Pregnancy is not as easy as I once thought
I got married in 2016 at the age of 41. After marriage, my husband and I often lived apart. I naively thought that as long as I had regular periods, I could ovulate and get pregnant naturally, so I didn’t pay much attention to fertility.
It wasn’t until 2018, when we finally began living together again, that I started actively trying to conceive. Considering my age, I immediately sought medical assistance. I consulted several fertility clinics and hospitals in Taipei, only to find out that I was infertile, and my chance of conceiving naturally was nearly zero. The doctor recommended we pursue IVF.
After undergoing seven failed IVF treatments at different infertility clinics and hospitals, my body and mind were exhausted. I had bruises all over my stomach from injections like ovulation stimulants and progesterone, and experienced swelling due to side effects. Every failed result felt like a heavy blow. I was stuck in a cycle of starting over and switching medical institutions. Some doctors even told me my ovaries had already aged and suggested using donated eggs. One of them referred me to Huayu.
Given all the previous setbacks and my age as a super-advanced maternal woman, I discussed the option of egg donation with my family—and to my surprise, everyone agreed. I was both shocked and deeply grateful to have such open-minded parents and in-laws. I immediately contacted Dr. Hsu at Huayu.
Huayu gave me the strength to keep dreaming
A few days later, I visited Huayu for consultation. When I first met Dr. Hsu, he was incredibly attentive and patient with all my questions. I asked him honestly about my chances of success given my physical condition. Other doctors had told me I had about a 50% chance due to my age, so I expected the same. But after evaluating my case, Dr. Hsu said I had a 90% chance of success. I was overjoyed and shocked.
During the consultation, Dr. Hsu kept giving me confidence and positive energy. He also mentioned that donated eggs are given by kind-hearted girls who generously share eggs they don’t currently need with women who do. I was truly grateful for these girls’ compassion. Their kindness gave me strength to keep dreaming.
A trusted and reassuring treatment journey
At the first visit, I underwent not only consultation but also basic fertility tests, including blood work (AMH), urine analysis, semen analysis, ultrasound, and hysteroscopy.
Based on the initial test results, Huayu advised me to exercise more and even consider Traditional Chinese Medicine to optimize my body before entering the treatment cycle for better outcomes.
Within 2–3 months, I completed the egg donation application process. The matching went smoothly, and I quickly found a suitable donor. Having gone through many treatments, I deeply understood the pain of injections, so I was especially thankful for the donor’s decision.
As expected, the donor’s eggs were plentiful and of high quality. After transfer, I felt much more confident. The warm and friendly environment and the kindness of Huayu’s staff made me feel safe enough to fully trust them with everything—and just relax and wait.
Success after five years – tears of joy
After the embryo transfer, I followed Huayu’s advice to rest in bed for 30–60 minutes, which gave me peace of mind. I ate seasonal fruits and vegetables, protein, and whole grains for balanced nutrition. Because implantation may cause constipation, Dr. Hsu recommended fiber-rich foods and drinking plenty of water.
Days 1–10 post-transfer were the critical phase for progesterone support. Light exercise like walking helped progesterone absorption and stabilized the embryo. I avoided high-intensity exercise for at least two weeks until the embryo had properly implanted, then gradually resumed activity.
The day before my follow-up appointment, I nervously decided to test early. Holding my breath, I walked into the bathroom and squinted at the test strip. Suddenly, a bold second line appeared—it felt ten times brighter than any line I had ever seen. After five years of countless pregnancy tests, this was the clearest second line I had ever seen. My husband and I broke down in tears of joy.
Ordinary moments are the most priceless
Now, looking at my sweet baby sleeping beside me, I truly understand what it means to have a complete and happy family at age 44. I’m grateful to Huayu for helping me become a brave mother, for letting me feel the love of a child, and for making my life even more fulfilled.
To all couples who haven’t yet succeeded: don’t give up. Keep going. Trust Huayu. And to women who are still single, consider egg freezing—it could preserve your chance at life.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you to the entire Huayu team. And thank you, Dr. Hsu—you are my favorite!
