At week 34 of the pregnancy, we felt pretty confident. We had gathered most of the essentials for our baby, including the nursery furniture and decorations, and we thought there was still plenty of time to put everything together. However, things didn’t go as planned. I ended up delivering at week 37—three weeks earlier than scheduled. With only two days left to prepare, our schedule was thrown off, and S had to rush to get the nursery ready before our little one came home.
One of the first things we had done earlier was painting the room. S got started quite early, before week 34. He didn’t just give it a quick coat of paint—he filled every tiny nail hole, repaired cracks, sanded everything smooth, and then carefully painted the walls, trims, and baseboards. It was a lot of work, but the results were beautiful, giving the room a fresh, clean feel. And he didn’t stop at just the nursery; he decided to paint the whole house. This wasn’t part of our original plan and ended up taking much more time, which delayed the assembly and decoration of the nursery.
During that time, I worked on the curtains I ordered online. Cost only around $15 for 2 pieces, I could tell they were thin and flimsy, but I chose them for their bold, playful prints. To improve them, I added a blackout layer, which not only blocked the sunlight but also added more weight and since it’s longer than the curtains, it helped extend their length. This method saved me a lot of time since I didn’t have to buy extra curtains, cut them & sew extra pieces onto the bottom. A simple fix ended up as a design feature, and I was happy with how the curtains turned out.
It’s interesting that at first, I loved how vibrant they looked, but as the rest of the room came together, I realized I was instinctively moving toward a calmer, softer vibe. The curtains feel a little too sharp compared to the rest of the room, but it’s an easy fix. I can add a sheer layer to soften them or use some “bridge colors” to help the bold tones flow more smoothly with the softer ones. Or maybe all I need is just a little time to get used to this new color mix.
Since the main color of the room is creamy white, (…) , with late blue as a secondary color and sunny yellow and bright red as accent tones, we chose a rug that picks up some of these colors and features an abstract pattern, reminding me of clouds, or moonlight on the water. At first, I hesitates a little bit to get the rug because I was afraid its pattern might clash with the curtains’. But it looks so cool that I decided to go for it, especially with S’s encouragement. I especially love the rug’s round shape, which softens the boxy corners of the room and furniture.
One of my favorite purchases was a bookshelf lamp. Instead of a traditional bookshelf, I wanted something space-saving functional, which I found in that lamp. I’m usually a bit nervous buying furniture that’s less than my price range for something like this because it can look worse than in the photos. I didn’t expect it to feel fancy or luxurious, just that it wouldn’t look cheap. Happy to say I’m not disappointed. I got it for $50 after a “50% off” discount. Anyway, the discount is a joke. You can find the same lamp on Amazon for the same price without any discount. I got mine on Wayfair, fyi.
Currently, it serves several purposes: Lighting, storing books, and decoration. However, once M starts crawling and walking, I’ll probably have to move it elsewhere since the sharp corners of the shelves could be dangerous if he bumps into them.
If I had to pick the most functional item in the nursery, it would be the diaper trash can. It locks in all the odors and holds a lot, which makes such a difference once you realize how many diapers you go through in a day. They would stink if left in a regular trash can, and you’d be exhausted taking the trash out after every single change. I didn’t even think of buying one when I made a shopping list, but S got it—he’s always careful about sanitization.
Beyond the practical stuff, the sentimental details are what make the nursery feel special. We framed M’s newborn footprints together with a birthday card to create a keepsake. We also displayed a tiny pair of shoes that S wore when he was one year old—carefully kept by MK all these years. MK made & gifted us a colorful painting of animals, which adds playful energy to the room, and then there’s the lamp — a family heirloom passed down from M’s great-great-great-grandmother. These pieces bring history, love, and personality into the space.
There are still a few things I’d like to do—such as adding sheer curtains, putting a rug under the rocking chair, or refreshing it with a fabric cover , but I don’t feel in a rush. For now, the nursery is beautiful, functional, and filled with meaning—a love-filled space for our baby.
I usually order Purina Fancy Feast Seafood Grilled Collection from Walmart — always shipped and sold by Walmart directly. Last time I ordered, the website showed the product with the same image and said I’d bought it 5+ times. So I just added into the cart without thinking, didn’t even check the price, because I trusted it was the same one I always get — from Walmart, with a fair price. I thought it would arrive the next day, but after placing the order, it said it would take longer. I was disappointed, but I let it go — maybe I had just missed the information.
Then today, two days after ordering, an Amazon box showed up. I didn’t open it — thinking it was my husband’s, since he orders from Amazon constantly. But surprise! When he opened it, it was the cat food I had ordered from Walmart. My husband found a receipt inside the Amazon box showing the item cost half of what I paid on Walmart. It’s obvious that the third-party seller on Walmart bought it from Amazon and just had it shipped straight to me — and charged me double.
The website was really misleading. It showed that I had bought the product before, which made me assume it was the same one I always order, sold and shipped by Walmart.
What’s even more frustrating is that the product I received wasn’t even the right one. I ordered the Grilled Collection, but they sent me the Pate — which my cat dislikes the most.
Lesson learned — next time I order from Walmart, I’ll be more careful and double-check the seller before clicking buy.
We had somehow prepared ourselves for a childless life, though we have 3 day-3 embryos — the fragile result of all the effort we could afford through the painful IVF journey. But after so many repeated failures, I became too vulnerable to hold onto hope.
But then …
Shortly after I returned to the US, I couldn’t name what I was feeling when I saw this:
It was the first time in my life I’d ever taken a pregnancy test.
And it was NATURAL.
S was overjoyed. But he couldn’t be like the other dads who cried when they first heard they were going to have a baby. He used onions to help.
Our baby’s first scan image — 10w3d.
It was a boy, revealed at 12w3d.
11/30/25, 14w1d
Christmas 2024, 17w4d
2/18/25, baby’s face at 25w4d
My happiest, most meaningful birthday ever, with a little soul growing inside me.
03/07/25, 28 wks
04/05/24, Grandma MK and Aunt M were preparing for the baby shower. ♥️♥️♥️
Aunt K and her family took charge of the event. ♥️♥️♥️
So many gifts for M, filled with love, excitement, hope and best wishes. Truly appreciated it all.
……
I was diagnosed with cholestasis, a rare pregnancy condition that can cause stillbirth or reduced oxygen supply for unborn babies. The doctor said I would need to deliver at 37 wks, by C-section as our baby was breech. ….
He was born at 8:03 AM, 6 lbs, 19.7 inches, at 8:03 AM. The moment the doctor lifted him up so I could catch a glimpse of him behind the fabric panel that separated my eyes from the surgery, along with his cry echoing through the room, I couldn’t help but burst into tears. They came after long days of my waiting and longing for the union between us.
My big love,
Thank you so much for your presence in our lives — Everyone is excited to meet you. I’d waited so long for the moment I could finally touch you, smell you, hold you, and kiss you. B asked me , “Do you feel joy?” I replied, “I feel peace.” When you were in my arms, peace was the first thing I felt, and it has stayed with me ever since . It’s hard to explain, but at my age, after all, peace means more to me than anything else. When peace is present, it flows through me like a quiet creek — fresh, gentle, and steady. When it’s there, it showers me with joy and gives me the motivation to live more meaningfully.I’ll try to be your good mom.
I vacuumed the first floor, cleaned the kitchen, did the laundry, and put groceries away after a trip to Aldi. I also prepped and cooked potato chicken soup and spaghetti, and later had the soup for dinner while S had spaghetti.
Friday, April 25th, 2025 : Refresh Guest Room
I woke up late and felt upset about wasting time, but decided to do light exercise to start my day. I had potato chicken soup and banh u—a small pyramid-shaped sticky rice dumpling, filled with mung bean paste and pork, wrapped in banana leaves for breakfast. Then, it was chore time! Vacuumed the downstairs, got the dryer going, did the laundry and after that took a shower. The whole afternoon just flew by placing three Walmart orders. Ended up getting Euro gray shams (26×26), Euro pillow inserts (same size), standard pillows (20×26), a clay duvet insert and cover for the queen bed, and other household stuff.
In the evening, I cooked meatballs, cleaned the kitchen, and put another load in the dryer. S was back at painting after work, focusing on filling wall imperfections and painting the trims and doors. We’re using the same wall color— a tad brighter, I think — just giving it a fresh look. We’re really hoping to finish soon so we can focus more on Oriahn’s room.
Saturday, April 26th, 2025
I did exercise and attended a 3-hour virtual class (Boot Camps for New Dads). Later, S&I went to the Habitat for Humanity store and luckily found two nightstands and an end table for a really good price, plus they gave us a sweet discount. I was happy with the finds. After that, S and I went to the Depot at Gibson Mill, a huge antique space. It was massive, but we were only there for half an hour cause S wasn’t too interested and wanted to get back to painting. We had Mexican food in the Gibson market next door before heading home.
I took a short nap when we got back while S kept on painting. When I woke up, I gave D his meds, fed him and Sam, washed a blanket, put away the Walmart deliveries, and did some cleaning.
Later, we got on the baby registry and bought a bunch of stuff: a car seat, a bouncer, a diaper backpack, a changing mat, a diaper box, and a toddler mattress. I also ran the dishwasher and the dryer. The evening ended with me chilling with a latte and relaxing for a bit. But then late at night, D had a seizure, which seems to happen once a month despite the daily medications he’s been taking.
Sunday, April 27th, 2025
Started my day with some exercise and had a breakfast of milk, mandarins, banh u, and strawberries. I then put the dishes away, ran the dryer, and took a shower. Later, I cleaned the bathroom and talked to MK.
At 1:30 pm, S&I attended a 1.5-hour virtual infant massage class. I was a little confused at first cause it seemed to be for parents with babies already, and mine isn’t due until the end of May. S made it fun by joking, “we’re going to massage our dog,” which made the instructor and I couldn’t help but laugh. I almost left the class but S said to stay, saying it wouldn’t hurt to learn the techniques early. After the class, I cooked a late lunch: zucchini soup, and fried catfish dipped in the mix of fish sauce, lemon, sugar, hot chilies, crushed ginger, and garlic—it was so good, I was full afterward. I then started cleaning up O’s room, and fed D and Sam. I also threw the bathroom mats in the wash and got the dryer going.
In the evening, while S was putting the finishing touches on painting the living room, I cooked steak, spaghetti, and a salad with blue cheese ranch for his dinner. Tomorrow, I might get the results from my blood work and liver ultrasound. Not sure what’s going on with my health lately, but fingers crossed, it’s nothing serious and just a temporary thing.
Monday, April 28th, 2025 : Love Publix’s BOGO Deals&altered curtains
Got out of bed at 10 a.m., feeling disappointed in myself cause I wasted, like, three hours again in the morning, just like yesterday. Had a boring breakfast, took a shower, then headed out to Walgreens to pick up Dozer’s meds. After that, I stopped by Publix for groceries. Really love Publix’s Buy-One-Get-One deals — got Nature’s Own butter bread for only $2.01 vs. $3.42 at Walmart. And their frozen seafood is awesome. They usually have my faves on sale, and it’s often just pure seafood without additives, preservatives, or even added salt. Plus, it’s so great that you don’t have to buy two for the BOGO; you can just get one at half price. Love that!
S’s favorite things, like snacks, pizza, cheese, ice cream, and drinks, are often part of that deal too. However, I’m planning to cut back on the snacks cause S tends to overeat them in the middle of the night, which isn’t good given his high blood pressure. We’ll see how long this “snack break” lasts.
After I finished my grocery shopping, we both got home—S was off work earlier—He moved the nightstands upstairs, and together we rearranged the guest room. I felt quite happy with the new look. Later, I had a late lunch of fried rice, shrimp, and kimchi, and then drank some milk.
Around 5:34 p.m., I removed things from the dining room and covered the table and chairs with a plastic sheet to get ready for S’s painting. At 6:11 p.m., I gave D his meds and fed both him and Sam. At 6:41 p.m., I cleaned the hydro vac.
In the evening, I steamed shrimp and made a meatball sandwich for S’s dinner. Then I ran the dishwasher and cleaned the kitchen. Later, we hung the new curtains in the living room. They’re blackout, grommet-top, and patterned. I couldn’t find anything better within our budget, so I was pretty happy with them, even though they were only 84 inches long. Ideally, for our 8-foot (96 inches) ceilings, we’d want 92-inch curtains to almost touch the floor. Together with1.5 inches for a new hem, 1.5 inches for joining fabric, and about 1 inch for the portion above the rod, we were short by at least 12 inches per curtain panel.
Since the curtains had large hems, I decided to unstitch them, gaining about 3 extra inches per panel, which meant I only needed to add about 9 more inches.
I bought two extra panels and cut them up to attach to the bottoms of the originals. It seemed like it would be a super easy project – just cutting and sewing straight lines, it turned out to be much trickier. I messed up a bunch of times: my measurements and calculations weren’t always precise, I sometimes sewed the wrong sides together, the patterns on the original curtains and the added pieces didn’t always line up perfectly, and my stitching was sometimes too tight or too loose, causing slight puckering or waviness. Despite the imperfections, the final curtains looked pretty good to me. Happy!
Want to mention that we’re a little worried about Dozer. He had a seizure two days ago. His vet said we should give him an extra dose (500 mg) of his usual meds whenever he has one. If he keeps having them this often, the plan is to up his regular dose. If that still doesn’t do the trick, the vet may add a second medication to the treatment. We’ll have to wait and see.
IVF’s been one of the most difficult experiences of my life—emotionally, physically, and financially. Along the way, I’ve learned so much, and there are so many things I wish I’d known before starting. If you’re preparing for or currently going through IVF, I hope what I’m sharing can help you navigate this journey with more confidence and peace.
Please remember that this is all based on my own experiences. Be sure to talk to a professional for medical advice.
1. Prioritize Your Well-Being
When you first start IVF, you have no idea how much it will take out of you—physically, mentally, and emotionally. That’s why at least three months of preparation is essential to improve your overall health. Stay active, eat well, get enough sleep, manage stress, and take the right supplements. IVF is a long, unpredictable journey filled with highs and lows, hope and despair, excitement and disappointment—all at once. It can also put a strain on your marriage, work, and relationships. Prepare for the challenges, but don’t lose hope. Stay grounded and balanced.
2. IVF Doesn’t Guarantee a Baby
When we first consulted our doctor, we were diagnosed with unexplained infertility. She told us we had an 80% chance of bringing a baby home after three rounds of IVF. With that in mind, I started the process thinking it would be a smooth journey, feeling hopeful and optimistic about the outcome. But reality hit hard.
My body’s responses to meds were extremely poor. It was so difficult for us just to get a single good egg. After ten cycles—eight egg retrievals and two cancelations on day eight and nine of stims—we were left with only three Day-3 embryos, graded poor and fair. And I have never made it to a transfer. Moreover, the longer the journey went, the more health issues occurred—giant follicles, hormonal imbalances, endometriosis, uterine inflammation—all along with the overwhelming exhaustion, the feeling of being lost and losing a sense of myself.
Of course, some people succeed on their first try, but many go through multiple rounds and still end up in failure. Everyone’s journey is different, I truly hope yours is smoother than mine but remember the harsh fact that IVF is never a guarantee.
3. Be Prepared for a Long Process
In the U.S., it can take months just to start your first IVF cycle, and many people go through multiple cycles before they see success. Prepare yourself for setbacks and delays since there are so many unpredictable things in the way— large baseline follicles, hormonal imbalances, polyps, fibroids, inflammation, endometriosis, poor medication responses, immature eggs, failed fertilization, no blastocysts, or uneuploidy—the list goes on. IVF is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay resilient, and keep going.
4. IVF is expensive
IVF is expensive, with the average cost ranging from $17,000 to $22,000 (using your own eggs). And that doesn’t include general health checkups, initial blood tests, consultations, additional procedures like hysteroscopy or uterine sonography, supplements, or other complementary treatments.
Check with your health insurance to see if it covers all or part of the costs (e.g., meds or monitoring).
5. Expect health risks and changes during IVF
As I mentioned earlier, things can change during IVF, making the process even more challenging—especially if it stretches over a year. Your AMH may drop, FSH may rise, baseline follicle counts may decrease, and issues like cysts, fibroids, polyps, or inflammation can appear. Don’t be discouraged or lose hope. These are obstacles, not the end of the road.
6. The Significance of Egg Quality in IVF Success
For men, doctors can often work with even low-quality sperm—even with 100% abnormal morphology—thanks to ICSI technology and their expertise. But for women, factors like egg quality, response to medication, and overall reproductive health play a much bigger role in IVF success. I was told that women account for about 80% of the outcome, but sperm health still matters, especially when it comes to embryo development from day three. Take this information with a grain of salt though.
7. Sperm Fragmentation:Test or Not?
We didn’t do a sperm fragmentation test because the embryologist explained that even if the results showed an issue, there wasn’t much we could do to fix it. Instead, they focused on selecting the best-looking sperm for fertilization, hoping that choosing a healthier one would help reduce fragmentation.
8. Birth Control Pills before Stimulation: Good or Bad?
There’s no clear answer to this. Birth control pills are a controversial topic in IVF. Some clinics use them to regulate cycles before starting treatment. While they help some women, they can also suppress ovarian function, especially in older women. In my case, whether I took them or not, my body still responded poorly to stimulation drugs. But when had a choice, I preferred to skip them.
9. High FSH Isn’t the End of IVF
When my FSH was 15.9, a Vietnamese doctor told me I should wait at least three months before starting IVF. He briefly mentioned that with such a high FSH, my IVF would never succeed. FSH levels should be below 15, and ideally be around 10 on day 3 of your menstrual cycle. This hormone, released by the pituitary gland, stimulates follicle growth. When FSH is high, it means your follicles are struggling to grow, and your body is working hard to make them. This can signal that your body may not respond well to stimulation drugs, as it’s already trying hard. While FSH can fluctuate, doctors tend to treat a high level as a constant for planning treatment.
He’s right that my IVF hasn’t been successful so far, but I don’t believe FSH is a cause, especially not the only one for the failure. After all the efforts, I just feel like I haven’t been lucky. Honestly, my main IVF doctors and several others weren’t too concerned about my elevated FSH. It’s just one of the puzzle when assessing your ovarian reserve. They focused more on AMH—Anti-Mullerian Hormone and especially AFC—the baseline follicle count. AMH indicates how many immature follicles you have left, and the more you have, the higher your chances of retrieving more eggs in a cycle, which is a goal in IVF.
My failure doesn’t represent all cases with high FSH. Many of those are successful though.
My experience doesn’t represent everyone with high FSH. Many people with elevated FSH still have successful IVF journeys.
10. Don’t Obsess Over Statistics
It’s easy to fixate on numbers—success rates, hormone levels, follicle counts—but IVF is very individual. Some people with “bad” numbers get pregnant, while others with “perfect” numbers don’t. Focus on your own journey.
11. Supplements & Complementary Therapies have controversial benefits
Acupuncture, herbal medicine, and supplements can support overall health, but in IVF, their benefits aren’t clear and often debated. In VN, doctors usually don’t put much weight on those, they mainly focus on the treatment protocols.
12. Don’t Panic If Your Stimulation Injections Are Late
I used to stress about getting my injections on time and would panic if I was even a little late. But my IVF doctor in Vietnam seemed more flexible about it. Sometimes, if I had to wait for monitoring visits, the nurse would administer the injections a few hours later than scheduled
However, the trigger shots always need to be on time.
13. Proper Medication Storage In Fridge
Please note that not all the meds need to be stored in the fridge. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
I didn’t fully trust my fridge. Though the temperature was set, it could fluctuate depending on where the meds were placed and how often I opened the door. It would get much colder if I opened it after a day or two. Using a thermometer really helped me keep the meds at a consistent temperature. I placed both the thermometer and the meds in the center of the fridge, where the temperature is most stable. I checked it daily, especially after overnight, when the temperature tended to drop, just to make sure the meds didn’t get too cold or freeze.
14. A Large Follicle at Baseline Ultrasound doesn’t stop you proceeding with IVF
As long as your hormones are normal, you can start stimulation. In some cases, your doctor may want to inflate it before stimulation. In case you don’t feel comfortable doing IVF in that cycle, you can wait for the next one. Sometimes, large follicles go away on their own, or your doctor may put you on birth control pills for a length of time to help “quiet down” your ovaries.
15. Poor Ovarian Reserve Doesn’t Mean Zero Chance
Low AMH, high FSH, or a small follicle count makes IVF harder, but not impossible.Many women with poor ovarian reserve still get pregnant.
16. Having Many Follicles Doesn’t Guarantee Success
Egg quality, fertilization, and embryo development matter just as much.
A high follicle count and normal hormone levels are great, but they don’t guarantee success. Egg quality, fertilization, and embryo development are just as important.
17. Quality Over Quantity in IVF
Women aged 38-40 are expected to collect 8-10 eggs in one retrieval for a successful IVF cycle. While having more eggs increases your chances, many women still get pregnant with just one healthy egg. I truly believe quality matters more than quantity. Don’t be devastated if you end up with only a few eggs or embryos—you never know how your IVF journey will unfold.
18. Buy Medications As Needed
Buying all your medications upfront may seem like a good idea to avoid worrying about running out, but IVF is so unpredictable that you could end up having to stop the cycle at any point. So many factors can affect whether you can continue—like insufficient baseline follicles, a poor response to stimulation, large follicles, polyps, cysts, or hormonal imbalances. If that happens, you might end up wasting unused medications, especially if it’s your last cycle, since pharmacies typically don’t accept returns. IVF medications are expensive, easily reaching around $7,000 for long stimulation days and high doses. Therefore, buy enough medications as you go will avoid wasting money on unused drugs. You will need to keep track of your IVF calendar, leftover meds, and shipping schedules to order more.
19. You Can Cancel an Egg Retrieval If Needed
If your cycle isn’t going well, you have every right to cancel the retrieval rather than go through with a potentially unsuccessful cycle. Talk to your doctor to see if it makes sense to wait for a better cycle.
20. Think Carefully About Genetic Testing with Few Embryos
Genetic testing requires embryos to reach day 5, but only half of them (even less than that) will make it that far. So, if you only have a few embryos, you might want to consider skipping this step and doing a fresh day-3 transfer instead, as long as your health allows for it.
21. Day 3 vs. Day 5 Transfer?
Day 5 embryos have a better chance of implanting. But if you just have few embryos, you may not want to take risks losing them, as about half of the embryos don’t survive to day 5.
Sometimes, embryos just grow better in the womb than in the lab. Talk to your doctor to determine the best option for you.
22. Fresh vs. Frozen Transfer?
It really depends on your preferences and health conditions, they are both effective. However, sometimes frozen embryos don’t survive after thawing. The risk is low, though, especially with today’s advanced technology and labs.
23. Freezing egg or embryos?
If you’re around 40, banking embryos is usually a better option than banking eggs. At this age, both egg quality and quantity decrease significantly, and you don’t want to risk losing even more during the thawing process.
23. Take Breaks When Needed
IVF can be really draining. If you’re feeling emotionally or physically worn out, taking a break might help. Studies show that around 17%-26% of couples conceive naturally after failed IVF. You never know a little pause might lead to a miracle.
24. Consider IVF Abroad or in Another State
IVF costs vary greatly by location. For example, online search found that CNY Fertility in Colorado and New York offers one cycle for as low as $5,000 (ICSI and anesthesia included). Countries like Mexico and Vietnam also provide high-quality treatment at a reasonable price. Some clinics even have refund programs if the treatment doesn’t succeed.
25. Look for Jobs with Fertility Insurance
If IVF is in your future, it’s worth looking for jobs that cover fertility treatments. It could save you tens of thousands of dollars.
26. Be Kind to Yourself
It’s easy to be hard on yourself during IVF—blaming your body, second-guessing your choices, and feeling guilty that you might not have done enough. This journey is already challenging enough without adding that pressure. Embrace yourself with generous compassion.
In conclusion, IVF is unpredictable. It requires patience, resilience, and self-compassion. Take care of yourself and trust your instincts. Never lose hope but be realistic. Whether your IVF journey ends in success or not, the most important thing is that you’ve done everything you could and can move forward without guilt or regret.
Vietnam’s (VN) IVF industry is strong, offering skilled doctors, high success rates, efficient treatment, and affordable costs within the region.
Here’s an overview of IVF in VN, specifically in the North. As someone who has experienced IVF in both the US and VN, I hope what I’m sharing will be helpful for anyone, whether you’re living abroad or locally, in understanding what it’s like to go through IVF in VN before beginning this challenging journey.
Please note that when I mention “in the US.” and “in VN” in this post, I’m referring to the specific clinics where I had my IVF treatment. Others may have different experiences.
1. Chosing IVF clinics/hospitals
Many Vietnamese IVF patients they trust. In Hanoi, you probably hear names like Dr. Hoi Xuan Nguyen, Dr. Nha Thi Nguyen, Dr. Cuong Duc Tang, or Dr. Hoang Le—names I came across online and through word of mouth. It’s not just their medical expertise that makes them well-known; some are also believed to bring good luck to IVF patients. This belief can be decisive, as IVF is an emotional rollercoaster, and having faith in a “lucky” doctor can provide comfort and hope.
In VN, many big-name IVF doctors have clinics while still working at hospitals. You can see them at the hospital or book an appointment at their clinic. The latter is generally more expensive but patients get more personalized care. The doctor can spend more time with you cause private clinics are usually less crowded than hospitals.
Regarding hospitals, there are two groups: public & private. Some public hospitals include: Bệnh viện Bưu điện (Post Office Hospital), Bệnh viện Nam học (Andrology & Fertility Hospital of Hanoi), Bệnh viện Phụ sản Trung Ương (National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology), Bệnh viện Phụ sản Hà Nội (Hanoi Obstetrics & Gynecology), and Bệnh viện Đại học Y dược (Hanoi Medical University Hospital).
Some private hospitals include: Bệnh viện Tâm Anh (Tam Anh Hospital), Bệnh viện Vinmec (Vinmec Hospital), Bệnh viện Hồng Ngọc (Hong Ngoc Hospital), Bệnh viện Đông Đô (Dong Do Hospital), and Bệnh viện Đức Phúc (Duc Phuc Hospital).
Public hospitals are much more affordable, but private hospitals generally offer better services, labs, and facilities—sometimes significantly better.
From my experience, I didn’t pay too much attention to whether a doctor or hospital was reputable or not. Hanoi is the capital. It must have good doctors and hospitals, just like Ho Chi Minh City, which is also a major medical hub in VN. While many IVF patients prefer to stick to one doctor for the entire IVF journey, believing it ensures better monitoring and individualized care, better monitoring and follow up, in some cases, I actually think seeing different doctors can be beneficial. It gives you multiple perspectives and different approaches to treatment. When choosing a doctor and hospital, what really mattered to me was listening and communication. I needed a doctor who made patients feel comfortable and heard, not just another number in a rushed system. When it came to hospitals, I went private. Public hospitals are way too crowded, and the wait times are insane.
Private hospitalPublic hospital
Even though private hospitals and clinics are less crowded, be aware that they’re still busy. Doctors are juggling multiple patients at once, while a whole crowd is waiting outside the room. Appointments are quick, only a few minutes, rarely more than 15 mins (including ultrasound). Therefore, don’t rely thoroughly on your doctor, expecting them to remember every single detail of your case. Mistakes happen, schedules get mixed up, things can be overlooked. You should be your own advocate. Take notes, double check and make your own decisions when necessary.
2. IVF cost
The cost of IVF in VN is significantly cheaper than in the US.
No upfront cost
Unlike in the US where you have to pay a large upfront amount, in VN, you pay as you go through the whole process.
No multi-cycle financial support
In the US, there are financial packages with discounts for patients who purchase multiple IVF cycles. In Mexico, some clinics offer refunds covering up to 80% of the total IVF cost (excluding medications) if the treatment doesn’t work out. In VN, each cycle is charged separately, regardless of how many attempts you make. However, some IVF hospitals run marketing or PR campaigns where selected patients receive “lucky tickets” for discounts on their total treatment costs. Other hospitals may offer small incentives, such as refunding the cost of a general medical check-up once a patient starts their IVF cycle.
Cost range for a single IVF cycle at a private hospital: VND 60 mil – VND 150 mil. (~$2,356 – $5,900)
A detailed cost breakdown is below:
1. General Health Check for Both Partners
This includes a comprehensive health check to assess both general and fertility health.Cost range: VND 6 mil – VND 10 mil ($236 – $393)
2. Ovarian Stimulation Phase (if general health check results are normal and no further treatment is needed).
The cost depends on:
The number of stimulation days (some women require longer stimulation).
The type of medication used (some are more expensive than others).
Cost range: VND 20 mil – VND 60 mil ($785 – $2,356)
3. Egg Retrieval & Embryo Culturing
Includes:
Egg retrieval procedure
Fertilization and embryo culture up to Day 3
Basic cost: VND 30 mil ($1,178)
Additional costs for extra services:
Assisted hatching: VND 2 mil ($79)
Time-lapse monitoring for embryos up to Day 5: VND 10 mil ($393)
4. Monitoring (Ultrasounds, Doctor Visits, Blood Tests)
One frozen transfer: approximately VND 20,000,000 ($785), including embryo freezing/thawing and medications). Uterine rejuvenation, if used before transfer, add VND 10,000,000 ($393).
3. IVFmedication supply
IVF medications are provided by your doctor, which makes the process much more convenient compared to the US where patients have to order and manage their own supply. Doctors usually give just enough for a few days until your next visit when your dosage can be adjusted based on how your body responds. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about running out or storing extra medication at home. In case you don’t use up all the meds, you can return the leftovers to the clinic. You can’t do that in the US.
4. Consultation visits, education sessions before IVF
In the US, the first visit is usually just a consultation where you and your doctor go over information, get advice, and discuss the next steps. This process can take months. You’ll need to do blood tests, check-ups, and then wait for your doctor to review the results, often requiring separate appointments that can be a month apart (if you’re lucky). If you have any chronic health conditions, you’ll be referred to a specialist and asked to get additional tests to ensure everything is under control. Plus, before that first appointment even happens, you’ll need to fill out a long online form—often 20 pages—detailing your medical history/situation and your partner’s.
Once you sign the IVF agreement and pay the upfront cost, you’ll attend an education session with the embryologist. During this session, they’ll explain all the steps of the IVF process, evaluate your case (along with other patients’), and answer any questions you may have. You’ll also receive documents to take home with you.
It took six months from my doctor’s first visit to actually starting my first IVF round.
In VN, everything can be done in a single visit:
✓ See the doctor for a consultation.
✓ Do all necessary blood tests and ultrasounds.✓ Complete paperwork and pay the required fees.
If you miss any required tests or paperwork, you can submit them later before egg retrieval.
5. IVF timeline
One IVF round can be as short as one month or extend over several months, depending on your condition and choices.
First medical visit
See the doctor on Day 2 or Day 3 of your menstrual cycle (booking appointments is optional). On that same day, you complete blood tests, ultrasounds, paperwork, and payment. If everything is normal for both you and your partner, you can start ovarian stimulation immediately.
Stimulation phase
8 to 11 days of stimulation injections & booster shots.
Egg retrieval
36 hrs after booster shots.
After retrieval, it takes 3 to 5 days to know your embryo results.
Selections of transfer
✓ Fresh transfer: If conditions allow, the embryo can be transferred either on Day 3 or Day 5.
✓Frozen transfer: In many cases embryos are frozen, and you can schedule a transfer at a convenient time.
Genetic testing: If you opt for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), this step takes about one month, meaning you’ll have to wait until your next menstrual cycle for the transfer (if everything looks good). In this case, the transfer will be a frozen one.
After the transfer, you’ll wait 10-14 days before a blood test to determine if you’re pregnant.
This means the fastest IVF cycle (without genetic testing) can take just about a month, while a longer cycle (with testing and freezing) may take several months.
6. Administering injections
You can give yourself the injections, have your partner do it, or hire a nurse. In the US, it’s really difficult to hire a nurse for injections. An urgent care center is one option for getting a nurse to do it.
During your ultrasound and monitoring visits, the nurses at the hospital or clinic will take care of injections for you.
7. Communication through IVF
In the US, you’ll likely meet your doctor for one or two initial consultations and again after egg retrieval. These appointments usually need to be booked in advance, sometimes a month ahead. Nurses will be your main point of contact throughout the IVF cycle.
In VN, you’ll meet your IVF doctor throughout the entire process. They handle all the monitoring visits (free of charge). They often share their personal phone numbers or use apps, so you can reach them anytime, day or night. Plus, they have a team available to assist you whenever needed.
8. IVF community
An IVF doctor can see a hundred patients in one session, and most patients wait in a shared area. During this time, they talk, share their stories, tips, and advice.
During consultations, several patients are in the same room. While the doctor focuses on one person, others can still listen and learn from the conversation.
This may make you feel lack of privacy or a waste of time, especially if you’re not used to this cultural norm. But this is a great chance for patients to build connections and gain valuable insights.
In the US, IVF patients can connect through an app or website provided by the clinic. However, for those who aren’t tech-savvy, or just don’t feel like using the app (like me), this online support isn’t very appealing.
9. Gender selection through IVF
IVF in VN isn’t just for couples struggling to have children but for those who want to choose the gender of their baby, especially if they’re hoping for a boy. It’s a cultural preference to carry on the family name. Although embryo genetic testing is pricey, roughly VND 16 mil ($628) per embryo, it’s common. Revealing genders is more open at private hospitals, but not allowed at public hospitals. However, if you know the right people or the way to ask, you can still get what you want.
10. Paperwork
Always check with the hospital’s administrative office or their website to find out which paperwork you need to submit.
If you’re married, you’ll need your marriage license notarized to prove you’re legally married. In my case, since I’m Vietnamese and my husband’s American, and we got married in the US, the process became more complex. I had to legalize, translate, and notarize the license at the Vietnamese consulate. Before that, we had to get it authenticated from the issuing authority first. The entire process took months. However, the requirements might be easier now than it was five years ago when we started. And again, individual hospitals have their own rules about IVF paperwork.
If you live abroad but are doing IVF in VN, and your partner can’t be there for egg retrievals or transfers, you’ll need a notarized letter of authorization allowing you to use his sperm for these procedures. Make sure to get the form from the hospital you’re going to, and have their staff review it before notarization to avoid any errors. Also, go to a public notary, e.g. a district notary rather than a private one; the process will be simpler and quicker.
You should also prepare some extra letters of authorization without specifying the hospital name in case you decide to switch hospitals. Also, be as detailed as possible about your rights to your partner’s sperm. I couldn’t transfer my husband’s to a different hospital just because my authorization only stated my right to use it, but didn’t mention the right to transfer it.
11. Transfer frozen sperms and embryos to different hospitals
You should check with both hospitals—the one you’re leaving and the one you’re transferring to—to make sure they’re ok with that. Sometimes, this transfer doesn’t work.
In short, IVF is a marathon. Knowing all the steps and details can save you a lot of hassle. If you’re considering IVF, VN is definitely worth checking out.
Improving overall health, especially fertility health, is an important part of the IVF journey. While I always believe that a healthy diet, regular exercise, and managing stress are the best foundations, I also took a variety of supplements and tried different therapies before and during my cycles. Most were recommended or prescribed by my IVF doctors, but some I discovered through my own research or from friends.
Honestly, I don’t think any supplement or therapy is a magic fix—they’re just small pieces of a much bigger IVF picture. We try them, we hope they help, but there’s no guarantee. Everything I’m sharing is based on my own experience, so please take it with caution and consult with your doctor. To be honest, their benefits (and side effects) weren’t obvious to me, but they might be for you. Every body is different and responds in its own way.
1. Conventional Supplements
Recommended to start taking supplements at least three months before IVF to help prepare the body.
Theralogix Prenatal Vitamins: 1 tablet per day
This prenatal vitamin is packed with essential nutrients to nourish the body. Compared to other brands, it has higher amounts of key nutrients, making it more comprehensive. One standout ingredient is choline, which plays a crucial role in supporting the baby’s brain and spinal cord development. The downside? It oxidized pretty easily, and once that happened, the smell was really unpleasant. I haven’t taken it in over a year, so I’m not sure if the newer version has been improved.
Theralogix Fish Oil: 3 softgels per day
Each softgel contains 1000 mg of fish oil, including 400 mg EPA, 300 mg DHA, and 750 mg Omega-3s. It’s great for supporting the immune system, reducing inflammation and pain, and promoting heart, brain, and joint health.
Theralogix NeoQ10: 2 softgels per day
Each softgel contains 6.7 mg of vitamin E and 125 mg of natural coenzyme Q10, a powerful antioxidant that helps support egg quality (and sperm quality too).
Theralogix Ovasitol: Taken as directed on the label
This supplement contains myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol, which help balance hormones and improve ovulation.
DHEA: 75 mg per day (store brand)
DHEA is a hormone that helps improve ovarian function and the body’s response to stimulation drugs. It’s also known to support sperm production and quality in men.
Tru Niagen: 1 capsule per day
This supplement contains NAD+, a coenzyme that helps power metabolism and cell rejuvenation.
Bio-D-Mulsion Forte (Vitamin D): 2000 IU per day
I took extra vitamin D due to my chronic vitamin D deficiency. It plays a key role in reproductive health—it helps regulate the menstrual cycle, improve ovulation, enhance egg quality, and reduce inflammation. Before starting IVF, my doctor had me take a blood test to check my vitamin D levels.
2. Herbal Supplements
I was prescribed a combination of herbal medicine, which included 15 tablets per day and two liquid packets. These contained a blend of various herbs such as ginger, turmeric, cardamom, fennel seeds, lotus seed embryos, dried citrus peel, jujube, and ginseng. They were meant to support the immune system, reduce inflammation, improve blood flow, and promote cell rejuvenation. I took them for three months before starting the stimulation phase.
3. IVF Complementary Non-Medicinal Therapies
Acupressure & Reflexology
I had acupressure and reflexology (foot massage) twice a week. These therapies are believed to improve blood circulation, balance hormones, and reduce stress. Personally, they were a huge help in keeping me mentally and emotionally grounded throughout the process.
Acupuncture
I had acupuncture every day except Sunday at Vien Cham Cuu Trung Uong (National Acupuncture Hospital), with an acupuncturist, who has a PhD. (In VN, an acupuncture license can be obtained after just six weeks of study – online sources). Acupuncture is known to help improve hormone balance, enhance blood flow, and reduce stress.Some people might not enjoy acupuncture because of the discomfort from the needles, but I absolutely loved the experience. The slight discomfort only lasted a few seconds, and the rest of the session was incredibly relaxing and soothing. I often slept during the treatment and woke up feeling like a completely different person—much lighter and fresher. All the heaviness and tiredness vanished, and I felt like that half-hour nap was more restorative than my nighttime sleep.
Red Light Therapy (RL)
I used Red Light Therapy (RL) alongside acupuncture. It helps warm up the uterus, improve blood flow, and promote relaxation. While you can buy RL machines to use at home, I’ve never tried them myself.
These therapies are commonly used in the US as complementary treatments alongside IVF. In VN, while they are much more affordable and widely used, they are typically focused on relaxation or relieving joint and bone pain. Acupuncture is the only one that’s sometimes used for purposes like supporting implantation, regulating periods, or helping with embryo transfer, but it’s not specifically tailored for IVF, especially before and during stimulation. When I shared my purpose with the practitioners, they were a bit surprised, but they were very supportive, and I trusted their expertise and flexibility.
Honestly, I didn’t expect these therapies to directly solve my infertility issues. No single approach is guaranteed—it’s all about trial and error. I was open to all possible complementary therapies with careful consideration about potential risks. While the IVF benefits of these treatments were uncertain, they did wonders for my emotional and mental well-being.
4. Advanced IVF complementary therapies
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Injections
For more details, check out this link: IVF Cycle 8
Human Growth Hormone (HGH) Injections
For more details, check out this link: IVF Cycle 9
Glutathione IV drips
For more details, check out this link: IVF Cycle 10
5. Diet and Exercise for Fertility
Diet
My basic rules were balance, variety and flexibility. I’m not a picky eater. I ate a little bit of everything but was mindful of my portions. I focused on whole foods, foods high in antioxidants, and mostly cooked everything from scratch. That said, I didn’t force myself to eat what I didn’t like. There’s always an alternative! E.g., I’m not a fan of avocados, salmon or nuts, I found alternatives that worked for me, like olive oil, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and other types of fish and shellfish.
I avoided processed foods with unhealthy fats, preservatives, and additives as much as possible, but I didn’t rule them out entirely. I rarely ate deep-fried foods or grilled meat, but that’s more about my personal preference, so it wasn’t hard to stick to. One great thing is that my everyday Vietnamese food is already balanced and varied, so I didn’t have to try too hard. Some people swear by the Mediterranean diet, which is also known to support fertility. Pick one that you like and find suitable. Nutrition is important, and so is enjoying your food. It’s all part of nurturing your emotional health.
There were certain foods I enjoy but had to limit or avoid, like pepperoni, salami, salted pork lard, butter, and animal organs, which are high in cholesterol. I was also careful about foods that could potentially contain harmful substances, like mercury in some fish and snails. I had to cut back on my caffeine intake too, even though I love coffee and tea. Sometimes, I really wish I could eat whatever I like without worrying about ingredients or whether I’m consuming too much.
When I started IVF, my BMI was 20, which was within the normal range (19-25). However, my doctor still encouraged me to increase my body fat, as she believed fat played an important role in regulating hormones and ovulation. While this is generally true, it didn’t seem to apply to me, as even with a BMI of almost 22, my IVF results didn’t improve much. I’ve also seen people who were much thinner succeed easily. Well, age always matters, I think.
I didn’t stick to any specific type of exercise. I just tried to be physically active everyday and avoid intense movements. Basically, I focused on improving blood flow and avoided putting pressure or stress on my lower abdomen.
In general, IVF’s been a journey of trial and error for me. Despite all my efforts, unfortunately my results have been very poor so far with only three day-3 embryos after 8 ERs and I haven’t done a transfer yet. But I hope what I’ve shared is useful and might work better for you.
Our new house has an unfenced yard, so S’s priority was to build a fence asap, for Dozer and Sam, especially Dozer so that he can have a place to run around freely and do his “business” without being on a leash.
It was expensive to build a fence even by ourselves. Also, it would take a lot of work and time to get this done, so I told S about the idea of just building a small fenced-in area for Dozer. That way S wouldn’t feel overwhelmed. It’s not that he’s afraid of work. He’s amazing at renovating stuff, even starting from demolition. He faces challenges like a total warrior, putting in 110% effort. But once he gets into a project, he would “abuse” himself to get it done asap while still feeling “overwhelmed” by the other things on his to-do list. However, he preferred to build a full fence around the whole backyard – 400 ft.
Before starting the fence, he cleared out the yard. It was a total overgrowth – trees everywhere, and the ground was completely covered in leaves and vines.
First, he mowed all the leaves down; second wrestled with branches, hacking and yanking vines off the ground; third chopped down the trees, loaded all the mess into the trailer, and hauled it off to the dumpster. Sounds easy and simple, right? but it was a massive job, and it took a lot of skill, patience, focus, and determination to get it all done, especially since he did it all by himself.
Removing branches
To take down trees and chop them up, S used everything — ropes, a chain, a handsaw, and an axe. Especially, he rented a small excavator to dig out the stumps and drag the logs. Though he picked smaller trees, those stumps were a pain. They had deep roots, and the excavator was small with a short crane, plus the ground around them was uneven. However, S still patiently and skillfully got them all out. Watching him on the little excavator, bouncing around, I was praying it wouldn’t tip over. But it was also cute because it was like he was playing with a toy.
I have no idea how many trees he took down, but he filled up the trailer at least six times. And surprisingly, he rigged up the posts on the sides to make the trailer taller so he could fit even more stuff in there! I also have no clue how he got the heavy logs and branches in there. I wasn’t out there much while he was working, just going out every now and then to bring him a drink or a snack, or just ask if he needed anything.
Since it wasn’t cheap to rent the excavator and the truck to tow it home (we paid around $300 per day, I think), S made sure to get this money’s worth and used every single minute he could. He was in the yard early in the cold and didn’t stop, even when the sun went down. He’s a workhorse. I’m constantly amazed by his drive and how hard he works.
After filling up the trailer with stumps and branches, he hauled it all off to the dumpster. He didn’t have to do that – the county comes by every so often to pick stuff like that up. But S didn’t want a mountain of leaves, logs and debris sitting in front of the house.
With the yard cleared and ready, S was finally able to move forward with his next big task – building the fence. Will update soon.
We have a creamy lampshade, which fit right in with the surrounding items in the old house. However, with a new spot in our new house, it looked plain and dull, so I wanted to add some colors to freshen it up. I have acrylic paints and brushes that I bought a few years ago, intending to take up a new hobby. But I had never opened them until I decided to redo the lampshade. Painting is not easy and takes patience and attention to detail—two things I don’t have much of. How to makeover a lampshade when you have zero painting skills, no experience with brushes, and only a little time to spare? Here’s what I did.
Instead of using brushes, I used flowers. When I looked at the flowers I bought for S’s birthday, I noticed the mums and thought, “Why not use these as brushes?” They were sturdy enough to use for dabbing without getting all mushy, large enough to cover more surface area quickly, and their many small petals would give the texture some extra oomph. Since our living room has slate blue as the dominant color, so different shades of blue would work well for the lampshade. I threw in green and purple as well. Honestly, I didn’t have a clear vision or a detailed plan. It was quite impromptu. After a rough, tiring day, I just wanted a quick, easy way to get it done and off my mind.
The flowers already had their own textures and shapes, so all I had to do were dip them in paint and dab them onto the surface. I focused on different spots, trying to make it look natural, like it wasn’t planned or anything. I wasn’t trying to create any specific picture, partly because I wouldn’t know how but mostly because I just wanted to finish quickly. Abstract patterns are a safe option in this case as their interpretation would be up viewers. I simply dabbed the flower heads on different areas, letting the randomness create a natural flow.
Next, I mixed all the leftover paint, which turned into a teal-green shade, and used it to paint some areas without the pattern. I actually preferred slate blue, but since the teal-green looked decent, I didn’t bother adjusting it further. I left some areas unpainted to enhance the contrast and let the “design” stand out naturally.
To make a smooth transition between the teal-green top and the flower pattern a little better, I dabbed some burgundy purple in that in-between area using the flower. The deep, cool colors added a bit of a mysterious vibe to the overall look of the lampshade.
That was it. Super easy and stress-free for someone like me with no painting skills. I finished it in less than half an hour. It looks pretty good, at least, not like something a kid made. Love to hear about your DIY lampshade makeover.
My tenth cycle, the last one, was something I hadn’t planned for. Before the ninth cycle, I thought it would be the last one. After almost three years of intensive treatments—6 egg retrievals, 2 canceled ones on day 8 and 9 of stimulation, 10 rounds of anesthesia, countless injections and medications, all I was able to get was just one extremely poor day-3 embryo. This bleak outcome, severe pain after egg retrievals in the later cycles, and an strained marriage were all wakeup calls for me that it was time to stop. The emotional and physical pain made me feel like I was losing myself. After all the repeated failures I started to accept that I might never become a mother to my own child. There may be questions about my resilience—or stubbornness, to some—but I have my reasons for pushing forward with this journey.
During this time, I started to consider the option of using donor eggs. I wasn’t entirely sure about this path, but I wanted to gather some information and start preparing. In VN, finding egg donors is pretty easy. Many services help with the entire process, from selecting donors to handling the egg retrieval. The cost for eggs from young, tall, good-looking donors who are students from prestigious colleges is around 45 million VND (~$1800).
The service provider is responsible for verifying the donor’s identity, criminal records, medical history, and other necessary documents to ensure they are clean. It sounds perfect, though I’m not sure about how legitimate the process is, as it’s not uncommon for documents to be fake.
I also talked to my cousin and asked if she would consider donating her eggs. She was incredibly kind and agreed to help me.
However, with the positive result from the ninth cycle, I wanted to build on that progress. As I mentioned in my post about the ninth cycle, the next cycle was still within the window where PRP and HGH were still effective, so I didn’t want to miss this opportunity.
For the tenth cycle, I needed more HGH. However, due to the high demand and scarcity of the drug, I had to pay extra.
I had also been getting acupuncture six days a week and tried Glutathione drips. This drug is available in oral, injection, or drip and is commonly used for patients recovering from cancer treatments or with liver inflammation for detoxification. It is also used in the beauty industry for skin brightening. In IVF, it’s believed to potentially improve the quality of eggs and embryos.
The benefits of the medication aren’t clear, and opinions on it vary. But with IVF, it’s often a process of trial and error, and the results are uncertain. The protocols and methods used depend heavily on the doctor’s experience and personal approach. I just wanted to try everything possible to hopefully improve the outcome.
In VN, I bought this drug directly from a pharmacy without a prescription, and then paid about $2 for a nurse to give the drip. The price of Glutathione was around $10 for a 1200 mg dose, which is relatively cheap for a single use. However, like supplements or other assisted methods, it’s usually recommended to use it for a certain period, like 3 months, before seeing any effects. So, when you factor in the total duration of treatment, the overall cost can add up.
Despite all my hope and efforts, this last cycle unfortunately ended up with no fertilization and no embryos. That was it. For me, it was more than enough. I no longer questioned if I had tried enough. I accepted the failure with peace.
To get ready for the transfer, the doctor suggested a scan of my uterus to check for any issues. I agreed and stressed that I wanted a thorough look to make sure nothing would mess with the transfer or a potential pregnancy. I didn’t look at what he wrote on the order form when I left his office, but later I freaked out when I saw ‘Mổ nội soi OB’. I guessed ‘OB’ meant my abdomen, and ‘Mổ nội soi’ was like laparoscopy, a somewhat invasive procedure that involves a small incision for a camera device to check the area. I totally wasn’t expecting that! I really hate surgery and try to avoid it whenever possible. I immediately told him that the uterine sonography would be enough for me, and he agreed. I thought my request for a “detailed examination” might have caused confusion, that’s why he had changed the order to accommodate my “preference”.
Two days after the procedure, I flew back to the US with a one-way ticket due to a sudden situation. I hoped to return to VN soon, ideally within two months. But honestly, everything was so unpredictable and out of my control back then, and I had no idea what was waiting for me back home.
My IVF journey, after 10 cycles, is finally on pause, with my three day-3 embryos. Finally I’m able to have the first transfer. I never thought I’d make that far, nor did I expect the emotional toll it would take on me. I have given everything I/we had for this – our money, and my physical and mental health, so I know I’ll never regret not trying enough
Begin life at forty 