Dr Isabela dos Anjos Siqueira is a fertility specialist living and working in Maribyrnong. She chats to Laura Michell about life in the inner west.
What’s your connection to the inner west?
I was born and raised in Brazil and moved to Australia in 2013. I moved to Maribyrnong with my husband Lucas in 2020 right in the middle of Covid, and during those years Maribyrnong welcomed us and made us feel comfortable and at home, even during the lockdowns. We enjoyed walking along the river, biking, and taking advantage of the beautiful outdoor spaces nearby. Last year was a big year for us. I gave birth to our son, while also opening a new clinic in Maribyrnong. Essence Healthcare is located in a historic building on Wests Road that was part of the Artillery Camp in World War II. I love living and working in Maribyrnong and, like many of my patients, I’m looking forward to raising my family here.
What do you love about where you live?
We are certainly in a very liveable and convenient place. We have great accessibility to essential services, a friendly community atmosphere, abundance of green spaces that provide us with areas for relaxation and exercise, and access to good schools, healthcare, and job opportunities.
What, if anything, would you like to change?
Potentially like any other Melburnian, traffic is something I’d like to change.
What inspired you to become a fertility specialist?
During my training in minimally invasive surgery, I decided to pursue additional training in reproductive medicine. I noticed that many of our patients undergoing surgical management for conditions like endometriosis and fibroids were also on their fertility journeys. I wanted to support them throughout this process. In 2023, I joined Monash IVF, where I have the opportunity to work alongside leaders in reproductive health and access advanced scientific technologies, enabling me to assist those seeking medical help to become parents.
What is one thing about fertility health that often surprises people?
Some people still believe infertility is solely a women’s issue or that age doesn’t affect fertility if you’re healthy. Infertility affects both men and women and male factor infertility is a significant contributor to difficulty in conceiving. Age also significantly impacts fertility. Women’s fertility declines more sharply after 35, while men may also experience reduced fertility with age. Another thing that often surprises patients is the wide range of options and interventions available through organisations like Monash IVF to enhance fertility outcomes. These options include donor egg, sperm, and embryo programs, as well as preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) and genetic carrier screening.
What do you like about working in the Maribyrnong community?
I love seeing patients from the community and hearing about recent developments in the area. Many patients visited our clinic before the renovations, so it’s incredibly satisfying to see how much they appreciate the improvements we’ve made to the space and the services we offer. I also enjoy the convenience of having the clinic so close to where I live.
I often ask patients for their favourite coffee and lunch spots and I love getting their recommendations!
What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
Not many people realise I’m Brazilian, even though I proudly carry my accent. I love traveling and have an adventurous spirit. When I’m not working, you might find me skydiving, diving with sharks, or swimming with whales!
