Amid speculations of divorce from actor Jay Bhanushali, actor Mahhi Vij recently opened up about choosing IVF or in vitro fertilisation to give birth to her daughter Tara after trying natural conception. “I was very okay about going for an IVF. I was trying and I realised that it is not happening. Being husband and wife, we were not using protection. Yet, I was not getting pregnant. I am pretty active and now I want to get pregnant. I was open about it,” recalled Vij.She added how she was advised not to speak about IVF publicly. “When I was doing IVF, I was told don’t tell you are doing IVF. People will think that you can’t have a baby. Bolo natural hua hai…(Say, it’s natural). There is no need to say it. I was like, but why not? I, being a celebrity, and being open about it, it’s not that we can’t have a child….it’s just that it was not working….it’s our child…we made an embryo and that is coming inside me. It’s our baby. It’s not like it’s someone else’s baby or someone else’s sperm (sic),” Vij told Hauterrfly.The 43-year-old shed light on the stigma associated with IVF. “IVF matlab aurat me hi koi problem hua hai … (there is some problem with the woman which is why she is not able to conceive)…but that’s okay, how people think. If I start worrying about what four people think…these won’t even show up on your last journey…I didn’t feel anything at that point in time…main badshah hun dil ki…(I have a strong heart)…Whatever I deem right, I will do. If you want to judge me, you do…you have a lot of time on your hands…”She continued, “I know myself the best…me, my god, my parents, and now my child. I have a very good friend circle. Apart from them, I don’t want to know what you think about me. Because if you are talking about me, you are also talking about others. That is your job. I don’t want to clarify myself to you.” The IVF process comes with the emotional burden of high expectations. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)Taking a cue from her firm words, we decided to ask a counsellor to explain why women should feel no shame in choosing fertility treatments to start a family.Diana Divya Crasta, chief psychological counsellor, Nova IVF Fertility, said IVF can be a life-changing option for couples facing fertility challenges, giving them hope where natural conception might not be possible. “However, societal pressure often makes people feel ashamed to admit they’ve used fertility treatments. The truth is, infertility is a medical condition and not a personal failure. Just like taking insulin for diabetes or wearing glasses for poor vision, seeking help for fertility is completely valid and nothing to feel embarrassed, frustrated, or shameful about,” said Crasta.She emphasised that IVF doesn’t make pregnancy less natural or a parent less deserving. “It reflects strength, patience, and even a desire to start a family. By speaking openly, we can break the stigma and encourage others to seek support without guilt or fear,” Crasta said.Story continues below this adAlso Read | When Shefali Jariwala opened up about anxiety issues, epilepsy, and participating in Bigg Boss 13: ’Parag used to remind me…relax!’Parenthood is about love, care, and commitment, and not how the journey begins. “There should be no shame in choosing IVF. It’s a brave, informed step toward creating the life you’ve dreamed of. There should be no hesitation in also accepting that the baby was born through a fertility treatment like IVF. Now, the mindset of people is changing, and acceptance is better among couples and the society around them. Fertility treatments can help couples who wish to embrace parenthood after being diagnosed with fertility problems,” Crasta said.📣 For more lifestyle news, click here to join our WhatsApp Channel and also follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd