Watch: Vasudha Rai Maps The Unspoken Truth Behind IVF & Women's Healthcare

The journey of undergoing assisted reproductive techniques is one filled with patience and hope, however, behind the scenes lies a complex web of emotions that many do not anticipate. The process of getting IVF (in vitro fertilisation) is described as physically challenging but the mental burden that it comes with is less acknowledged. That is why women around the world are now speaking about the good, bad, and ugly side of their IVF journies, hoping to bring some change in the narrative of women's healthcare and wellness.

One such outspoken advocate is Vasudha Rai, a wellness expert and author, who candidly opened up about her journey through IVF on The Rule Breaker Show. Speaking to Shaili Chopra, founder of SheThePeople and Gytree, Rai shared the profound impact the treatment had on her emotional health.

Vasudha Rai: The Rulebreaker Show

Vasudha Rai realised the systemic gaps in the women's healthcare system from a young age when her issues were either dismissed by medical professionals or misdiagnosed. She was about 27 years old when she was diagnosed with grade 4 rectovaginal endometriosis.

"It was the worst kind of journey after that," Rai expressed, as she recalled the painful experience of undergoing numerous surgeries. "My first surgery was completely botched. I was bleeding for two months, I got a urinal tract infection after the surgery... It was a real mess," she shared.

Rai then started IVF, which was another challenging journey. "It was really bloody depressing!" she expressed. "Everybody says IVF is very painful. I didn't find it physically painful but mentally exhausting." She underscored the importance of mental health support during those demanding times.

Rai also detailed why patients are entitled to choose the right kind of doctor for their necessities. She recounted her unpleasant experience with her first doctor, whose approach to IVF did not match the compassionate care and emotional support that Rai was expecting from her doctor.

"All I wanted was a doctor chill and normal. I wanted to go there and read my trashy novel and pretend this was not happening at all. That's the way I cope. Everybody has their own coping mechanisms... So turning the treatment into this big, transformative thing made it a big deal in my head. So I had to change my doctor," Rai shared.

Rai detailed the physically taxing treatments she underwent, which caused drastic changes in her body and mind. She underwent five unsuccessful IVF sessions with different healthcare providers until she accepted, "When things are not supposed to happen they just don't happen."

For Rai, skincare and internal wellness were a pivotal part of coping with the experience. She endured several health complications and challenging encounters with medical professionals, which fueled her passion for becoming a vocal advocate for holistic and empathetic women's healthcare.

Her vocal acknowledgement of the psychological struggles associated with IVF has been instrumental in reshaping the conversation around women's reproductive wellness. Her story highlights the need for recognising mental health concerns and a personalised approach to treatment.