Conducting my thesis in collaboration with embryologists gave me invaluable hands-on experience.
Stephanie Abi Zeid
Pregnancy and Fertility Coach
Reproductive and Developmental Medicine MSc
2016
After completing her MSc in Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Stephanie built a career spanning healthcare technology, embryology, and fertility support. Today, as a Fertility and Pregnancy Coach she combines scientific knowledge with compassionate care to guide and empower parents through their reproductive journey.
Tell us about your career path since graduation
After earning my MSc in Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, I first worked in healthcare software management for hospitals and fertility clinics, training staff on systems like BabySentry. I then trained and worked as an embryologist, and today I’m a fertility and pregnancy coach offering prenatal sessions and individualized guidance to help parents feel informed, confident, and supported.
Working in healthcare software management gave me insight into how fertility clinics operate and the role of technology in patient care. Training as an embryologist then provided hands-on experience with fertility treatments and patient support. Together these roles strengthened my communication skills and deepened my knowledge of reproductive health, which now underpins my work as a fertility and pregnancy coach.
In what way did your experience at University of Sheffield prepare you for your current career?
My MSc at the University of Sheffield gave me a solid grounding in reproductive and developmental medicine, hands-on lab experience, and insight into patient care. It strengthened my critical thinking and communication skills, which I now use daily as a fertility and pregnancy coach.
Did you take advantage of any opportunities whilst at the University of Sheffield and how did these enhance your student experience?
While I did not participate in formal student societies, I concentrated on my coursework and my MSc thesis, which involved working closely with embryologists and collecting data directly from the hospital. This experience provided valuable practical and clinical insight, which has been directly applicable to my current career in fertility and pregnancy coaching.
Tell us more about your experience at the University of Sheffield.
My experience at the University of Sheffield was extremely rewarding. The course content was engaging and directly relevant to reproductive and developmental medicine, and my tutors were supportive and approachable throughout. Conducting my thesis in collaboration with embryologists at the hospital gave me invaluable hands-on experience. I also enjoyed living in Sheffield, a vibrant city with a welcoming student community, which made my time there both professionally and personally enriching. One of the best years of my life!
What advice would you give to students interested in pursuing a similar career to you?
Follow your passion, build practical skills, and focus on helping others.