SOCIAL EGG FREEZING IN INDIA: AN UNCONVENTIONAL CONDUIT TO CONVENTIONAL MOTHERHOOD

Asha Sharma* and Akanksha Verma

ABSTRACT

Rapid encroachment in the field of prognosis and preserving technologies under the ambit of reproductive medical world has made this flexibility of reproductive choice a reality. Socio-demographic changes in modern society have led to an amplified number of women who conceive in older age than earlier. “Social egg freezing” is the term used when eggs or ovarian tissue are frozen for non-medical purpose and used afterward in life perspectives of patients and providers. Highlighting the decision to undergo this process is complex and individual patient ideals play a significant role. Social egg freezing by single women had increased by 25% in India in past years. However, little research data is available about social egg freezing and ART in our country. Social egg freezing preferred during the pandemic in India also like US, UK, and Australia for many of the reasons although for many Indian women, egg freezing is also a response to the family and societal pressure to marry and have children, in a country where unmarried mothers are still a taboo. So future research on usage rate, live birth rate, pregnancy outcomes and long-term follow-up of children conceived using frozen-thawed oocytes is necessary.

Keywords: Social egg freezing, IVF, Infertility, Age, women health, life style, motherhood.