Humans Of Bombay CEO Karishma Mehta On Freezing Eggs At 32: ‘I Wanted Insurance’
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“I may or may not want kids, but I wanted insurance,” CEO Karishma Mehta said.
Karishma Mehta spoke about the societal pressure women face. {Photo Credit: Instagram)
Karishma explained that she was unsure if she wanted children in the future. However, she wanted the option without the pressure of a ticking biological clock. “I may or may not want kids, but I wanted insurance,” she said. “It is a hard process—2–3 weeks of hormones and injections—but this weight is kind of taken off my shoulders because I no longer have to worry that I will be 35 and might not be able to conceive.”
Mehta also spoke about the societal pressure women face regarding motherhood. In a LinkedIn post, she wrote, “How often do we, as women, find ourselves being asked about our biological clock ticking? The pressure is real, and for years, I let that societal expectation weigh on me. But then, I made a decision that felt right for me: I chose to freeze my eggs, a step towards taking control of my own future, without the looming rush of time.”
She credited Shefali Shah for encouraging her to speak openly about her experience. According to Mehta, Shefali Shah told her, “Just talk about it as much as you can because the more we speak, the more we empower others to take control of their choices too.”
The podcast also covered other topics, including Shefali Shah’s career, her role in Dil Dhadakne Do, the impact of OTT platforms, love and marriage, paparazzi culture, pay parity in Bollywood and changing perceptions of Indian women.
Mehta had previously spoken about her decision in another interview. She explained that egg freezing provides a safety net, especially for unmarried women. “There’s always a looming cloud of a ticking biological clock. It’s great if a married couple can plan for kids, but especially when you’re unmarried, the timelines are not really in your control,” she said.
She added that science backs this choice. “It’s a fact that after age 35, your egg count drops. Your chances of conceiving naturally are far less than in your early thirties. So egg freezing is just that insurance policy for whenever one may choose to have children.”
Her decision has sparked discussions about women taking control of their reproductive choices and breaking societal norms. Many have praised her for opening up about a topic often considered taboo.
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Delhi, India, India