Stress laid on early family planning

Lucknow: Fertility is no longer a topic to be discussed in silence, and with evolving life priorities, career demands, and lifestyle factors, more couples are facing challenges in conceiving, IVF specialist Dr Geeta Khanna said."The ideal age for conception remains 22-30 years, while fertility declines after 35. However, with timely medical care, successful pregnancies are achievable," said Dr Khanna during a ‘Test Tube Baby Meet' organized by Ajanta Hospital & IVF Centre at a city hotel on Sunday.In a heartwarming celebration of hope, resilience, and medical advancement, over a hundred children born through IVF at the hospital reunited to meet their ‘Doctor Mom' Dr Geeta Khanna.The event not only celebrated successful journeys to parenthood but also served as a powerful platform to raise awareness about the rising challenge of infertility in modern society.The gathering was filled with emotional moments as families shared their inspiring stories — from years of struggle and uncertainty to the joy of holding their child.Many of these IVF children, now excelling in academics, technology, and other fields, stood as a testament to the success of assisted reproductive technology and reinforced the message that they are healthy, normal, and thriving individuals.Dr Khanna highlighted the growing concern that infertility is steadily increasing due to changing lifestyles and delayed parenthood."Infertility is rising due to delayed childbearing, stress, unhealthy lifestyle, obesity, and conditions like PCOS and thyroid disorders affecting women, along with declining sperm quality in men," she said.Experts emphasized the importance of early evaluation of both partners, including basic hormonal tests and semen analysis, along with simple lifestyle changes like healthy diet, exercise, weight management, and avoiding smoking and alcohol.The event concluded with a strong message of awareness and hope that infertility is treatable, and timely action makes all the difference. Experts said that where science meets compassion, families are born — and dreams come true.