IVF COST

The table below shows the cost we incurred during our stay. This doesn't include food and transportation. Since we didn't actually go through with the IVF, this is only until Day 17 of my last menstrual period. Please take note also that I was under Protocol 4 and only had 1 dose of Pergoveris a day.

This is not the end

2 days before my supposed ovum pickup, I came in for another consultation. I had my blood test and ultrasound done before I saw Dr. Lee.

I just knew that something was wrong when I saw Dr. Lee's expression when he saw my E2 test result. As he explained that my E2 had dropped significantly, I felt like crying. He told me that having low estradiol meant that my follicles were no longer developing properly and that they are not of good quality. It wouldn't make any sense to continue with the IVF and that we should try again next time.

I couldn't believe it. We had been in Taipei for 3 weeks only to have our IVF cancelled. It was heartbreaking. Tears fell down as soon as we stepped out of the clinic. I just couldn't help it. I felt like a failure. I had endured the daily injection and the daily commute to the hospital for 15 straight days, only to be told that we should go home.

I'm the type of person who doesn't dwell on negativity. Although this was definitely hard for me and my husband, I know that God has a plan for us. We will come back to Taipei better and a lot more ready. With God's grace, I know that we will become parents in His perfect time. This is not the end.

PCOS problems arise

I had my ultrasound on my 8th day and found that most of my follicles have grown bigger. In fact, there's more than 24 follicles in both ovaries. Dr. Lee tells me that this is a problem. He only needs about 8-10 eggs for ovum pickup. That's why he has to closely monitor the growth of my follicles, and I have to see him every other day now.

I thought that having a lot of follicles would be a good thing but I just realized that it really isn't.

Despite the challenges, I still try to be positive about it and not dwell on the terrible things that could possibly happen. I know that God is on my side and that He has a plan for me. :) I know that my husband and I are here in Taipei for the IVF but it helps that I also think of it as a long vacation and a chance for us to bond. :)

Doing the IVF in Taiwan

Earlier this year, I was determined to have my IVF treatment done in the Philippines. Mainly because I thought it would be more convenient. I wouldn't have to spend a month away from work and stay in a strange place.

But then again, deciding to undergo an IVF treatment means spending a whole lot of money over a treatment that doesn't guarantee a 100% success rate. In fact, in the Philippines, the success rate is a little under 50%. If I'm going to spend that kind of money, I thought that I'd spend it on a hospital/doctor with a much better success rate. That's when I researched and I came across Mackay Memorial Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan. It also helped that a week before I was scheduled to leave for Taipei for my initial consultation, they held an IVF reunion in Makati Shangri-la to meet new patients and catch up on those who've already undergone treatment with them. I must say it was very inspirational to hear the stories first-hand. After attending that talk, I just knew that I had to take the opportunity to do it in Mackay.