Most Frequently Asked Questions: Why IVF? Why in Taiwan? Why in Mackay Memorial Hospital?

Photo grabbed here

This is the most frequently asked question in my blog and emails.

Why did you undergo IVF? Why in Taiwan and why in Mackay Memorial Hospital? 

Here's my answer.

These are some of the reasons why I chose to have IVF in Mackay Memorial Hospital in Taipei:

1. Proximity wise, Taiwan is nearer to the Philippines.

2. It was way cheaper to have IVF done in Taiwan compared to the Philippines, Singapore or US in terms of medical expenses, food and accommodation. 

3. Taiwan has a higher success rate in terms of their IVF.

4.  I have personally spoken to quite a number of people who were successful with their IVF with Dr. Robert Lee as their ob-gyne.

5. I find Dr. Robert Lee very professional. He knows what he is doing and I feel comfortable with him.

6. The system in the hospital is very organized.

7. They have an International Medical Service team that will assist you with all the things that you need. They are prompt in answering all your queries through email and they are also the ones who will help you arrange your accommodation there.

8. Love the food in Taipei... and shopping as well!!

9. I also felt that a change of environment would be healthy for us as we were able to escape the stress we have here in the Philippines.  We were able to rest and unwind. It was like our second honeymoon and the IVF was like our side trip instead of the other way around.  We enjoyed the trip very much and the baby is our bonus :)

Why IVF? 

It was recommended to me by my OB then after 3 consecutive failed iui from her.   Though prior to this, we have also tried 2 IUI with another ob.

Given our case, the success rate was 50% according to our ob in Taiwan. That’s a 50-50 chance for us…  and since we have tried everything already, IVF was our last resort.

Plus the fact that  my biological clock was ticking and was not getting any younger, I was determined to give IVF a try even just once only.   I wouldn't want to wake up one day and regret the fact that I did not do something when i could have done something.  

To quote from Mark Twain: “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore.  Dream.  Discover.”

IVF was indeed worth a try... especially  with our dream of having a baby as the prize.

    

Result of My IVF: It's POSITIVE

For all those waiting and wanting to know the result of my ivf,  i would like to happily announce to you all that my ivf journey was a success... I am finally pregnant after 7 years of trying and will see our baby after 8 years of waiting :)

All this I owe to God Almighty for finally answering our prayers... and also, to all of you who have helped me storm the heaven with your prayers for us, as well as for all the love and support you've given us all throughout this journey.  

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you, thank you, thank you very much.  No words could express how much we appreciated all that you've done for us.  They meant a lot.

Right now, I would like to ask for your continued prayers as I brace through with this pregnancy --may you help us pray for a smooth and safe delivery to a healthy and normal baby.  Thank you very much. 

For all those who are still trying to conceive, i would like to tell you all that miracles do happen as long as you believe it will...  I am a living proof that miracles do exist.  I will tell you more about this in my future posts as I share with you my journey from infertility to fertility.

Sorry, it took me sooooo long to update this blog.  My pregnancy wasn't a bed of roses... if it was hard to get pregnant, maintaining it is another story... hope you understand.  

Anyways, I will post more about my ivf journey in Taiwan, the places to eat there as well as my   pregnancy journey after I give birth.  Please bear with me.  Thanks so much.

Baby dust to all!!!

Oral Pills for 21 Days

I just finished taking the birth control pills (Gynera) today.  How time flies... it's been 21 days already... in a few more days, off we go to Taiwan...

IVF - Protocol 4

It's been more than a year since I went to Taiwan for the consultation for IVF.  We did not push through with it at that time for some reasons and also of course, we were hoping that it would come naturally.  Unfortunately, it didn't.  

It was just a few months back when I finally started to do something again.  See my post regarding it here.  

So fast forwarding it, we've finally gotten the courage to go through the IVF process and this is it!

I contacted Vanessa Lin of Mackay Memorial Hospital and asked if I still need to go to Taiwan for consultation and or re-examination.  She responded to me through email that there is no need for me to go to Taiwan for reconsultation and I can just proceed with protocol 4.   

Protocol 4

Before, there were only Protocol 1, 2 and 3 and the usage of this depends on the result of your AMH.  However, since Buserelin is now out of stock in the Philippines and Taiwan, Dr. Lee has changed it to Protocol 4.  So, this is what I am following right now.

I started to take the birth control pills on the 5th day of my menstrual cycle, which was August 28 and will continue to take it for 21 days.  Good thing, the birth control pills (Gynera) prescribed to me by Dr. Lee, which i bought in Taiwan last year is not expired yet. So far, I've been taking it for 10 days now.

Preferably, you should take the pills more or less at the same time each day.  I take mine every 1pm.  I set the alarm on my cellphone so as not to forget it.

That's it for now.  I will post again soon the preparations I've been doing for this one big fight.

Update on Taiwan Visa Application

I started to process our Taipei visa just recently for our IVF in Taiwan this coming September and found out that effective March 1, 2012, it is required to fill up the visa application forms online, print them out and bring them along with other documents required in applying for a visa.

So before going to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) located at 41F, Tower 1, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City, Philippines or before you apply through a travel agency, please make sure that you fill up the online visa application form, which you can access from the website https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw and print them out.

Other requirements needed are the following:

1. Two (2) passport size photos 1.5”x2” with white background taken within the last three (3) months

2. Passport valid for at least six months and old passport showing previous visa stamps, if any

3. Birth Certificate issued by NSO

4. Marriage Contract issued by NSO (if applicable)

5. Bank Book or Bank Statements

6. Optional: Other supporting documents such as Certificate of Business Name Registration and SEC Registration (if owner of the company), Income Tax Return, confirmed round trip air ticket, etc.

All documents submitted to the office should be original with 1 photocopy.

Visa Fee: Same as before

Single entry – P2,400, +1,200 if with expedite fee for one day processing

Multiple entry – P4,800 +2,400 if with expedite fee for one day processing  

** Fees could be higher if visa application is coursed through a travel agency  

Visa Processing time is 3 working days, but better to allot 4-5 days for it.

Filing Time: Monday to Friday 8:45am to 11:45am

Releasing Time: Monday to Friday 1:45pm to 4:45pm

If you are a Filipino and have a valid, existing US Visa, you don’t need to apply for a Taiwan Visa anymore.  But you need to register your documents and personal data with the "Advance Online Registration System for the Visitors of Nationals from Five Southeast Asian Countries to Taiwan" in this link and print out the confirmation sheet for online boarding and immigration check.  

KT-Star Service Apartment in Taipei, Taiwan

We've also checked out another place near Mackay Memorial Hospital.  It's the KT-Star Service Apartment.  This was actually recommended to us by a Filipino couple we met there.  They were so kind to share with us their experience.

The KT-Star Service Apartment is a residential building which also doubles as a short/ long stay condo residence.  Since it is a service apartment and not a hotel, you need to pay for maid service if you want your bed made, your towels changed or your trash taken out.  Unlike in hotels wherein these are done for free daily, here in KT-Star, cleaning is offered once a week only.

The person in KT-Star showed us the smallest unit, which they claimed was 16-ping in size.  1 ping is equal to 3.305sqm, that means the room is 52.88sqm.  But I think this includes the terrace and common area already.  Anyway, the room is quite spacious and modern as compared to Bailee Hotel.    

For a night, it is NT$1800, but If you will stay for more than 21 days, room rate will be around NT$1,100-1,200.  They give special rates for Mackay Memorial Hospital patients, so you have to inform them upon reservation.  Electricity fee is not included and there is no free breakfast.

KT-Star Service Apartment - smallest unit

This place is good for 2 persons.  There's a double bed, and a sofa.  Please note that it's only a sofa, not a sofa bed.

A 32" LCD, cable TV, closet space, complimentary broadband internet and wifi in the room

A kitchenette with microwave, refrigerator, induction stove, electric kettle, pot, plates, spoon and forks, and other cooking utensils.  You can really cook here inside your apartment.  There's also an automatic washing machine for your laundry.

The toilet

 The bath tub. 

Just like a hotel, they also have a lobby, front desk, and security.  

Public facilities include: outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, gym, lounge bar, KTV room, relaxing area and meeting room. 

Swimming pool at night

KT-Star is located at Long An St., Zhongshan District.  It is one street away from Qing Guang Market, a small night market.  There are plenty of restaurants around and there's a supermarket and Watson's nearby.

In terms of transportation, there are many bus stops in the area and it is near the MRT.  You can walk to Minguan W. Rd. MRT Station (around 7 minutes).

KT-Star is a bit far from Mackay Memorial Hospital compared to Bailee Hotel though it is also walkable. If you do not want to walk that far, you can ride the bus (one stop only) then walk a little to the hospital.

Considering the price, the bigger space and the swimming pool, KT-Star is worth thinking over.  We might stay here in case we push through with the IVF procedure.

If you are interested, you can contact KT-Star Leasing Center at Tel. No. (02)-2597-6686.  You can also call or email Layla (0922-104-907; kt255@thekeetai.com.tw) or Lee (0928-226-718; kt254@thekeetai.com.tw).  Another option is to course your reservation through Ms. Vanessa or Clark.

Have a nice weekend!

IVF Consultation Part 1: Clinic Evaluation and Tour of the Hospital

Clinic Evaluation with Ms. Tsai

Our appointment was set on August 3, 2011 afternoon.  However, we were asked to go to the hospital at around 10:30 in the morning that day to meet with Ms. Tsai, the assistant of Dr. Lee for the clinic evaluation.  We were supposed to meet Ms. Vanessa at the information desk of the hospital lobby at around 10:30 am, but since we were early, we went directly to the IVF Lab at the 6^th Floor of Mackay Memorial Hospital.

IVF Lab at Mackay Memorial Hospital

We met Ms. Vanessa and Ms. Tsai there.  They are both very kind and accommodating.  They speak English, so you don’t have to worry. 

Ms. Tsai is the assistant of Dr. Lee.  She prepares the patient’s information for Dr. Lee.  We submitted all the photocopies of the documents, test results and other reports to her.  She then started to ask questions about my last menstrual period; symptoms experienced before and during menstruation (light or heavy bleeding, pain); surgeries done and the results; how long have we been trying to conceive; infertility treatments done like how many IUI we’ve tried, what medicines did we take or use, what dosage and for how long, etc.  Basically, she asked for the background of our infertility case. 

The whole interview lasted around an hour.  She then asked us to come back in the afternoon for the consultation with Dr. Lee.

Tour of the Hospital

We met Ms. Vanessa at the information desk of the hospital lobby at around 1:45pm.  She then toured us around the hospital and showed us the different places which we need to go to.  I think she should have done it in the morning but since we went straight to the IVF Lab this morning, she did it in the afternoon before the consultation with Dr. Lee.


To be continued... IVF Consultation Part 2: Consultation with Dr. Robert Lee Kuo-Kuang

Preparing for the Consultation for IVF in Taipei

Borrowed from this site.

Here are the things to do in preparation for the consultation for IVF in Taipei:

1. Set an appointment with Dr. Robert Lee Kuo-Kuang by emailing Vanessa or Clark of Mackay International Medical Service Center thru this email address mmhimsc@ms2.mmh.org.tw.

The clinic of Dr. Lee is every Monday morning, Wednesday afternoon, Friday morning and Saturday morning.

2. Book your plane ticket to Taipei, Taiwan via Philippine Airlines or Cebu Pacific.

3. Apply for your Taipei Visa at Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) located at 41F, Tower 1, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City, Philippines or you can also apply through a travel agency.  

a. Fill up the Taiwan Visa Application Form, which you can download from this link. 

b. Requirements include the following:  

   2 pcs. 2x2 colored picture, passport size taken within 6 months; 

   valid passport and old passport showing previous visa stamps, if any; 

   bank book or bank certificate; 

   birth certificate issued by NSO

c. Visa fees: 

   Php2,400 – single entry, + 1,200 if with expedite fee for one day processing

   Php4,800 – multiple entry, + 2,400 if with expedite fee for one day processing

   *fees could be higher if visa application is coursed through a travel agency

d. Visa processing will take 4-5 days.

e. If you are a Filipino and have a valid, existing US Visa, you don’t need to apply for a Taiwan Visa anymore.  But you need to register your documents and personal data with the "Advance Online Registration System for the Visitors of Nationals from Five Southeast Asian Countries to Taiwan" in this link and print out the confirmation sheet for online boarding and immigration check.  

4. Book your accommodation.

You can also ask Vanessa or Clark to help you book your accommodation.  We stayed at Bailee Hotel during our trip.  Nothing fancy with the hotel.  The room we got was NT1280 per night. 

5. Prepare the documents needed for IVF.

You need to bring the original as well as the photocopies of the following documents: you and your husband’s passports and driver licenses; marriage contract.

6. Have blood tests done.

Bring original and photocopies of the results.  Data must be within 6 months.

For husband: Blood Type (Php100), HIV (Php450), RPR or VDRL (Php150)

For wife: Blood Type (Php100), HIV (Php450), RPR or VDRL (Php150), TSH (Php350), Prolactin – mid morning in between meals, 2-4 hrs after waking up (Php500)

7. Bring the x-ray films of HSG or picture files of HSG in USB drive or compact disc; detailed treatment history of infertility and operation reports if any.

8. Semen analysis will be done in Taipei.  Sexual abstinence of 3-5 days, but not more than 5 days is needed so please prepare accordingly.

You can also check out my previous post on IVF in Taiwan: Mackay Memorial Hospital for additional details.

"There is no telling how many miles you have to run while chasing a dream." - Unknown

Consultation for IVF in Taipei, Taiwan

After several failed IUI, we have decided to stop treatment.  However, since husband and I were going to Taiwan for a business trip, we also took the opportunity to make a consultation with Dr. Robert Lee Kuo-Kuang of Mackay Memorial Hospital.  Talk about not totally giving up, eh?!?

I would like to share with you our experience with regards to the consultation for IVF.  They usually call this “First Stage”, wherein you go to Taipei for 3-4 days for the infertility evaluation.  On the other hand, the IVF procedure itself is called “Second Stage”, wherein you have to stay in Taipei for a longer period of 23 days or more.

While in Taipei, we also scout the place for possible accommodation.  I’ll post pictures of the place we stayed and another place recommended to me by a Filipino couple we met there.  Apparently, there are so many Filipino couples going to Mackay Memorial Hospital for the IVF.  I met around 4 Filipino couples there.

The consultation went well.  We met Dr. Robert Lee.  He is very kind and he patiently answers our questions and explains clearly.  His staff was very accommodating.  Instructions were very clear. 

Husband had his semen analysis, while I had some ultrasound, and blood tests done on me.  Results will be emailed to us after 2 weeks.  

Aside from the business and the consultation, we also toured around Taipei during our free time.  We visited different tourist spots like Taipei 101, Shilin Market, Ximending, Longshan temple, Danshui, Keelung and many other places.  I enjoyed our trip.  The food there is really delicious and not that expensive.  Transportation is very convenient and accessible.  

Please read my succeeding posts for more details.  Happy Reading!

Related Posts:
Things to Prepare for the Consultation
IVF Consultation Part 1: Clinic Evaluation and Tour of Hospital
IVF Consultation Part 2: Consultation with Dr. Robert Lee Kuo-Kuang
IVF Consultation Part 3: Infertility Treatment Consent Form 
IVF Consultation Part 4: Blood Test 
IVF Consultation Part 5: Semen Analysis
IVF Consultation Part 6: Getting the Medicine
IVF Consultation Part 7: Payment

IVF in Taiwan: Mackay Memorial Hospital

IVF is by far the most popular method of assisted conception.  IVF involves fertilizing a woman’s egg outsider her body under controlled laboratory conditions – hence the phrase “test-tube baby” – then placing the fertilized egg back into her womb.

Many people have suggested us to try IVF… I have heard many successful stories.  Some had it done in Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and even in the US.  But they say that one of the cheapest yet has a high success rate is to have IVF done in Taiwan.

I have talked to quite a lot of people who have done it in Taiwan and I tried to explore on the idea of having it done there in Taiwan.  I have researched on it.  Emailed the doctor in Taiwan and ask about the procedure and all. 

But I did not push through with IVF.  I was thinking then that I am an APAS patient and have not done any immunological work up then.  I was afraid that it would not work and would just be a waste of money.  Though many were successful, there were also a lot who weren’t successful in their first try.   

Anyway, I’ll share with you some details about the IVF in Taiwan just in case you want to give it a try.  Coincidentally, my current OB also endorses her patients to try IVF here at Mackay Memorial Hospital.

I coursed my questions on IVF through Vanessa, the secretary of Dr. Lee Kuo Kuang of Mackay Memorial Hospital and here was the response of Dr. Lee Kuo Kuang regarding my concern.  Please note that this was way back in January 2010.

Q: I have been married for 4.5 years and have not yet been pregnant ever since. I have been to quite a number of doctors already but to no avail... so far I have tried 2 iUi.  My fallopian tubes and uterus are normal. Regular menstruation per month. My last OB told me that I was positive for Category I, II, V for APAS. Attached are my blood test results.  Is IVF a probable solution for me to conceive?

A.I would like to suggest you to enroll into the IVF program because you had tried 2 times for IUI.  The APAS (autoimmune) has no effect on the outcomes of IVF. 

Q. What do I need to bring if I want to have a consultation with Dr. Lee Kuo Kuang? When is the best time to go there? 

A. You may come to Taipei any time except the Lunar New Year from Feb. 11 to Feb. 21, 2010.  Please see the attached file and we can be further discuss the details when you come to Taipei. 

Important details inside the file: (If you want the whole file, email me at debjsyu@yahoo.com and I’ll send you the original file)

Needed tests results:

1. Reports of TSH, prolactin, semen analysis, Human immunodeficient virus (HIV) and syphilis tests in recent 6 months

2. X-ray films of hysterosalpingogram (HSG) or picture files of HSG in USB drive or compact disc in recent 2 years

3. Detail treatment history of infertility, including the dose of FSH or HMG, the response of your ovary (follicle number) and operation report

Procedures of IVF:

1. Infertility Evaluation - bring reports to Taipei to do the infertility evaluation in advance and to plan the IVF; take the examination of AMH that will reveal your ovarian reserve before you are enrolled in the procedures of IVF.

2. Take oral pills for 21 days starting from Day 5.

3. Administer GnRH agonist (Buserelin) injection daily from the 18th day of the menstrual cycle with the oral contraception pills.  Superfact, 5.5ml per vial, bought in the Philippines

2. R-FSH and HMG will be administered on the 3rd day of the next menstrual cycle.  Starting dose depends on the individual ovarian reserve.

3. On the 7th day of the current menstrual cycle, the ultrasound examination will be used to monitor the size and the numbers of follicles.

4. Also on the 3rd, 9th day of current menstruation cycle and the day that we adminster HCG, we will check the E2 level in your blood to predict and evaluate the ovarian response.

5. The doses of R-FSH and HMG will be adjusted according to the response of ovaries.

6. Procedures of ovum pick-up will be performed at 34-36 hours after administering HCG when it is supposed to be between the 13th and 18th days of the current cycle.

7. On the 3rd day after ovum pick-up, the embryo will be transferred.

You should come to Taiwan on the 2nd day of the current menstruation and stay for about 23 days.  You can go home after the embryo transfer.

8. Luteal phase support is provided with 50 mg of progesterone IM injection and vaginal application of Crinone (8%) after ovum pick-up.

9. OPD visit will be arranged for detecting gestational sacs (about 5.5th gestational week) and fetal heart beat (about 6.5th gestational week) with ultrasonic examination in the Philippines.

Cost of the IVF Procedure:

Cost of the IVF procedure including medication, embryo culture etc. is approximately USD4500 in Mackay Memorial Hospital.  That is less than Php200,000.

Documents Needed for IVF

1. You and your husband's passports, original and copy.

2. You and your husband's driver licenses, original and copy.

3. Marriage certificate (official document to prove that the marriage is legal) original and copy -- VERY IMPORTANT! 

4. Report of you and your husband's data of blood type, reports of HIV and syphilis exam (data of HIV and RPR must be within 6 months) original or copy

Lab Opening Hours:

8:30AM - 1:00PM; 2:00PM-3:00PM

  

Q. For the TSH, prolactin semen analysis, HIV and syphilis tests...can we have the tests done here in the Philippines or better if we do it there in Taipei?

A. Examination from the blood sampling for TSH, prolactin HIV, syphilis could be taken both in Phillipines or Taipei, but semen analysis should be performed in Taipei.

Q. For my HSG, I had it done more than 2 years ago.  Is it okay or do I have to recheck it?

A. You don't need to recheck HSG, but bring the film of HCG on compact disc of HSG to Taipei. 

Q. How long should we stay there for the initial consultation or assessment?

A. The first stage you just need to stay three or four days.

Q. Where can we stay? 

A. We'd be glad to help you book the hotel and provide you with the relative information.

Vanessa emailed me a list of the hotels and apartments near the hospital including the prices and the map.  In case you are interested, just email me at debjsyu@yahoo.com and I’ll send you the copy.

For more details on IVF, call Vanessa

International Medical Service Center
Mackay Memorial Hospital

No. 92, Sec. 2 Chung-San North Road,

Taipei 10449, Taiwan, R.O.C.,
Email: mmhimsc@ms2.mmh.org.tw
Tel/Fax: +886-2-25627200
http://www.mmh.org.tw/imsc/index.htm