"My husband and I finally have a child after 6 long years," Anh said, bringing her daughter to express gratitude to Master, Doctor Giang Huynh Nhu, Director of the Center for Reproductive Assistance, Tam Anh General Hospital TP HCM (IVF Tam Anh TP HCM).

The couple Anh with their daughter and Master, Doctor Giang Huynh Nhu - Director of IVF Tam Anh TP HCM. Photo: Phuong Trinh

Anh and her husband previously underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) at another hospital. They had three day 5 embryos cultured, but all three embryo transfers failed for unexplained reasons.

The Covid-19 pandemic caused a long delay in their treatment, leading to a deadlock. When they sought consultation at IVF Tam Anh TP HCM in 2024, Anh and her husband were 35, past the ideal age for childbirth. Anh's ovarian reserve (AMH) had begun to decline to 1,8 ng/mL, and her husband had weak sperm. Doctor Nhu developed a personalized ovarian stimulation protocol. This resulted in the retrieval and freezing of 4 mature eggs. The doctor then collected eggs in another cycle, bringing Anh's total to 6 mature eggs.

However, the eggs from the first retrieval were of poor quality. This reduced the success rate of embryo creation, even when cultured in a system optimized for all conditions. Ultimately, Anh and her husband were left with only one day 5 embryo, which was graded as good quality by artificial intelligence software and embryologists.

The embryo culture system, equipped with continuous observation cameras and integrated artificial intelligence (AI) software, at IVF Tam Anh TP HCM. Photo: Nguyen Trung

Anh had undergone laparoscopic surgery to remove uterine polyps many years prior, and ultrasound scans confirmed their recurrence. With only one embryo available for transfer, Doctor Nhu performed a hysteroscopy to remove the polyps and a simultaneous endometrial biopsy to accurately diagnose any abnormalities. The results indicated chronic endometritis. The doctor treated the inflammation completely, then prepared the endometrium to optimal conditions, and transferred the single embryo. Anh became pregnant and delivered a healthy daughter.

At IVF Tam Anh TP HCM, about 60% of patients are older couples, those with long-term infertility, or individuals with few or poor quality eggs. According to Doctor Nhu, a conventional IVF cycle previously required approximately 10-15 eggs for embryo culture. For women with reduced egg quantity and quality, doctors now implement protocols that involve collecting eggs over multiple cycles. Thanks to modern embryo culture technologies, even in cases of depleted ovarian reserve where only two-three eggs can be collected, there is still an opportunity to create good quality embryos, increasing the chances of pregnancy and giving birth to a healthy child.

Hoai Thuong