Preconception care is about getting ready for pregnancy in an informed and proactive way. We can review your cycle, medical history, medicines, lifestyle, and anything that may affect fertility or pregnancy, organise relevant blood tests, and discuss genetic carrier screening where appropriate.
For many women and couples, this ensures you have all the information you need to have the best chance at a healthy pregnancy, and helps identify issues early so we can get on the front foot.
When pregnancy is taking longer than expected, sometimes called subfertility, it is reasonable to seek help after 12 months of trying if you are 35 or under, or after 6 months if you are 36 or older, and earlier if you have irregular periods, endometriosis, PCOS, or other factors that may affect fertility.
At Sydney Women's Wellness, we can review your cycle, organise further testing, and help map out the next step.
Fertility preservation most commonly means egg freezing or embryo freezing. It may be worth exploring if you are not ready to conceive now, are concerned about age-related fertility decline, or have a medical condition or treatment that may affect fertility in the future.
We can explain the process, what influences success, and when referral to a fertility specialist is appropriate.
Sometimes extra medical support is needed to help achieve pregnancy. Depending on your situation, that may include ovulation induction, intrauterine insemination, IVF, or other fertility specialist care.
We can help arrange the right referral, explain the process in plain English, and make sure you understand your options before moving forward.
Consultation
We start with a detailed discussion about your goals, menstrual cycle, medical history, medicines, previous pregnancies, and any known fertility concerns.
We then talk through lifestyle factors, supplements, timing, and any tests that may be useful, such as blood tests, pelvic imaging, semen analysis, or genetic carrier screening.
You leave with a clear plan and, if needed, a pathway to specialist care.
“Good pregnancy care starts well before the test turns positive. The right information in the months before you start trying can help with fertility, pregnancy health, and giving your baby the best possible start.”
- Dr Sarah Farrell
Preconception
Ideally 3–6 months before you plan to conceive. This allows time to optimise your nutrition, start supplementation, review medications and plan changes if required, and explore reproductive carrier screening.
Not necessarily. For most couples, fertility assessment is only recommended after 12 months of trying to conceive. Earlier review is advised after 6 months if you are 35 or over, or sooner if there are factors that may affect fertility, including irregular or absent periods, PCOS, endometriosis, previous pelvic infection or surgery, fibroids, prior cancer treatment, known male-factor issues, or difficulty with intercourse.
Reproductive carrier screening is a blood or saliva test that looks for whether you or your partner carry gene changes for certain inherited conditions, that can be passed onto your offspring even if there is no family history.
In Australia, the standard Medicare-funded test currently screens for three conditions: cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy, and fragile X syndrome. There are also expanded carrier screening panels that assess many more conditions but involve an out-of-pocket cost.
It is a personal choice, but understanding your options can be an important part of planning a pregnancy. As part of our preconception consult, our women's health GPs will help you understand the options and decide what feels right for you.
AMH, or Anti-Müllerian Hormone, is a blood test that helps estimate ovarian reserve. It can be useful when planning for the future, including if you are considering egg freezing or IVF.
However, it does not predict your ability to conceive naturally right now, and it does not tell us about egg quality. We interpret AMH as one part of the broader fertility picture, alongside your age, cycle history, symptoms, and goals.
Yes. We proudly support single mothers by choice and can help coordinate the initial investigations and referrals and provide ongoing support for your journey.
If your history, symptoms, or investigations suggest possible subfertility, if you have been trying to conceive for more than 12 months, or for more than 6 months if you are over 35, we may recommend referral to a fertility specialist.
We also provide referral for fertility preservation, including egg freezing, and have clear pathways to trusted specialists across Sydney.
Single Mothers By Choice
We warmly welcome women who are planning parenthood independently and would like support navigating their options. Whether you are right at the start or already considering donor conception, egg freezing, or fertility treatment, we can provide evidence-based guidance and help you move through the process with clarity and support.
LGBTQ+ Couples
We also warmly welcome LGBTQ+ couples and provide inclusive, evidence-based care tailored to your path to parenthood. Whether you are exploring donor conception, reciprocal IVF, fertility assessment, or preconception planning, we can help you understand your options and support you with appropriate investigations, referrals, and ongoing care.