Indian women should not delay getting pregnant: Report

While the study suggests that a significantly high number of women suffering from infertility are over the age of 31, it also raises concerns that the biggest cause is a poor ovarian response (POR) in women.

 

According to the study, 68% of women seeking fertility treatments were aged 31 years and above; with a staggering 36% being between 31-35 years and 32% being above 35 years. 

 

The latest study reveals that 30% of women need to depend on donor eggs to get pregnant, simply because they approach an IVF expert at a time when their ovarian reserve is already poor. This is further emphasized by the findings that show treatments involving egg donation account for more than 25% of all cycles.

 

It has also been noted that over the last three years, Vitrification has emerged as a highly successful technique for preserving and using surplus embryos with pregnancy rates increasing from 32% to 51%. This accounts for nearly 39% of all cycles. The study also revealed surprising information that a large number of cases can be attributed to male infertility. Today, at least one in four men reportedly suffers from fertility issues i.e. 23% of couples from the sample.

 

Dr Manish Banker, Executive Director, Nova IVI Fertility, said, “The 5000 pregnancies is not just a milestone but it also showcases NIF’s commitment to create happy families. This study is just a by-product of our vast understanding of the fertility market in India and the sheer number of families that put their trust in us. The results of this study will help us in advising our patients on the appropriate medical treatments to get pregnant. The current study sheds light on what we have always believed at Nova - that patients are waiting too long to visit fertility specialists and seek medical treatment. There is a need to create awareness on the fact that there are a number of fertility treatments that can help us in determining the cause and recommend an appropriate approach.”

 

The current study is a reaffirmation of an earlier publication by Nova and IVI, which concluded that the mean age of women undergoing IVF treatment was significantly higher in Spanish women than in Indian women (37 years vs. 31.5 years).

 

 Despite the age gap, the ovarian function of a 31-year-old Indian woman was similar to that of a 37-year-old Spanish woman. The study further reaffirms that Indian women have a high degree of poor ovarian response, which is affected by the late attempt to conceive and the time an Indian women waits before approaching fertility experts.

 

Donor egg pregnancy rates are a strong indicator for clinical performance, along with the quality of the laboratory and medical expertise. According to the findings of the study, the clinical pregnancy rate for donor egg recipients in the last 3 years have increased from 47% in the first 1000 pregnancies to 55% as witnessed in the last 1000 pregnancies at Nova.

 

Speaking on the study results, Naresh Rao, Interim Chief Executive Officer and CFO, Nova IVI Fertility, said: “As leaders in the market, Nova has constantly aimed at offering the best to our patients and the 5000 pregnancies milestone is a true testament of this. Patients have acknowledged our commitment and this can be well seen with the fast pace at which NIF has grown in the last three years. Going forward, we have outlined a very robust expansion plan that not only involves the strengthening of our existing facilities and addition of twelve more centers over the next 18-24 months; we will also be working towards building significant capacity for the IVF industry by training manpower to deliver the same quality outcomes. Our effort will be to enhance the quality of clinicians in the country and build a strong workforce by ensuring sharing of knowledge that we inherit from our partnership with IVI”.

 

Summing up the findings and providing direction for the future, Dr Banker said,”Undoubtedly, there is greater acceptability for IVF treatments in India as compared to a decade ago. We also believe that newer technologies will aid in improving pregnancy rates going forward. Techniques like Fertility Preservation will see a big uptake and lead to a significant influx in women wanting to delay pregnancy till the age of 35 years. But, we also understand the changing dynamics of today’s world. There is awareness and acceptability; yet, people may not seek treatments. Indian women should not delay child bearing as their ovaries age faster as compared to Caucasian women. Couples must understand - time is of utmost importance; a delay may cost them the pleasure of a happy family.”