My IVF Journey in Singapore – The Beginning
I couldn’t wait for the pregnancy result on Tuesday to start telling you my story, so here it goes …
Photo: Herdaily
After being married for more than 6 years, my husband and I decided we are now ready to have children. After trying for several months with no results, I decided to consult a doctor to do some tests. My husband had already children in the past so I wanted to know if there’s maybe something wrong with me. The result came and it showed that I am fertile.
A month ago I have started my IVF Treatment. Yes this is why I haven’t been very active lately on the blogosphere. I tried not to work or be online too much to avoid stressing myself.
Remember my post about the cost of IVF in Singapore and around the world on my other blog? After some thorough thinking, we have decided to finally do it. Doing IVF means having daily injections.
Week 1
6/08/09 – The official start of my IVF / ICSI Journey is on the 21st day of my last period. We went to the Fertility Clinic to pick up the meds and learn from the nurse on how to administer it on my own. I’ll tell you I was scared shitless at this time. I was thinking, how would I remember everything she’s telling me. Good thing that I brought my hubby along as he served as my extra ear.
The nurse asked if my hubby wanted to do it and he did it with the assistance of the nurse. As I child, I have always been afraid of needles. I was so nervous and thought I would pass out or something but it was NOT painful at all! Remember when they say it’s just like an ant bite, it true.
06/09/09- At home,we are on our own. I decided to do it myself as my hubby will be traveling on business trip in a few weeks so I wanted to make sure I can do it. To tell you the truth, I hardly breath while I was doing it which is not good because this might cause me to faint.
06/10/09 – I was getting used to giving myself injections and was also already learning how to breath while doing it. I am almost like a pro in injections.
The meds needs to be injected at the same time of the day, so if you inject it at 9 am then you should continue injecting yourself at 9 am at the coming days at the same time. I continue taking the same amount of meds till the day of my period.
On the day of my period, I need to take an additional med.
And then on the fifth day of my period we start checking if there are follicles already. This can be seen with a scan. Every couple of days I would go to the doctor to do this. The picture below is one from Day 8 of my period. The follicles are bigger now and you can see them better. In this scan I have follicles from 11- 14 mm in size.
To be continued…
Part II – My IVF Journey – Egg Retrieval
Part III – My IVF Journey – Embryo Transfer
Next posts:
Ebie on Jul 12, 2009
Take care and all the best!
Ebie’s last blog post..Sunday Stills: Textures
pehpot on Jul 13, 2009
I am praying for Jade!
Make or Break
pehpot’s last blog post..The Kids Are Dreaming
Joy on Jul 14, 2009
Wow! You are very brave. I am terrified of needles also. I’m so glad that they got easier for you. I’m not sure if I’d be able to do that. I wish you the absolute best of luck!
Joy’s last blog post..New poll (movie books) and new layout
IVF Costs in Singapore | Life of a Filipina Blogger on Jul 14, 2009
[...] Useful Source of Information: IVF Journies UPDATE: I have started IVF last June 2009 and I am pregnant ! You can read about it here – My IVF Journey! [...]
What to do when you are on bed rest | Life of a Filipina Blogger on Jul 14, 2009
[...] If you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!Bed rest is not as relaxing as it sounds. My almost 2 weeks bed rest is almost over! My gosh that has been the longest two weeks of my life. Okay some of you might be wondering what have I been really doing the last couple of weeks. Well you can read about it here – My Journey. [...]
Andrea on Jul 17, 2009
That is so fascinating! I have a friend who has been trying to get pregnant for two years. She learned six months ago that her husband has no sperm. This was devastating because they don’t have much money and anything that may help is very expensive. They are saving their money, though. . . It is nice to read success stories like yours, it gives me hope that my friend will also be able to be a mom some day!
Sherry on Jul 17, 2009
wow interesting, heard my excolleague talk about it but never in detail.
G in USA on Jul 21, 2009
Hi Jade! thank you! You inspire me. I had my HSG this afternoon and my doctor said that I have blocked tubes and that the best way is to go through IVF. You see, I am alone here in the US (i mean I have my husband but that’s it).
Right at this moment I am planning of having IVF done in the Philippines. Over there I would feel strong knowing that I know and feel that I can easily relate with the doctors and of course I have my family and friends for moral support.
I wish you all the best and hopefully the best thing is going to happen to me too soon, very soon!
MommaWannabe on Jul 21, 2009
Hi G,
Thanks for the nice comment you left on my blog post about my IVF Journey. I am also kinda alone here, besides from my husband I don’t have any friends close by. We moved to Singapore 2 years ago from Europe, and haven’t been lucky to meet good friends yet. I just braved it out and went for it …
If you are gonna do IVF in the Philippines, your husband will also be there then? And won’t it be more expensive? Anyway,whatever you decide I wish you best of luck.
If you need someone to talk to,you can always email me:)
Sending over some baby dusts:)!
marlene on Aug 19, 2009
hi girl!absolutelty fascinating i am 29 yrs.old i already have 1 boy but i would be delighted to have another one,we tried!we went into fertility clinic and i just found out that my ovaries are both block,plus the fact that my partner is aged we were told our last sort is the IVF we can afford it though,my partner supposed to have his semen check but everytime he pass his semen it is always being rejected.they tell us its not enough to be check!right now we stop it,we are embracing the fact that we are blessed enough of having one.GOOD LUCK I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST!
lhen
Nicole on Jan 25, 2010
Hi!
Just wanted to say, our journey sounds quite similar. I’ve done IVF 3 times, all failed though
and am hoping to do my 4th try in Singapore. I was wondering what the total cost is? Medicine, Dr.’s fees, hospital fee, stay, food, etc. Could you kindly be of help to me? I’m hoping to go sometime in April and am doing as much research as possible. Would love ANY feedback whatsoever.
Good luck with the rest of your journey! All the best to you!
Many thanks,
Nicole
MommaWannabe on Jan 26, 2010
@ Nicole – I will look tally all my expenses and email it to you so you have an idea…I’ll also check some places where you can stay.
Nicole on Jan 26, 2010
Thank you so much! That would be wonderful! I truly appreciate it
wishful mom on Jan 27, 2010
hi Nicole, may I know what country did you have your three IVF treatments? We’re planning to have one in the Philippines sometime May this year. hope to hear from you.
Nicole on Jan 27, 2010
Hi wishful mom,
I had all three in Tai’chung, Taiwan with Dr. Lee. I liked the clinic, doctor’s and nursing staff very much, but my doctor in Manila was thinking that maybe we needed a different clinic since it will be my 4th try.
Which Doctor in Manila are you considering going to? I know of a few IVF doctors here, maybe I can even give you some more information.
Hope this helps.
Nicole
The Fashion Explorer on Feb 9, 2010
[...] The result came and it showed that she’s fertile. I was there to read about her post on her IVF journey in Singapore. In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a process by which egg cells are fertilised by sperm outside the [...]
Ma. Elvira Sheila Revesencio on Feb 20, 2010
My husband and I were married for 10 yrs. We undewent series of test. I had IUI twice. My husband sperm count is low and was operated due to varecoecil (sorry if I mispelled it wrong). After the operation there was no sperm seen at all. We we devastated and both cried for days. A doctor advised us to have the IVF but we were surprised to learn of the high cost of IVf. Is there any hospital here in the Philippines or in asia that is much cheaper?
Nicole on Feb 22, 2010
I’m so sorry to hear that
Doing the IVF procedure in Taiwan is actually cheaper than doing in it Manila. In Taiwan, all in (flight/hotel/food/DR’s fees/meds/procedure/etc.) is approximately Php200,000 to Php300,000. Go to http://www.ivftaiwan.com
In Manila, the cheapest I found was approximately Php500,000. Doctor’s name is Leo Almeda in Cardinal Santos. His number is 7257147.
I’ve heard that Vietnam is even cheaper but I don’t have any info on where there, sorry.
Hope this helps! Good luck to you!
rain on Mar 15, 2010
Hi! I have tried IVF in the Philippines but failed to become pregrant. I am thinking of doing another one but I am looking for another country where I can have the procedure cheaper.How much is the total cost (meds,laboratory,doctors fee, etc) you incurred when you had your IVf in Singapore? Please give an idea. I am really desperate to have another IVF. THanks
ellen on Mar 23, 2010
hi nicole and g,
i am 39 years old and had a successful one time ivf with Dr. Marivic Tan of Repro Optima Cebu. It is much cheaper in Repro Optima and very high success rates. The staff are friendly and very professional. I remember during my ivf, 5 out of 7 of us who had ivf almost the same time were pregnant. I am ver happy now with my little angel. I hope to sare with you tis joy. You sould try it in cebu with Dr. Marivic Tan. My ivf coat me only Php 200,000 including all meds, embryo freezing, hormone tests. Give it a try! Landline of Repro Optima Cebu is 2562433….
karen on Mar 23, 2010
hi elvira,
i had the same situation as you. My husband had TESE, testicular sperm extraction at Repro Optima Center for Reproductive Health in Cebu. Shortly after, i had ICSI with the TESE sperms under Dr. Marivic Tan. Now i am 10 weeks pregnant. The cost of my treatments summed up to only Php 300,000 including the TESE already. I hope you will be as blessed….try inquiring with my doctor, Dr. Marivic Tan. She is very accommodating and will take the time to explain the whole process to you. Wish you all the luck!!!
Nicole on Apr 9, 2010
I’ve been hearing about the Cebu clinic but have not yet had a chance to meet with them. I will look into that. We were considering Dr. PC Wong from Singapore but we have not yet made a decision just yet. I will give more info once I speak to his Filipino counterpart Dr. Ancheta from Medical City. Very happy for you Ellen and Karen, and good luck to us Rain!
Karen on Apr 26, 2010
Hi,
Who’s your doctor and which hospital in Singapore? How much is your total expenses? Thank you.
Mickey on Jun 13, 2010
Hi,
Want to know the highly successful doctors here and in singapore and how much does it cost for an IVF? Thank you very much.
Mickey
Anita on Jun 15, 2010
hi ellen,
Where or what is the exact location of Repro Optima in Cebu? I’m here in Central Luzon and planning to have IVF by the end of this year. What is the area code in Cebu? Thanks.
charm on Jun 28, 2010
hi miss ellen!! ive been married for a year now and my hubby and i is very desperate in having children,. i have had 2 ectopic pregnancies already 1st july 14, 2009 ruptured where they removed my right fallopian tube. 2nd was just last MAy 3, 2010 and fortunately they just removed the gest sac since it was cornual pregnancy so i still have my left tube intact.. My doctor at Chongnhua medical arts in cebu, Dra. Sy suggested we have to resort to IVF for the fear of having an ectopic again.. she suggested the Repro Optima but have to try a year after my last operation.. thank you for the info that you had a successful IVF, coz we were thinking of having it done in Singapore, but since in your case it is cheaper and was successful we might try and consider it here in the Philippines.. thanx miss ellen, the info is a very big help to us,..
anne on Aug 3, 2010
Hi! I’ve been married for 8 years and been trying to conceive. I’ve done HSG and doctor found nothing. I was put on Clomid then now Femara. He thinks my problem is ovulation. I’m afraid IVF is my next move. I’ve heard about Repro Optima so I will give it a try. Hope it will work the first time.