0
0
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, a remarkable trend is emerging in rural India, as women are breaking societal norms and age barriers to embrace motherhood through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), according to medical experts.
An exemplary case highlighting this shift is that of Charan Kaur, mother of late Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, who, at the age of 58, is expecting a child through IVF, with delivery anticipated in March.
IVF, a medical procedure involving the fertilisation of an egg with sperm outside the body, is gaining traction among rural women, challenging conventional perceptions surrounding motherhood and fertility.
Pallavi Prasad, a Fertility Consultant at Nova IVF Fertility, Basaveshwara Nagar, Bangalore, emphasized the increasing demand for fertility treatments among rural patients, particularly those in later stages of their reproductive lifespan, typically beyond the ages of 35 to 40, or even 45 years.
“Rural patients often seek fertility treatment in urban centres after exhausting local options, with diminished ovarian reserves or nearly depleted reserves,” Prasad explained.
However, advanced maternal age poses challenges, as diminished ovarian reserves can complicate treatment outcomes.
While the trend towards IVF is gaining momentum, financial constraints remain a significant barrier for rural women. The costs associated with treatment and logistics, including transportation to IVF sessions, spanning four to six weeks, pose challenges for many.
Priyanka Reddy, an Infertility Specialist and Consultant at Motherhood Hospitals, noted that although consultations from rural women aged 27 to 49 are not uncommon, the conversion rate for IVF procedures remains relatively low.
“The low conversion rate can be attributed to the time-consuming nature of procedures, which can last approximately 15 days, making transportation challenging for women residing in rural areas,” Reddy explained.
Despite these obstacles, the growing acceptance of IVF among rural women reflects a shifting paradigm in societal attitudes towards fertility and motherhood. As women in rural India continue to assert their reproductive autonomy, IVF stands as a beacon of hope, offering new possibilities for realizing their dreams of motherhood.
