My husband and I met through a relative's introduction. Both of us being late to marry, we hoped to have children soon. A year passed quickly without any news, and upon examination, it was found that my husband's sperm motility was weak. We both loved children dearly, so we embarked on the long journey of trying to conceive. Over three or four years, we tried traditional Chinese medicine, Western medicine, and even sought spiritual guidance, but to no avail.
In the fifth year of our marriage, and at the age of 38, I heard that a relative had successfully conceived through artificial reproductive technology at Stork Fertility center in Hsinchu. Soon after, I heard another acquaintance had a successful pregnancy through the same means. After discussion, my husband and I finally gathered the courage to visit the center. After evaluation by Dr., we decided to proceed with artificial insemination. Thus began our first cycle of assisted reproductive therapy.
Miscarried after embryo transfer and bounce back
The first time we saw the two lines on the pregnancy test, I was pregnant! My husband and I were so excited that tears streamed down our faces. However, due to subsequent embryo degeneration, we had to undergo surgery to remove it. After the heartbreak, we decided to pursue IVF. Before starting the implantation process, I quit my job. During the wait for the results after embryo transfer, I was immensely grateful for my husband's support. He not only managed his work but also helped with household chores.
After two weeks of agonizing wait, we finally received the news. Once again, we saw the two lines on the pregnancy test. All three embryos had successfully implanted. However, due to the risks associated with multiple pregnancies, we decided to reduce one embryo after consulting with our doctor. We took great care every day, and despite overcoming the discomforts of early pregnancy, we faced another setback. At 23 weeks, my water broke for unknown reasons, leading to infection in the fetus and unfortunately resulting in a premature delivery. It seemed our fate with the baby was not meant to be.
We grieved for a while, but our desire to have a child remained strong in our hearts. So, after taking some time to rest, we mustered up the courage to once again step into the fertility clinic.
Underg ERA implantation in precisely time
I am especially grateful to Ms. A, our supportive embryologist. Every time I faced failure and heartbreak, she encouraged me to persevere, regain confidence, and keep going. I am also thankful to the researchers of Endometrial Receptivity Analysis (ERA). Their study revealed that the body's physiology changes during pregnancy, affecting the timing of implantation. This knowledge prompted us to undergo ERA before implantation, which significantly increased the success rate of our IVF journey.
Following the doctor's recommendation, I also underwent cervical cerclage during this pregnancy. We endured until 25 weeks before delivery. Despite the challenges, our son, though facing adversity, is growing stronger and braver each day. Watching him grow up so courageously and resiliently, I want to say to him, "Mom and Dad will always love you. All the hardships were worth it. Let's keep going together."
Finally got my Baby with Egg Donation
Looking back on this journey, from the outset of undergoing assisted reproductive treatments at the fertility center to ultimately resorting to egg donation due to age-related factors, our journey saw a reduction from 12 eggs and 9 embryos initially to 8 eggs and 5 embryos, culminating in the successful pregnancy and birth of our baby. Over these 8 years, enduring one artificial conception, 3 egg retrievals, and 8 rounds of IVF implantations, I remained steadfastly committed to the Stork fertility center. The supportive environment, the skilled medical team led by Doctor, the kindness of the nursing staff, and the encouragement from the embryologist all instilled in me a deep trust in the Stork.
To couples on the journey to parenthood, I would like to say: maintain faith. One embryo implantation is all it takes, and consider undergoing ERA testing before implantation.
The pregnancy rate is positively correlated with the proportion of embryos with normal chromosomes. According to statistics from the Stork Fertility Center from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022, for women over 40 years old, the rate of embryos with normal chromosomes is approximately 20%. For women over 43 years old, this rate drops to as low as 8%. In contrast, the proportion of embryos with normal chromosomes through egg donation is as high as 57.5%. Considering factors such as time and finances, setting a personal threshold for using one's own eggs and then opting for egg donation is a wise choice!
ERA utilizes Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to analyze over 248 genes related to endometrial receptivity, determining the optimal timing for embryo implantation. According to recommendations from Spanish testing agencies, if there is a pregnancy that progresses to the second trimester, some individuals may experience changes in their endometrial gene expression to a certain extent. Therefore, if attempting pregnancy again, it is necessary to undergo another ERA test to confirm receptivity.