New Delhi: Many couples find it difficult to have a baby naturally, and they choose IVF as their solution. In the last few years, I’ve seen this happening more and more. There are many reasons why this is happening. One of the main reasons is the way our lifestyle has changed. People are getting married later, they are focusing more on their careers, and more. There are many people who also spend most of their time sitting and don’t do enough exercise. All of this can affect male and female fertility.
In an interaction with News9Live, Dr. Saarthak Bakshi, CEO of RISAA IVF, explained why and how modern lifestyle could contribute to an increasing demand for IVF.
Sometimes, couples don’t even realise these things are causing a problem until they try to have a baby. That’s when they turn to fertility treatments to get pregnant. Today, I want to talk about why IVF is becoming more common and how modern lifestyle choices are playing a big role in this.
How does lifestyle affect fertility?
Our daily lifestyle has a direct effect on our ability to have children, even if we don’t realise it. There are some small things that we do every day, like what we eat, how much we sleep, how stressed we are, or how active we are. All these can affect our fertility over time.
For example, not getting enough sleep or working too much can also affect our hormone levels. Additionally, eating unhealthy food or skipping meals may also reduce the body’s strength to help in pregnancy. Some habits, like sitting for long hours, smoking, or drinking alcohol, can slowly harm fertility in men and women.
However, these effects usually don’t show up suddenly. Many couples only find out about these problems when they try to conceive and face problems. That’s why it’s important to understand that fertility is not just about age or medical issues, but it’s also about how we live every day.
IVF on the Rise in India
In India, more couples are now choosing IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) to have a baby. This was not very common many years ago, but things have changed now. People are more aware, open-minded, and ready to take medical help when it’s needed. IVF treatments have become more successful, safe, and available in many cities. The number of IVF cycles is growing every year. Below is a simple table of how the numbers are quickly rising
Why Is IVF Becoming More Common?
IVF is now more common than before because people are more aware, open, and ready to seek help when they face issues in having a baby. There is better technology, higher success rates, and more clinics across India.
Here are a few reasons why IVF is becoming popular:
- People are more open to talking about fertility issues
- IVF centers are available in many cities and towns
- The success rates of IVF have improved a lot
- Treatments are more affordable with EMI and loan options
- Couples prefer not to wait too long to become parents
- Social media and awareness campaigns have reduced the stigma
Modern Choices, Delayed Parenthood
There are many couples who want to focus on their career, travel, or financial goals before starting their family. These are personal and practical decisions, but they often lead to delayed parenthood. Their fertility may not be as strong as it was earlier by the time they plan to have a baby. This delay is common in cities, where busy work life and stress also play a role. These modern choices are not wrong, but it’s important to understand that age can affect fertility in men and women. So, waiting too long can sometimes make it difficult to conceive naturally, and that’s when many couples turn to treatments like IVF.
The Role of Stress and Health in Fertility
Stress and health play a big role in fertility, even if we don’t always notice it. When someone is always stressed because of work, family pressure, or daily life, it can affect the hormones that help the body prepare for pregnancy. Stress can also affect sperm quality in men and ovulation in women. This may also reduce the chances of conceiving naturally.
Along with stress, some poor health habits also affect fertility, including the following:
- Eating unhealthy food
- Not exercising
- Sleeping too little
- Gaining too much weight
These things may seem small, but over time, they make it difficult for the body to support pregnancy. So, it’s important to take care of your body and mind if you’re planning to have a baby.
Understanding the Shift: What Couples Should Know
It’s important to understand why couples are changing their way of raising their families. Today, more people are choosing IVF because they don’t have other options and they want to take control of their journey to become parents. Lifestyle, age, health, and personal goals all play a role in this shift. So, couples should know that facing fertility issues is not something to hide or feel ashamed about. It’s more common than many think, and help is also available. Being aware, acting early, and talking to the right experts can help a lot.