This is a common question that women planning to undergo IVF treatment ask. Given many myths surrounding IVF, it’s obvious to have concerns before the treatment. However, IVF is totally safe and causes no health problems in the long-term, given that you consult the best gynaecologist in Chandigarh or near you.

Every woman is different and so is their biology. So, the treatment may respond differently to every woman planning to conceive a baby. Working with a qualified gynaecologist makes sure that you get the right treatment, which eliminates your chances of health issues.

In this blog, we’re going to answer – in consultation with an expert gynaecologist – the most common questions concerning health issues related to IVF.

Can IVF lead to long-term health issues?

No. The chances of developing permanent health issues with IVF is minimal. The right diagnosis and the right healthcare guidance can immensely help in identifying probable risks as well.

IVF is relatively a new technology that is evolving with every passing year. An impressive increase in the success rate has also been witnessed in this procedure in the past few years. However, there’s another aspect to this technology that every person undergoing IVF should know about.

IVF can increase the risk of multiple births when more than one embryo has transferred to the uterus. This multiple-fetus pregnancy increases the risk of premature births, early labour, and low-birth weight. However, these risks are present in many naturally complicated pregnancy cases as well. But all these IVF pregnancy risks can be effectively managed with the help of an experienced gynaecologist in Chandigarh.

Does IVF impact the immunity of the mother?

Technically and scientifically, no facts or data support this statement. Women usually experience a suppressed immune system during pregnancy – normal or through any treatment. Nausea, lack of appetite, vomiting, and tiredness are common symptoms every expecting mother experiences during this time. This can further affect immunity for some time.

However, some patients might experience higher immunity suppression than others. Are you also one of them? If yes, ensure you consult the best gynaecologist in Chandigarh. These highly trained medical professionals check all probable IVF health problems. They also take necessary measures to control these issues before things get out of hand.

Can IVF cause ovarian cancer?

No. IVF does not cause ovarian cancer. According to medical experts, one of the biggest reasons for having ovarian cancer is nulliparity or childlessness. It is a medical term used for a woman who has never given birth to a child. IVF has come as a boon for such women. Many women embrace motherhood with the help of this revolutionary reproductive technology.

So, IVF has played a vital role in decreasing the risk of ovarian cancer by allowing women to give birth to healthy babies. It is a reassuring and interesting finding which clarifies the real reasons behind ovarian cancer and the role of IVF in preventing it. Experts consider it one of the biggest advantages of IVF babies.

Can IVF impact the life expectancy?

Who is stronger: IVF babies vs normal babies? Does IVF affect the life expectancy of the baby? Premature babies, conceived naturally or through IVF, are usually at a higher risk of having a weak immune system. In newborns, underdeveloped lungs, heart, or liver can lead to health issues like jaundice and pneumonia. It is a common phenomenon that has little to do with IVF. All these complications can be effectively managed by neonatology.

It is a modern medical science stream that takes special care of newborns born with weak immune systems. On a wider aspect, an expecting mother can prevent future health issues for the baby by consulting an experienced gynaecologist in Mohali. A customized nutrition schedule can help strengthen the immunity of both the unborn and the mother, leading to a good life expectancy.

Does IVF change your body?

Ideally, a standard IVF treatment is a five-step process:

• Ovulation induction
• Egg retrieval
• Sperm retrieval
• Fertilization
• Embryo transfer

It marks the completion of one IVF cycle.

At times, multiple IVF cycles are recommended for a successful conception. This recommendation can vary from doctor to doctor, clinic to clinic, or patient to patient as per their age and genetics.

Patients also need to take several hormone injections to support the conception process. The process can introduce some changes in the body, like bloating, weight gain, etc. These are normal after-effects so there is nothing to worry about.

oOf course, your body will indeed undergo significant temporary changes during IVF pregnancy. And it is a good sign of the fetus’ healthy development. These changes are more or less similar to a natural pregnancy. They can be easily managed under the guidance and treatment of an efficient gynaecologist.

Final thoughts

IVF n is often considered the “last stop” in infertility. Experts call it the first and one of the most successful options for couples who are battling infertility. It is also a ray of hope for people for whom traditional pregnancy and conception are not an option. Women with infertility diagnoses, same-sex couples, etc., are a few examples.

This treatment is completely safe and does not lead to lifelong complications in women. Search the “best gynaecologist near me”, shortlist the right ones, and choose the most qualified and reputed one. Such a physician should make your journey to motherhood as smooth as possible while helping manage any complications or health risks.

When it comes to food, we don’t emphasize much on choice. Rather, we grab onto the food items that our body craves for! Unfortunately, the majority of the time, our food cravings are something junk or unhealthy. 

A common reason (out of many) why we crave junk so much nowadays is due to our stress-oriented life. When we are stressed, our palate looks for something that’s convenient, easily available, and makes us feel good. And all unhealthy food meets these traits.

But we all know junk food isn’t healthy! We should replace our unhealthy cravings with healthy ones. Speaking of which, here are delicious healthy food options that you must try: 

Nuts

Do you like to munch on something crunchy and fried every now and then? Is potato chips a staple in your snack time? If yes, then we have a better alternative. And that is nuts!

Nuts are rich in protein and heart-healthy substances. They have adequate sources of good fat and bioactive macronutrients to keep your health in check. Not just that, the savoury and crunchy taste satisfies your palate and keeps you full for a long. 

You can try different types of nuts like almonds, walnuts, peanuts, pistachios, and hazelnuts. However, don’t go overboard with its quantity, or it may contribute to those extra calories. 

Dark Chocolate

Chocolates can be healthy! But not the milk chocolates that you generally eat. They have more sugar than cocoa. Rather, you should try dark chocolate that has less sugar and more cocoa. Cocoa is rich in antioxidants like flavonoids, and minerals, so it’s definitely a better alternative. 

Eating dark chocolate with 70% or more cocoa is great for reducing stress levels. It can satisfy your chocolate cravings, and you wouldn’t be indulging in anything junk. Plus, it has the right amount of sweetness and bitterness. 

You can choose the cocoa percentage as per your palate. However, the higher the cocoa, the more the benefit. You can eat a small portion of dark chocolate (30-60 g) whenever you crave chocolates/candies. 

Greek Yoghurt

Greek yoghurts are a great replacement for ice creams. Now you may ask, how can a tangy food option satisfy my sweet cravings? Well, that’s the beauty of greek yoghurt! Its thick, creamy, velvety, and tangy texture can handle both sweet and savoury palates.

It’s also rich in protein and low in carbs and fat. If you want a good source of macronutrients, they are worth adding to your diet. 

Greek yoghurt is also known for its health benefits. It can ensure good muscle and bone health, plus a happy gut. And a happy gut means a healthy you! 

Roasted Chickpeas

When you feel too hungry and want something filling, you might crave packaged snacks. However, we recommend switching to roasted chickpeas instead.

Roasted chickpeas, when seasoned correctly, can give you an adequate amount of protein and fibre. You can eat them as it is or add some cumin or paprika for more flavour.

Chickpeas have low glycemic index and fat. So, if you are planning a weight loss regime, this item is a must-have for a calorie-controlled diet. 

Smoothies

Smoothies loaded with lots of fruits/veggies can be a good alternative to milkshakes. It’s a rich source of fibre that further keeps any illnesses at bay. You can also get a nutritional balance of other essentials like protein, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates.

While making your smoothies, you must keep them low on refined sugar. Instead, you should let the natural sweetness of these fruits satisfy your palate. Make sure to add some yoghurt or healthy fats for that added flavour. 

Here are some fruit bases and veggies that you can use for your smoothies:

• Blueberry

• Mango

• Banana 

• Strawberry

• Cherry

• Peach

• Spinach 

• Kale

Don’t add any candied fruit, icecreams, sherbets, or sweeteners to the drink. 

Avocados

Rich in essential nutrients like potassium, fats, and fibre, smashed Avocados make a great spread on whole-wheat bread. You can add this spread instead of jam, or sandwich spreads for your breakfast. 

Avacado toast isn’t just healthy but extremely delicious. You just need to mash them and toss some sea salt, red pepper flakes, and olive oil on top. It’ll taste heavenly!

Although Avocado toast is healthy, it’s recommended to stay mindful of the sizes, especially if you are consuming it daily. That way, you wouldn’t go overboard with the daily calorie intake. 

Avocados are a superfood for health conditions like PCOD/PCOS. However, consult your doctor before adding any food, particularly for your health issue. 

Air-fried Popcorns

Do you know popcorn can be healthy if you don’t cook them with oil or butter? Air-popped popcorns make a filling and delicious whole-grain snack with lots of fibre.

You just need to keep them lightly seasoned, and that gets the job done! Air-popped popcorn is also easy to make. You just have to cook the kernels in the air fryer and serve.

Line your air fryer basket with foil if it has large holes. Also, don’t add any caramel or butter on the top, as it can increase the overall calorie. 

Lemon Water

Sodas are too cliche! Now it’s time to sip on lemon water to quench the thirst. Lemon water is rich in vitamin C due to its citrus content. It can be easily substituted for juices or non-diet sodas that are immensely loaded with sugar. 

The lemon in lemon water provides refreshment and a flavorful punch. If you want your lemon water to be sweet, add some honey. The drink is also a godsend for better digestion and weight loss, so don’t miss out! 

Food that Seems Healthy But Isn’t

Sometimes you may be eating food items that aren’t healthy, but yet they might seem so. This includes:

• Multi-grain bread

• Flavoured yoghurts

• Soy/Almond milk

• Energy bars

• Instant oatmeal

• Sports drink

• Margarine

• Canned food

It’s also recommended to avoid low-fat peanut butter or fat-free salad dressings. Instead, you should have natural peanut butter containing mono-unsaturated fat. Olive oil is a good replacement for salad dressing, so make sure to drizzle some next time you eat salads. 

In addition to above-listed food, you can add a green salad, roasted flax seeds, and roasted fox nuts to your diet. These are rich in essential nutrients and are best to replace unhealthy cravings with healthy snacks. 

So, these were some healthy options for your unhealthy cravings. 

If you are a new mom whose baby is all set to try out food for the first time, then this place is just for you.

When your baby turns six months, you introduce them to solid food. However, as it’s their developmental stage, you must look for food items packed with essential nutrients and vitamins.   

The more nutritious food choice you make for your baby, the better for their growth. That’s why mom’s become quite cautious at this stage. 

So, what should be your baby’s first food? If you are thinking so, then read through:

Signs that Your Baby is Ready For their First Food

Before adding any solid food to your baby’s diet, you must check whether your baby is ready to consume them or not. Here are the signs that indicate the same:

• Your baby is six months or older.

• They look curious and interested in the things you eat.

• The baby has good control over their head, trunk, and sitting posture

• They try to chew on toys or their hands

• They lose their tongue thrust reflex, and the food spills out from their mouth.

• They still feel hungry after breastfeeding.

If these signs match your baby’s behaviour, most probably, it’s time to feed them solid food. However, we recommend consulting your paediatrician before including anything new in your baby’s diet. 

Best First Foods for Baby

Just as nutrition affects fertility in females, it also plays a crucial role in a baby’s development. So, you must ensure that you introduce the best first foods to your baby.

In principle, natural foods are best for your baby. Avoid packaged food which contains artificial flavours & colors and preservatives

Once your paediatrician confirms that your baby is ready to have their first food, you can try out the below items:

Note: If your paediatrician gives you a diet plan for your baby with all do’s and don’ts. Simply follow the same. 

4-6 Months

This is the first phase when your baby will be trying solid food along with breast milk. As it’s their first time, we recommend going slow and keeping it simple. 

However, you must choose food items that are rich in protein, iron, zinc, Omega 3 fatty acids, calcium, and vitamins. You could also give them food with some carbohydrates for energy.

Here are the food items that you can introduce:

• Bananas

• Oatmeal

• Apples 

• Avocados

• Pears

• Green beans

• Potatoes

• Carrots

In the case of fruits like bananas and apples, you can grind or mash them before feeding your baby. 

For rice and oatmeal, you can cook them until they are semi-solid. You can also add in some breast milk for extra nutrition. 

As for vegetables, boil and mash them well before feeding them to your baby. You can add a pinch of salt to potatoes for added taste. 

6-8 Months

With increasing age, your baby’s stomach grows too. So, you can gradually increase the food amount by the time they reach the 6-8 month age. 

Paediatricians may also allow you to add some complex proteins like meat, tofu, and egg yolk. You can also give them more coarse food items than pureed or mashed ones. It’ll help them to learn to chew and get accustomed to regular food. 

Some food items for 6-8-month-old babies are:

• Plums

• Pumpkin

• Chicken

• Turkey

• Apricots  

• Mango 

• Yoghurt

• Tofu/paneer

• Fish

While feeding them meat, make sure it’s soft, pureed, and gummable. The meat should be fully cooked. You can add water or cook the meat in their own juices. 

It’s recommended not to serve rare or medium-rare meat to your baby. Also, avoid options like bacon, hot dogs, or lunch meats. 

8-10 Months

By the time your baby turns ten months old, they develop four teeth in the front. It’s also the phase where they get eager to eat regular solid food. 

Although your baby might develop teeth, they still aren’t appropriate for proper chewing. So, cut the food into small bit sizes (if not mashed) and keep them soft.  

At times, your baby may spit food or deny eating. It’s recommended not to force-feed them in such cases. 

You can add the below items to your baby’s diet: 

• Beets

• Asparagus

• Peppers

• Guava 

• Kiwi

• Papaya 

• Cantaloupe

• Eggplant

• Figs 

• Meat

• Cheese 

• Quinoa

You can feed them half a cup of solid food 3-4 times a day. However, avoid giving them whole fruit or large pieces of meat. 

12 Months

Once your baby turns 12 months old, it can chew properly. Now you can feed them the same food as you and your family eat. You can also introduce new food items with different flavours and textures. 

You should also look for any food item that can cause an allergic reaction in your baby. Your baby could develop allergic reactions to a food item if any close family member has the same.

Here’s what you can add to your 12-month-olds diet:

• Corn

• Tomatoes

• Spinach

• Citrus food

• Cow Milk

What to Avoid When Introducing Solid Foods to Baby

When your baby is young (about six months), they don’t need sugar or high salt content in its food. You can sprinkle very little salt for taste, but too much of it can have a bad effect on your baby’s kidney.  

Another food item that’s a big no-no for babies younger than 12 months is honey. Honey can cause Infant botulism, an Illness that occurs due to Clostridium botulinum (bacteria). This bacteria can contaminate several foods, including honey. So, don’t give honey to your little ones.

You should also avoid whole nuts, popcorn, and hard food items, as they could cause choking. 

3 Day Wait Rule for Introducing Solid Food

The 3-day wait rule is where you wait for 3 to 5 days before introducing a new food item to your baby. Suppose you fed your baby some porridge, and next, you want them to taste banana. 

After making them eat porridge, you must wait for 3 to 5 days to see how they react to the food. If everything is fine, you can feed them the banana. The 3-day wait rule should be followed for 12 months.

So, this is the complete guide on what should be your baby’s first food. 

Congratulations on your little one! Being a new mom must be a thrilling experience. It must have increased your self-esteem and filled you with unconditional love for your child. 

However, as it’s the postpartum or after-birth phase, you must be facing the baby blues too. You must be looking for ways to strengthen your body and shed those extra kilos. 

And what’s the best way to do so? Postpartum exercises. Here are some easy and safe postpartum exercises that all new mothers can try:

Note: Before starting any postpartum exercise routine, it’s recommended to consult with a professional gynecologist and discuss your plan. We also suggest waiting at least 12 weeks (after giving birth) before you start strenuous workouts, running or weight lifting. 

Walking

Brisk walking can speed up your post-pregnancy healing process. It can burn calories and help manage other conditions like PCOS/PCOD that may linger even after pregnancy. So, it’s worth including in your postpartum exercise routine. 

Many healthcare professionals recommend walking for 150 minutes every week. You can divide these 150 minutes into days, sessions or as you are comfortable. If you can walk easily, you can indulge in a 30-minute walk for five days a week. 

If not, you can break this 30-minute walk into 10-15 minute daily sessions. This means if you are walking for 15 minutes in the morning, you can complete the other half in the evening/night. 

We recommend not going overboard with walks during the early weeks of postpartum. If you see any sign of heavy or bright red bleeding, it might indicate that you’re overdoing it. Stick to the 150-minute walking plan or anything suggested by your gynecologist. 

Belly Breathing

Belly or diaphragmatic breathing is best for reducing stress and keeping your mind relaxed. It can increase blood oxygenation and reduce any muscle tension in your body. By focusing on your breathing, you can also slow down your breathing rate. 

To perform this exercise, you need to sit or lie down in a comfortable place. After that, follow the below steps:

• Close your eyes and keep your one hand on your chest. Now, keep your other hand on your abdomen. 

• Take a deep breath and inhale through your nose. Do this for about 4-5 seconds. While you inhale, make sure your belly is expanding. 

• Hold your breath for 2 seconds and then exhale slowly for about 6 seconds. 

While performing this exercise, your hand on the abdomen should move with the breathing. You can repeat this exercise for 5 to 10 minutes or 3 to 4 times a day.

Neck Stretches

As a new mom, you must have a lot of responsibilities. Whether it’s feeding your baby or nursing them, you must be handling several things at once. While doing so, your neck must be getting affected too. 

The best way to relieve your neck from such stress is by doing neck stretches. For that, simply follow the below steps:

• Stretch your neck to the right side (as far as it’s comfortable) and hold the position for 30-60 seconds. 

• After 60 seconds, go back to the prior position and repeat this step for the left side. 

Do this neck stretch five times a day (on each side). 

Cat-Cow Stretch

Cat-cow stretching is great yoga to improve your posture and balance during the postpartum period. It also relieves stress and calms the mind for good emotional balance. 

To perform the cat-cow stretch, do the following:

• Kneel down on the floor. Go to a position where both your hands are shoulder-width apart, and the back is flat. Keep your knees below your hips. 

• Now inhale and drop your lower belly down while bringing your head up. This will be your cow position. 

• After that, exhale deeply and pull your belly button in (towards the spine). Meanwhile, keep your head and pelvis down. This will be your cat position. 

Repeat this exercise 5 times. Don’t overstretch your belly while doing the cow position. You can skip the cow position if you are suffering from a condition called diastasis recti after childbirth.

Pelvic Tilt

After delivering a baby, you may develop a bulge in the middle of your belly, called a mommy pooch. A good way to reduce this mommy pooch is by doing the pelvic tilt exercise. 

Besides the mommy pooch, pelvic tilt can also alleviate back pain, strengthen abdominal muscles and reduce any muscle stiffness. Here’s how you can do it:

• Lie down on your back and keep your knees bent. Make sure that your feet is flat on the floor. Also, your back should maintain a natural curve. 

• Exhale while engaging your abdominal muscles and bending the pelvis upwards. Your tailbone should lean upwards too. 

• Maintain this position for a few breaths. After that, inhale and come back to the original position. 

Repeat this exercise 5 to 10 times. Keep your focus on posture rather than speed.

Happy Baby Pose

The happy baby pose can relieve any tension in your pelvis. It can keep your back muscles relaxed and improve hips mobility. 

To perform this pose, you need to lie down flat on your back and bend your knees towards the chest. Now, bring your arms from the inside of the knees and hold the outer edge of both your feet. 

If you are a beginner, hold one foot at a time. Now, gently rock side-to-side. You can do this for about 1 to 2 minutes. 

Wall Push-ups

During your postpartum period, your abdomen stays weak and needs time to heal. That’s why it’s best to avoid push-ups. However, you can do its alternative, that is, wall push-ups. 

• To do this exercise, you need to stand at an arm-length distance from your wall. Make sure your feet are under your hips. 

• Bend your elbows and lower the upper body towards the wall. Make sure to inhale and keep your upper arm parallel to the wall.  

• Now, push yourself back slowly and return to the first position. 

You can decide on the sets and repetitions of the wall push-ups as per your ability. It’s best to keep things slow at first and pace up as you get accustomed to it.

Try these easy and safe postpartum exercises to keep your physical, social, and psychological health intact after childbirth.

If you are undergoing fertility treatment, you must be having a tough time. We know how the entire process can be emotionally draining. However, remember you’re not alone! 

Every year, healthcare professionals perform more than 2.5 million IVF cycles. Infact, when it comes to developing countries, one in four couples suffer from infertility. So, it’s far more common. 

Another thing that’s common with infertility treatment is depression, anxiety, and psychological distress. The diagnosis may make you lose control over your life and feel guilty for your prior actions.   

In such cases, it’s recommended to take instant help from mental health professionals. 

Infertility and Mental Health

In some countries, it’s strongly believed that women are naturally fertile and they must fulfil their duty of giving birth. When society keeps emphasizing on this factor, it starts taking a toll on a woman’s mind. 

Eventually, when a woman can’t fulfil the duty of childbearing, it makes her feel useless and incompetent. That’s when she suffers from depression, anxiety, and high levels of psychological distress. 

 In female infertility, mental health issues could be related to social stigma. However, men could take it as far as their masculinity. When a man is told they aren’t fertile, they feel they’ve lost their virility or manhood.

They hardly discuss their infertility issues with close ones as they fear mocking and insults. Eventually, this makes them feel frustrated and overwhelmed therefore impacting their mental health.

The psychological effects of infertility aren’t always related to society or masculinity. Sometimes, a couple really wants to get pregnant and start their family. But when they fail to do so, it deeply affects them. 

So, there could be several possible reasons behind infertility and mental health issues in couples.  

Now, the question is, what to do if you suffer from such mental health problems during your infertility treatment? The answer is simple, seek help. 

How Can Psychological Counselling Help Couples During Infertility Treatment?

Psychological counselling is a great way for both men and women to handle the escalating emotions, anxiety, and depressive symptoms during infertility treatment. 

 
It’s offered by experienced psychologists who know how to handle people facing such situations. They work by identifying the issue for each individual and give therapy sessions accordingly. 

After performing the individual counselling sessions for both you and your partner, psychologists start with the couple’s therapy. Throughout this session, they assist both you and your partner in handling your emotional changes. They identify the trigger points and come up with the best solution to resolve your problem.

In some cases, infertility can affect your relationship as a couple. For this also, you can take help from psychologists. They can implement effective strategies to strengthen your relationship and help you to return to your older self. 

Your psychologist may keep giving counselling sessions unless both you and your partner get a stable frame of mind.

Benefits of Good Mental Health During Infertility Treatment 

Good mental health can stimulate an optimistic mind, which is one of the most crucial aspects of successful infertility treatment. When a person develops a positive mindset, they believe in positive outcomes, regardless of how low the chances are. 

A healthy mind can also build a good mind-body connection and promote overall well-being. It can keep stress at bay, which is another possible reason for putting a damper on fertility.

If you want your infertility treatment to be successful, you must stay away from depression, anxiety, and stress. Also, you must mentally prepare yourself for the process and hope for the best results.   

5 Things You and Your Partner Can Do to Manage Stress During Infertility Treatment 

There are certain things that you and your partner can do to keep stress and anxiety at bay. This’ll help you relax and focus on the positive side of your infertility treatment. 

Practise Cognitive Restructuring

Cognitive restructuring is a method of changing the way you think. When you keep thinking negative, your mind accepts them and encourages you to stop hoping and give up. 

But this isn’t what you should do. Rather, you must re-shape your mind with positive thoughts and keep your hopes high.

Try Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a great way to relieve stress and improve your self-esteem. To practice mindfulness, you must focus on the present moment.

You should dedicate yourself fully to your thoughts, sensations, feelings, and surroundings. The more you practice it, the better you’ll feel. 

Talk With Your Fertility Specialist

If you’re stressing over things that can go wrong during your treatment, then talk to your fertility specialist. They’ll explain to you the entire process again, along with its success rates. 

Remember that treatments like IVF can increase your chance of pregnancy despite fertility problems. In fact, more than 8 million babies have been born from IVF since its start in 1978. You just need to trust your doctor and stay away from the myths about the treatment. 

Stay Busy

Infertility can be depressing, but it shouldn’t stop you from doing your daily work. An empty mind stimulates negative thoughts, so try to keep yourself as busy as you can. 

If you are in the professional world, don’t let your diagnosis hamper your career. Similarly, if you’re a housewife, indulge in a new hobby and do things that interest you. 

Spend Time with Family

Nothing is as effective as spending time with your family when you’re stressed. So, whenever you get time, sit with your loved ones for chit-chat. 

Also, don’t lock yourself up. Go out and have a fun time with your friends and family members. Live your life as you did before your infertility diagnosis.  

Final Note

We know infertility can be hard to accept. But it isn’t the end of the world. There are treatments available in the medical industry to combat this issue. This means you have a fair chance of having a baby. 

Trust your fertility specialist and seek help from your psychologist if you face mental health issues. 

You can do this!  

Nowadays, women are choosing to have children later in life. If you want kids in your late 30s, 40s, or 50s, egg freezing in India can be a good option for you. This allows you to control your biological clock to start a family anytime. 

What is egg freezing?

Egg freezing, also known as mature oocyte cryopreservation, is a procedure to save a women’s egg for later use. Females who are undergoing any surgery on the ovaries (e.g, ovarian cyst removal), have ovarian cancer, or want to conceive late can opt for this procedure. In it, the unfertilised eggs of a woman are stored for years until she is ready to have children. This also secures the quality and health of eggs. As you age, egg quality starts declining. 

What is the Process Of Egg Freezing In India

When you are planning to get your eggs frozen, you need to visit the best gynaecologist and IVF specialist in your area. For example, if you live in Mohali, then look for the best IVF centre in Mohali. Your doctor will guide you and help you freeze your eggs. 

Before undergoing treatments, a gynaecologist does a transvaginal ultrasound and blood tests. This will help the physician to know how many eggs are available in your ovaries. After testing, the egg collection process starts, which is very much similar to IVF up to certain steps. The goal is to retrieve the maximum number of eggs as safely as possible within a single cycle. 

Here are the steps of egg freezing procedure:

Ovarian stimulation: Upon the start of your menstrual cycle, the doctor will give you daily injectable medications of natural hormones. This will help to stimulate follicles in your ovaries to grow and mature. During this period, the doctor will monitor the woman regularly with ultrasound and bloodwork to ensure the appropriate growth of follicles. 

Trigger injection: When follicles grow, the doctor instructs the patient to take a trigger injection. This prepares the body for egg retrieval.

Egg retrieval: A vaginal ultrasound probe is safely inserted into the ovaries to retrieve the eggs. During this process, intravenous sedation will be given to the woman so she won’t experience any pain or discomfort.

Cryopreservation: The retrieved eggs are safely frozen and stored for future use. 

Altogether, the process takes a couple of weeks, from hormone treatment to egg retrieval and freezing. 

Benefits Of Egg Freezing 

Here are the benefits of egg freezing in India:

• Egg freezing helps protect the quality of eggs despite the age of women. 
• It benefits women’s biology and helps them live a happy life with no stress of declining egg quantity. 
• It can help reduce women’s fertility anxiety.
• Egg freezing can protect women’s eggs from disease or preserve them before invasive medical treatments.
• It provides you with a reliable time to find the right partner to have children.
• This technology benefits women who wish to pursue other priorities before becoming a mother.

What Are The Risks Of Egg Freezing?

As already stated, egg freezing in India involves stimulating the ovaries through injections to mature more eggs. This sometimes leads to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (HSS), a condition where the ovaries become painful and swollen. Further, this may cause other symptoms like vomiting and bloating. Other unwanted side effects of the egg-freezing procedure may include weight gain, mood swings, and headaches. 

How Much Does Egg Freezing Cost In India?

In India, egg freezing costs less than in other countries. The fertility world charges egg-freezing costs ranging from Rs1.20 lakhs to 1.70 lakhs. This cost includes the charges of IVF protocol, which are the medicines and injections given for ovarian stimulation, along with the charges for the procedure of egg retrieval and subsequent freezing.

How To Prepare Yourself For Egg Freezing Procedure?

Have you decided to go for egg freezing? If yes, then making a few lifestyle changes can help you freeze quality eggs. Here are a few things that you can consider before going for the procedure. 

• Eat an omega-3-rich diet. You can add a good quantity of fish, nuts, and seeds to your diet as they are rich in omega-3s. Also, eat a lot of fruits and vegetables to fulfil your body’s need for vitamins and minerals. 
• Reduce your caffeine consumption. It is because high levels of caffeine consumption are associated with decreased fertility and may affect your egg quality. 
• Get enough good quality sleep as it plays a vital role in fertility.
• Start taking good quality prenatal vitamins and nutrition for fertility.
• Moderate exercise can benefit you in many ways. It will not only balance blood sugar but will also manage body fat levels.
• Keep cortisol levels low with meditation, yoga, and other stress-relieving therapies. 

How Many Eggs Should I Freeze?

This number can vary from person to person and depends on factors like age, but generally, it is recommended to freeze between 12-20 eggs. It is best to talk to your doctor regarding your goals for your future.

Can I freeze my eggs at 35?

Yes, you can freeze your eggs at 35 if you want to become a mother late. Make sure you decide as early as possible because your egg quality and quantity decrease with every menstruation cycle. 

What is the best age to freeze your eggs?

If you are sure that you don’t want to become a mother till 40 or 50, then it is better to freeze your eggs in your early 30s. Also, you can freeze eggs in your 20s. It is better to consult the best lady doctor for egg freezing.  

Is it worth freezing eggs at 39?

Yes, freezing eggs at 39 if you still have enough eggs in the ovaries. This can be checked with blood tests and ultrasound. If, however, your ovaries are already depleted of eggs, it may not be worthwhile. There is no perfect age for egg freezing, but the earlier, the better for freezing quality eggs. 

Do you gain weight when you freeze eggs?

Most women do not feel any change in their weight during egg freezing.