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“It’s very personalised - there’s absolutely no ‘one size fits all’. You have to look at the couple or person in front of you and take everything into account.”

In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined once again by fertility specialist Dr Sylvia Ross for an insightful conversation exploring Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).

Dr Sylvia Ross is a highly experienced Women’s Health specialist who has spent more than a decade helping individuals and couples build families, while also managing complex gynaecological conditions. She is also the co-host of the popular Fertility Untamed Podcast.

In this episode, Rangi and Sylvia discuss:

• What Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) actually is
• The different methods of ART:
  • Ovulation induction
  • Intrauterine insemination
  • IVF (briefly introduced ahead of a dedicated episode later this season)
• How long to try different treatment methods
• Navigating the emotional burden of fertility treatment
• The approximate costs of private fertility clinics versus the public system, and the differences in care and access

Stay tuned for a later episode this season, where Rangi and Sylvia will take a deeper dive into IVF.

DISCLAIMER:
This episode discusses fertility struggles and pregnancy loss. If you require support or additional resources, please visit:

• Centre of Perinatal Excellence | COPE
  • COPE provides families and health professionals with evidence-based perinatal mental health screening, resources, education and pathways to care.
• Miscarriage Australia - Navigating miscarriage together
  • Through our research and consultations with individuals, families and healthcare providers, we understand your need for evidence-based information, acknowledgement, and advice regarding miscarriage. We’ve designed this website to help you today, including the myths and facts about miscarriage, treatment options, how to care for yourself and where to seek help and support.
• The Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth
  • Access support services, online resources, and information for parents and families in Australia whose baby has died. These links include services offering counselling, practical support, and information to assist you to make to decisions during this difficult time.

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"By going to see a fertility specialist - you're already doing everything that you can do, and you need to take some comfort in that and give yourself a break"

In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined by fertility specialist Dr Sylvia Ross for an insightful conversation about fertility and infertility.

Dr Sylvia Ross is a highly experienced Women’s Health specialist who has spent more than a decade helping individuals and couples build families, while also managing complex gynaecological conditions. Dr Ross is also co-host of the popular Fertility Untamed Podcast.

In this episode, Rangi and Sylvia discuss:

• What infertility is
• Risk factors that can contribute to infertility, including lifestyle and environmental factors affecting both partners
• Navigating the challenges of unexplained infertility
• What to expect when visiting a fertility specialist, including possible investigations and tests
• The Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) test - what it measures, what it can indicate, and its limitations
• What trying to conceive can look like, and the importance of understanding your menstrual cycle
• Signs that may indicate ovulation
• And finally - how to get an appointment with a fertility specialist

Join us for the next episode, where Rangi and Sylvia will explore Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).

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“Doing anything is better than doing nothing. Feel reassured that anything you can do within the limits of what your obstetrician or doctor has prescribed, is going to be good for you and the baby”

In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined again by pelvic floor physiotherapist and researcher Professor Helena Frawley, to discuss exercise in pregnancy, labour, postpartum and beyond.

This topic has been split into 2 episodes, this episode is all about a safe, realistic, and empowering return to movement after pregnancy.

We’ll revisit the idea that “something is better than nothing,” and how finding movement you enjoy - within your limits -can support both physical recovery and mental wellbeing.

Resources mentioned in the episode include:

• RANZCOG: Exercise During Pregnancy
• RANZCOG: Pelvic Floor Health
• RCOG: Physical activity and pregnancy
• MHW Physiotherapy department

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"The fitter you go into pregnancy and labour, the fitter you are postnatally, which means you will cope better with all of the stresses, and strains, and pressures of having a newborn"

In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined by pelvic floor physiotherapist and researcher Professor Helena Frawley, to discuss exercise in pregnancy, labour, postpartum and beyond.

This topic will be split into 2 episodes, in this episode Rangi and Helena discuss:

• The safety of exercise in pregnancy,
• How to approach exercise,
• Which activities are best to continue or modify,
• The benefits of exercise in pregnancy

In our next episode, Rangi and Helena will focus on exercise after birth and how to safely return to exercise, what’s normal when it comes to pain, how to manage it, and when to seek help.

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In this episode, our host Rangi is joined by producer Sarah (and mum of two) to discuss flying during pregnancy. They cover safety for mum and baby, potential risks, practical tips and advice, the recommended cut‑off for flying, when you should obtain a doctor’s note, what happens if you feel unwell during a flight, and other key aspects of travelling while pregnant.

Stay tuned for more topics as we continue to release weekly episodes.

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In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined by scientist and pregnancy researcher Dr Lucy Bartho to discuss research in pregnancy.

A core component of Mercy Perinatal and it's mission to bring Mum's and Bub's home safely is research. Here Lucy and Rangi cover:

• Journey of a pregnancy researcher
• Some success stories from our research
• Why is pregnancy research so important?
• What types of research are undertaken at the Mercy Hospital for Women?
• How to get involved in research?
• What does being apart of research look like?
• Is research safe? And is my identity private?
• Can I opt out?
• How can I find out about the outcomes of research that I've participated in?

This is a very important discussion with research being crucial to the team answering the big questions in pregnancy to help mum's and babies across the world. Every sample counts.

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In this episode, our host Rangi is joined by producer Sarah (and Mum of 2) to discuss finding out (or not finding out) your baby's sex. Other points covered in this episode include:

• What is the difference between sex and gender?
• The different ways to find out the sex
• Home kits - are they worthwhile?
• What to do if you don't want to know the sex
• And old wives' tales - is there any truth there?

Stay tuned for more topics as we continue to publish weekly episodes.

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March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness of this chronic disease, which affects around 1 in 7 women (approximately 10%). Because endometriosis can take years to diagnose, this month focuses on increasing recognition of the condition, reducing delays in diagnosis, and promoting faster access to appropriate care. It also aims to ensure that people living with endometriosis feel seen, heard, and recognised.

In honour of Endometriosis Awareness Month, Dr Rangi De Silva is joined by Dr Samantha Mooney, a highly skilled gynaecologist & fertility doctor in Melbourne, with specialist training in minimally invasive surgical techniques. Sam is also an early career researcher and PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne with interests in endometriosis, persistent pelvic pain, and infertility.

This two-part episode will focus on Endometriosis and Pregnancy. This second part Rangi and Sam discuss

• The effects of pregnancy on endometriosis and vice versa
• Endometriosis symptoms in pregnancy
• Adenomyosis
• Limitations of current research
• What this means for my baby, my birth plan, and breastfeeding
• What happens to endometriosis once pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding conclude and periods return
• What happens later in life, after you have finished having your family
• Where to find more information

Endometriosis Resources

• Endometriosis Australia
• Pelvic Pain Foundation for Women
• Pelvic Pain Victoria
• Julia Argyrou Endometriosis Centre
• RANZCOG: Endometriosis
• Matilda Health
• World Endometriosis Society
• ESHRE

DISCLAIMER: This episode briefly mentions Pregnancy Loss, if you require support or resources, please visit:

• Centre of Perinatal Excellence | COPE
  • COPE provides families and health professionals with evidence-based perinatal mental health screening, resources, education and pathways to care.
• Miscarriage Australia - Navigating miscarriage together
  • Through our research and consultations with individuals, families and healthcare providers, we understand your need for evidence-based information, acknowledgement, and advice regarding miscarriage. We’ve designed this website to help you today, including the myths and facts about miscarriage, treatment options, how to care for yourself and where to seek help and support.
• The Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth
  • Access support services, online resources, and information for parents and families in Australia whose baby has died. These links include services offering counselling, practical support, and information to assist you to make to decisions during this difficult time.