Durga & Raghunath’s Story: Azoospermia & the Burden of Blame

“Everyone Assumed It Was My Fault”: Durga & Raghunath's True Story

When a couple does not have a child for years, people stop asking gently. They start assuming. And almost always, those assumptions fall on the woman.

Durga knew this feeling too well.

Five years into her marriage with Raghunath, the questions had become routine. From neighbours. From relatives. From people who meant well but did not realise how deeply their words hurt. Every festival, every family gathering came with the same unspoken judgement.

Why no child yet.

Durga and Raghunath did what most couples do. They went from doctor to doctor, hoping someone would finally give them an answer that made sense.

Years of Tests, No Real Answers

They were both in their late twenties when they came to Mumbai from Nashik, carrying a thick file of reports. Blood tests. Scans. Prescriptions. Treatments that never worked.

Durga had undergone repeated procedures, even though her reports were always normal. No one questioned this. That is how infertility often works in practice. The woman keeps getting tested, treated, and blamed, even when the problem lies elsewhere.

By the time they reached Malpani Infertility Clinic in the mid-1990s, they were exhausted. Not dramatic. Just tired. Raghunath quietly handed over the file. He did not say much. But the weight of those papers said enough.

Instead of adding more tests immediately, the first step was simpler. The reports were reviewed carefully. The couple was asked real questions about their history and what they had been told. For the first time, they felt someone was actually trying to understand the whole picture.

A Diagnosis, Finally Explained Clearly

The tests showed something that had never been explained properly to them before.

Raghunath had azoospermia .

In simple words, this means there are no sperm in the semen. This can happen for different reasons. Sometimes the body does not produce sperm. Sometimes sperm are produced but cannot come out due to a blockage.

Dr. Malpani explained this slowly, in plain language, making sure both Durga and Raghunath understood. There was no blame. Durga remembers one sentence clearly:

“There is nothing wrong with you.”

For the first time in years, someone said it out loud.

The options were discussed honestly: Adoption or using donor sperm . With donor sperm, Durga would still carry the pregnancy herself; the baby would grow in her womb. There was no pressure to decide immediately. They were encouraged to take time to talk and think.

Hope, Fear, and a Thoughtful Pause

They returned to Nashik with a plan forming in their minds, but also with heavy hearts.

Infertility does not end when you get a diagnosis. Sometimes, it becomes harder. You are forced to choose between options you never imagined you would have to consider.

Durga started preparing herself mentally for donor insemination. This involves:

• Helping the ovaries grow eggs using medicines.
• Tracking egg growth with scans.
• Placing donor sperm inside the uterus at the right time.

Everything had been explained earlier, step-by-step. That clarity mattered. Even though the decision was difficult, they felt informed, not confused.

Then life took an unexpected turn.

An Impossible Pregnancy

Six months later, Durga missed her period. At first, she dismissed it as stress or hormones. But something felt different.

When she called the clinic, the response was careful and responsible. Given Raghunath’s condition, a natural pregnancy was considered medically impossible. Still, an ultrasound was advised—not because anyone expected a miracle, but because assumptions should always be checked.

The scan showed that Durga was already two months pregnant. The room went quiet. There was no excitement. No celebration. Only silence and disbelief.

A Truth Spoken Without Fear

Later, in a private conversation, Durga shared something she had never told anyone before.

In her desperation, she had gone to a local baba in Nashik—a man who claimed he could bless women with children. She believed him because she wanted to believe something. Anything.

There was no scolding. No moral lecture. What mattered was understanding why she had gone there: years of silence, blame, and feeling broken. This was not blind faith; it was vulnerability.

Choosing Compassion Over Confrontation

Raghunath already knew.

He had chosen not to question it. He simply said something that stayed with everyone who heard it:

“Is it not better to accept this child and move on with life?”

He understood the medical facts, but he also understood his wife’s pain. He chose peace over proof. At this point, the role of the clinic was not to interfere, but to ensure that Durga’s pregnancy was medically safe and that the couple fully understood the situation they were choosing.

Guidance did not stop just because treatment plans changed.

Not Every Journey Has a Perfect Ending

Durga continued her pregnancy. She did not face it with guilt. She faced it with relief. Relief that the long silence had ended. Relief that the questions would finally stop.

This was not the path anyone planned. But it was the path they chose to walk together.

Some fertility stories end with technology. Some end with treatment success. And some end with deeply human choices that medicine alone cannot solve.

What This Story Teaches Us

Durga and Raghunath’s journey reveals uncomfortable truths:

• Infertility often becomes a woman’s burden, even when the issue lies with the man.
• Lack of clear medical guidance pushes people toward unscientific solutions.
• Faith, mixed with desperation, can cloud judgement.

At Malpani Infertility Clinic, the focus has always been on helping patients understand reality clearly, so they can make decisions that are right for them, even when those decisions are emotionally complex.

Today, Medicine Offers More Options

Medical science has advanced significantly since the 1990s. Today, even men with azoospermia may have options. In some cases, sperm can be directly retrieved from the testis using a small surgical procedure (TESA/TESE). These sperm can then be used with a method where a single sperm is placed into an egg in the lab. This is called ICSI.

Such options were not available to Durga and Raghunath then. That is why early diagnosis and honest counselling matter so much.

A Gentle Note to Readers

If you are struggling with infertility, Durga’s story is meant to remind you that you deserve clarity before making life-changing decisions.

• You deserve doctors who explain.
• Who listen.
• Who respect your pace.

Sometimes, one honest conversation can change the direction of an entire journey.

If you feel unsure about your diagnosis or the advice you have received so far, consulting a fertility specialist like Dr Malpani can help you understand your situation better and explore options that truly fit your life.

Infertility is not just a medical condition. It is an emotional journey. And you should never have to walk it without guidance.