These words of grateful parents become the best reward for the head of the infertility treatment department of the ISIDA clinic Svetlana SHIYANOVA and her colleagues.
Svetlana Vladimirovna, please tell us what influenced the choice of your profession – obstetrician-gynecologist and reproductologist – and how did your acquaintance with ISIDA take place?
It seems to me that the choice was made by fate, it simply could not have happened otherwise. Even while studying, I realized that medicine is really my vocation. After the internship, I worked in a women’s clinic in a maternity hospital, and some of my colleagues began to cooperate with ISIDA. Working in this clinic has become my dream. However, senior employees said: they say, still young for such a solid organization. But I already had five years of experience and experience, a great desire to work and hope that ISIDA would help me realize my potential. I managed to get an interview, and they believed in my strength! At first I worked in an outpatient department for two years, then I mastered the specifics of reproduction and for eight years now I have been helping couples become parents. A year and a half ago, I was appointed head of the infertility treatment department, and I really hope that I am also honourably and responsibly fulfilling my main mission – providing qualified care to the patients of the department.
What helps to cope with the double burden – medical and administrative?
Of course, our amazing team. And such a statement is not just emotions, it is the result of analysis and observations. We have a wonderful atmosphere. All our doctors are universal professionals. Each employee can conduct a full cycle of patient preparation. For example, if the leading doctor sees the reasons that prevent the successful IVF, he becomes an operating gynecologist, he also chooses the optimal training program. Our embryologists also know the full cycle: fertilization, embryo cultivation, diagnostics of its development.
In addition to the high professionalism of doctors, what advantages of ISIDA would you like to highlight?
The fact that this is a full-cycle clinic. Our acquaintance with patients begins with the first free consultation, at which we try to assess the chance of motherhood with maximum objectivity, to find out: female, male or a combination of several factors have become an obstacle to pregnancy. This is followed by treatment that will allow you to conceive on your own, or preparation for IVF. If successful, follow–up of pregnancy, childbirth, pediatric support. We are also distinguished from other medical institutions by such a feature as the round–the-clock operation of the clinic – in an emergency, there is no need to look for a gynecological department on duty at night.
Speaking of an integrated approach, it is necessary to mention that we have a psychological assistance department. Every reproductologist is a psychologist in his own way, although we are dominated by the medical aspect, and first of all we are trying to find the cause of infertility in physiology. And it often lies in the plane of psychology, and a comprehensive approach is needed together with a psychotherapist.
Is a positive attitude really very important when using reproductive technologies?
Undoubtedly. I am often asked why there is an opinion that the second attempt of IVF is more effective. Apparently, the fact is that a woman already has answers to many questions, she has fewer fears. Another eloquent example is a considerable number of women who have become mothers again after IVF, but without our help. For them, a new pregnancy came due to overcoming psychological barriers. But we still need to remember: we do not give guarantees, we do everything possible to realize the chance. Problems with conception are caused by many factors, and in 6% of cases, science simply cannot explain the reason for failure. Of course, it all depends on the specific situation. An important parameter is age, because after 40 years, female fertility is rapidly declining.
Can’t you fool nature after all?
It’s not about cheating. It’s just that modern technologies that are used in our clinic allow for high-quality diagnostics and tests. Checking the ovarian reserve becomes very important. If a woman has signs of a decrease in the supply of eggs, and she is not planning a pregnancy yet, you can freeze the eggs to have time to spare. Embryos can also be frozen for a couple. Resorting to such a procedure or not is a personal matter for everyone, but women should certainly be aware of this possibility. After all, many patients come to us who exclaim: why didn’t we know about this 5 years ago?! Therefore, awareness is mandatory!After all, many patients come to us who exclaim: why didn’t we know about this 5 years ago?!
You use the most advanced technologies. What seemed fantastic yesterday is everyday for ISIDA. But are there any innovations that never cease to amaze?
Probably the most impressive features of the cryocycle. Before the IVF procedure, egg maturation is stimulated, they are selected by puncture, then sperm cells are injected with a tiny needle and embryos are obtained. From one to three “crumbs” are planted in the uterus, while the rest of the embryos are vitrified, that is, the safest method of rapid freezing is used. After defrosting, these embryos have almost the same ability to engraft in the uterus as with conventional IVF. We imitate the natural cycle or guess the moment of ovulation and insert an embryo into the uterus. The potential possessed by an embryo consisting of several cells is simply amazing! The frequency of pregnancy is slightly lower than with the standard procedure, but we can avoid problems associated with oversaturation of the female body with stimulating hormones, prevent multiple pregnancies, and make a more accurate prognosis for choosing an embryo.
Surely, your work is associated with great experiences…
Many of our patients go through a very difficult path. But when we see a tiny dot on ultrasound after embryo transfer into the uterus, and then parents come to us with photos of wonderful babies – believe me, I want to cry with joy!
Patients thank us, and we, in turn, want to kiss them – for the fact that they were not afraid of difficulties and found the strength, despite the obstacles, to still become happy moms and dads.
