Andrea Rákosová - A Path to Both Family and a Successful Career
44ǀ POSITIV WOMAN
ŽENY
Working in the eld of assisted reproducon presents both
technical and human challenges. Helping families make their
dreams of having a child come true brings immense joy and
fullment. In this interview Dr. Andrea Rákosová Kagánková,
the head physician at Reprot Clinic, describes her journey
into reproducve gynaecology. She talks about the importance
of teamwork, innovaon, and overcoming societal prejudices that
accompany this eld.
Working in assisted reproduction
is demanding both technically and
personally. What were your main
motivations, and what led you to choose
this field?
I came to assisted reproduction (IVF)
somewhat by chance. After completing
my gynaecology exams, I worked in
a gynaecological clinic where IVF
treatments were offered, and there I was
given the opportunity to specialise in
reproductive gynaecology. I was thrilled
with the offer. I was already advising
patients about their cycles and ovulation
and wanted to deepen my knowledge.
Working here also fits better with family
life than hospital shift work.
As the head physician at Reprofit
Ostrava Clinic, what are your main
responsibilities?
I coordinate, supervise, and ensure
consistent patient care protocols, but
teamwork is essential here. In IVF, every
team member is vital, from doctors
and nurses to embryologists. We often
consult with colleagues on complex cases
and work together to achieve the best
possible outcomes for patients.
What helps you maintain a balance
between work and personal life?
Family is essential to me. Assisted
reproduction requires not only technical
skills but also empathy. As a colleague once
said, an IVF doctor is like a gynaecological
psychologist. In the beginning, it was hard
to separate work from personal life, but
now I strive to leave work issues behind
when I close the clinic doors.
Are there any societal myths or
prejudices in assisted reproduction
that need to be addressed?
Yes, we still encounter prejudices. They
mostly come from those who have
never faced fertility issues. Many people
think that IVF is unnatural, but I see it
differently—if nature didn’t intend for it,
we wouldn’t have the ability to help and
improve. This field exists for those who
otherwise wouldn’t have the chance
to have children. Media also fuels
these prejudices by showing stories of
celebrities having children later in life,
which creates the illusion that pregnancy
is possible at any age. But no one knows
what lies behind these pregnancies—
it’s often IVF, and possibly even egg
donation. The ideal age for women
to conceive is around 25-30; after 40,
success rates drop significantly, and up to
80% of eggs are genetically unsuitable.
Male sperm quality also declines with
age, affecting the health of the child. To
preserve the quality of sperm and eggs,
we recommend freezing them by age
35, a method known as social freezing,
which increases the chances of having a
family later.
What innovations do you consider
the most important in assisted
reproduction?
In the past, we would transfer two or
three embryos, leading to a higher rate of
multiple pregnancies, which carry higher
Dr. Andrea Rákosová
Kagánková graduated
from the Faculty of
Medicine Olomouc.
She has specialised in
gynaecology and obstetrics
since 2003 and obtained
her board cercaon in
2009. She has worked in
reproducve medicine
since 2015, earning
a cercate of special
professional competence
in 2018. Since 2017, she
has focused on inferlity
treatment at the REPROFIT
clinic in Ostrava, where she
leads a team dedicated to
helping couples fulll their
dreams of starng a family.
A Path to Both
Family
and a Successful
Career
“
Many people think that
IVF is unnatural, but I see it
dierently.
”