Fertility Assessment and Care in Melbourne
If you are having difficulty becoming pregnant, have irregular or absent periods, or would like advice about your fertility, the first step is understanding your individual circumstances.
Dr Karen Paice is an obstetrician and fertility specialist with over 15 years’ experience, based in Fitzroy, Melbourne. Karen takes time to review your history, explain investigations and discuss the treatment options that may be appropriate for you.
Karen's fertility experience
Specialist fertility care with time to understand your circumstances
Karen provides fertility assessment and treatment across a broad range of needs, with experience in IVF, egg freezing, recurrent miscarriage, ovulation disorders, endometriosis, male infertility, donor sperm, genetic testing and PMOS (formerly PCOS). Dr Karen Paice is one of the few female fertility specialists at Melbourne IVF who also provides private obstetric care.
Who Karen may be able to help
You may consider seeking fertility advice if:
Individual circumstances vary, and the investigations or treatment required will depend on your history and results.
Your fertility assessment: what happens next?
Before your fertility appointment
Karen's rooms ask prospective fertility patients to send a GP referral for triage before an appointment is arranged.
Please also provide any relevant information already available, including:
- Ultrasound reports
- Blood-test results
- Previous fertility investigations or treatment information
- Relevant medical history
If you have a partner, reception will also ask for their name and date of birth to be included on the referral. If applicable and available, please include relevant investigations such as semen analysis results. Partner information is not required if you are booking an appointment to discuss egg freezing.
What happens at your first fertility consultation?
Your first consultation is an opportunity to understand your fertility history and determine what information may still be needed.
Depending on your circumstances, Karen may discuss:
- How long you have been trying to conceive
- Your menstrual cycle and whether you appear to be ovulating regularly
- Previous pregnancies
- Medical and gynaecological history
- Existing fertility investigations
- Previous fertility treatment
- Medications
- Relevant partner history and investigations
- Whether additional testing may be appropriate
Karen will explain what is known so far, what may need further investigation and what the next step could be.
Areas of fertility care
Fertility assessment, IVF and treatment planning
There is no single fertility investigation or treatment pathway that is right for everyone.
Karen will consider your history, age, menstrual cycle, previous investigations, previous treatment and other relevant factors when discussing what may be appropriate.
Depending on your circumstances, the next step may involve further investigation, monitoring, IVF or discussion of other fertility treatment options.
PMOS (formerly PCOS) and ovulation disorders
Irregular ovulation can make it more difficult to predict when an egg is released and may affect the chance of becoming pregnant.
Karen has an interest in the investigation and management of ovulation disorders, including PMOS (formerly PCOS).
Your consultation may include discussion of your menstrual cycle, previous test results and whether further investigation or treatment should be considered.
Broader fertility services
Karen's fertility work also includes egg freezing, recurrent miscarriage, endometriosis, donor sperm and genetic testing.
She provides fertility care to single women and couples.
Periods that do not return
Periods may stop or fail to return for a number of reasons.
Secondary amenorrhoea means periods that were previously occurring have stopped. Karen can assess your history and discuss whether further investigation is appropriate.
From fertility treatment into pregnancy care
One of Karen's supporting areas of expertise is the transition from fertility treatment into pregnancy.
If you become pregnant following fertility treatment, Karen's obstetric experience means she can also provide private pregnancy care from early pregnancy through to birth.
Karen's fertility experience gives her additional understanding of treatment history, medications and the concerns that can come with moving from fertility care into pregnancy care. Where relevant, this experience can provide continuity from fertility treatment through to pregnancy and birth.
Planning for pregnancy
Planning for pregnancy is a separate stage of care and does not assume that you are experiencing fertility difficulties.
A pre-pregnancy consultation can be an opportunity to review your general health, medications, vaccinations and any questions before trying to conceive.
Karen can discuss your individual circumstances and help you understand any steps that may be appropriate before pregnancy.
Frequently asked fertility questions
Do I need a GP referral before arranging a fertility appointment?
Karen's rooms ask that your GP referral be sent for triage before an appointment is arranged. See Before your fertility appointment for what to provide.
What should I send with my referral?
Please send relevant information already available, including ultrasound reports and blood test results. If you have a partner, reception will also ask for their name and date of birth to be included on the referral. If applicable and available, please include relevant investigations such as semen analysis results. Partner information is not required if you are booking an appointment to discuss egg freezing.
What happens at my first fertility appointment?
Karen will review your fertility and medical history, existing investigations and any previous treatment. She will then discuss whether additional investigation or treatment planning may be appropriate.
What fertility services does Karen provide?
Karen provides fertility assessment and treatment across a broad range of needs, including IVF, egg freezing, recurrent miscarriage, ovulation disorders, endometriosis, donor sperm, genetic testing and PMOS (formerly PCOS). She provides care to single women and couples.
Can Karen continue my care if I become pregnant?
Karen also provides private obstetric care. If you plan to deliver privately, Karen would be happy to continue caring for you during your pregnancy.
Where does Karen consult?
Karen consults at 145 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, Melbourne.
Enquire about a fertility appointment
The first step is to send Karen's rooms your GP referral for triage.
If you have questions about what information to provide, contact reception.
03 9419 5757
