https://thefertilitypod.com.au/

Fertility Lifestyle Program, Melbourne (2025)

08/07/2025

How great does it feel to have a good night’s sleep?! For some people, that might have been last night (lucky you!!) For others, it can seem elusive.

We all know that sleep is good for us and the full benefits of sleep are so diverse—sleep supports the cells to function well and mop up toxins, it supports the immune system, regulates hormones, and improves energy, focus, and brain function. It’s pretty much good for all aspects of health!

On the flip side, when there are disturbances to sleep, there is a noticeable reduction in quality of life and an increased likelihood of inflammation and sickness (both physical and mental).

What we know about sleep and fertility is primarily from studies that have looked at what happens when people change their habits around sleeping and waking, for example, shift workers or flight attendants, or if someone has a sleep disorder such as insomnia.

Read full blog post - link in bio

30/06/2025

Many women experience weight gain as they go through a medicated IVF cycle.

This is normal.

There are some things that you can do to support yourself to feel healthy and reduce bloating during this time.

Drink at least 2 liters of water per day
Move every day, even a 15-minute walk can help
Focus on eating lots of vegetables, fibre, and high-quality protein
Have acupuncture during the cycle

23/06/2025

Dr Julie Vecera’s Chocolate Smoothie Recipe!

If you like dark chocolate, then this quick and simple smoothie is for you! Not only is it packed with potassium and B6, the protein provides the building blocks for cell growth, and the cacao is rich in antioxidants, all which are vital for cell quality.
Ingredients:
- 1 banana
- 250 ml (1 cup) almond milk
- 1 scoop protein powder
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder (or unsweetened cocoa powder)

Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend well to combine.
Pour into a glass and enjoy straight away.

17/06/2025

Men, your health matters too — especially before conception. 🧬

S***m health is just as vital as egg quality in the fertility journey. The choices you make while trying to conceive can impact the health of a future child.
✅ Nourish your body
✅ Reduce toxins
✅ Get 8 hours sleep at night
✅ Exercise regularly
✅ Take a good quality multivitamin and CoQ10 to support s***m health

Our acupuncture and nutrition protocols are designed to support male fertility from the inside out.

✨ Healthy s***m, healthy baby.
📍 Book a preconception consult today — because fertility is a team effort.

***mhealth

03/06/2025

June is World Infertility Awareness Month 💚

Behind every statistic is a story — of hope, heartbreak, strength, and perseverance.

At The Fertility Pod, we honour every step of your fertility journey — whether you're trying naturally or with the help of IVF.

Through acupuncture and nutrition, we support your body, mind, and hormones to create the most balanced foundation for whole body health.
✨ You are not alone. You are seen. You are supported.

📩 Visit our website (link in bio) to learn more about how we support you.

Fertility Pod

27/05/2025

Today we’re bringing you an interesting (but probably entirely useless) fact about fertility:

Some animals, such as rabbits, cats, ferrets, and camels, don’t ovulate like we do–at a certain point in the menstrual cycle. These animals ovulate and get that LH surge about 9-12 hours after having in*******se.

It’s called, “Copulation-induced ovulation.”

So when you wonder why some animals seem to become pregnant so easily, know that there is a whole different system going on for them. And now you know a little more about the term, “breed like rabbits!” 🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰

The Fertility Pod

20/05/2025

Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant found in many grains, nuts, and seeds. Plants produce vitamin E to protect themselves and their new seeds from damage.

Vitamin E is used up when it is exposed to damaging components, including oxygen. What this means for us is that there is a lot less of it in processed grains such as anything made from flour because the vitamin E has been mostly used up. So you want to look for sources such as whole grains and fresh nuts and seeds.

In the body, vitamin E is used as an antioxidant. In particular for fertility, there has been much interest in vitamin E’s ability to act as an antioxidant both in the egg and s***m, but mostly for the endometrial lining as higher concentrations are found around the site of embryo implantation.

We often prescribe Vitamin E therefore, in preparation for implantation - whether naturally or via IUI or an embryo transfer.

However, as will all supplements, it’s better that a practitioner manages your particular situation because there are times when we would ask you to pause or not take vitamin E.

10/05/2025

On Mother’s Day we are sending out love to all of those who wish and have wished to become a mother.

🌈To those who are waiting for a rainbow baby
🪷To those who are pregnant after loss
🌸To those who have lost a child
🪻To those who are childless - not by choice
🌷To those who have had a child after a long fertility journey
🌺To those who have lost their mother

Remember that everyone’s journey is different.

06/05/2025

Zinc is a mineral that practitioners often recommend to support fertility.

This is because zinc is involved in many processes and functions in the body, including many that are involved in fertility. Zinc is required for sexual development and the formation of some hormones in the body. It supports brain development and DNA and RNA synthesis in a growing embryo and foetus. Zinc also supports a healthy immune system (which is why it’s often in formulas alongside vitamin C).

However, zinc is definitely not for everyone. If your body is showing signs that you might benefit from extra zinc or your blood tests show that your zinc levels are not in optimal levels, then we may recommend this supplement for you. But it's one of those supplements that you don’t want to be on forever, nor without your levels being monitored, because it is stored in the body and can build up.

And before you go reaching for another supplement (because, let’s be real, there are already enough things to take while supporting fertility), why not safely boost your zinc levels through your food? Zinc can be found in the following foods (among others):
🦪Oysters
🍳Egg yolks
🍣Fish and shellfish
🥩Red meat
🌰Seeds (sesame, sunflower, pumpkin seeds/pepitas, h**p seeds)
🥜Nuts (Walnuts, almonds)
🍝Whole grains
🫚Ginger

The Fertility Pod

29/04/2025

Sarina is an experienced practitioner and is passionate about promoting health and wellness by supporting her patients to improve their overall health using acupuncture, Chinese herbs, supplements, dietary and lifestyle suggestions.

She enjoys working with individuals and couples to achieve their health goals and tailors her treatments according to her patient’s needs.

Sarina loves working with and has a special interest in:
🍍Fertility, IVF support
🫐Preconception care
🤱Pregnancy, labour preparation and postnatal care
🩸Menstrual issues

Sarina is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is a member of the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA). Sarina studied at RMIT University in Melbourne and was awarded the double degree in Applied Science; Chinese Medicine and Human Biology in 2006 and completed an internship at the Jiangsu Hospital in Nanjing, China.

On her days off, Sarina can either be found in the garden or cooking, studying, riding, jogging or spending time with her family and friends.

Sarina is available in our Carlton clinic The Fertility Pod on Wednesday mornings.

21/04/2025

Happy World Earth Day 2025!

Here are some ways we can take care of the Earth and our bodies:
🥑Eat organic when possible, even if it’s only for 1-2 types of veggies or fruits.
🥩Choose pasture-raised meat, if you eat meat.
🥛Store food and drinks in glass or metal containers and avoid plastic containers.
🌿Grow your own plants - get your hands dirty and reconnect with the earth while improving air quality. Don’t have a garden or a balcony? Get a little pot plant instead.
💻Turn off all screens an hour before bed, improving sleep and reducing electricity usage.

17/04/2025

Dr Virginia Scarff is an established and experienced Chinese medicine practitioner with a special interest in fertility, women’s health and oncology support. With a warm and compassionate approach, Virginia aims for the highest level of care and believes in the importance of educating her patients so they can understand and engage better with their health care.

Initially training as a medical laboratory scientist in diagnostic pathology she worked in hospitals, forensics and eventually landed in diagnostic gynaecological cytology. Virginia combines her western scientific and medical knowledge with her Chinese medical training to provide comprehensive and integrative care for her patients.

Virginia understands that there are differences and complexities with each individual and she strives to ensure that each patient’s needs are met and treated with respect and dignity.

Alongside her clinical practice, Virginia works as a clinician and lecturer at RMIT University in the Chinese Medicine Bachelor and Masters programs where she is involved in the training of undergraduate and postgraduate students as they develop into future Chinese Medicine practitioners and acupuncturists.

When Virginia is not in clinic or teaching she enjoys cooking, being creative and spending time with her three rapidly growing children and her friends.

Virginia is available in our Carlton clinic .

Fertility Lifestyle Program

08/07/2025

30/06/2025

23/06/2025

17/06/2025

03/06/2025

27/05/2025

20/05/2025

10/05/2025

06/05/2025

29/04/2025

21/04/2025

17/04/2025

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