Our reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) research aims to provide the highest quality of evidence-based research to improve clinical care, fertility and live birth rates and the long-term health outcomes of babies.
In collaboration with the Westmead Fertility Centre, our research spans from optimising clinical care and assisted reproductive technologies to exploring fertility preservation options for patients after receiving a life changing medical diagnosis.
Our research in maternal preconception health aims to identify women at risk of pregnancy complications and optimise preconception health and lifestyle factors.
From exploring current pregnancy planning to identifying the health and lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol, weight and taking folic acid before pregnancy, we’re finding ways to improve pregnancy outcomes and support the long-term health of mothers and babies.
We’re also researching ways in which primary care practitioners can best provide preconception care to women and can identify those who may be at a higher risk of poor pregnancy outcomes and could most benefit from it.
A world-first research study exploring how weight loss prior to pregnancy can improve the long-term health of mothers and babies.
A retrospective cohort study to determine the completion rate for the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy (LMUP) with the aim to identify socio‐demographic characteristics associated with unplanned pregnancy.
The study outcomes found seven in ten women who completed the measure of unintended pregnancy had planned their pregnancies, but fewer than half had undertaken health‐related actions prior to conceiving.
Our research found that better documentation of medical and lifestyle preconception health risk factors in structured fields of electronic medical records (EMRs) may potentially assist primary care providers including GPs to identify and provide preconception care to women who could most benefit from it.
The London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy (LMUP) is a validated tool to assess the degree of intention of a current or recent pregnancy that captures behaviour around the time of conception. and can be used to evaluate family planning or preconception care programs.
More than half didn't take any pre-pregnancy health actions. Older women and those with higher socioeconomic status were more likely to plan their pregnancies, while planning decreased with increasing parity, especially for women having their fifth or more child.
Equitable access to contraception and abortion are core aspects of sexual and reproductive rights but barriers continue to impact women across different parts of Australia and in the Pacific region due to factors such as poor knowledge, service access issues and cost.
Our research aims to document issues of inequality of access to sexual and reproductive health and investigates strategies to enhance women's knowledge of contraception, particularly in the postpartum period.
We are working with clinicians to improve their knowledge and training in methods of contraception and abortion while building capacity amongst midwives and doctors to improve contraception counselling and provision around the time of birth to support women’s choices in their reproductive health.
A retrospective cohort study exploring access to abortion care in Victoria during 2010-2019 amongst women presenting for pregnancy care.
From researching aspects of the in vitro environment to factors affecting a developing embryo in vivo, we are finding evidence-based solutions to improve the success rates of ART.
We also focus on improving suboptimal processes in the clinic, leading to better long-term health outcomes of newborn babies.
A large randomised controlled trial (RCT) involving 350 couples undergoing IVF. pH of the media used for human gamete culture in vitro can impact the assembly and functioning of the meiotic spindle.
Incorrect spindle function can cause lower than expected fertilisation rates, and should fertilisation occur the resulting embryo is of poorer quality. This work has significant relevance for the culture systems utilised in IVF clinics worldwide.
Male infertility affects 40-50% of couples seeking assisted reproductive technologies (ART).
Our research in male infertility focuses on developing innovative new approaches to optimise male fertility outcomes to improve technology and promote better lifestyle choices to enhance sperm parameters to optimise the success of ART.
Our research aims to drive change by optimizing insemination protocols with the aim of only doing intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) on patients with severe male factor infertility.
We’re conducting research to increase our understanding of the effect of phosphodiesterase inhibitors on gametes and embryos with the aim to improve ART outcomes.
To improve male reproduction rates, we’re exploring male lifestyle factors such as nutrition, exercise, ROS and mutational load in the offspring and how they impact ART and male fertility.
Our research aims to enhance fertility preservation techniques and holistic care of patients facing uncertain fertility prospects after receiving a life-changing medical diagnosis.
From cutting-edge research in cryo-preservation techniques to improving referral pathways and clear communication of treatment and fertility preservation options, our research aims to preserve future fertility in times of need.
Hundreds of Australians are diagnosed with cancer every day, with many of these individuals yet to make reproductive choices. The cancer treatment pathways can cause temporary or permanent changes to reproductive function after exposure.
With the developing understanding of gender and gender identity, our research also aims to improve communication, awareness, care and outcomes for individuals who are undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapies.
Our study is the first Australian study to examine the fertility preservation experiences of a sizeable cohort of women and men who underwent fertility preservation by oocyte, ovarian tissue, sperm, or embryo freezing prior to cancer treatment.
We’re exploring ways to facilitate the collection of a large number of oocytes without the known risks associated with ovarian hyperstimulation. Our research aims to increase the efficiency of fertility preservation for oncology patients before starting chemotherapy.
Email
rpc.admin@sydney.edu.au
Mailing address
Level 6, Block K
Westmead Hospital
Westmead, NSW 2145
