For Fertility

A dietitian's top five fertility-boosting foods, covering legumes, oily fish, olive oil, nuts and seeds, and leafy greens, with supporting research citations.

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Nutrition and Lifestyle · 2 min

Fertility Diet Tips

A practical fertility-diet shopping list covering fruit and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, dairy, coffee and foods and plastics to avoid before conceiving.

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In Vitro Fertilisation · 2 min

Lifestyle and IVF: Exercise, Diet, Alcohol…

Practical lifestyle advice for IVF patients covering diet, exercise, alcohol, and supplements such as folate, iodine, DHEA, antioxidants and melatonin.

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Nutrition and Lifestyle · 2 min

Fertility supplements: do they work?

Dr Lew reviews the evidence for common fertility supplements including folate, iodine, DHEA, antioxidants and melatonin, and when they may help.

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Preconception Genetic Carrier Screening · 1 min

Preconception screening

Dr Raelia Lew discusses preconception genetic carrier screening for recessive conditions like SMA and cystic fibrosis, and the 2018 Budget funding announcement.

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Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss · 1 min

Could Vegemite prevent miscarriage?

Reports on Australian research linking vitamin B3 (niacin) deficiency in early pregnancy to increased risk of miscarriage and birth defects, including Vegemite as a dietary source.

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Preconception Genetic Carrier Screening · 3 min

The Zika Virus: tips for couples trying to get pregnant

Explains Zika virus transmission risks for couples trying to conceive, including travel precautions, waiting periods after exposure, and advice for IVF patients and donors.

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Male Fertility · 1 min

Men who smoke are putting their chances of fatherhood at risk

Reports on Quit Victoria research showing smoking lowers sperm counts and motility in men, with Dr Raelia Lew noting the damage is reversible within three months of quitting.

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