Think IVF means twins and endless injections? Anushka Ranjan busts 5 myths you’ve probably heard

For something that has helped countless people become parents, IVF still carries an unusual amount of secrecy and confusion. Is it really as painful as people imagine? Does it always mean twins? And how much does age actually matter?

On All About Her podcast, Soha Ali Khan spoke to actor-producer Anushka Ranjan and reproductive medicine specialist Dr Nandita Palshetkar about the realities of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and some of the myths that continue to surround it.

Myth #1: “IVF is a guaranteed ticket to twin town”

Almost everyone hears the letters "I-V-F" and immediately envisions a double stroller. Anushka shared that even her own mother would constantly say, "Do IVF and have twins," leaving Anushka to wonder why everyone assumed she couldn’t conceive naturally or why twins were a given.

The reality: According to Dr Nandita Palshetkar, this is a massive misunderstanding. "95% of IVF results are single babies," she clarifies.

Even when doctors transfer two embryos, only about 5% of patients land up with twins. In modern reproductive medicine, the goal is always a single, healthy baby.

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In Anushka's case, she is expecting twins (making her happily "two and done!"), but she is quick to note that carrying twins automatically turns the pregnancy into a "high-risk" journey that requires a lot more caution, steroid shots, and early planning.

Myth #2: "If you can’t conceive, it’s the woman’s fault "

We are living in 2026, yet society still gives women going through fertility struggles "that look"… the heavy-handed sympathy, the whispers of “beta, naturally nahi hua?” as if her body somehow failed a fundamental test.

The reality: It takes two to tango, and the science is completely clear: "Male factors contribute to 50% of infertility," says Dr. Nandita. Historically, women shouldered 100% of the blame because semen analysis wasn't even standard medical practice until the WHO documented it in the 1950s.

Anushka highlighted how crucial it is to have a secure, supportive partner. Her husband, Aditya Seal, didn't hesitate for a second: "At no point was he like, 'you figure it out.' He went to the clinic, did his sample test, and got everything done".

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Dr. Nandita agrees, urging couples to seek premarital or preconception counseling together, making fertility a shared, secure team effort rather than a finger-pointing exercise.

Myth #3: "you have to suffer through 150 painful injections"

The fear of needles keeps many women from even exploring fertility treatments. The internet is full of horror stories about endless daily injections and severe bruising.

The reality: While Anushka joked about feeling like she took "150 injections," the scientific truth is much gentler. "Now we have injection-free systems and needle-free systems," Dr. Nandita reveals.

For women who are genuinely terrified or allergic to needles, doctors can use oral medications instead. While injectables are often preferred because they ensure optimal hormone absorption, modern technology is rapidly reducing the discomfort. Anushka admits that looking back, the injections are easily forgotten: "The injections, honestly, I've forgotten... it’s the exhaustion and how your brain actually stops functioning (pregnancy brain) that is the real challenge".

Myth #4: "I'm young and fit, so I can wait forever to have kids"

Many women believe that as long as they eat clean, work out, and feel healthy, their biological clock is paused. Anushka admitted she fell into this trap initially, thinking, "I’m young, I’m healthy, I’ve been working out since I’m 18... I have great Haryanvi-Punjabi genes, what can go wrong?"

The reality: Your ovaries do not care about your gym routine. Dr. Nandita dropped a startling statistic for young Indian women: Indian women experience early ovarian aging about 7 years earlier than their Caucasian counterparts .

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"Just a couple of weeks ago, I froze the eggs of a 25-year-old unmarried girl because her ovarian reserve was like a 45-year-old ovary," Dr. Nandita warns.

The medical guidelines for trying naturally before seeing a doctor are precise:

• Under 35: Try naturally for one year.
• Ages 35 to 40: Try naturally for no more than six months.
• Over 40: Investigate and start treatment immediately because egg quality deteriorates steeply.

This is why egg freezing has become such a game-changer. It isn't just a medical backup; it’s an insurance policy that gives women "freedom, courage, and choice" to build their careers without constant biological anxiety.

Myth #5: "A failed cycle means my body failed (Cue the guilt)"

When a natural cycle or an IVF cycle doesn't result in pregnancy, women almost instantly turn the blame inward. Anushka admitted that when they first faced "unexplained infertility" (where both partners' tests are medically perfect, yet nothing happens), she blamed her past lifestyle: "I started feeling maybe it was my lifestyle... I used to go out a lot, up till late nights, I've had alcohol in my life".

The reality: Dr. Nandita’s golden rule should be pasted on every fertility clinic wall: "When a cycle fails, it is a failure of an attempt of IVF, it is not the girl's failure".

Pregnancy rates are cumulative. For "good prognosis" patients (younger, good ovarian reserve, clean uterus), 90% take home a baby within four attempts. For older patients or those with severe male factor issues, 60% take home a child within six attempts. Persistence and "transparent hope" are key; failures are simply feedback, not a final verdict.

Also Read: Why your body feels different in your 30s? Here's what every woman should know 

The conversation around IVF does not have to be built on fear, guilt or whispered advice. Fertility journeys can look very different from one person to another, and understanding the science can help take some of the unnecessary anxiety out of the process. As Dr Nandita Palshetkar and Anushka Ranjan’s conversation makes clear, seeking help with fertility is not a sign that something has gone wrong with a woman’s body. It is simply one of the options available to people trying to build a family.

Anushka Ranjan and actor Aditya Seal tied the knot in 2021, and the couple announced their pregnancy earlier this year. On August 23, 2026, they welcomed twin daughters, Vira Ranjan Seal and Mahi Ranjan Seal.

(Disclaimer: This article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.)