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Tag: IVF in Vietnam

  • Everything I know about IVF in Vietnam

    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 hospital
    Public 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)

    Doctor visits: 0 VND

    Ultrasound x 5: VND 500,000 – VND 1000,000 ( average). ($20 – $40)

    Blood tests x5: VND 1,050,000 (average) ($42)

    Total: VND 1,550,000 – VND 2,050,000 (average) ($61 – $80)

    5. Embryo Transfer

    One fresh transfer: 0 VND (no extra charge).

    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. IVF medication 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.

    12. Donor eggs

    Info here

    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.

  • Failed IVF Cycle 10

    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

  • First-ever improvement: IVF Cycle 9

    My ninth IVF cycle was full of twists and turns. At one point, it felt like it was going to be the worst cycle, but in the end, it became the one where I had my first real “victory”.

    Given my age and repeated IVF failures, I was exploring all options, including Human Growth Hormone (HGH). I learned that it isn’t just used to promote growth in children; it’s also used by adults, like gym enthusiasts, for building muscles (illegal??), and is even considered as an off-label treatment in IVF to potentially improve egg and embryo quality. This encouraged me to ask my doctor for a prescription. I needed to know the dosage, frequency, timing, and duration of injections. He didn’t give me a straight answer, repeating that there wasn’t a protocol and insufficient research for IVF use. He never actually said no, but the first time he told me I was on my own, I knew what he meant. I understood his position—he couldn’t risk his career prescribing something unofficial, though I was willing to take responsibility. Although some sources suggested HGH wasn’t beneficial for IVF, given my circumstances and the lack of identified major risks, I decided to take the chance and manage the HGH injections myself.

    In IVF, the most commonly used HGH is Omnitrope, but I couldn’t find it in VN. In fact, finding HGH there wasn’t easy at all. The only type available to me was Saizen, which I had read about being used in IVF treatments in Australia.

    I’d bought one box of 6 mg Saizen as a sample to show it to my doctor, hoping to convince him to prescribe HGH for me. However, 1.5 months later, when I tried to buy more, it was no longer available, and no one could tell me when it might be back on the market. This scarcity was completely unexpected. Though I called many big pharmacies, I still had no luck.

    The only place I hadn’t contacted was the National Children’s Hospital, so I decided to give it a try as a last resort. I had avoided hospital pharmacies before because they usually required doctors’ prescriptions, which I didn’t have. On my way to the hospital’s main gate, I noticed many pharmacies lining the street, so I thought, why not stop by one of them first?

    The pharmacy didn’t have the hormone I needed in stock, but after several calls, the owner said he could get a different one for me. The new one was Genotropin, but it shared the same main active ingredient. And I would have to wait until the next day as the drug was being brought in by air. This informal import method, known as “Hàng xách tay” (hand-carried goods), is quite common in Vietnam.

    HGH protocols vary widely in terms of dosage, total injection days, and timing. Some doctors recommend starting injections on the first day of stimulation and continuing until the egg retrieval day. Others suggest priming with HGH weeks before stimulation and continuing through the process until the booster shot. Some patients only use it for a few days during stimulation.

    Based on what I had read, I decided to take 1mg per day, starting from the first stimulation day until the booster shot. This seemed to be the most common protocol I came across. I aligned the timing with my stimulation injections, which made things easier. Using Saizen was simple and straightforward, the Genotropin pen was a nightmare to set up. The instructions were confusing, and the pen’s design was far more complicated compared to Saizen.

    I nervously tried to set the dose, worried I’d break the pen. If that happened, I’d be totally screwed. I just couldn’t figure it out, and as the time I was supposed to inject came and went, I got even more anxious. Finally, I gave up and ran to the nearest hospital to ask for help.

    At first, some of the staff I asked thought it would be simple, but they quickly realized the drug was quite special and unfamiliar to them. Since I didn’t have a prescription, most of them refused to assist me. Only one doctor stayed, saying she could tell by my expression that I was desperately seeking help. Together, we watched YouTube videos and followed the manual, trying to figure out how to set up the pen. She twisted and turned the pen’s knob vigorously while I was afraid she might break the pen. Finally it worked. I was super relieved at first but then felt so bummed when I realized I’d lost half the drug during setting it up.

    Deep down, I was still grateful that, thanks to her help, I was finally able to take the injection. Since the pen came with a larger dose—12 mg, the only option available—instead of the smaller dose I had originally intended to buy, I was fortunate to still have enough medication left, even after losing half of it.

    The ninth cycle could have been a huge disappointment for me, but in the end, it brought so many unexpected surprises.

    At the baseline ultrasound, everything looked good with two follicles on the left and two on the right. I started daily injections of Puregon 300 IU from 06/08/24, added IVF 75 IU from 06/12/24 and Orgalutran from 06/14/24. However, during the stimulation process, my follicles developed very slowly. Midway through, one follicle grew much larger than the others, which was not ideal, as I hoped for more evenly growing follicles. I continued with the stimulation, hoping the smaller follicles would catch up with the larger one, but unfortunately, that didn’t happen. The largest follicle measured 19 mm while the second one was 10 mm. My doctor then recommended a dual stimulation cycle, where I would undergo egg retrieval to collect the large follicle and immediately continue stimulation to encourage the growth of the remaining follicles.

    At first, I was hesitant, worried that I might end up with nothing. Many people fail to get any embryos, even after retrieving a lot of eggs, so I wasn’t sure how things would go with just one follicle. It’s also common to retrieve fewer eggs than the baseline number. I was leaning toward the idea of ignoring the large follicle and letting the smaller ones continue to grow. However, both the doctor and a patient I spoke with suggested that the large follicle might actually be the best, as it could have the most nutrients. That reasoning made sense to me.

    I underwent egg retrieval after seven days of stimulation, preparing for none to be retrieved, but luckily I secured two eggs, and both fertilized successfully. Amazingly, according to the embryologist, the embryos’ quality had improved significantly. Both showed good cell division, normal morphology, and minimal fragmentation on day three, and one even had the potential to reach the blastocyst stage by day five. Also, this time around, I didn’t have the bad pain like I did after egg retrievals in the past. I think the anesthesiologist adjusted my meds after I told them how bad it was then, and it made a huge difference.

    This result might be devastated to many IVF patients, but for me, it was a milestone, marking a big improvement after so many attempts to just get one good egg and then a good embryo. Though the embryos weren’t graded as “good”, the embryologist said they were much better, which meant the whole world to me.

    I took a break of four or five days after the egg retrieval but continued injecting HGH before starting the second phase of stimulation. Unfortunately, the follow-up ultrasound showed that all the follicles were gone or as the doctor put it, “ruptured.” So, I never got the chance to experience the dual stimulation process.

    As for my two embryos, I didn’t want to risk waiting until day five because they were all I had, and I didn’t want to lose them. Usually, the number of embryos that develop on day five is much lower than than the number of embryos on day three. For patients with fewer embryos, doctors typically recommend freezing or transferring on day three. So, I decided to freeze my two embryos on day three.

    At first, I thought about a fresh transfer because my progesterone was fine. I once had a day-3 embryo in the US, but at that time, my body wasn’t ready for a fresh transfer because my progesterone was high. Unfortunately, that one didn’t make it past dat four.

    After thinking it over, I decided not to go for a fresh transfer. I wanted one more cycle to hopefully collect more embryos. Maybe the next cycle would be the one that maximized the benefits of the PRP and HGH injections. After a month of HGH priming and PRP injections, I was hoping for a better outcome. Given my age, my low ovarian reserve, and poor egg quality, I didn’t want to miss this “golden” opportunity to gather more embryos. If I did a fresh transfer, it could delay another egg retrieval, and with so many uncertainties along the way, it could end up wasting precious time. So, I made the decision to hold off on the fresh transfer.

    After nine cycles, I finally saw some improvements in the quality of my embryos. I finally got three day-3 embryos to freeze (I wasn’t too hopeful about the one from the 8th cycle due to its very poor quality), and freezing it on day three wasn’t really my choice—it was just what I had to do to avoid losing it). The ninth cycle was a milestone, showing some progress, which renewed my hope. Instead of freezing two embryos in one tube, I decided to freeze them separately. While this meant higher storage costs and would double the transfer costs, I didn’t want to risk losing everything at once in case both embryos didn’t work. By transferring one at a time, I could hold onto hope if the first one didn’t succeed. That was how I dealt with my emotional stress.

    In short, the ninth cycle was like a roller coaster. I started off “high” on PRP and HGH, hoping they would improve my results, then felt down as the follicles grew unevenly, and I faced the possibility of no eggs after retrieval. But then I was back up with two decent day-3 embryos and the hope of collecting more during the second stimulation phase. The ride leveled out when dual stimulation didn’t happen, but in the end, I was still happy with the results.

  • IVF Cycle 8

    When my seventh IVF cycle failed after all the efforts I’d put into improving my fertility health, I went through the darkest days of my life—days I will never forget. I was losing so much of myself, something I never expected. The toll this journey took on me was beyond anything I could have imagined. I felt pressed and crushed. You would never know the depth of it until you’re already caught in that spiral, and by then, it’s too late to back off without pain or exhaustion.

    I don’t think words can be enough to express how I felt, or maybe I’m just not capable of expressing it through words. All I can say is that I was living through the hardest days of my life. It was a lonely journey, one I accepted because it was my choice, whether voluntary or not. I had love and support—more than I ever expected—so there was no reason to moan about it. My focus was on doing my best to deserve the good things I had received along this challenging path.

    My eighth cycle began with a host of fertility issues: endometriosis, low egg ovarian reserve, poor egg quality, and poor sperm quality. It felt like every obstacle was in my way.

    I had been focusing on eating healthy, staying active, going to bed early, and minimizing stress, but the results still hadn’t improved. To prepare for this cycle, I added acupressure and reflexology twice a week, and my acupuncturist had me doing acupuncture every day except Sundays. I also researched a method called PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma), which has been used recently in the US and other developed countries. It’s said to help rejuvenate ovaries, potentially improving the quality of eggs by up to 50%. There was a lot of debate about this method, with some people dismissing it as just a marketing gimmick, while others considered it a game-changer. On Reddit, many IVF patients who tried it shared positive results. However, it was completely new in Vietnam. The only information I could find here was a short YouTube clip from a scientific conference—it wasn’t educational, just an introductory video.

    When I brought up this method to my doctor, he was surprised I’d heard of this since at that time, PRP injections were still being researched and hadn’t yet received national medical approval there.

    I shared the documents and videos I had collected in English for his reference. He said he could go ahead with it, but I would have to take full responsibility for any consequences. That wasn’t a problem for me because I trusted him, and I knew this method was relatively safe since it uses the patient’s own blood.

    I was scheduled for PRP injections really quickly, on day 6 of my cycle. One of the things I really appreciate about treatments in Vietnam is how flexible the timing is. You don’t have to wait long to book an appointment, and this flexibility extends to almost every step of the medical process, saving a lot of time on administration, preparation, and procedures.

    On the day of the procedure, the doctor drew two tubes of my blood and injected around 4 ml of plasma into my ovaries while I was under anesthesia. Afterward, I felt fine, just experiencing some light cramps and more discharge than usual, which lasted a few days.

    For the procedure, my doctor administered two PRP injections, one in each ovary. Other doctors I’ve read about do multiple injections at different spots on the ovaries, and the amount of plasma used can vary. It really depends on the doctor and clinic, as PRP is not universally accepted or practiced the same way everywhere. A quick online search showed that PRP treatment was around $5,000 in the US, but I only paid 10 million VND (~$400) there.

    Besides PRP, Human Growth Hormone (HGH) injections are also believed to help improve egg quality and have been used in the US. However, it was something completely new in VN. When I mentioned it to my doctor, he was surprised. I told him I wanted to give it a try, but he was hesitant because there wasn’t an established protocol for it yet.

    During my treatment in VN, my conditions worsened, and with doctors juggling so many patients, I realized I needed to take a more proactive approach in finding ways to improve my fertility. I couldn’t expect a doctor to go beyond researching my case or take the initiative to explore new protocols or treatments that might work better for me. I used to feel upset and disappointed, wishing my doctor would do more, but over time, I understood that maybe I was expecting too much. I came to appreciate my doctor for listening to and respecting my thoughts, as well as for his support and attention. These meant a lot to me because it’s stressful for any patient to work with a doctor who assumes they know nothing.

    28 days after the PRP injections on 04/18/24, I started my eighth IVF cycle on 05/16/24. I had daily injections of Pergoveris300 IU for 8 days, added Orgalutran in the mornings starting from 05/20/24, then injected a dual booster of Fertipeptil 0.1 mg and Ovitrellte 250 mg on 05/23/24. My follicles measured 17, 15 mm (L) and 17, 15 mm (R) on the booster day. I got 3 eggs retrieved and only one day-3 embryo, which was frozen the same day. The embryologist explained that the embryo would be unlikely to survive until day 5, and they don’t typically freeze embryos on day 4. The embryologist noted that the embryo’s development was abnormal during cell division, with the cells not dividing clearly, and the fragmentation percentage was over 50%, which was very high.

    Having just one frozen day-3 embryo didn’t mean my results had improved, but it did help my emotions. At least I didn’t end the cycle with nothing. There was still some hope, though minimal, because if there hadn’t been, there wouldn’t have been any reason to freeze it.

    Was I disappointed with the result? No. I had started to become familiar with repeated failures and unexpected occurrences. Gradually, I accepted that being a biological mother might not be for me. I was just trying to do what I could to avoid regret later on. After the eighth cycle, I started to realize the toll it had taken on my body. Since the seventh cycle, my body had ached severely after egg retrieval, even though I had few eggs retrieved. It felt like I was “paralyzed” the day after the procedure. My upper body felt stiff and tight, and whenever I moved, my muscles seemed to “retract,” making breathing incredibly painful. I had to sleep sitting up. In past cycles, I never experienced this kind of pain and never needed pain relievers after retrieval. When the pain first hit, I didn’t even remember the pain relievers I had been prescribed. This time, I took pain relievers, but they only helped a little.

    The pain was a wake-up call, making me think about putting an end to this journey. I started to worry about the long-term consequences of the continuous IVF cycles. I started to accept that I had done enough. It was time to stop, take care of myself, and consider a different path.

    However, since PRP injections are believed to be effective for up to three months and I still had nearly two months left, I didn’t want to miss the chance. So, I decided to continue the ninth cycle, this time trying HGH.

  • Failed IVF Cycle 6

    My IVF journey in Vietnam started with choosing a doctor, banking sperm, handling paperwork, and eventually undergoing Cycle 6. No matter how much you prepare, life has a way of throwing surprises at you, and this journey was no exception—it was filled with ongoing obstacles.

    Chosing IVF doctor

    The first doctor I met was a specialist I found online, known for his credibility and success with celebrity patients. However, during my first visit, I didn’t feel a connection with him, and that was important to me. I decided to see another doctor—an associate professor and a highly regarded expert in the field my sister recommended. I felt much more comfortable talking with him, and he took the time to review my medical records and give thoughtful feedback on the medications and protocols I had previously used.

    I need a doctor I can communicate with—someone who listens, makes time for their patients, and doesn’t make me feel like I’m rushing or taking up too much of their time. This doctor gave me the impression that he truly cared and left me feeling hopeful that he could help make my journey a success.

    His office was inside an IVF hospital, which I hadn’t realized at first. I met him in the evening, and it didn’t seem unusual since many doctors there work extra hours after their regular 9-to-5 shifts. Initially, I thought he worked for the hospital, but it turned out he owned the clinic and collaborated with the hospital. The setup had its drawbacks. Unlike at a hospital, where multiple doctors might be involved in your treatment, here you only have one primary doctor. While it’s possible to seek second opinions elsewhere, it’s harder to receive the same level of care as a direct patient. At a hospital, however, since all the doctors work within the same system, you will likely receive similar care from each one. Despite this, I had no plans to switch doctors because, as I mentioned, he’s one of the top IVF experts.

    Banking sperm

    In the second half of November, S was in Vietnam to go with me to the hospital and bank his sperm. As part of the process, he had several blood tests and a general health check. His samples were then analyzed to ensure they met the requirements for freezing and storage.

    Given my repeated failures in the past, I anticipated needing several IVF cycles, so we decided to store six tubes of sperm. Initially, we planned for just four, but on two occasions, they collected more than one tube, and since all were qualified for freezing, we chose to store them all.

    S received an FTA card for both his blood and sperm identification each time they were collected. The total cost for banking six tubes and four FTA cards was VND 17 million ($670)

    Although his specimens were qualified for freezing, they were honestly of the poorest quality compared to the previous ones. Still, they were all we had, and I knew I would be relying on them throughout the IVF journey.

    My doctor knew about my husband’s sperm quality, but he didn’t seem too concerned. In IVF, as long as men have sperm, doctors tend to focus more on the woman’s issues. I was told that women contribute to about 80% of the success rate in IVF.

    Paperwork legalization

    While we were doing the preliminary health checks and blood tests, we met with the administration department to make sure we didn’t miss any documents. This was really important to us because I didn’t want any delays due to a missing signature or paperwork that didn’t meet their requirements. Since my husband was still there, I wanted to ensure we had everything we needed.

    Since we got married in the US and my husband is non-Vietnamese, we had to notarize his passport and get our marriage license verified by a local American authority to confirm it was legitimate. After that, the legalization and translation were processed by a Vietnamese consulate. The whole process was time-consuming, especially at the consulate. We ended up paying around $300 just for the legalization and translation of our marriage certificate, along with four copies.

    I prepared the documents in 2020, as we had planned to do IVF in VN. However, right after that, the COVID pandemic hit and lasted for two years, putting everything on hold. Honestly, I felt a sense of relief as we prepared for the IVF journey in VN, as I didn’t have to worry about the documents anymore.

    In addition to those documents, we had to prepare authorization papers for sperm use and embryo transfer, which had to be notarized since S wouldn’t be there during the IVF process. The authorization forms were provided by the hospital, and each hospital has its own policy on this. The one where I received treatment only allowed the authorization to be used three times before a new one would be required. However, in practice, this can be flexible. Instead of getting a new one, you can write an application letter (using the hospital’s form) explaining the situation and confirming that you and your husband are still married, with the understanding that the hospital won’t face any legal issues.

    I was hopeful about doing IVF in Vietnam for several reasons. First, I had great support and care from my family there. Second, a change in environment and atmosphere would positively impact my mood. Additionally, there were many reputable hospitals and doctors to choose from, IVF support services were available and affordable, and treatments were quick and flexible. On a more spiritual note, as a Vietnamese, I felt I might have better luck in the country where I was born and raised. But above all, what mattered most to me was that I thought doctors in Vietnam would offer a more personalized treatment plan, rather than the one-size-fits-all approach I had experienced at my clinic in the US. At that clinic, you’d start with birth control pills no matter what, and while I understand the reasoning behind it, there was little flexibility or alternatives if you didn’t want to go that route again. I was confident that there were no issues with the quality or quantity of my eggs; I just needed a better protocol.

    Cycle 6

    On November 30, 2023, I had an appointment on day 2 of my period. The ultrasound showed I only had 6 eggs on the right and 2 on the left, a significantly reduced number. My AMH had dropped from 2.69 to 1.49 in just two months, which was a huge shock. I hadn’t expected such a rapid decline. But then I realized that for women undergoing IVF, egg count can decrease much faster compared to those who aren’t. Considering my age, the new circumstances, and the fact that I was getting treatment outside the US, time was more critical than ever. I really wanted to start my treatment as soon as possible to make the most of my time there.

    However, my FSH improved a bit to 12.25, down from 15.1, which was a positive sign. But, IVF doctors generally consider FSH levels as high once they are elevated, even if the current reading is normal at the time of treatment.

    I remember that my IVF doctor in the US mentioned my FSH was a bit high, but she wasn’t overly concerned about it. She focused much more on my AMH levels and follicle count during baseline ultrasounds. However, when I consulted with an IVF doctor in Vietnam, he said outright that I would never be successful with such a high FSH and recommended waiting at least three months. That was really discouraging. But when I raised the concern with my doctor in the US, she reassured me that she wasn’t too worried about that level. At the time, since I was undergoing treatment in the US, I chose to trust her judgment.

    Back to Cycle 6, I started stimulation on 11/30/2023, for eight days, beginning with Pergoveris 300 IU and adding Orgalutran on day 6, 12/05/2023. The process was simple and quick. The ultrasound showed good results, and my blood tests were normal. On Day 8, 12/07/2023, I had six follicles measured at 19, 17, 16, 15 and 14 mm before the trigger shot that night. Then, the retrieval day arrived, and the doctor retrieved four eggs. Three of them were degraded, and the last one was abnormal. My doctor said my eggs looked like those of a 48-year-old woman. I felt completely emotionless hearing that. Maybe it was because I already knew how tough this journey had been for me, though I hadn’t prepared for zero fertilization in this cycle. That comment only reminded me that the obstacles had become tougher, and I needed to try harder rather than give up.

    He recommended using donor eggs, but I declined. He suggested taking a break and starting treatment again after the Lunar New Year, which made sense. The festival was approaching, and people were already slowing down their activities to prepared for the New Year. Plus, normal routines wouldn’t fully resume until a month after the Lunar New Year, as everyone would still be caught up in the festive atmosphere with plenty of gatherings and celebrations.

    Above all, I truly felt I needed a break, something I hadn’t had in almost two years of continuous treatments. The challenges kept piling up, and the dark days of November 2023 really knocked me down. I was drained. Taking time off to focus on improving my health became essential, and I had a plan in mind for it.

    I forgot to mention one more thing. After the fertilization failed, I spoke with the embryologist, in charge of the fertilization. She was quite pessimistic about our chances of success, given the quality of both. She said that after thawing, none of the sperm were mobile. She told me that if our eggs and sperm didn’t improve, it would be difficult to expect a better outcome.

    I told my doctor that I wanted to use my husband’s sperm, which had been stored at a different hospital since 2020, for the next cycle. His sperm quality back then was much better than the one stored at the hospital where I was currently being treated. Unfortunately, the hospital didn’t accept his sperm from a different facility, and that really bothered me. Given what the embryologist had told me about the poor quality of both his sperm after thawing and my eggs, I started to wonder if I should change my doctor and do IVF at the hospital where my husband’s better sperm was being stored.

    I had done an IUI once at that hospital, and honestly, when S stored his sperm there, we hadn’t really thought through a solid plan. It was a public hospital, so it’s no surprise that it was always crowded, with hours of waiting just to have a few minutes with the doctors (there were no appointment bookings available). S didn’t have a positive experience there, mainly due to concerns about hygiene and clinical practices. His worry about hospitals in VN, in general, was that the overcrowding could lead to mistakes, infections, or cross-contamination. It wasn’t that the doctors weren’t good, but there were just too many patients, and the rules of practice weren’t as strict as they were in the US. When I did IUI there, a staff member actually mistook my medical records for someone else’s, and my doctor reviewed the ultrasound image with the wrong date. They didn’t realize the mistakes until I pointed them out. This experience only added to S’s concerns about doing IVF in VN.

    I’m not sure why I’m bringing this up, probably it helps explain why I had chosen a different hospital, instead of the one, where my husband’s better sperm was stored. Considering the failure of Cycle 6 due to the poor quality of both my eggs and my husband’s sperm, I didn’t know what the right move was for the next cycle. Should I switch doctors? Switch hospitals? I couldn’t make up my mind at the time, so I decided to sleep on it and focus on improving my health.

  • Beyond tears

    10 IVF cycles (8 egg retrievals, 2 cancelled on days 8 and 9 of stimulations). The numbers say it all… Still hopeful but hopeless at the same time.

    Not related, but it’s not easy living with fear—silent but turbulent at times. Bear it, embrace it, befriend it, and pray, knowing that things shall pass.

    In the worst situations, prayer, compassion, and gratitude are my navigators through struggles and miseries, without whining, “poor me!”

  • Chewy Bun Bo Hue and IVF treatment plan in Vietnam

    Sat, Jan 07, 2022

    ​It’d been a while since we’d last been to a Vietnamese restaurant, so I was excited to go last weekend. However, upon entering the restaurant named in Vietnamese, I noticed that the decoration was not traditional Vietnamese. The tall statues at the entrance and the burgundy tablecloths gave the impression that​ the​ restaurant’s décor was Thai-inspired. The waitresses were also not Vietnamese. Upon looking at the menu, I realized that the restaurant serves not only Vietnamese dishes from Vietnam but also foods from Laos and Thailand.

    We ordered spring rolls and crispy wonton as appetizers. For the entrees, I had a special bowl of Pho, a national dish made with spiced beef broth, thin slices of beef, and herbs, and S had Bun Bo Hue, a spicy noodle soup specialty originated from the ancient royal city of Hue. While Bun Bo Hue’s broth tasted good, the meat was so tough and rubbery that S was unable to eat. It was even tough for me though my Vietnamese mouth is familiar with chewy food. I had to cut the meat into small pieces to be able to chew it. 

    It’s hard to find a traditional atmosphere at Vietnamese restaurants in our area, but we’ll try a different one next time, and see if we get lucky

    My home-made Pho:

    Wed, Jan 11, 2022

    ​My period is coming if it follows the calendar. But the waiting is exhausting. I half hope for a miracle but remind myself to be practical. Life is never easy and 2023 will be a stressful and challenging year for me.

    ​S has never agreed with my idea to have IVF treatment in VN. One of his reasons is concern that medical practices might not be as strict as they are in the US. This could cause mistakes, affecting the baby’s health. However, I think the real reason for his disagreement is that he simply doesn’t want me to be away from home for too long. Medical practices shouldn’t be his concern as I believe in the expertise of Vietnamese IVF doctors. Also, with my experiences in doing IVF in the US, I am confident I’ll be able to oversee the treatment process there on my own. 

    I had intended to have a heart-to-heart talk with him about this, not long after the New Year’s celebration. But the thought of having this talk was enough to make me overwhelmed as I have never been good at persuading people to agree with me, especially on ideas mainly based on emotions and personalities. I knew I had to be patient, waiting for the appropriate time but it was hard to shake the heavy feeling in my heart whenever that thought came across my mind. At times, when the stress became too much, especially during the time before my period, I couldn’t resist telling him I am going to VN no matter what.

    One day, while on the phone with him, I brought my plan up again and surprisingly, he asked, “Will my two-week stay in VN be long enough for the treatment?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. He was on board with my plan without a big talk between us. At that moment, I felt a great sense of relief and gratitude. S has always been with me as a supportive and protective knight, caring for me in my most difficult times. He may not always agree with my ideas or thoughts but he will ultimately support what I want to do. Despite differences between us, his commitment to taking care of me and our marriage through tough times has never wavered.