It’s a risky business, yet more older women are choosing to become mums
A/Prof Alex Polyakov discusses the trend of older motherhood, noting that fertility chances decrease significantly by the mid-40s. He explains that, while IVF can improve chances, its success often hinges on repeated attempts, which can be financially and emotionally taxing. Dr. Polyakov points out that societal factors, such as delayed partnerships and career priorities, contribute […]
Innovations in reproductive medicine, Gartner hype cycle and Dunning–Kruger effect
In this paper A/Prof Alex Polyakov and Dr Genia Rozen highlight how new reproductive medicine technologies often spark initial excitement but can lead to disappointment when prematurely adopted without thorough testing. It argues that overconfidence in unproven methods, fueled by the Dunning-Kruger effect, exacerbates this cycle and risks patient safety. Using the example of the endometrial scratch, […]
Clinical care for women seeking pregnancy after miscarriage
In this article, A/Prof Alex Polyakov addresses the important question of when it is safe to conceive after a miscarriage and outlines strategies for promoting a healthy subsequent pregnancy. Miscarriage can significantly impact a woman’s physical and emotional health, and determining the right time to try again is crucial. Polyakov discusses recommended intervals between pregnancies, psychological support, […]
Teghan spent $40,000 to select the sex of her fourth baby. But it’s illegal in Australia
Overseas companies are promoting sex selection to Australians unable to have the procedure here. While some believe it’s unethical, Teghan travelled to the US so she could have a longed-for daughter. Teghan Polgaise recalls the moment she gave birth to her third child — a third boy — and her feelings of disappointment that she […]
What’s it like to be born extremely early
Every year, 15 million babies are born prematurely, that is more than 1 in 10 babies. Unfortunately, preterm birth complications are one of the leading causes of death among young children. Among them, a small number of babies defy the odds and come way too early to the world at less than 25-28 weeks in […]
What interventions can reduce COVID-19’s healthcare demand to below maximal capacity?
Many countries are ramping up measures to flatten the curve for the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the UK, which previously showed signs of letting herd immunity take its course. Massive policy changes were partly due to a recent epidemiological modelling report on non-pharmaceutical interventions by the Imperial College of London, which concluded: epidemic suppression is the […]
What Is Laparoscopy And Why It Is Important In Fertility Treatment
What is a laparoscopy? Laparoscopy is a keyhole surgery used to assess abnormalities in the female reproductive organs: uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes and other pelvic organs. Patients could be recommended a laparoscopy due to pelvic pain, which is a characteristic symptom of gynaecological conditions. Although laparoscopy is not a routine step in first-line fertility evaluation, […]
What is serology/antibody test for COVID-19 and how will it work?
A shortage of COVID-19 testing kits is a challenge currently faced by Australia and many other countries. A second type of testing, known as serology or antibody testing, may be the game changer in this chaos. What is serology testing? Instead of checking for the presence of COVID-19 virus itself, an antibody test will check […]
What is Social Egg Freezing and How Can it Help Me?
While falling pregnant may seem like a natural part of life, it’s not always as simple as it seems. Fortunately, the science regarding fertility has evolved over the years. This has empowered millions of women, helping them to get pregnant and parent children. For more than 30 years, egg freezing has been one way for […]
What medications are safe/dangerous during pregnancy?
During the 40 weeks of pregnancy, common ailments may arise, but the available medications are limited due to safety concerns. Some medications may could cause harm by interfering with embryo development, damaging the foetus’s organs, increasing the risk of miscarriage or damaging the placenta. Any of these scenarios could potentially put your baby’s life at […]