Dr Rozeena Musa, specialist at City Fertility Centre Brisbane Southside
Just taking the time to listen to her patients’ needs is an absolute first priority for Dr Musa, Fertility Specialist with City Fertility Brisbane Southside. Following this, her extensive knowledge, vast clinical expertise and diversity of training all combine to help guide patients past the obstacles and onto the best treatment plan tailored entirely to their circumstances – whether behavioural, medical or surgical.
A doctor for 22 years, 17 of them as an obstetrician and gynaecologist, she has worked across Australia and New Zealand and also currently supervises student workshops. In addition, Dr Musa is an examiner at the University of Queensland.
Her breadth of experience is insightful, so to learn more about her we recently asked her a few questions about fertility and about life in general.
In conversation with Dr Rozeena Musa
Q: What is your top tip for people struggling to fall pregnant?
A: For females, the peak fertility age is 24 and fertility declines with advancing age, so start early if you can and if your work commitments or social situation don’t allow, then consider egg freezing in your mid-thirties.
Q: What has been your most memorable day at work?
A: The day a couple I had taken through the obstetric journey, who had struggled to fall pregnant for 16 years, at 42 finally achieved a pregnancy and delivered a healthy baby, who must be about 5 years old now.
Q: What is the most common fertility issue you see?
A: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Weight management plays a key role here and I cannot reiterate enough the importance of weight management and its effect on fertility, even in non-PCOS patients.
Q: Where do you see the future of assisted fertility services heading?
A: I think with the increased uptake of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) (genetic screening), we will be able to achieve more successful IVF outcomes faster, especially with older couples, by prioritising chromosomally normal embryos for implantation.
I think we will also be seeing more single females who are financially and emotionally ready, but not in a stable relationship, utilising donor intrauterine insemination (IUI) services to achieve motherhood. I personally think it is great that at City Fertility we can help them achieve a family of their own.
Q: Where were you born and raised?
A: I was born in Fiji and moved to New Zealand at the age of 15 where I completed my medical degree. I still feel close to both these countries and now enjoy living in Australia as well.
Q: What do you like about living in Brisbane?
A: The weather and the easygoing people. I love how people comment “too easy”!
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I like to spend time with my friends and family (I’m a mother of two). My long working hours often mean I’m not around as much as I’d like to be, so I take every opportunity to enjoy the precious moments together.
Q: Where is the most interesting place you have travelled?
A: I would have to say Japan. Having previously seen some amazing European architecture, ancient ruins etc., I was unsure if I wanted to go to a very modern Japan. What stunned me was the people! They were polite and courteous, eager to help even if they couldn’t speak English. The cleanliness was remarkable and how safe we felt, too. Of course, there is also amazing architecture like the Golden Pavilion and Kyoto, but it was the people that amazed me the most.
