Fertility Nursing: Guiding Patients' Journey to Parenthood
Fertility nursing is a specialized subset of women's health that focuses on infertility prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for both men and women. Nurse Aidah Ramy and Nurse Lily Yun share insights into their work.
Role of Fertility Nurses and How It Differs from Other Nursing Sectors
The role of a fertility nurse is uniquely multifaceted, extending beyond the scope of other nursing sectors, and involves a range of responsibilities.
"We focus a lot on educating patients about their fertility options so that they are better prepared for what to expect during treatment. We communicate with patients, teach them how to administer injections, and gather medical histories," Aidah explains.
Fertility nurses assist specialists in performing oocyte retrievals, embryo transfers, intrauterine inseminations (IUI), ambulatory procedures, and ultrasound scans.
A defining characteristic of fertility nursing is the emotional support and encouragement provided to patients. The journey to parenthood through IVF can be particularly stressful and emotionally taxing, with patients often experiencing high anxiety and frequent worries about the outcomes.
Lily emphasizes, "A fertility nurse must be empathetic and compassionate, able to communicate clearly and effectively, especially since the IVF journey is complex. We answer questions and reassure our patients and their families, providing a sense of comfort and security."
"Most of the time, we actively seek to understand patients' concerns and perspectives, anticipate their needs, and provide solutions when in doubt," she adds.
The Highs and Lows of Being a Fertility Nurse
The most fulfilling aspect of the job is undoubtedly being part of a patient's journey to parenthood. Sharing their joy and excitement when a pregnancy is confirmed is incredibly rewarding.
"These moments are the most memorable of my career as a fertility nurse," Aidah beams. "Seeing how our team helps couples to achieve their parenting dreams is priceless. We receive cards and gifts, but the most special moments are when they visit us with their little ones."
Another rewarding aspect for fertility nurses is the continuous learning that the field demands. This learning journey fosters personal and professional growth, inspiring a sense of accomplishment and ensuring that fertility nurses stay at the forefront of the latest advancements, always ready to provide the best care to their patients.
"Being a fertility nurse, every day is different as every patient is unique. This means there's always a journey of discovery, learning new things, and solving complex issues," Lily says.
Aidah, a pioneering team member since Virtus Health opened its first clinic outside Australia in 2014, attributes honing her skills to working and collaborating with IVF specialists on a wide range of procedures. "I have been deeply involved in training, guiding, managing, and nurturing my nursing team in our daily routines."
"A particularly significant milestone in my career was attending the prestigious ASPIRE IVF Conference in Kuala Lumpur in 2017. This event was not just an opportunity but a transformative experience that broadened my horizons and deepened my passion for fertility nursing. By sharing knowledge, we maintain a consistent standard and quality of care for our patients as a team," she adds enthusiastically.
The nursing team has expanded over the years. To ensure the quality of care remains high and in line with the latest advancements in reproductive medicine, Aidah has readily shared her newly acquired knowledge with newer team members.
"One of the significant challenges in our role is addressing and clarifying the misconceptions patients often have about the pros and cons of fertility treatments, which often stem from patients' understanding and knowledge," Lily explains.
Fertility treatments involve complex medical procedures and terminologies, which can be difficult for patients to understand fully. Sometimes, the emotional desire to conceive leads patients to focus more on the potential benefits and overlook the downsides.
Keeping the Enthusiasm
Aidah, with 23 years of nursing experience, reflects on the last 10 years as a fertility nurse at Virtus Fertility Centre Singapore (VFCS) and says her enthusiasm and love for the specialty have remained.
"It was an exciting experience to join a newly opened fertility center. It was just a small team then. Working closely with Clinic Manager Wang Jianhua, I was tasked with setting up the new procedure rooms, developing nursing work instructions, and establishing daily routines," she recalls.
Today, with a larger team and advancements in reproductive medicine, Aidah and Lily are more excited than ever to drive change and enhance the patient care experience at VFCS.
"With the rapid advancements in fertility science and research, there's always something new to learn, which makes my role in fertility care especially fulfilling. Seeing how my work helps create or expand families is a privilege and makes it all worthwhile. My nursing career thus far has been a great experience in my life," Aidah says proudly.