In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) may be synonymous with hope for childless couples. But doctors say the expensive and complicated treatment should not be the first step
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) may be synonymous with hope for childless couples. But doctors say the expensive and complicated treatment should not be the first step
Thirty-three-year old Sujata (name changed to protect her identity) from Jamnagar, Gujarat, came to Delhi hoping for a child.
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But she was scared as back home she had gone through eight cycles of In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment without proper medical examinations. 
The fertility clinic there had failed to diagnose her tuberculosis (TB). As a result, the twin foetuses she had conceived were aborted. Even after spending about Rs 8 lakh she couldn't succeed.
But Sujata is not alone. Doctors say that in their haste to hike bills, many infertility clinics across the country prescribe IVF treatment to childless couples. They say there are other simpler and equally effective techniques as well.
"Sujata visited a gynec in Jamnagar and she was advised to go for an IVF treatment. The doctor made her undergo a number of IVF cycles at the risk of her life.u00a0
The fertility clinic had failed to diagnose her tuberculosis (TB). As a result, the twin foetuses she had conceived were aborted," said Dr Nikita Trehan, gynecologist, Trinity Superspeciality Care, Greater Kailash, who is treating Sujata in Delhi.
She said, "Many clinics advise patients to choose IVF even without proper tests. All this because they want to make an extra buck."
Sujata came to Delhi in April this year for cure. Her life went upside down after a series of tests revealed that she was suffering from tuberculosis.
Her reports said because of the disease, there was an infection in her uterus that made it difficult for her to conceive.
Sujata is undergoing treatment for TB at Trinity Superspeciality Care, Greater Kailash. Here, the doctors have given her a hope as they are quite positive that she will conceive again.
With laparoscopic surgery the uterus infection has been fully cured. According to doctors, after four months she will be again given the IVF treatment cycle.
Last option
According to doctors, IVF treatment which offers a comprehensive range of infertility services under one roof should be used as the last option. But this does not happen.
Dr Nikita said, "Many times the doctors put the patients to IVF without proper medical examinations. Out of 300 cases of infertility, only three cases will actually require an IVF, rest could be cured with other fertility enhancement procedures.
Besides, proper procedure needs to be followed in the treatment which starts with medical examinations, hystro labs, laparoscopy and the last stage is IVF."
Dr Hrishikesh Pai, a Mumbai-based gynecologist, said, "I handle 50 IVF cases per month in Mumbai and in about 25-30 cases per month from Delhi. Many couples insist to get an IVF done. They think it's easy."
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