Anushka Ranjan on IVF journey: 'Initially we were trying naturally'
Synopsis
Anushka Ranjan's candid account of her IVF journey — from natural attempts to IUI to IVF, and the emotional shame she felt along the way — is one of the most honest conversations a Bollywood actress has had about fertility. The couple's openness about considering adoption makes it even more significant.
Key Takeaways
Anushka Ranjan and Aditya Seal welcomed twin baby girls, Vira and her sister, on 23 August .
The couple first tried to conceive naturally, then underwent IUI before opting for IVF .
Anushka described intense emotional distress, including self-blame and shame about discussing fertility struggles openly.
Aditya Seal revealed he had decided internally that if IVF failed, he would not put Anushka through the process again.
The couple had kept adoption as an option, saying they would still want to give a child a loving home if biological parenthood was not possible.
Actress Anushka Ranjan has opened up about the physical and emotional toll of undergoing IVF, revealing that she and her husband, actor Aditya Seal, had first attempted to conceive naturally before progressing through fertility treatments. The couple, who welcomed twin baby girls named Vira and her sister on 23 August, shared their story on Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi's show Double Date, in an episode recorded before the twins arrived.
From Natural Conception to IUI to IVF
Anushka recalled that doctors initially advised the couple to try conceiving naturally for six months to a year. When that did not yield results, they were guided toward IUI (intrauterine insemination), a less intensive procedure than IVF. 'Initially we were trying naturally; we reached a point where we thought we were ready. Doctors advised us to try to conceive for six months or one year. Then there is a process which is called IUI, which is the milder version of IVF,' she said.
Even IUI came with its own demands. 'It also requires a lot of medication, but injections kam lene padte the, 3 or 4 injections, but dawaiyan bahut leni padti thi. So wo dawaiyan were also making me feel lost,' Anushka added. The couple eventually opted for IVF, citing higher chances of conception compared to IUI.
The Emotional Weight of Fertility Treatment
Beyond the medical procedures, Anushka spoke candidly about the psychological strain. She described a creeping sense of self-doubt and shame that accompanied the process. 'You start feeling that meri body mein kuch kami hai, kuch toh galat hai. As a girl, I should not have drank or eaten meat,' she said.
The stigma around openly discussing fertility struggles added another layer of difficulty. 'Phir sharam bhi aane lagi ki kaise kisi ko bolein ki we are trying to have a kid. It is easy to say trying, but it is such a tough feeling for some women. You feel like you are getting judged,' she said. Her account reflects a broader, rarely discussed reality for many Indian women navigating infertility.
Aditya Seal on Witnessing the Process
Aditya also spoke about what he observed as Anushka went through treatment. Watching the physical pain and emotional exhaustion she endured, he revealed that he had privately decided that if the IVF attempt failed, they would not put her through the process again.
Adoption Was Always on the Table
The couple disclosed that they had kept adoption as a live option throughout their journey. They said that if biological parenthood had not been possible, they would still have wanted to give a child a loving and fulfilling home. The candid disclosure underscores that their commitment to parenthood was never contingent solely on biology.
With their twin daughters now home, Anushka and Aditya's decision to speak publicly about IVF is being seen as a meaningful step toward normalising conversations around fertility in India.
Point of View
And the shame she describes — self-blame over diet and lifestyle, embarrassment at admitting they were trying — is widely felt but rarely voiced by public figures. The mention of adoption as a genuine option, not a fallback, is also worth noting: it challenges the narrative that biological parenthood is the only acceptable outcome. Whether this prompts a broader conversation about IVF access and emotional support in India remains to be seen, but the candour here is uncommon.
NationPress
3 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Anushka Ranjan reveal about her IVF journey?
Anushka Ranjan revealed that she and husband Aditya Seal initially tried to conceive naturally before being advised to try IUI and eventually IVF. She spoke about the physical demands of medication and injections, as well as the emotional toll including self-doubt and social stigma.
When did Anushka Ranjan and Aditya Seal welcome their twins?
The couple welcomed twin baby girls, named Vira and her sister, on 23 August. The Double Date episode in which they discussed their IVF journey was recorded before the twins were born.
What is IUI and how does it differ from IVF?
IUI (intrauterine insemination) is a less intensive fertility procedure than IVF. Anushka described it as requiring fewer injections than IVF but still involving significant medication. The couple moved to IVF because it offered higher chances of conception.
Did Anushka Ranjan and Aditya Seal consider adoption?
Yes. The couple revealed that adoption was always on the table. They said that if biological parenthood had not been possible, they would still have wanted to give a child a loving and fulfilling home.
What emotional challenges did Anushka Ranjan describe during IVF?
Anushka said she began feeling that something was wrong with her body and blamed herself for lifestyle choices. She also described growing embarrassment about openly discussing their fertility journey, saying many women feel judged when they admit they are trying to conceive.
