When actress Akansha Ranjan Kapoor decided to freeze her eggs at 32, she knew it wouldn’t be a walk in the park. But she didn’t expect to actually not be able to walk for several days.
In a candid revelation on Soha Ali Khan‘s podcast All About Her, the Guilty actress detailed a recovery that was far tougher than she anticipated. While egg freezing is often discussed as a practical insurance policy for future fertility, Akansha Ranjan’s story highlights the physical toll it can take on the body—specifically a condition that left her feeling like there was a balloon ready to burst inside her.
Here is what happened, why she decided to do it, and what women need to know about the risks of ovarian hyperstimulation.
Why Akansha Ranjan Decided to Freeze Her Eggs
Akansha Ranjan’s journey didn’t start with a fear of missing out on motherhood. It started with a blood test and watching friends struggle with unexplained infertility.
“I had lots of people around me who were getting pregnant. Everyone started doing tests, and they were like, ‘You should get your AMH done,'” she explained on the podcast .
The Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) test measures a woman’s egg count, also known as ovarian reserve. When Akansha got her results, she was shocked to find her levels were pretty low for her age.
“Also, a lot of people around me were having a tough time getting pregnant. Most of it was unexplained infertility. So both of them coupled together,” she said .
For her, freezing eggs wasn’t about panic. It was about logic. She calls it “insurance” for her future self. While she wishes she had done it in her mid-twenties when her eggs would have been healthier, she believes it is never truly too late to take control of your reproductive health.
The ‘Big Balloon’ Pain: Understanding OHSS
While the decision was easy, the recovery was brutal.
Akansha Ranjan described a physical reaction that goes beyond the usual bloating or cramps. “Physically, I was in a lot of pain, which I don’t think happens to everybody, but I was in a lot of pain. I couldn’t stand straight,” she recalled .
She described the sensation vividly: “It just felt like there was a big balloon inside me… I used to go to my sister’s house. I live in the B wing, and she lives in the A wing. So I would walk to her house for her to inject me, and for 2 or 3 days, I couldn’t even walk as I was in so much pain” .
What Akansha Ranjan experienced aligns with a medical condition known as Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) .
What is OHSS?
OHSS is an exaggerated response to the hormone injections used to stimulate the ovaries. Instead of growing just one egg, the medications cause the ovaries to swell and produce many eggs at once. In some cases, fluid leaks into the belly .
According to WebMD, up to 10% of women undergoing fertility treatments will develop some form of OHSS . While mild cases feel like bad PMS, moderate to severe cases—like the one Akansha Ranjan describes—can lead to significant pain, rapid weight gain (from fluid), and nausea.
Her doctor suggested her petite frame might have made the sensation worse: “Maybe because you’re just really small” .
The Reality of the Egg Freezing Process
For those considering the procedure, it is not simply a trip to the clinic. The egg freezing process usually spans about two weeks .
- Daily Injections: For roughly 10 to 12 days, women inject hormones to boost egg production.
- Monitoring: Frequent ultrasounds and blood tests track how the follicles are growing.
- The Retrieval: Once mature, the eggs are removed via a minor surgical procedure under sedation .
Akansha Ranjan previously shared on Women’s Day that it involved “fat needles,” mood swings, and IV drips . But the recovery was the hardest part.
“It’s not a period cramp. It’s not pain. It’s just a discomfort… like there’s just a big balloon in my stomach and it’ll burst any minute,” she said .
How to Manage Severe Bloating After Egg Freezing
If you are considering egg freezing, you don’t have to suffer in silence like Akansha Ranjan did. Doctors have several recommendations to manage or prevent OHSS.
1. Load Up on Electrolytes
Doctors usually advise against drinking plain water during recovery. Instead, stick to electrolyte-rich fluids (like sports drinks or coconut water) to help balance your system .
2. Eat Protein
A high-protein diet can help reduce the fluid shift that causes bloating. Think eggs, chicken, fish, or protein shakes .
3. Monitor Your Weight
Sudden weight gain is a key indicator of OHSS. Gaining more than 10 pounds in five days is a red flag to call your doctor immediately .
4. Avoid Strenuous Activity
This includes twisting exercises, running, or heavy lifting. The ovaries are enlarged and spongy; high-impact moves raise the risk of ovarian torsion (twisting of the ovary), which is a medical emergency .
A Positive Ending
Despite the pain, Akansha Ranjan says she has no regrets. Just days after her surgery, she was back to walking (slowly) around her building.
“Honestly, that felt like enough! Because this body just did something pretty amazing,” she wrote on social media .
Her message to other women is clear: be informed, be prepared, but don’t be scared. The female body, as she puts it, is “extraordinary.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is it normal to be in severe pain after egg freezing?
Not everyone experiences severe pain. Most women have mild bloating and cramping similar to a period. However, if you feel extreme pain, cannot stand straight, or experience rapid bloating (like Akansha’s “balloon” feeling), you may have OHSS and should contact your fertility clinic .
2. What is the AMH test, and why is it important?
AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) is a blood test that estimates the number of eggs you have left (your ovarian reserve). This is the test Akansha Ranjan took that helped her decide to freeze her eggs. It helps doctors predict how you might respond to fertility medications .
3. At what age should I consider freezing my eggs?
Fertility specialists generally suggest freezing eggs in your early to mid-30s. The younger you are, the healthier the eggs tend to be. Akansha Ranjan froze hers at 32 but stated, “I wish I had known all this before” and done it earlier .
4. How long does the egg freezing cycle take?
The entire process usually takes about three weeks. This includes two weeks of hormone injections and monitoring, followed by the egg retrieval surgery. The recovery from bloating can last a few days to a week .
5. Can a small frame make OHSS pain worse?
Potentially, yes. Akansha’s doctor suggested that because she is physically small, the swelling of her ovaries created more pressure against her abdominal wall, causing the intense “balloon” sensation and making it hard to stand up straight .
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is based on personal accounts and medical data. It does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified fertility specialist to discuss your specific health circumstances.
