Pregnancy and Preconception Care
Care before and during pregnancy, including nutrition, vaccination, lifestyle factors, and management of medical conditions that affect maternal and fetal outcomes.
All Pregnancy articles
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In Vitro Fertilisation · 6 min
Fresh or Frozen Embryo Transfer: Which Is Best for You?
Dr Raelia Lew explains how fertility specialists choose between fresh and frozen embryo transfer, covering OHSS risk, endometrial receptivity and embryo banking strategy.
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Aesthetic and Skin Health · 3 min
Understanding How Pregnancy Affects the Skin
Explains common pregnancy-related skin changes such as the pregnancy glow, melasma, acne and skin tags, with guidance on safe skincare during pregnancy.
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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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Pregnancy and Preconception Care · 3 min
WHAT IS MORNING SICKNESS/NAUSEA AND HOW CAN IT BE MANAGED
Covers the symptoms and causes of morning sickness in pregnancy, including hyperemesis gravidarum, plus diet, hydration and lifestyle strategies for managing nausea.
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Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine · 5 min
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine in Pregnancy
A comprehensive guide to how acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can support women through each trimester of pregnancy, including nausea, fatigue and miscarriage risk.
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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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Hormones and Endocrine Health · 4 min
Everything You Need to Know About Hormones
An overview of the body's hormone classes and functions, covering steroid hormones, progestogens, androgens, oestrogens, hCG and thyroid hormones.
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Pregnancy and Preconception Care · 3 min
Advice For COVID Vaccine During Pregnancy
2021 guidance recommending COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, comparing mRNA and adenovirus-vector vaccines and summarising safety data available at the time.
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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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Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss · 9 min
What does miscarriage mean?
Explains what miscarriage is, why it happens, recurrent miscarriage criteria, risk factors, and diagnostic and treatment pathways including IVF with PGT-A.
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In Vitro Fertilisation · 2 min
How many embryos should be transferred?
Explains why single embryo transfer is preferred in modern IVF, weighing the higher conception odds of double transfer against the risks of twin pregnancy and prematurity.
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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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In Vitro Fertilisation · 3 min
Long Term Outcomes of IVF for Mothers and Babies
Reviews evidence on long-term health outcomes for IVF-conceived children and mothers, covering epigenetics, birth outcomes, and cancer risk data.
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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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Egg Freezing · 1 min
Can you drink during egg freezing?
Explains why alcohol is avoided in pregnancy but is not strictly necessary to eliminate during an egg freezing cycle, recommending minimal intake instead.
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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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In Vitro Fertilisation · 3 min
Beyonce and Amal Clooney? Seems like twins are more common these days….
Explains why twin pregnancy rates are rising, comparing natural identical and fraternal twinning to rates seen with IVF and ovulation induction, and outlines the risks.
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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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Female Fertility · 3 min
Does caffeine affect fertility?
Reviews evidence on how caffeine intake may affect fertility, miscarriage risk and IVF outcomes, with practical advice to limit daily coffee consumption.
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In Vitro Fertilisation · 2 min
My IVF experience: A patient’s perspective
A patient recounts her IVF journey starting at age 38, including a failed first cycle, a successful second cycle, and advice not to delay trying to conceive.
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Thinking about Pregnancy? Let’s talk it through.
Book a consultation with Dr Raelia Lew and the Women’s Health Melbourne team to build a plan around your circumstances.