Shark Tank judge Namita Thapar struggled with IVF; know how it works

(Image source (L-R): Instagram/namitathapar and Canva)

Namita Thapar is the head and executive director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals and a popular judge on the business reality show Shark Tank India. During the recent episode of the show's second season, the mom of two opened up about the time when she struggled with two failed in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures, while trying to conceive for the second time.

She said, “In my case when I was 28-years-old, I wanted to get pregnant and in two months I conceived and had a normal pregnancy. After that for three to four years I tried and I couldn’t conceive."

Thapar continued, "Even the taboo things that keep your legs up, crossing your legs and I already have kids but imagine the parents who don’t have kids. After two attempts I gave up and said that I am happy with one child. But then a miracle happened and I conceived naturally."

She shared, "Apparently, the memory stayed with me and for 10 years I couldn’t talk about it publicly, even on my YouTube channel I couldn’t as it was taboo to speak, a scar but six months back I spoke about infertility with the doctor and stayed up all night thinking if I could go public about this."

Thapar opened up after aspiring entrepreneurs Chandan Prasad, Vikram Rajput, and Sohan Sahu pitched their home kit for IUI (Intrauterine insemination) -- a type of artificial insemination.

The IVF procedure involves collection (retrieval) of mature eggs from ovaries, which are then fertilized by sperm in a lab. After that, the fertilized egg (embryo) or eggs (embryos) are transferred to a uterus. One full cycle of IVF usually takes about three weeks.

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According to the Mayo Clinic, IVF may be an option if you or your partner has fallopian tube damage or blockage, ovulation disorders, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, previous tubal sterilization or removal, impaired sperm production or function, unexplained infertility, a genetic disorder, and fertility preservation for cancer or other health conditions. Discuss with your doctor to determine whether IVF or any other fertility option works best for you and your partner.

Potential risks of IVF include multiple births, premature delivery and low birth weight., ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, miscarriage, egg-retrieval procedure complications, ectopic pregnancy, and birth defects.

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