Frequently Asked Questions: Section 1 – Information for New Patients – 谷得试管婴儿咨询中心

Important Note: If you receive a call from within China (caller ID showing cities like Guangzhou, Dongguan, etc.), do not reject the call! It might be an urgent clinic notification!

Consultation Process: Unlike the medical system in China, here, nurses handle blood draws and ultrasounds for patients. Doctors only meet with you during new patient consultations (via video or in-person), hysteroscopy, egg retrieval surgery, and embryo transfer surgery. In case of a failed cycle, a consultation for the failed cycle will be arranged. Detailed medical records for each patient are maintained in our system, and dedicated medical assistants manage your entire treatment cycle plan. For any matters during the cycle, you can contact your assigned medical assistant, who will efficiently help you communicate with the doctor and address your queries. Your treatment plan and all examination results are personally formulated and reviewed by the doctor before being provided to you. Generally, routine meetings with doctors are not scheduled during the cycle unless significant adjustments are needed. Please understand that doctors have tight schedules, and arranging last-minute meetings is challenging. Your understanding is appreciated.
Credit Card Payments: Please inform your bank in advance about significant overseas expenses to avoid any payment declines.
Birth Control Pills: Birth control pills help increase follicle count and regulate your menstrual cycle to coordinate with the treatment schedule. Patients must take birth control pills as per the cycle table’s requirements. These pills contain hormones and do not harm your body.
Appointment Process: Patients must schedule appointments in advance. Based on your cycle table, contact the clinic before each follow-up visit to make appointments. This includes blood tests, ultrasounds, and pregnancy tests for female patients, as well as blood tests, semen analysis, and sperm freezing for male patients.
Routine Examination: Routine examination items during the cycle include:
- Female Patients: Blood tests and ultrasounds at each follow-up visit. Pregnant patients will also require FDA blood and urine tests.
- Male Patients: Male patients have more flexible scheduling. If fresh sperm is needed, arrival is required one week before egg retrieval surgery. Semen analysis and infectious disease blood tests are necessary. For patients using surrogate mothers, FDA blood and urine tests are also needed. For frozen sperm use, please contact the responsible personnel for scheduling.
Abstinence Period: Regardless of sperm analysis, fresh sperm for egg retrieval, or semen on egg retrieval day, an abstinence period of 3 to 7 days is required. The period should not exceed 7 days.
Examination Results: Routine blood tests during your clinic visits are mainly for hormonal checks. The primary purpose is to determine if medication adjustments are needed. We do not provide reports to you. On the same day of the blood test, if medication adjustments are necessary, the clinic will contact you. Please keep an eye on your phone and email to avoid missing notifications. If your plan does not require adjustments, you will not be separately notified. After your cycle ends, we will compile and send you all your reports.
Medical Records: Once you’ve signed the authorization, you can request your medical records from the clinic. We will provide them within two weeks. Please be patient.
Respect for Others: Please be considerate of other patients’ feelings and processes during their treatment. Avoid loud noises and phone conversations in the clinic waiting area. You can take calls outside the clinic.
Medication Ordering: The cycle fee covers medication costs until the first pregnancy test. You’ll need to purchase medication from a pharmacy after becoming pregnant. Contact your assigned assistant for the pharmacy’s Chinese service number. The pharmacy will ask for your name, birthday, and required medication.
Contacting Us: Please contact our staff through the company’s phone or email. We cannot reply to emails after work hours and on weekends (Saturday and Sunday). Please understand. If you experience high fever, severe pain, or excessive bleeding, go directly to the emergency room or call 911.
Egg Retrieval Surgery Instructions: Before egg retrieval, eat salty foods, drink electrolyte drinks, or electrolyte water. Options include Smart Water, Gatorade, Powerade, and Coconut Water.
Post-Egg Retrieval Care: After egg retrieval, you might experience bloating, abdominal pain, or slight bleeding. These are normal phenomena that will diminish after about a week. If the pain is severe, you can take Tylenol (available at pharmacies and supermarkets) or apply a warm compress to your abdomen. Rest and avoid overexertion. Refrain from hot baths or saunas. Note that hot compresses are not recommended after embryo transfer. If you experience high fever, severe pain, or heavy bleeding, go directly to the emergency room or call 911.
PGS Testing: PGS screening cannot target specific genetic diseases. It ensures that embryos transferred to you have 46 chromosomes, increasing implantation and live birth rates. It can also determine gender. If you need screening for a specific single gene disorder, please contact us for further consultation.
Female Health Supplements: (dosages as indicated on the bottle)
- Prenatal vitamins (follow dosage instructions on the bottle)
- DHA (200 mg)
- Folate (1500-1800 mcg)
- Vitamin D (2000 IU)
- Co-Q10 (200-400 mg) (Please follow doctor’s advice for Co-Q10)