Knocked Up: The Podcast About Fertility and Women's Health

When you hear “PCOS”, it’s easy to think only of the negatives. But the story is far more complex. From why women with PCOS can actually have higher egg counts, to the fertility myths that cause unnecessary fear, this episode breaks down the good, the bad and the truly misunderstood.

We also look at the practical side — how lifestyle, medi...

Part 2 of our 2-part series on lifestyle factors and fertility features Dr. Alexandra Harvey, Senior Research Scientist at Melbourne IVF. With 25 years of experience in embryology and fertility research, Dr. Harvey breaks down the science behind modifiable factors that can impact your fertility journey.

In Part 2 we cover:

• Weight and inflammation &...

Part 1 of our 2-part series on lifestyle factors and fertility features Dr. Alexandra Harvey, Senior Research Scientist at Melbourne IVF. With 25 years of experience in embryology and fertility research, Dr. Harvey breaks down the science behind modifiable factors that can impact your fertility journey.

In Part 1 we cover:

• Age as the biggest factor in IVF success - why maternal age matters and how paternal age also plays a rol...

We are joined by Dr. Tzippora Ben-Harim, head of Gynaecology at Women's Health Melbourne, about urinary incontinence after childbirth. Urinary incontinence is common, affecting 1 in 3 to 1 in 4 women postpartum and occurs in two main forms: stress incontinence (leaking with coughing/sneezing) and urge incontinence (not making it to the toilet in time). The condition results from pressure on the pelvic floor during pregnancy, trauma...

Research suggests that digestive health may play a role in reproductive health, alongside established factors like ovulation tracking and prenatal nutrition. We are joined by gastroenterologist Dr. Lindy Jackson to uncover the surprising connection between gut health and fertility.

Discover how the trillions of bacteria living in your bowel can influence your hormone levels, why stress might be sabotaging both your digestion a...

Ever wondered why your fertility specialist tests both AMH and vitamin D? In this episode of "Knocked Up," Dr. Raelia Lew explains the relationship between these two crucial markers and why it matters for your fertility journey.

Plus, find out how vitamin D impacts male fertility too, and why this "low-hanging fruit" could be a game-changer for couples trying to conceive.

Find us on Instagram - @knock...

In our latest Knocked Up podcast episode we are joined by fertility specialist Dr. Violet Kieu to explore IVM—In Vitro Maturation—a promising alternative to IVF.

Unlike IVF, IVM collects immature eggs and matures them in the lab, offerin...

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 o...

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 (@womenshealth...

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-o...

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 follo...

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 (@wom...

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 ne...

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 Sterilit...

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 techniq...

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 a...

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 ...

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.

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.  

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