Dr. Shweta Sarabhai Saxena: Driven by the Desire to Cure Infertility
Dr. Shweta Sarabhai Saxena
Managing Director, Sunflower Women's Hospital
With 20 years of extensive experience in infertility, high risk obstetrics, fetal medicine and ultrasonography, Dr. Shweta is a qualified, intelligent, dedicated and skilful gynaecologist. She is also an inspiration to her patients and colleagues who derive strength and positive energy from her energetic and powerful persona. Under her aegis, Sunflower Women’s Hospital caters to infertility, IVF, Gynaec Endoscopy, maternity, ultrasonography, fetal medicine and gynaecology. Dr. Shweta speaks with CEO Insights to detail her journey.
You wanted to be a doctor since child hood. Tell us how you prepared for this journey.
I have been an academically bright student since childhood. Apart from studies, I was also keen on fine arts, dramatics, elocution, quizzing, debates and public speaking. However, the desire to become a doctor was so strong that it took over everything else. I did my MBBS from MLN Medical College, Allahabad and MD (OB GY) from AMU with several distinctions.
All through my post graduate years, I had a desire to do something especially for women’s health. Women’s health was highly neglected in those times and maternal mortality and morbidity was very high with sepsis, PIH, anaemia, as the major killers. Also, women’s role in life was majorly limited to bearing children. Today, serving them makes me feel contented.
My journey of 20 years has been tough and full of obstacles. But despite all odds, we have succeeded in achieving highest pregnancy rate(70-75 per embryo transfer). Today, Sunflower is credited with several awards and recognitions like ‘One of the Best IVFs’ by IVF India, the ‘Best Gynaec Hospital’ by Quality Mark Trust, ‘Asia’s Greatest Brands’ and many more.
How did Sunflower Women’s Hospital come into being? Can you also talk about the hospital’s services?
I started my medical career as an Assistant Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at PSMC, Karamsad, Gujarat. Within a short span of time, I attended several trainings in gynaec endoscopy, fetal medicine, and ultrasonography, infertility & IVG. Putting all these experiences together, I started Sunflower together with Dr. RG Patel, an IVF and infertility expert, with a mission to provide world class gynaecological services in infertility, endoscopy, maternity and sonography. And thus Sunflower saw the day of light with the concept of ‘Women’s Hospital’ to provide solutions for all women-related problems to infertility, maternity and gynaecology.
What is the secrete of your high success rate?
At Sunflower, we focus on the cause and treat couple as a whole which is why we have a very high success rate in infertility treatments. At my hospital, we have state-of-the-art infrastructure, ultramodern technology, high tech 0.3 micron modular IVF lab, and CO2 and triple gas incubators (for blastocyst culture). We also have facilities for laser hatching, PGD/PGS (for genetic diseases),cryopreservation and vitrification of embryos. Our Endoscopy unit is equipped with two modern endoscopy OTs for surgeries for Laproscopic and hysteroscopic procedures like endometriosis, fibroids(myomectomy), PCOD drilling, adhesiolysis, ectopic pregnancy, hysteroscopic septal resection, polypectomy, and tubal canulation.
How has been the expansion of the hospital?
It’s positive and our patients from not just India but globally seal our expertise in the industry. While we treat patients from across India, we have also successfully treated couples from around 50 countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, UAE, UK, Spain, France, Australia, New Zealand, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and many more.
All through my post graduate years, I had a desire to do something especially for women’s health
How did Sunflower Women’s Hospital come into being? Can you also talk about the hospital’s services?
I started my medical career as an Assistant Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at PSMC, Karamsad, Gujarat. Within a short span of time, I attended several trainings in gynaec endoscopy, fetal medicine, and ultrasonography, infertility & IVG. Putting all these experiences together, I started Sunflower together with Dr. RG Patel, an IVF and infertility expert, with a mission to provide world class gynaecological services in infertility, endoscopy, maternity and sonography. And thus Sunflower saw the day of light with the concept of ‘Women’s Hospital’ to provide solutions for all women-related problems to infertility, maternity and gynaecology.
What is the secrete of your high success rate?
At Sunflower, we focus on the cause and treat couple as a whole which is why we have a very high success rate in infertility treatments. At my hospital, we have state-of-the-art infrastructure, ultramodern technology, high tech 0.3 micron modular IVF lab, and CO2 and triple gas incubators (for blastocyst culture). We also have facilities for laser hatching, PGD/PGS (for genetic diseases),cryopreservation and vitrification of embryos. Our Endoscopy unit is equipped with two modern endoscopy OTs for surgeries for Laproscopic and hysteroscopic procedures like endometriosis, fibroids(myomectomy), PCOD drilling, adhesiolysis, ectopic pregnancy, hysteroscopic septal resection, polypectomy, and tubal canulation.
How has been the expansion of the hospital?
It’s positive and our patients from not just India but globally seal our expertise in the industry. While we treat patients from across India, we have also successfully treated couples from around 50 countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, UAE, UK, Spain, France, Australia, New Zealand, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and many more.
Knowledge upgradation and staying abreast with the latest advancements in medical science is the core for any doctor. How do you keep yourself updated with all the changes in the industry?
I attend all conferences, workshops, and CMEs related to my subject in order to sharpen my medical and surgical skills. Sharing and imparting knowledge with colleagues and fellow doctors keeps me alert and sharp.
With so much to do in a day, how do you balance your personal and professional life?
Life is all about balance. Work satisfaction and love for profession, and balance with healthy family life has given me strength to grow more. My husband, Dr. Praveen Saxena, an Orthopaedic Spine surgeon, has been my pillar of strength who has been with me through all the thick and thins of life. My children Akshat and Anushree are my stress busters and source of joy.
My mother, Rama, and my mother-in-law, Madhu, are two strong women who have always been by my side in the darkest and brightest days of my life. Worklife balance, time management, dedication, sacrifices, and consistent hard work with courage, vision, determination and discipline have made it possible for me to achieve my goals.
Key Management:
Dr. Shweta Sarabhai Saxena, Managing Director
A qualified, intelligent, dedicated and skilful gynaecologist,Dr. Shweta leverages her 20 years of industry experience to cure infertility.
Favourite:
•Hobbies: Listening to music, & reading
•Travel: Historical places, with deep desire to see different parts of India and the world
•Food: Home-made Indian food, and experimenting different cuisines from India and abroad
Advise to young doctors:
“Work with dedication, honesty, knowledge, and compassion for patients. Success comes with a lot of hard work, sacrifices and responsibility for human life. I further wish for positive health for all women, education of girls, and financial independence for all women.”
I attend all conferences, workshops, and CMEs related to my subject in order to sharpen my medical and surgical skills. Sharing and imparting knowledge with colleagues and fellow doctors keeps me alert and sharp.
With so much to do in a day, how do you balance your personal and professional life?
Life is all about balance. Work satisfaction and love for profession, and balance with healthy family life has given me strength to grow more. My husband, Dr. Praveen Saxena, an Orthopaedic Spine surgeon, has been my pillar of strength who has been with me through all the thick and thins of life. My children Akshat and Anushree are my stress busters and source of joy.
My mother, Rama, and my mother-in-law, Madhu, are two strong women who have always been by my side in the darkest and brightest days of my life. Worklife balance, time management, dedication, sacrifices, and consistent hard work with courage, vision, determination and discipline have made it possible for me to achieve my goals.
Key Management:
Dr. Shweta Sarabhai Saxena, Managing Director
A qualified, intelligent, dedicated and skilful gynaecologist,Dr. Shweta leverages her 20 years of industry experience to cure infertility.
Favourite:
•Hobbies: Listening to music, & reading
•Travel: Historical places, with deep desire to see different parts of India and the world
•Food: Home-made Indian food, and experimenting different cuisines from India and abroad
Advise to young doctors:
“Work with dedication, honesty, knowledge, and compassion for patients. Success comes with a lot of hard work, sacrifices and responsibility for human life. I further wish for positive health for all women, education of girls, and financial independence for all women.”