IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) 101

The difference between In Vitro Fertilization, or IVF, and Artificial Insemination, or IUI, lies in the way they are performed.

Currently, the government only subsidizes the cost of IVF, not IUI, so the difference in cost between the two is almost the same, but the average pregnancy rate between the two treatments is several times higher!

Who is suitable for IVF treatment? If you meet the following criteria, it is recommended that you seek professional advice.

If you are under 34 years old and have not been able to conceive for one year, or 35 to 38 years old and have not been able to conceive for six months, or over 38 years old and still trying to conceive, and if you fall into any of these three categories, NUWA Fertility Center may suggest seeking professional help as soon as possible.

Book a consultation on the second to fourth day of the menstrual cycle and undergo relevant tests, such as blood sampling and ultrasound. According to the doctor's recommendation, ovulation medication will be used to stimulate the ovaries to produce more follicles.

According to your doctor's recommendation, you should continue to use ovulation medication to grow your follicles. You should also return to the clinic routinely to have your blood drawn and ultrasound exams done to track changes in blood hormone values and monitor follicle maturity to determine when the best time to retrieve your eggs is.

The doctor will determine the appropriate time for egg retrieval, and an injection will be given 34-36 hours before egg retrieval.

According to your doctor's recommendation, you can choose to implant fresh embryos or frozen embryos. The date of implantation will be adjusted according to the number of days of the embryo, the lining of the embryo, and the physical condition of the individual. The actual course of treatment should be thoroughly discussed with the doctor.

The blood test for pregnancy is the chorionic gonadotropin β-hCG value. Generally, a return visit will be arranged about 14 days after implantation, so you can follow the doctor's schedule to return for the blood test.

The success rate of IVF is closely related to egg quality, uterine environment, embryo quality, etc., and varies according to each individual's physical condition. According to the Assisted Reproductive Technology Summary 2021 National Report of Taiwan, the pregnancy rate for implantation cycles was 44.3%; the pregnancy rate for treatment cycles was 22.5% (commonly referred to as the "pregnancy rate,") the cumulative live birth rate for treatment cycles was 27.9%, and the cumulative live birth rate for treatment cycles before the age of 38 years was 43.5%. The results of the survey showed that both pregnancy and live birth rates decreased with the age of the treated women.

NUWA Healthcare has a large number of expert traditional Chinese medicine physicians and reproductive medicine physicians, professional embryologists, and high-quality equipment, and boasts the team’s ability to pay attention to small details, which are the key success factors for NUWA Healthcare’s high fertility rates.

However, are there any risks associated with IVF? Are there any side effects? Some women may experience discomfort from ovulation injection or overstimulation of the ovaries after egg retrieval. However, everyone reacts differently to hormone injections and may experience mild nausea, bloating, and edema. These side effects will subside within 1 to 2 weeks after stopping the medication.

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is a common complication that occurs after ovulation is induced. Depending on the severity, it can be mild, moderate, or severe, with symptoms such as abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, weight gain, and in severe cases, shortness of breath and even a decrease in urine output. Several things can be done to minimize the chances of OHSS, such as: lowering the dosage of gonadotropins or suspending their use for a few days to minimize the stimulation of the ovaries; freezing the embryos instead of implanting them fresh; and changing the egg-broken egg injections, etc. The doctor will observe and decide on the appropriate course of action, and it is recommended to respond immediately and seek professional help if any of these conditions arise to help reduce the risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome. The physician will observe and determine the appropriate course of action for any condition.

The main cost items of IVF treatment include:

The cost starts from NT$150,000 to NT$180,000, with additional costs for medication. However, the actual course of treatment will depend on each person's ovarian status and response to medication, sperm status, and choice of embryo culture technique, as well as the doctor's professional assessment and medication arrangement. Since costs will vary from patient to patient, we recommend that you come to the clinic for consultation and discussion with the doctor.

To encourage childbirth, the government has implemented an expanded subsidy program for infertility treatment (IVF) starting July 1, 2021. People who need IVF treatment as long as one of the spouses is a national and the wife is under the age of 45 and has a diagnosis of infertility are eligible for the subsidy. The subsidies are available in the following ways:

Number of Subsidies: The maximum number of subsidies is 6 for women under 39 years of age (inclusive) before undergoing IVF treatment and having a successful live birth; the maximum number of subsidies is 3 for women between 40 and 44 years of age. For those who have already given birth via IVF, the number of subsidies for another child will be re-calculated according to the age range of the woman.

💡 Reminder: NUWA Fertility Center is an approved artificial reproduction facility!

Extended reading: Read this article to know the eligibility, target, and process of the 2024 Infertility IVF subsidy program in a second!

According to Article 16 (3) of The Artificial Reproduction Law of Taiwan, the sex of IVF embryos cannot be chosen unless the couple has genetic diseases, such as color blindness and hemophilia. The doctor will then use PGT-A genetic screening to discover the sex of the fetus, to reduce the chances of the fetus suffering from genetic diseases and additional risks.

The Taiwan Society of Reproductive Medicine (TSRM) has published a "Guideline on the Number of Embryos to be Implanted." Generally speaking, the younger the mother, the higher the chance of success. Therefore, it is recommended that women younger than 35 years old have 1 or 2 embryos implanted; women between the ages of 35 and 37 are recommended to have 2 embryos implanted; women between the ages of 38 and 40 are recommended to have 3 embryos implanted; and women over the age of 41 can consider placing a "maximum" of 4 embryos.

The number of embryos cannot avoid the problem of multiple births, which may cause premature labor and pregnancy complications. Therefore, the number of embryos to be implanted needs to take into account the age and physical condition of the mother, and it is recommended that you consult a professional doctor for a detailed discussion.

Do you have questions about IVF treatment but don't know where to go? If this has been on your mind, we recommend a visit to NUWA Fertility Center. Here are some of the things we do to help make prospective parents more comfortable to leave this important task to us!

👍 Major Fertility Chain in Taiwan

NUWA Healthcare has 3 high-quality IVF centers and 2 TCM centers in Taipei, Taoyuan, and Taichung, with a total of one hundred healthcare professionals providing comprehensive fertility treatments.

👍 Expert Infertility Team

A crew of doctors with more than 10,000 successful in vitro fertilization procedures, including 15 reproductive medicine physicians, 5 Chinese medicine physicians, and 21 embryologists, stands as invaluable teammates for a successful pregnancy.

👍 International-Grade Embryology Laboratory

We have several advanced time-lapse Vitrolife Embryoscope laboratories that use AI technology to accurately select embryos and create a lab environment suitable for embryo culture, and are committed to increasing pregnancy success rates!

👍 Professional and Heartfelt Service

We prioritize each person's experience in the clinic and provide expecting parents with a sincere and trusting consultation, as well as a comfortable and private clinic environment.

👍 Combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine

NUWA Healthcare includes the NUWA Fertility Center and the NUWA TCM Center, where traditional Chinese and Western physicians work together to help you achieve your fertility goals.

If you have any questions about IVF, you are welcome to come to the clinic to consult with the doctors 👉 Make an appointment online

Extended Reading:

What is the definition of infertility? What are the basic tests?

What is Habitual Miscarriage? Find out how to assess and treat it.

With many infertility experts and more than 10,000 doctors with successful IVF experience, the company has 5 clinics, including 3 high-specification IVF reproduction centers, 2 TCM centers, and 3 international embryo laboratories, which are located in Taipei, Taoyuan, and Taichung.

Main Services: Infertility treatment, IVF, artificial insemination, egg freezing, egg borrowing, and pregnancy preparation. In 2021, NUWA Healthcare will formally cooperate with Dianthus Medical Group to provide one-stop integrated services from preparation, pregnancy, labor, and postpartum care, which will bring the greatest convenience to the patients.👉Learn more about NUWA online