
In a world where family-building is profoundly personal and complex, advances in fertility treatments like IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) offer hope to millions. Yesterday’s much-anticipated podcast between Karishma Mehta, founder of Humans of Bombay, and Dr Manika Khanna, founder and director of Gaudium IVF, struck a chord with listeners across India. The conversation shed light on the science, myths, and emotional journeys surrounding fertility treatments and family-building options.
Dr Khanna, who has helped bring over 25,000 babies into the world, shared her wealth of experience with Karishma, providing insight into IVF, surrogacy, egg freezing, and more. This blog will summarise the key points of the podcast, unpacking the topics discussed for those who seek to understand and demystify the world of reproductive medicine.
Breaking the Stigma: Infertility and Its Causes
Infertility is often misunderstood, and as Dr. Khanna pointed out, it’s not a problem that solely affects women. In fact, 40% of infertility cases are attributed to men, another 40% to women, and the remaining 20% stem from issues faced by both partners. Dr Khanna was clear: infertility doesn’t discriminate by gender or geography, and rising infertility rates are a global phenomenon.
One of the most eye-opening moments in the podcast came when Dr Khanna shared the staggering rise in infertility over the past two decades. She illustrated how, during her medical training, an average sperm count was considered to be 60 million. By the time she started her practice, this definition had shifted to 20 million, underscoring the alarming rise in male infertility.
The causes of infertility in both men and women are multifactorial, ranging from lifestyle choices to biological factors. Smoking, preservatives in food, and disrupted biological clocks were some of the lifestyle contributors she mentioned, highlighting the issue’s complexity.
Understanding IVF: A Path to Parenthood
For couples struggling with infertility, IVF is often seen as a beacon of hope. Dr Khanna explained IVF simply: “It’s just creating a bypass.” In IVF, eggs are retrieved from the woman, fertilised with sperm in a lab, and then transferred back into the uterus.
One of the most crucial messages from Dr. Khanna was the importance of seeking treatment sooner rather than later. She emphasised that a woman’s egg reserves decline with age, with the best time to freeze eggs being in her 20s or early 30s. “By the time you’re 37, only 25,000 eggs are left, and at 40, you have a 5% chance of natural conception,” she explained. The sooner a woman opts for IVF or egg freezing, the better her chances of success.
Egg Freezing: Reproductive Freedom
Dr. Khanna passionately advocated for egg freezing, calling it “reproductive freedom.” This technology allows women to freeze their eggs at a younger age, preserving their fertility for the future. Egg freezing gives women the time to find the right partner, focus on their careers, or simply delay motherhood without the ticking clock of declining fertility hanging over them.
The process involves stimulating the ovaries, retrieving the eggs, and freezing them at -180°C. These frozen eggs remain viable for up to 10 years, allowing women to return when ready to become mothers.
IVF Myths: Addressing Common Misconceptions
Karishma asked Dr. Khanna to address some common myths surrounding IVF, and the discussion was illuminating. One central myth is that IVF is prohibitively expensive and only for the wealthy. Dr Khanna dispelled this by explaining that IVF is within reach for many middle-class families. The average cost for an IVF cycle in India is approximately ₹2.5 lakh, and egg freezing costs around ₹3 lakh, making it more affordable than most people assume.
Another myth is that IVF always results in multiple pregnancies. While it’s true that transferring more than one embryo increases the chance of twins or triplets, Dr Khanna emphasised that the goal of IVF is to have a single healthy baby. With advancements in technology, fertility specialists are now more adept at controlling the number of embryos implanted.
The Journey of Surrogacy: When IVF Isn’t Enough
Surrogacy was another key topic of the podcast, especially with India’s evolving laws around the practice. Dr Khanna clarified that surrogacy is a necessary option for women who cannot carry a pregnancy due to medical conditions like an underdeveloped uterus or recurrent pregnancy loss. Surrogacy offers these women the chance to have a biological child by using their eggs and their partner’s sperm, with the embryo being carried by a surrogate mother.
Dr Khanna also addressed the misconception that Bollywood celebrities opt for surrogacy simply to maintain their figures. “Many have real medical reasons, like recurrent miscarriages or failed IVF attempts,” she explained.

The Emotional Toll and the Need for Support
Perhaps one of the most poignant parts of the conversation was Dr Khanna’s acknowledgement of the emotional toll that infertility and fertility treatments take on individuals and couples. She has witnessed firsthand how the stress of failed IVF cycles can lead to depression, strained relationships, and even divorce. “Emotional handling of the patient is critical to the success of IVF,” she noted.
At Gaudium IVF, the team emphasises emotional support counselling patients who face the disappointment of failed cycles. Research shows that stress negatively impacts fertility treatment outcomes, which is why managing emotional well-being is just as important as the physical process.
What’s Next for Gaudium IVF?
Dr Khanna’s expertise and passion for innovation were evident throughout the podcast. She spoke about new advancements in the field of IVF, such as egg pooling and dual stimulation cycles, which aim to increase the success rate of treatments. Her philosophy is straightforward: never give up hope. For couples who have faced multiple failed IVF attempts, Dr Khanna believes there is always another method or approach that can be tried.
Her commitment to innovation and the care she shows for her patients are why Gaudium IVF has become a referral centre for complex cases. Its success rate is consistently high, even for those who have failed elsewhere.
Final Thoughts: Empowering Women Through Education and Technology
As the conversation drew to a close, Karishma Mehta thanked Dr. Khanna for her invaluable insights, calling her “God’s work” for the hope and happiness she brings to many families. Dr. Khanna’s message was clear: education and technology empower women to take control of their reproductive health.
For those considering IVF, egg freezing, or surrogacy, Dr Khanna’s final piece of advice was to seek help sooner rather than later and to keep faith in the process. “The sooner you seek fertility expert advice, the higher your chances of success.”
The podcast offered not just medical insights but also hope—hope for couples and individuals who may feel that their journey to parenthood is impossible. With the proper support and technology, a brighter future is within reach.