By Steffy Thevar. Photograph By Trupti Arekar
Jaslok Hospital launches 'FertilTree', an International Fertility Center. The event was attended by celebrities who used assisted reproduction methods
With over 10-12 percent of Indians in their reproductive age facing infertility issues, the latest assisted reproduction technologies are gaining popularity. Dr. Firuza Parikh, the Director of Jaslok FertilTree, Jaslok Hospital and Research Center has 27 years of experience in the field of fertility treatment.
She spoke with Afternoon D&C; about the latest technologies and myths surrounding in-vitro fertilization (IVF) at the launch of FertilTree.
“There has been an increased awareness among young Indians about these assisted technologies and positively they are coming out in the open to discuss their infertility issues,” says Dr. Parikh.
According to the Doctor, earlier infertility was considered the fault of the women and it was understood that she was the one unable to conceive. However, gradually over the past 15 to 18 years, people are accepting the fact that the problem may also stem from the man in the relationship.
Media has played a positive role to this effect. On many occasions, when a woman was unable to conceive she faced a lot of negative pressure from society. However now with myths busted and abundant technologies available for assisted reproduction this is no more the case. Today, thousands of IVF centers ensure that people have access to these technologies.
Dr Parikh also shares that today people are better informed about such issues, earlier they visited a general physician in case the couple was unable to conceive but nowthey directly come to a gynecologist. “It sometime gets difficult for the couple to talk about infertility. They have to reveal many personal details like efficiency in performance, frequency of sex, etc. Also they face a lot of social pressure and that is why the spouse should always accompany the partner and be co-operative and supportive.”
“The biggest myth around IVF is that it is a painful procedure. It is a painless procedure, the pain is all in their head. Eggs can be taken out of the vagina by given an anesthesia. Today with patient friendly procedures and less expensive and painful medications, IVF have become the best option for assisted reproduction” informs Dr Parikh.
“People do come with questions like conceiving a twin, can eating spicy and non-vegetarian food affect their conception rate,” says Dr Parikh. She also adds that both men and women can face infertility. Also a strong PC-PNDT Act, 1994 makes sure that such methods are not used for conceiving a child of any specific gender. Today's sedentary lifestyle, junk food consumption, smoking habits, obesity hugely impact the fertility of the couple and so sometimes even a slight change in these habits can help the couple get pregnant naturally.
“We get patients from the Mumbai, entire Maharashtra and India and also from all over the world and the most common age-group is 34.5 years” According to some studies there can be certain congenital malfunctions in the child like weak limbs, born through assisted reproduction, but this is because of the underlined fertility in one of the partners and not necessarily because of the procedure. Some also believe that IVF can cause breast cancer in women undergoing this procedure but however this too is a myth. There is a good 90 percent success rate in assisted reproduction, adds Dr Parikh.
“My only message to couples who face infertility issues is that they are not the only ones and that if the right doctor is sought, there is a solution to this problem. We conduct thorough psychological counseling and medical history check before going ahead with the treatment. Patients with a medical history of diabetes, blood pressure, surgeries in the past needs special care.” says Dr Parikh. Although IVF is an effective methods, one needs to understand that this is not the lat option. Donor eggs, Donor sperms and adoption are some of the other methods available.
The launch of 'FertilTree' was attended by Amir Khan, Tusshar Kapoor and Farah Khan who have personally taken the help of assisted reproduction. The kids who were born using assisted reproduction were also at the event.
The biggest myth around IVF is that it is a painful procedure. It is a painless procedure, the pain is all in their head.
—Dr Firuza Parikh, FertilTree