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

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...

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 scr...

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...

Bacterial vaginosis, or BV, is one of the most common vaginal conditions in women of reproductive age, yet many women are unsure how it may affect fertility. In this episode of Knocked Up , CREI fertility specialist Dr Raelia Lew explains what BV actually is, how it differs from thrush, and why the balance of healthy lactobacillus bacteria and vaginal pH matters when you are trying to conceive. Ch...

Progesterone is often called the “pregnancy hormone”, but what does that actually mean for your body and your fertility? In this episode of Knocked Up, CREI fertility specialist Dr Raelia Lew unpacks how progesterone works, why timing is everything, and how this hormone helps prepare the uterus for implantation and early pregnancy. We discuss what “low progesterone” really...

IVF success rates are often the first thing people search when starting fertility treatment. But what do those numbers actually tell us, and just as importantly, what do they miss? In this episode, CREI fertility specialist Dr Raelia Lew unpacks the latest IVF success rate data, released in 2025. Dr Raelia explains how success is measured, why the data is always years behind, and how modern IVF pr...

Thank you for your questions! In this episode we discuss:  Why do some IVF clinics genetically test embryos and some do not?  What can I do before FET to assist chances of success?  Going to try for a 2nd child. Should I still see the GP for pre-pregnancy bloods?  Why is the centre of most women’s health fertility and not quality of life?  What is the opinion for DQ...

Fresh or frozen embryo transfer. Which is better? In this episode of Knocked Up , Jordi Morrison and fertility specialist Dr Raelia Lew unpack one of the most common and confusing IVF questions. Together, they explain what actually happens in fresh and frozen embryo transfers, how hormones and the uterine lining affect implantation, and why the “best” option depends entirely on the ind...

We take a look decade by decade look at how fertility changes across your 20s, 30s and 40s. Dr Raelia explains why the 20s are considered the biological peak, with high egg number, high egg quality and fewer health conditions that can interfere with conception. She also unpacks why lifestyle choices, while always important, have comparatively less impact at this age due to stronger cellular health...

Starting IVF can feel overwhelming, but understanding each stage can make the experience far less daunting. In this episode, we walk through the IVF process from your first consultation right through to that all important pregnancy test. Dr Raelia Lew breaks down what really happens at every step, why certain tests and treatments are needed, and how the team at Women’s Health Melbourne and M...

In this episode of  Knocked Up , Jordi Morrison and Dr Raelia Lew unpack one of the newest breakthroughs in reproductive science: the creation of human egg cells from skin cells. Dr Raelia explains how stem cells work, what makes egg cells unique, and why this research is both exciting and still far from clinical use. Together they explore the science behind the process, the ethical and safet...

In part 2 of our fertility and perimenopause series, Dr Raelia Lew takes us through the treatment pathways available for women in their 40s who are trying to conceive. We discuss embryo banking, PGT testing, IVF, donor eggs, and how age affects egg quality and success rates. Dr Raelia explains why proactive planning can make a difference, the role of sperm health, and what to consider when decidin...

In part one of understanding our fertility and peri/menopause, we unpack why fertility becomes more challenging as we approach perimenopause. Dr Raelia explains how shifting hormones, irregular cycles, and declining egg quality combine to make conception more difficult in our 40s. From understanding AMH and ovarian reserve to recognising the impact of age on egg health and miscarriage risk, this c...

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, medical support and even new treatments...

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 – why body composition and hidden inflammatio...

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...

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 p...

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...

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 -&nb...

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 , offering a shorter, less medicated (read injections) and more affordable fertility treatment. IVM could be ideal for women with  high egg counts , PCOS...

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 F...

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,...

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 ( @womensh...

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 Melbou...