With no time for sex, Mumbai couples opt for artificial insemination

Veena Shah (name changed), 29, works as a data processor in a private firm, while her husband, Hiren (name changed), 31, is a bank executive.

Though the couple is doing well professionally, work has taken a toll on their sexual and family life. There is little or no time for physical intimacy.

Hiren works during the day, while Veena is mostly on night shifts.

As a result, they meet only weekends or on holidays when household work and other obligations take up most of their time.

Infrequent or lack of sex has meant that Veena could not conceive naturally. The Shahs then sought medical help.

After undergoing several tests, it came to light that the couple had no medical problem. What ailed the couple was that they were not having enough sex, especially on days that are ideal for conceiving.

With little hope that their professional lives would change, the Shahs opted for intrauterine insemination (IUI). Veena is now pregnant.

The Shahs are among an increasing number of ‘weekend couples’ in the city whose stressful or travel-oriented jobs makes it difficult for them to conceive.

City gynaecologists have coined the term ‘weekend couples’ for life partners aged 30-35 who cannot have sex frequently to start a family. As a result, many opt for IUI.

“Their numbers are increasing. We have seen 25-30 such cases in the past year. They have no medical problems, but they miss the fertile period because of their lifestyle and chaotic working hours. They just don’t have enough time for sex,” said Dr Anjali Malpani of the Malpani infertility clinic in Colaba.    

“This is a common phenomenon. We get three-four such cases every month. Due to the competitive environment today, couples concentrate on their career and keep plans for a child on hold,” Dr Nandita Palshetkar, IVF expert at Lilavati hospital in Bandra, told DNA.    

According to Dr Amit Patki of Regenesis, infertility clinic in Worli, the days when only infertile couple approached In vitro fertility (IVF) experts for conceiving a child are gone. “Couples, who are otherwise medically normal, are not able to conceive naturally even after being together for five to six years because of their busy working life. These couples are now choosing the IUI option which gives them great hope. The procedure has given good results. We treat at least 40 weekend couples in a year,” said Patki.