Dr Anne Clark offers a Fertility Specialist’s perspective on the factors driving donor access constraints and the implications for patients navigating their fertility journey.

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New Means Testing Requirement

• From 19 February 2025, the $2,000 rebate will be means tested. Patients must have an annual household income of $116,000 or less and meet other eligibility criteria.

Current Program Deadline

• The final deadline for applications under the existing rebate program is 4 March, 2025 and is eligible for treatments between 1 October 2022 and 18 February 2025.

Click here for further information about the new rebate program available.

Please contact us if you have any questions regarding the completion of the rebate application form in relation to your treatment.

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1. Monitor your menstrual cycle

Tracking your menstrual cycle is important to help you determine the optimal timing for conception. Keep a record of when your period begins and ends. Note any symptoms you experience during your menstruation, such as cramping, headache, breast tenderness, and even mood swings. It is also helpful to learn the signs of ovulation, such as clear cervical mucus, breast tenderness, and an increase in basal body temperature.

2. Schedule a preconception check-up

One of the crucial first steps is to visit your GP for a preconception health check-up. During this visit, your Doctor will review your medical history, run some tests, such as antenatal blood tests, complete blood count, and cervical screening test, as well as address any concerns and provide guidance.

3. Understand your family’s genetic history

If you, your partner, or close relatives have a history of birth defects or inherited medical conditions, there may be an increased chance of having a baby with similar challenges. Inform your healthcare provider about your family’s genetic history, as they may recommend a consultation with a genetic specialist. Meeting with a genetic specialist allows you to discuss screening options, potential risks, and prenatal diagnoses and interventions.

4. Maintain a healthy lifestyle

To increase your chances of conception, it’s important to make certain lifestyle changes that can help improve your fertility. Here are some tips that you and your partner should consider:

• Maintain a healthy, balanced diet: Consuming healthy foods is essential for your overall health, especially during pregnancy. Staying hydrated by drinking an adequate amount of water each day is also important.
• Quit smoking: Smoking can damage the DNA in eggs and sperm, making it more difficult to conceive. Quitting smoking can greatly improve your fertility.
• Avoid body-building steroids: Anabolic steroid use, including testosterone, can suppress sperm production. Additionally, recreational drug use should be avoided, as it can negatively impact natural fertility.
• Moderate alcohol consumption: If you and your partner are trying to conceive, it is advisable to adhere to safe drinking guidelines, limiting alcohol intake to no more than 2 standard drinks per day. Once pregnancy is achieved, abstain from alcohol completely as there is no known safe amount during pregnancy.
• Take folic acid: Folic acid plays a crucial role in fetal health and development and can help reduce the risk of birth defects like cleft lip, cleft palate, and spina bifida. It is recommended to start taking folic acid at least one month before conception. Consult your GP for further advice on pre-pregnancy supplements.
• Get regular exercise: Staying physically active while trying to conceive offers numerous benefits. Exercise helps maintain an optimal weight, reduces stress, and promotes overall well-being throughout pregnancy. It is recommended to engage in at least 20 to 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least three times a week.
• Eat healthy foods: Eating healthy, iron rich foods are proven to help with fertility. If you need help, we recommend you reach out to a Dietician or Naturopath to help you develop a pre-pregnancy food plan.

5. Plan your budget

Starting a family comes with financial responsibilities, it’s important to assess your financial situation. Some of the things to keep in mind when planning your budget include fertility appointment cost, prenatal services cost, child care services, your insurance coverage, and financial aid options.

If you have been trying to conceive naturally for over 12 months and are under the age of 35, or for 6 months and are over the age of 35 and have not fallen pregnant, it might be time to consider speaking with a fertility specialist. If you would like to get more information about your initial fertility consultation or book an appointment at our fertility clinic in Sydney, our team here at Fertility First would be happy to accommodate.

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Although insulin resistance affects between 50-70% in patients with PCOS, not all patients will be affected by this, however they will still suffer from PCOS. PCOS requires a diagnosis involving blood tests, ultrasounds, and a history of irregular periods.

In some circumstances, patients with PCOS may not develop cysts on their ovaries, whereas some women who do not have the disorder do develop cysts.

The post Why is PCOS so common? appeared first on Fertility First.

Studies have shown that a weight loss of even 5-10% had huge benefits for reproductive outcomes. Up to approximately 30mins of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day, including high intensity interval training, walking, yoga or pilates, or any form of aerobic exercise has been shown to help women restore ovulation cycles and be an effective tool in managing infertility due to PCOS.

Regulating insulin levels helps lower the elevated testosterone levels that are typically higher than normal in patients with PCOS, and will also assist in reducing the risk of other testosterone-related symptoms such as hirsutism, acne and in some instances, hair loss.

Additionally, exercise has been shown to help reduce stress, which has also had direct associations with symptoms caused by PCOS.

The post Can exercise help with PCOS? appeared first on Fertility First.

Before the Transfer:

• Consultation: Your doctor will discuss the details of the transfer with you, including the number of embryos to be transferred and the timing based on your menstrual cycle.
• Preparation: You might be prescribed medications like progesterone to prepare the lining of your uterus for implantation.

The Day of the Transfer:

• Arrival: Follow the clinic’s instructions regarding arrival time and what to bring. Remember to bring your Fertility First Matcher card.
• Comfort: Wear comfortable clothing and avoid strong perfumes or deodorants, as harsh chemicals can negatively impact the embryo.
• Full Bladder: Having a full bladder helps visualize the uterus during the ultrasound, which guides the embryo placement. Aim to drink plenty of water beforehand, as instructed by your doctor. We suggest drinking 2-3 glasses of water 30min before your transfer.
• Childcare: If you have young children, please arrange childcare ahead of time or bring a responsible adult to look after them during the procedure.

After the embryo transfer procedure it is perfectly safe to go to the toilet and walk around, in fact it is encouraged for women who have had an embryo transfer to stand up straight afterwards and continue with their normal activities. Studies have shown that bed rest after an embryo transfer is not only unnecessary, but it’s possible it also can have a detrimental effect.

By understanding the embryo transfer process and following your doctor’s instructions, you can increase your chances of a successful outcome. Remember, the fertility clinic team is there to support you every step of the way on your fertility journey.

The post What is involved with an embryo transfer? appeared first on Fertility First.

There’s a reason why the testes are located outside the body, this is to keep them below body temperature, so they do not overheat. The human body is approximately 37 degrees Celsius and in order to produce healthy sperm, the testicles need to hang outside the body to keep them on average about two degrees cooler than the rest of the body.

Heat and sperm do not mix, in fact studies out of Harvard have revealed that increased scrotal temperatures were directly linked to reduced testicular function and sperm quality.

One study published in 2018 revealed that men who wore loose fitting underwear had a sperm concentration 25% higher than those who wore tight fitting underwear. Additionally, looser fitting underwear led to 17% higher total sperm count and a 33% higher motile count compared to the men who wore tighter underwear.

So, are boxers really better for sperm quality than briefs? The research has suggested that underwear choice does make a significant difference.

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