Knocked Up: All About Fertility and Women's Health

Women's Health Melbourne
  • 4.6 (9)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Biweekly

Knocked Up is your go‑to podcast for clear, evidence based conversations on fertility, pregnancy and women’s health. Hosted by Dr Raelia Lew, CREI accredited fertility specialist and founder of Women's Health Melbourne.  Find us on Instagram @knockeduppodcast. Follow Women’s Health Melbourne (@womenshealthmelbourne) and Dr Raelia Lew (@drraelialew).  Knocked Up is produced by Jess Clark (@clark_collective_) Have a question? Email podcast@womenshealthmelbourne.com.au — all submissions are anonymous.

  1. 6d ago

    What IVF Nurses Wish Every Patient Knew

    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.

  2. Mar 29

    Beyond Fertility...

    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 podcast@womenshealthmelbourne.com.au. 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 LewDiscount Code for 10% off and free shipping: KNOCKEDUPWebsite: ellechemy.com.au/Instagram: @ellechemy.com.au Hosts: Dr Raelia Lew and Jordi Morrison See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Beyond Fertility...

  3. Mar 15

    The Many Paths to Parenthood

    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 podcast@womenshealthmelbourne.com.au. 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 LewDiscount Code for 10% off and free shipping: KNOCKEDUPWebsite: ellechemy.com.au/Instagram: @ellechemy.com.au Hosts: Dr Raelia Lew and Jordi Morrison See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Many Paths to Parenthood

  4. Mar 1

    Understanding the Difference Between OI and IUI

    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 podcast@womenshealthmelbourne.com.au. 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 LewDiscount Code for 10% off and free shipping: KNOCKEDUPWebsite: ellechemy.com.au/Instagram: @ellechemy.com.au Hosts: Dr Raelia Lew and Jordi Morrison See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Understanding the Difference Between OI and IUI

  5. Feb 15

    BV, the Vaginal Microbiome and Fertility

    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. Choosing a pH balanced lubricant that supports healthy vaginal flora, like those from Ellechemy, can help maintain the natural environment lactobacilli need to thrive, which is especially important when you are trying to conceive. 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 podcast@womenshealthmelbourne.com.au. 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 LewDiscount Code for 10% off and free shipping: KNOCKEDUPWebsite: ellechemy.com.au/Instagram: @ellechemy.com.au Hosts: Dr Raelia Lew and Jordi Morrison See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    BV, the Vaginal Microbiome and Fertility

  6. Feb 1

    Progesterone: The Pro-Pregnancy Hormone

    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 means (and what it often does not), how levels differ in natural cycles versus IVF, and why cycle length can tell us more than a single blood test. 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 podcast@womenshealthmelbourne.com.au. 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 LewDiscount Code for 10% off and free shipping: KNOCKEDUPWebsite: ellechemy.com.au/Instagram: @ellechemy.com.au Hosts: Dr Raelia Lew and Jordi Morrison See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Progesterone: The Pro-Pregnancy Hormone

  7. Jan 18

    IVF Success Rates in 2025: What the Numbers Really Mean

    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 practices like embryo freezing and banking are not properly reflected in the numbers patients see online. If you are navigating IVF, choosing a clinic, or feeling confused or discouraged by statistics, this is an essential listen to help you understand the data with clarity and context. 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 podcast@womenshealthmelbourne.com.au. 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 LewDiscount Code for 10% off and free shipping: KNOCKEDUPWebsite: ellechemy.com.au/Instagram: @ellechemy.com.au Hosts: Dr Raelia Lew and Jordi Morrison See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    IVF Success Rates in 2025: What the Numbers Really Mean

  8. Jan 4

    You ask, we answer. Our Q&A episode.

    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 alpha testing for recurrent loss?  3 failed transfers & and one ectopic, where to from here?  Can I TTC whilst breastfeeding?  How many babies do you make each year?  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 podcast@womenshealthmelbourne.com.au. 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 LewDiscount Code for 10% off and free shipping: KNOCKEDUPWebsite: ellechemy.com.au/Instagram: @ellechemy.com.au Hosts: Dr Raelia Lew and Jordi Morrison See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    You ask, we answer. Our Q&A episode.
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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Knocked Up is your go‑to podcast for clear, evidence based conversations on fertility, pregnancy and women’s health. Hosted by Dr Raelia Lew, CREI accredited fertility specialist and founder of Women's Health Melbourne.  Find us on Instagram @knockeduppodcast. Follow Women’s Health Melbourne (@womenshealthmelbourne) and Dr Raelia Lew (@drraelialew).  Knocked Up is produced by Jess Clark (@clark_collective_) Have a question? Email podcast@womenshealthmelbourne.com.au — all submissions are anonymous.

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