MBBS FRANZCOG MREPROMED BBIOMEDSC PhD
Hello. I’m Amber, a gynaecologist, fertility specialist and obstetrician based in Melbourne. I consult privately from rooms in East Melbourne and Box Hill. I am also affiliated with The Mercy Hospital for Women, The Women’s Hospital and Newlife IVF.
My practice is dedicated to my key fields of interest: fertility and women’s health. As a woman and a mother of two, I know how important it is to feel in control of your reproductive health. Fertility and gynaecological issues can take a huge toll on our physical and mental wellbeing, particularly when they are not addressed in a timely manner. I firmly believe that women should prioritise their reproductive health to ensure prompt relief from troublesome symptoms and to minimise any impact on their future fertility.
As a patient of mine, you can expect a highly personalised care plan that you understand, feel comfortable with, and can confidently manage alongside all of life’s other demands. I take great pride in actively listening to my patients and taking the time to understand what ‘better’ means to you, as we go about the process of diagnosing and treating the cause of your symptoms or helping you fall pregnant.
I completed the majority of my specialist training at The Mercy Hospital for Women in Heidelberg, including a fellowship in Reproductive Biology. I was also an Honorary Reproductive Services fellow at The Royal Women’s Hospital for two years, before taking up my current public appointments at The Mercy Hospital for Women and The Royal Women’s Hospital.
I see patients publicly via clinics at these hospitals and consult privately from rooms in East Melbourne. I am also part of Newlife IVF, one of only a few independent IVF providers in Victoria. Through this affiliation, I can offer comprehensive fertility care to individuals and couples needing help to conceive.
My special areas of interest include subfertility and reproductive endocrinology (including conditions like PCOS and endometrial hyperplasia that involve some kind of hormonal upset). My PhD research explored the long-term outcomes of IVF, an area I am particularly interested in given my role in facilitating IVF pregnancies.
Please feel free to explore my website so you can learn more about me, the types of services I provide, and the style of care I offer. Then please do come and say hello because it would be my absolute pleasure to meet you.
I look forward to helping you,
Dr Amber Kennedy
With my combined expertise in gynaecology and fertility, I can provide specialist care across a woman’s lifetime. This means I can help you optimise your reproductive health at every stage of life. From problem periods to assisted conception and beyond, I’ll be here to guide and support you as your body changes and matures.
As a gynaecologist, I encourage women who are struggling with gynaecological symptoms to seek help sooner rather than later – before symptoms impact day-to-day life and/or relationships.
Pelvic pain, problem periods, excessive bleeding, fatigue, bloating, painful sex: these are the symptoms that can indicate a problem that is gynaecological in origin. Not only are these symptoms annoying and embarrassing but they can also be a considerable source of anxiety. You may find yourself worrying about the possibility of infertility or cancer. You may be concerned about the impact your symptoms are having on your ability to work and keep up with other commitments. Or you may be anxious about opening up to your partner about the symptoms you are experiencing and how it is affecting your relationship.
Women can sometimes suffer in silence for a long time before seeking help. They may also downgrade the significance of symptoms like painful periods, heavy menstrual bleeding and feeling ‘hormonal’ because they assume their experience is the norm or something they just have to put up with. But ‘women’s problems’ deserve to be investigated and treated just like any other health problem. That’s why it’s so important to me that my patients feel comfortable opening up to me about the true nature and extent of their symptoms – while also being reassured that we will find a way forward together.
From menstrual disorders and menopausal complaints to more complex conditions like endometriosis and PCOS, my goal is to identify and treat the cause of your symptoms so you can get on with life without the extra hassle and irritation a gynaecological issue can cause. After a thorough assessment and discussion of the options available to you, we will agree and put in place a treatment plan that relieves your symptoms while treating the underlying problem.
My care may involve the use of procedures like laparoscopy (keyhole surgery to examine and/or operate on the pelvis/abdomen), as well as medication or supplements, depending on the specific diagnosis and any complications (such as iron deficiency anaemia).
As your gynaecologist, I can also advise on birth control options and coordinate routine screening and tests, like cervical screening (previously the Pap test) and screening for sexually transmitted diseases (such as gonorrhoea and chlamydia). I can also help you with family planning, including pre-conception carrier screening for hereditary rare diseases.
Trying for a baby is one of those life stages we often anticipate without ever expecting we’ll run into problems. If you are finding it difficult to fall pregnant or you are a single woman or same-sex couple who needs assistance to conceive, I can help.
I am passionate about supporting you on your journey to parenthood. As a fertility specialist, I can identify if there are one or more reasons you and your partner are experiencing fertility issues and help you navigate the available treatment options. Fertility testing is a great place to start. It involves an assessment of both partners and typically includes the use of imaging studies (e.g. ultrasound), blood tests (e.g. to check hormone levels) and semen analysis (to assess sperm quality and number), as well as a comprehensive physical exam and medical history.
Through my association with Newlife IVF, I am able to offer a comprehensive range of fertility treatments, including:
Being pregnant is an incredibly special time in a woman’s life, as well as an amazing physiological feat! Obstetrics was my first real love in medicine, and I consider myself very fortunate and privileged to have been a part of such a profound and proud event in so many families’ lives.
With a young family at home and my strong clinical focus on infertility and related treatment, my obstetrics work is currently limited to supporting resourcing in our public health system (providing relief cover at The Mercy Hospital for Women in Heidelberg) and to providing occasional private obstetrics cover for my colleagues in East Melbourne. Unfortunately, I am no longer taking any private obstetrics bookings.
I currently see patients publicly via clinics at The Mercy Hospital for Women and The Women’s Hospital. I also consult privately from rooms in East Melbourne and Box Hill. Fertility treatment and related procedures are provided at Newlife IVF’s state-of-the-art treatment centres in Box Hill, Clayton and East Melbourne.
Suite 106, 320 Victoria Pde
East Melbourne VIC 3002
H: Mon-Fri: 9am to 5pm
T: 03 9831 6147
F: 03 9418 8399
Consultations and scanning
Ground Floor, 120 Thames Street
All procedures
Ground Floor, 116-118 Thames Street
Box Hill North, VIC 3129
H: Mon-Fri: 9am to 5pm
T: 03 8080 8933 | F: 03 8080 8930
I’m very proud to say that I am part of the Newlife IVF team. Newlife IVF is one of only a few independent providers of specialist fertility care and IVF in Victoria. Fully owned and operated by doctors (not shareholders), clinical empathy lies at the heart of our practice – we put patients first, not profits. Along with our collective experience and expertise, patients can expect an exceptional level of personalised care, tailored to their specific circumstances, preferences and lifestyle.
I consider it a real privilege to work alongside and learn from a team of this calibre. With our firm commitment to best scientific practice, patients can feel confident that our all-new, state-of-the-art laboratory incorporates the very latest scientific tools and techniques, including the EmbryoScope time-lapse system, DNA fragmentation testing and non-invasive chromosomal screening. From these world-class facilities, we are able to offer services spanning the entire spectrum of fertility care, from fertility testing through to assisted reproductive techniques like IVF.
Learn more about Newlife IVF.
There is one rule in my practice and that is to never be afraid to ask a question! In keeping with this ethos, here are the answers to a few of the most commonly asked questions. If your query hasn’t made it on to this list, please don’t hesitate to contact my rooms on (03) 9831 6147.
Sometimes it can be hard to separate fact from fiction when you search for information online. For credible information and useful resources, I refer you to the following organisations who I consider to be highly reputable sources on the topics of fertility and women’s health.
Please come and tell me your story. I would love to help you on your journey for answers, as you strive to improve your reproductive health or start a family of your own.
H: Mon–Fri: 9am to 5pm
T: (03) 9831 6147