A few months ago The Ambanis were in the news, nope, not for what you think. Isha Ambani Piramal came out advocating IVF (In-Vitro Fertilisation) since she herself went through the process bearing her twins. What’s great about this piece of news is that she spoke openly and wants to normalise it, which I think is fantastic. It just allows more couples to explore this route and have confidence in going through with it.

But for the uninitiated there are still a lot of unanswered questions out there about IVF. I spoke to Dr. Munjaal Kapadia to give a primer on IVF

• When should a couple start thinking about IVF?

You don't start thinking about IVF; you consider visiting a fertility specialist. There are two scenarios to look at: First, you're in your 30s with a high-pressure job, limited time together, and want guidance. Second, you're under 30, trying for a year without success, or around 30 and trying for six months unsuccessfully, it’s time to visit a specialist to understand the issue, take potential tests and succeeding steps.

IVF comes into the picture when certain indicators appear in your tests. These might include low sperm count or quality, low AMH levels (indicating reduced egg reserve) or associated conditions like endometriosis, pelvic infections or genital diseases. That's when IVF becomes a consideration. 

• How complex is the process for both partners?

Let’s start with the tests. The number between man and woman will always differ. The woman will have to go through more tests as compared to the man because for him it is only about the sperm,and the deposition of it in the right place. But for women it’s much more, it is about how that sperm will travel into the uterus, into the tube which meet the egg, formation of the egg, the implantation of the egg into the uterus and it then nourishing the pregnancy, So the burden of pregnancy rests on the female partner, hence the sheer number of tests.

For the actual IVF process, you can divide it into three parts - physical, emotional and financial, it’s a pretty intense exercise. Physically, of course, the brunt is borne mainly by the female partner who has to take injections to make the eggs, undergo multiple sonographies to monitor the formation of the egg, undergo blood tests to confirm everything, undergo anesthesia and retrieve of the eggs outside the body and then to receive the embryo back inside the uterus, wait for couple of weeks you know whether you are pregnant or not, undergo repeated scans to ensure it's a healthy pregnancy and then carry a proper pregnancy for nice months.

• Do the couple need to go through some kind of a consultation to be prepared for this process?

It all depends on the fertility specialist, there is no standard procedure, like a series of questions or a flowchart that they follow, it completely depends on the individuals. Some may be naturally motivated, some may need a little extra push, some may require a gentle approach. Great fertility specialists are those who not only deliver results in terms of pregnancy but also make the couple comfortable, are non-judgmental, they understand what different couples need and can adapt to their requirements.

• What is the IVF timeline and cost implication of the process?

Timeline per cycle: 4 to 8 weeks, average

Cost per cycle: 1.25L to 5L, broad range

In Part 2 we will explore the mental preparedness of a the couple going through with the IVF process and how to embrace a negative result.