Dr Rashi Kalra

Dr Rashi Kalra CREI CERTIFIED
FERTILITY and IVF SPECIALIST
GYNAECOLOGIST

🪔 An amazing night celebrating Victorias south Asian community at the Premiers Diwali State Reception. As beautifully sa...
09/10/2025

🪔 An amazing night celebrating Victorias south Asian community at the Premiers Diwali State Reception. As beautifully said by Premier Allan ‘when the world feels heavy, Diwali reminds us that love and light always prevail’ 🌟 🪔 🎆

After ovulation, your body enters the LUTEAL PHASE - the time between releasing an egg and either getting your period or...
14/08/2025

After ovulation, your body enters the LUTEAL PHASE - the time between releasing an egg and either getting your period or confirming pregnancy.

It’s crucial for conception. Here’s why:
🧡 Progesterone rises to support a thick, stable uterine lining
🪴 Implantation happens here — typically 6–10 days after ovulation
📉 If hormone levels drop too soon, the lining may not hold
💉 In IVF or IUI cycles, we often support this phase with progesterone supplements

A short or weak luteal phase may affect fertility, but it can often be treated. Whether you’re tracking cycles or doing IVF, understanding this phase gives you more control, not less.


✨ Progesterone ✨Often overlooked, but absolutely essential. Progesterone is the hormone that supports implantation and e...
14/08/2025

✨ Progesterone ✨
Often overlooked, but absolutely essential. Progesterone is the hormone that supports implantation and early pregnancy.

👩🏽‍⚕️ Whether you’re trying to conceive naturally or going through IVF, it plays a vital role in preparing the body for pregnancy.

It is produced by the corpus luteum (remnant from ovulation) in the first trimester, and eventually the placenta takes over progesterone production until labour or birth!

Here’s what it does:
🌱 Thickens and stabilises the uterine lining
🛡️ Supports implantation of the embryo
🤰 Maintains pregnancy, not only prevents miscarriage in the first trimester but also has crucial roles in the 2nd and 3rd trimester.

In IVF and fertility treatment, we often prescribe extra progesterone, because sometimes, your body needs a little extra support.

Types of progesterone include:
💉 Subcutaneous (under the skin) progesterone injections have replaced Intramuscular progesterone, with significantly less side effects.
🧴 Vaginal pessaries or gels
💊 Oral tablets (less common for IVF)

The type and dose depends on your cycle, your reproductive history, underlying conditions such as endometriosis or PCOS. There’s no one-size-fits-all and that’s where personalised care comes in.

I explained in my last reel what a realistic road map looks like for women in their mid to late 30s. In summary, 👉  Yes,...
07/08/2025

I explained in my last reel what a realistic road map looks like for women in their mid to late 30s. In summary, 👉 Yes, fertility does decline with age BUT that’s just one part of the story.

Start with testing.
AMH, ultrasound, and partner’s semen analysis give us a clear picture.

🙋‍♀️ Understand your timeline.
If you’ve been trying for 6+ months, it’s worth checking in.

🔬 Know your options.
From ovulation support to IVF, there are many ways to optimise success — and we tailor it to you.

🥚 Don’t forget about egg quality.
Age impacts this most, but certain supplements and protocols may help.

Being 35+ doesn’t mean it’s “too late” it just means being strategic and supported.


High-grade vs low-grade embryos 🧬During IVF, embryos are graded based on how they look under the microscope. But here’s ...
06/08/2025

High-grade vs low-grade embryos 🧬

During IVF, embryos are graded based on how they look under the microscope. But here’s the truth:

✨ A high-grade embryo (like a 4AA blastocyst) has ideal features - symmetry, cell number, expansion and may have a higher chance of implantation.

🧩 A lower-grade embryo might not look “perfect,” but that doesn’t mean it can’t lead to a healthy pregnancy.
The grading system is helpful but it isn’t the full story. Many healthy babies come from embryos that weren’t textbook-perfect.

✅ Embryo potential also depends on:
- Age of the egg
- Lab conditions
- Uterine environment
- Genetic testing (if done)


Do fertility supplements actually work? 🤔It’s one of the most common questions I hear and the short answer is: some do.W...
24/07/2025

Do fertility supplements actually work? 🤔

It’s one of the most common questions I hear and the short answer is: some do.

When used correctly and with medical guidance, supplements can support egg quality, s***m health, and hormonal balance. But not all are created equal.
Here are a few with the most research-backed benefits:

✨ Folate (not just folic acid) – crucial before and during early pregnancy

🧬 CoQ10 – may support egg and s***m mitochondrial function

🧠 Vitamin D – often low in Australians and linked to reproductive health

🧪 Zinc, Omega-3s, Myo-Inositol – helpful in specific cases like PCOS or male factor

BUT: more isn’t always better. Over-supplementing or self-prescribing can do more harm than good.

If you’re on a fertility journey, speak to a specialist before starting anything new and especially if you’re already undergoing treatment. Make every supplement count, not confuse.

Cancer treatment doesn’t have to mean closing the door on future fertility. 🤍Thanks to medical advances, patients now ha...
21/07/2025

Cancer treatment doesn’t have to mean closing the door on future fertility. 🤍

Thanks to medical advances, patients now have more options than ever to preserve their reproductive potential before starting treatment.

Here’s what’s new and important in fertility preservation:

🧬 Ovarian Tissue Freezing
With over a 100 live births worldwide , this option is life-changing for young girls or patients who can’t delay chemotherapy.

🥚 Egg & Embryo Freezing
With careful coordination, we can often complete a full stimulation cycle and retrieval in as little as 2 weeks… even after a cancer diagnosis. There are also other options available as clinical trials that show promise such as IVM (in vitro maturation) ⏱️ Time is Critical
The window between diagnosis and treatment is short. A referral to a fertility specialist as early as possible can make all the difference.

Fresh or Frozen? Let’s talk about embryo transfers. ❄️🧫One of the most common questions I’m asked is: “Is a fresh embryo...
16/07/2025

Fresh or Frozen? Let’s talk about embryo transfers. ❄️🧫
One of the most common questions I’m asked is: “Is a fresh embryo transfer better than a frozen one?”
WELL, the answer? It depends on you, your cycle, and your overall health.

✨ Fresh transfers can be ideal when hormone levels are optimal and the uterine lining is ready.

❄️ Frozen transfers allow time for your body to recover, can reduce risk of OHSS, and let us prepare the uterus more precisely.

At my practice, every decision is personalised and based on evidence, not assumptions. If you’re navigating IVF and unsure what’s right for you, we’re here to guide you with clarity and care.

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Suite 4, Epworth Freemasons, 320 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne
Melbourne, VIC
3002

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