Children not only make a couple parents but also truly make them a family. Without children, a family remains incomplete. Parenthood-seeking couples fully understand this fact and remain hopeful.

In modern times, there are many ways a couple becomes parents. Of all the options available, the best bet is the medically perfect choice of the most trusted IVF clinics, like SS Fertility Centre.

Dr Sudha Shivkumar, Fertility Specialist, Obstetrician, and Gynaecologist, says, “Welcome to SSFC. We have provided a wide variety of fertility treatments at our world-class facility, all under one roof, since 2014. We have been at the forefront in fertility treatment achieving the best success rate per cycle year after year.”

Dr Sudha adds that they offer four significant alternatives:

*IVF Treatment – IVF is a fertility treatment where an egg and sperm are combined outside the body in a laboratory, allowing the fertilised embryo to develop before being transferred to the uterus to increase the likelihood of pregnancy.

*IUI Treatment – “IUI is a simpler and less-invasive treatment option, where we help a sample of carefully selected sperm to reach the uterus.” IUI is often a first step in your assisted conception journey.

*Personalized ICSI – “With ICSI, we inject a single sperm directly into the centre of the egg.” ICSI can be a good treatment option to help combat male fertility issues.

*Ready. Set. Baby! – “Our team of reproductive health experts have put together a free, comprehensive content program to help you prepare for pregnancy in 2023. Brought to you by SS Fertility IVF and Repromed,” says Dr Sudha, who completed her medical education and specialist training in Obstetrics & Gynaecology from Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore. She has completed her membership training in the UK and her specialist infertility training in Germany.

Dr Sudha spoke in an exclusive interview with CIOLOOK INDIA, the high points of which are given herein.

Ma’am, please brief our audience about SS Fertility Centre, its USPs, and how you are currently positioned as one of the most trusted IVF & Fertility Treatment Providers.

At SS Fertility Centre, dreams of parenthood come to life. Our centre stands out from the competition with a unique approach to In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) that puts you at the heart of every decision. At SSFC, we believe in personalized care. Our team of experts includes fertility specialists, embryologists, andrologists and counsellors. We tailor every treatment plan to meet your needs, ensuring the highest chances of success.

Our state-of-the-art laboratory utilizes cutting-edge technology, offering advanced genetic screening and embryo selection, resulting in healthier pregnancies.

But what truly sets us apart is our compassionate support system. Our dedicated counsellors provide emotional guidance, easing your journey with warmth and empathy.

Experience the difference that genuine care can make on your path to parenthood, where hope finds a home.

Please brief us about your journey in IVF & Fertility Treatment services and how they have made the company excel in its niche. 

Over the past 20 years, we have embarked on an incredible journey through fertility practice, delivering hope to countless couples longing for parenthood.

In the early years, we began as a small centre, understanding the complexities of infertility and offering personalized treatment plans. We focused on building trust and providing comprehensive care to our patients, striving to make each step of their fertility journey a positive experience.

As we grew, we embraced advancements in medical technology, investing in state-of-the-art equipment and IVF facilities. Our laboratory includes cutting-edge techniques, leading to higher success rates and healthier pregnancies.

Throughout the years, our team of experts continued to nurture the emotional aspect of fertility treatment, recognizing that the journey to parenthood can be physically and emotionally challenging. We incorporated specialized counselling and support programs, providing a safe space for patients to express their feelings and fears.

The support of our patients and their success stories motivated us to expand our services further. We introduced egg freezing, fertility preservation, and egg donation programs, ensuring that we catered to diverse needs and circumstances.

As we reached the later years of our journey, we solidified our reputation as a centre of excellence in terms of medical expertise and the warmth and compassion we treat our patients. Our commitment to maintaining the highest ethical standards and patient-centric care earned us the trust of both patients and the medical community.

Looking forward, we envision a future where SSFC remains a beacon of hope and a pioneer in fertility treatments. We strive to expand our services to reach even more needy individuals and couples.

As we reflect on the past 20 years, we are humbled by our patients’ stories of strength and resilience. Each triumph and each challenge has shaped our journey and reaffirmed our dedication to realizing the dreams of parenthood. With enthusiasm and determination, we step into the next decade, ready to embrace the future of fertility care with open arms.

Being an experienced leader, share your opinion on how adopting modern technologies like AI and ML impacts the IVF & Fertility Treatment space and how SSFC is adapting to the change. 

Artificial Intelligence, with its awe-inspiring capabilities, has profoundly impacted the field of fertility practice, evoking a whirlwind of emotions among patients and medical professionals alike.

Hope now soars higher than ever before as AI-driven algorithms assist fertility specialists in diagnosing and predicting infertility causes with remarkable accuracy.

As AI permeates fertility practice, some individuals grapple with apprehension and fear. Will machines replace human touch and empathy? Can algorithms truly comprehend the depth of their emotional struggle? The intertwining of technology and humanity sparks a quest for balance.

For fertility specialists, AI is both a blessing and a challenge. The brilliance of machine learning algorithms empowers them to make better decisions, enhancing patient outcomes and fostering innovation. However, the emotional burden weighs heavily as they strive to navigate a landscape where AI supplements their expertise but never replaces the warmth of human interaction.

As AI becomes a trusted ally in this intimate journey, we learn to harness its power while cherishing the essence of human compassion, ensuring that the heart remains at the core of the healing process. Together, AI and humanity pave the way for a future where dreams of parenthood are nurtured, supported, and ultimately realized with profound empathy and scientific precision.

Operating an IVF centre comes with a myriad of challenges, including managing costs, navigating medico-legal litigation, and staying competitive in a rapidly evolving field.

Considering the current industry scenario, what challenges do you face, and how do you drive SSFC to overcome them? 

Cost Management: Providing advanced fertility treatments involves substantial financial investments in state-of-the-art equipment, skilled staff, and ongoing research. The high costs associated with IVF procedures can strain the centre’s finances. Balancing the need to deliver top-notch care while keeping treatments affordable for patients is an ongoing challenge. IVF centres must carefully strategize cost management to maintain quality standards without compromising patient outcomes.

Medico-legal Litigation: Fertility treatments’ sensitive and emotionally charged nature can lead to potential medico-legal risks. Patients may have high expectations and pursue litigation if outcomes do not align with their hopes. Ensuring meticulous documentation, informed consent and clear communication becomes crucial to mitigate legal challenges. IVF centres must also be prepared to handle potential disputes professionally and transparently.

Competition: The field of assisted reproductive technology is fiercely competitive, with numerous IVF centres vying for patients’ attention. Staying ahead demands continuous innovation, cutting-edge technology adoption, and exceptional patient experiences. Marketing strategies that effectively communicate the centre’s unique offerings and success rates are vital in differentiating from competitors. To address these challenges, IVF centres need a multifaceted approach. Strategic financial planning, cost optimization, and exploring partnerships with research institutions can help manage expenses.

Employing highly skilled legal and ethical experts to navigate potential litigation risks ensures compliance with regulations and safeguards patients’ interests.

Fostering a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and patient-centric care enhances competitiveness and creates a strong reputation that attracts new patients and encourages patient loyalty.

Despite the obstacles, IVF centres driven by a commitment to excellence, compassion, and adaptability are better poised to overcome challenges, providing hope and fulfilling dreams of parenthood for countless individuals and couples in their care.

How do you envision scaling SSFC’s operations and offerings in the future? 

We plan for strategic expansion over the next three years to broaden our reach and impact. In the first year, we will focus on enhancing our existing services by investing in cutting-edge technology.

We aim to establish partnerships with local healthcare providers to increase patient referrals.

We plan to open satellite clinics in a neighbouring city to cater to a wider population. This expansion plan will enable us to provide exceptional fertility care to more individuals and couples, solidifying our position as a trusted destination for hopeful parents.