As I enter the medical center of Dr. Shterev, I bump into two blond twin babies and their dad. Their stroller is state-of-the-art sporting two accommodation levels. One of the twins is on the upper floor smiling sweetly, and the other one frowns a bit for having missed some gossip. Inspired by baby smiles I make it to the surgery of Tanya Milacic, a doctor of embryology and head of the embryological and andrological section of the medical center. After much wandering around the labyrinth of the hospital I cannot wait to find out when and why she chose exactly this professional area.

„When I was 14 years old, I watched a documentary about IVF. It made a big impression on me. It was mentioned in the film that biotech specialists 'make' babies in vitro and I sort of became keen in this field. I knew what I wanted to do. Professors in the Faculty of Biology though, told me that this was a very small sector in Bulgaria, and mainly medics were involved in it, not biologists. According to them I would not have good career chances with that kind of interest.”

Despite the momentary disappointment, Tanya managed to make her dream come true and her career prospered. Regardless of the compelling cases in the workplace Tanya is in a hurry to leave the hospital to take the role number two for the day - being a wife and mother. Years ago, the Milacic family planned to have children and worked hard on the issue. After a long wait, fate decided to present Tanya and her husband not with one, but with two twin boys. Just as sweet as those I met in the complex. Their joy was great, but daily life has slowly but progressively re-conquered Tanya.

”I realized that since I was back to work too early - only nine months after birth, I would miss the contact with my children. Now I'm trying to catch up. I am aware that time cannot be reversed, even though one of my sons has promised to invent a time machine, which would make us younger one day. I wish everybody to experience the happiness of having children and bringing them up well." 
 
Currently, the twins are 8 years old, going to school, but they are also involved in many extracurricular activities: basketball on Tuesdays, tennis on Thursdays, lessons in literature and watching movies on Fridays, homeworks in German and mathematics on Saturdays, and after that walking in the park, biking or skating. Their parents are always with them once they have found the key to how to allocate their time between work, children, daily living activities such as cooking, cleaning and a little rest.  

Every Wednesday Tanya works from morning until late in the evening on difficult cases related to her profession and at least 3 times a year takes part in scientific conferences and congresses in reproductive health and infertility. So far she has participated in 50 such forums and has delivered lectures and scientific reports, mainly in Europe. She has moderated sessions and organized congresses in Bulgaria and for three years now in Europe - this year in Helsinki (at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology).

She is currently in charge of the organization of two sessions in embryology at the 27th Congress in sterility of the Bulgarian Association of Sterility and Reproductive Health. Her duties include invitations to speakers, setting topics, accommodation, moderation of sessions in English and others. Despite her tight professional schedule, Tanya is never short of positive emotions. Asked about her favorite moment while at work, she said the following:

„Annunciation Day, when we contact all the families whom we have helped. The hospital becomes crowded with children. It gives me a thrill saying this, but in every hallway there are babies and grownup children. Usually there are lots of laughter, lots of music and fun. This charges me with most positive emotions, although many people do not know who is behind the lab. They have contact mainly with doctors. Although they do not know us by name this traditional get-together is very energizing because it gives hope and desire to keep going. "

Tanya Milacic has dedicated her life and career to children and to the art of creating life and this is her key to happiness.

English Daniela Konstantinova