Feature in eGiST, June 2023

The eGist is a monthly e-newsletter from Guy’s and St Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust. Each edition focusses on a different team, department or staff network to learn more about what they do. In the June edition they interviewed me about my new role as Clinical Embryologist and Fertility Coach:

What is your role?
I work alongside doctors, nurses, counsellors and administrators to provide fertility treatment for patients who want to have a family, or who want to preserve their fertility for future IVF treatment. Embryologists play a crucial role in the formation of human embryos, nurturing them in their early stages of development in the laboratory. We also explain to patients how their treatment in the lab is progressing, making complicated science easier to understand.

Tell us about a typical day
In the mornings we check to see if the eggs from the previous day have fertilised and assess how embryos are developing. We also prepare sperm samples and call patients to let them know their results. Later in the day we spend time with patients who have an appointment to replace their best embryo back in the womb. Back in the lab, we use specialised microscope equipment to join sperm and eggs together. We constantly monitor lots of data to make sure everything in the lab is working as we expect it to.

What’s the best thing about your job?
I love being able to use science in such a practical way, and the combined sense of purpose we have in our team. More recently I completed an apprenticeship to become an accredited coach, and set up the first NHS Fertility Coaching Clinic for patients in the UK. It’s so satisfying to see how coaching helps to empower patients and build their confidence through what is a very stressful time.