After a 10-year struggle with infertility, a 36-year-old woman from Hanoi successfully gave birth to her first child thanks to a "gentle" in vitro fertilization (IVF) protocol. The specialized treatment, implemented at Hong Ngoc Phuc Truong Minh Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, addressed severe reproductive challenges faced by both the mother and her husband.
Doctor Nguyen Binh Duong, Head of the center, highlighted the complexity of the case. The wife's AMH level was 0.2, indicating severely diminished ovarian reserve with only 2-3 egg follicles per cycle. Her husband suffered from obstructive azoospermia, a condition where no sperm is present in the ejaculate due to a blockage.
"Both sides had limited reproductive resources, making each egg and sperm a precious opportunity," Doctor Duong stated.
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The couple's family welcomed their first child after 10 years. Photo: Hong Ngoc Phuc Truong Minh General Hospital
Given the couple's intricate medical profile, the primary goal was to obtain high-quality sperm during the initial procedure. Consequently, the Mini IVF method was identified as the most suitable choice. This approach involves using low-dose stimulation drugs, optimizing each ovum, meticulously cultivating each embryo, and precisely timing interventions. The "gentle" protocol also prevents the wife's body from hormonal overload, supporting her mental stability for the demanding treatment journey.
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Mini IVF is a minimal stimulation in vitro fertilization method. Photo: Hong Ngoc Phuc Truong Minh General Hospital
The treatment required the wife to undergo egg stimulation 4 times, with egg retrieval across 2 cycles. Simultaneously, the husband needed 3 PESA procedures. PESA, or percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration, is a technique that uses a fine needle inserted through the skin to extract sperm directly from the epididymis in men with obstructive azoospermia. Following 3 embryo transfers, the wife successfully conceived and gave birth to their first baby in the 38th week.
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Doctor Nguyen Binh Duong, Head of Hong Ngoc Phuc Truong Minh Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility. Photo: Hong Ngoc Phuc Truong Minh General Hospital
According to Doctor Duong, the decisive factor for success was persistent planning and close coordination between the couple and the treating doctor. He emphasized that a doctor's role extends beyond developing a protocol; it involves being a companion, helping the couple's bodies respond better to treatment.
The family's encouragement also played a crucial role, providing motivation for the medical team. The patient's trust empowered the entire team, helping the doctor complete this challenging journey.
Van Ha
At IVF Hong Ngoc - Phuc Truong Minh, each treatment case is individualized based on the medical characteristics and circumstances of each couple. The goal is not only to optimize success rates but also to help families reduce pressure, optimize costs, and save time throughout the treatment process to have healthy, smooth, and safe births.
