In Ho Chi Minh City, a couple faced a challenging journey to parenthood after discovering they both had medical conditions causing infertility. Ly, 31, experienced a miscarriage and, after four years without a successful pregnancy, sought medical advice. Tests at the IVF Tam Anh Hospital revealed that her husband, John, suffered from a condition called varicocele, which significantly impacted his sperm quality.

Varicocele is a common cause of male infertility, as it raises the temperature in the testicles, affecting sperm production and testosterone levels. John's sperm count was alarmingly low, with only 0.5 million sperm per milliliter, which is about 20 times below the normal range, and only 6% showed mobility. Meanwhile, Ly was diagnosed with endometriosis, a condition that can hinder embryo implantation and increase the risk of miscarriage.

Dr. Nguyen Cong Danh from the Male Health Unit at IVF Tam Anh explained that while surgery could improve John's sperm quality, it would delay their plans to conceive due to Ly's condition. Therefore, the medical team prioritized in vitro fertilization (IVF) to expedite their chances of having a child.

Embryologists worked diligently to select healthy sperm from John's sample, which had a high rate of DNA fragmentation. After careful examination under a microscope, they identified and froze the best samples for fertilization. Ly's response to ovarian stimulation was suboptimal, necessitating the collection of eggs over two cycles to gather enough for the procedure.

The embryos were cultivated using a time-lapse system integrated with artificial intelligence to monitor their development continuously. Ultimately, the couple achieved six viable embryos. Following four weeks of treatment to manage Ly's endometriosis, the first embryo transfer was successful, resulting in a pregnancy.

Ly gave birth to a healthy baby girl weighing 3.4 kg at IVF Tam Anh Hospital in late July. The remaining embryos have been frozen for potential future use. John plans to return to the hospital soon for surgery to address his varicocele.

Dr. Ngoc Ngan emphasizes the importance of couples seeking fertility evaluations after one year of regular intercourse without conception. For women over 35, this timeframe is reduced to six months due to declining fertility. Early assessments can help identify issues in both partners, improving their chances of conceiving.