About Lauren
MBBS(HONS), BMEDSCI, MRMED, FRANZCOG
Dr Lauren Hicks is a gynaecologist, fertility specialist and advanced laparoscopic surgeon consulting in Albury, and Newlife IVF‘s Box Hill and East Melbourne locations.
Lauren offers comprehensive gynaecology care for people with endometriosis, fibroids and other gynaecology concerns, and those wanting to fall pregnant or discuss their fertility. Sometimes these conditions go hand-in-hand, and Lauren is able to provide a holistic approach to the management of both symptoms and fertility issues. She aims to provide gynaecology care for women throughout their reproductive lives, and spends time understanding the individual patient’s symptoms and goals at each consultation. She embodies a caring and empathetic manner when dealing with her patients, and sees challenges as opportunities. Lauren always strives for the best possible outcomes for her patients and welcomes the fact that each consultation and surgery is different.
Lauren completed her specialist RANZCOG training through the Mercy Hospital for Women and Albury Wodonga Health. She undertook additional training through the prestigious 2-year Australasian Gynaecological Endoscopy & Surgery (AGES) fellowship in complex gynaecology surgery as well as a Master’s degree in reproductive medicine through the University of New South Wales. She has ongoing involvement in research at the Royal Women’s Hospital and the Mercy Hospital for women and her research interests include endometriosis and outpatient hysteroscopy. For more information on one of Lauren’s research groups, please visit endometriosis.org.au.
Lauren joined Newlife IVF in 2022 after working with the founding directors where she was impressed by the independent clinic’s dedication to the best possible patient outcomes. In Melbourne, Lauren consults privately at Newlife’s East Melbourne and Box Hill sites and operates at Epworth Freemasons. Additionally, she holds public appointments with the advanced endosurgery units at both the Royal Women’s Hospital and the Mercy Hospital for Women as well as working as a visiting gynaecologist at Albury Wodonga Health.
Fertility Services offered
Fertility Assessment – A thorough clinical assessment, along with a range of tests, helps us get to the heart of your fertility issues. See Female fertility testing & Male fertility testing.
IUI – Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a type of fertility treatment that involves placing a large number of sperm directly into the uterus to increase the chances that the sperm and egg will meet.
IVF – stands for In Vitro Fertilisation. In essence, it’s a procedure designed to overcome infertility by starting a pregnancy outside the womb (i.e. in vitro).
Egg Freezing – keeping some of your younger, better-quality eggs ‘on ice’ just in case you run into fertility problems later in life – can help safeguard your future fertility.
Donor Sperm – It is now very common for Assigned Females at Birth (AFAB) to use donor sperm to help them conceive. Donor sperm can also help heterosexual couples struggling with infertility due to sperm abnormalities.
Newlife IVF Box Hill
Phone:
(03) 9958 3658
Email:
hello@drlaurenhicks.com.au
Address:
Suite 3, Third Floor
116–118 Thames Street,
Box Hill North, VIC 3129
Newlife IVF East Melbourne
Phone:
(03) 9958 3658
Email:
hello@drlaurenhicks.com.au
Address:
Suite 106, First Floor,
320 Victoria Parade
East Melbourne VIC 3002
More Information
One of the most common questions our fertility doctors are asked is which is better – fresh or frozen embryos.
And the answer is...well, it depends.
Specifically, it depends on you.
Interested to learn more? Hit the link in our bio to read fertility expert Dr Chris Russell`s blog, which examines fresh versus frozen embryo transfers.
#ttc #IVF #IVFsuport #eggfreezing #fertility #fertilitydoctor #fertilityspecialist #fertilityjourney #fertilityawareness #fertilitytreatment #fertilitycare #infertility #newlife #newhope
For those who have been unsuccessfully trying for a baby, it may be time to seek expert advice from a fertility specialist.
In this video, @drhugo_obgyn explains the role of a fertility specialist, along with some of the tools and techniques they use to improve your chances of pregnancy.
Check out what he has to say ☝🏻
#ttc #IVF #IVFsupport #fertility #fertilitydoctor #fertilityspecialist #fertilityjourney #fertilityawareness #fertilitytreatment #fertilitycare #infertility #newlife #newhope
Talent hits a target no one else can hit, while genius hits a target no one else can see.
Lucky for us, our experienced embryologists possess both the talent and ingenuity needed to make magic happen!
This image beautifully captures intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), an advanced technique that may be added to an IVF cycle. It involves injecting a single sperm directly into the centre of a mature egg.
For fertilisation to occur, sperm must push through the egg’s outer layer to reach the centre. However, this layer may be too thick or tough for sperm to penetrate, especially if they are abnormally shaped or have difficulty swimming. ICSI removes this obstacle.
Our embryologists undergo years of meticulous training to perfect the technique needed to perform ICSI – because we like to ensure that our scientific team have the talent and ingenuity to give you the best chance of a successful pregnancy.
Want to know more? Check out the link in our bio.
#ICSI #IVF #lablife #behindthescenes #embryology #embryologist #embryologylab #melbourne #ivfsupport #ivfjourney #fertility #fertilityjourney #TTC #newlife #newhope
Egg and embryo freezing is more common than you think ❄
The latest data shows that freezing eggs and embryos for future use has increased by 61.5% compared to findings collected from the previous year (2020).
Egg freezing is a common way for people to safeguard their fertility, allowing them to store their eggs until a time in the future when they are ready to start trying for a baby.
While women are most fertile in their twenties and early thirties, sometimes their life circumstances don’t suit having a baby within that age bracket. For this reason, it is common for people to choose to become parents later in life.
Egg freezing gives women the option to preserve some of their younger, more fertile eggs, storing them until a point in the future when they are ready for family life.
Visit the link in our bio to learn more.
Source: The 2021 Australian and New Zealand Assisted Reproduction Database (ANZARD) report.
#ivfsuccess #IVF #ivfjourney #ICSI #embryology #fertility #fertilityjourney #fertilitydoctors #fertilitytreatment #fertilitycare #ivfdoctor #infertility #ttc #melbourne #newlife #newhope
This device is both fancy and ingenious!
Here, our embryologist, Sophie, is testing sperm quality.
After a semen sample is collected, it is placed on a slide and loaded into a Microptic Sperm Analyser (pictured). This high-powered microscope detects and focuses on sperm within the sample, giving our embryologists a deeper understanding of sperm quality.
Semen analysis allows us to identify problems with sperm production or function that can contribute to male infertility. This includes abnormalities like low sperm concentration and count, and poor motility and morphology (abnormally shaped sperm).
If significant abnormalities are detected, it may be difficult for a couple to conceive a child naturally.
The good news is that advancements in fertility treatments have made it possible to overcome these types of sperm-related issues, increasing your chances of pregnancy.
If you`ve been unsuccessfully trying for a baby, male fertility testing may be the next step in your fertility journey. Call Newlife IVF on (03) 8080 8933 to make an appointment, or book online via our appointments page.
#menshealth #spermtesting #sperm #spermhealth #fertility #fertilitytreatment #fertilityjourney #fertilitydoctors #fertilitycare #ivf #ivfsuccess #infertility #ttc #pregnant #fertilityawareness #health #melbourne #newlife #newhope
The path to parenthood can be a difficult road to walk.
Sometimes the journey can feel isolating regardless of whether you`re a couple or an individual trying to conceive. It can be especially hard to find the words to express how you`re feeling to your loved ones.
So, if you need guidance or simply a `listening ear`, our friendly and supportive counsellors are here to help. This need not be a journey you walk alone – call us on (03) 8080 8933 to get in touch.
Our Counselling and Donor Services Manager, Dr Sarah Nowoweiski, also has some tips on managing tricky fertility-related conversations with family and friends. You can check out her recommendations at the link in our bio.
#TTC #fertilitycounselling #counsellor #ivf #ivfjourney #fertilitytreatment #fertilityjourney #infertility #newlife #newhope
Check out that smile. It puts the Cheshire Cat`s grin to shame.
This is the face of a fertility specialist who is truly passionate about supporting women through their fertility journeys, from preconception to fertility treatment and pregnancy.
@drstephaniesii loves many aspects of her job. But there`s nothing quite like the feeling of telling couples or individuals that they`ve achieved pregnancy after fertility treatment.
Stephanie also has an innate ability to understand the feelings of those around her, and she rides the fertility highs and lows with every one of her patients.
Her empathy and compassion are second to none.
Visit the link in our bio to learn more about Dr Stephanie Sii, or call us on (03) 8080 8933 to book an appointment. You can also book online via our appointments page.
#ivf #ivfjourney #ttc #fertility #fertilitydoctors #fertilitytreatment #fertilitycare #infertility #newlife #newhope
More than 27,000 babies are born prematurely each year in Australia.
Babies born too early often require specialised hospital care, leading to significant physical, mental, emotional and financial stress for families. Additionally, preterm birth may have long-term health implications for the child.
If this is a cause close to your heart, help give babies and their families the best possible start – make a donation to Australian families affected by premature birth.
Visit this link for more information: https://www.miraclebabies.org.au/content/ways-to-give/gjm6zc
#prematurityawareness #prematurityawarenessmonth #prematurityawarenessday #worldprematurityday #pretermbirth #maternalandinfanthealth #newlife #newhope
