‘‘DON'T PERFORM IVF DURING THE PANDEMIC''

Noted gynecologist Dr Firuza Parikh talks to Nikshubha Garg about the Covid-19 crisis, and its impact on in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatments

- Nikshubha

Dr Firuza Parikh, director of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre in Mumbai (the youngest person in the history of the hospital to hold the title when she was appointed in her 30s), set up the first IVF centre at Jaslok Hospital in 1989. In her three-decade-long career, she has helped hundreds of couples battling infertility, owing to her expertise in vitro fertilization (IVF). The doctor is also the author of The Complete Guide To Becoming Pregnant. In a chat, she talks about the ongoing crisis, ways to tackle this time, safety of IVF currently, and her fulfilling career.

In the middle of the ongoing crisis, what’s the most common question that you get asked?

Being a fertility specialist, the most common question my pregnant patients ask me is what precautions they should follow. I tell them to practice social distancing, wash their hands when needed, and refrain from touching their faces. My new patients want to know how soon they can start their treatment. I advise them to wait until I myself know for sure.

Panic is a big issue during this time. How can one keep that in check?

When information is adulterated with misinformation, it is bound to cause panic. One way to manage it is to follow only official websites of the government, the Indian Council Of Medical Research (ICMR), WHO, and other municipal bodies. Another important way to avoid panic is to share your fears with your family. Have meals together and thank God for life itself. Exercise, meditation, and yoga also help.