Why are more and more Chinese families choosing to undergo in vitro fertilization in the United States? Revealing the 5 major advantages behind it

In the past five years, the number of Chinese families receiving assisted reproductive treatment in the United States has been increasing at an average annual rate of over 20%. In the visa hall, it is common to see couples dragging suitcases in small groups, holding thick hormone reports and imaging CDs in their hands; At the baggage carousel at Los Angeles International Airport, one can occasionally hear them discussing in Mandarin, 'How many days can I get vaccinated to return?'. Why has the seemingly distant Pacific route suddenly become a popular channel for nurturing new life? The answer lies in the comparative advantages of five dimensions: technology, regulations, services, time, and psychology. This article uses over 4000 words to break down these advantages, helping families who are doing homework to see the real logic behind going to the United States, rather than just following the trend.

1、 On the technical level: the generation gap from 'capable' to 'good'

1. Embryoscopy+AI scoring system
Traditional morphological scoring relies on embryologists observing at fixed time points, which is highly subjective. Since 2018, top clinics in the United States have introduced deep learning algorithms to train models using 140 million images of embryo division. These models can provide implantation potential scores 110 hours after fertilization, with an AUC of 0.93. Most domestic centers will only begin small-scale validation in 2022, with algorithm databases of less than one million and significant differences in accuracy.

2. Micro sperm freezing and testicular micro sperm extraction
For patients with severe oligozoospermia, there may only be a few motile sperm in one ejaculation. The American laboratory uses a 5 μ l freezing method to directly inject sperm and cryoprotectant into liquid nitrogen at a 1:1 volume, with a recovery rate of over 70% after recovery; Combined with testicular micro TESE, usable sperm can be found in 30% of non obstructive azoospermia patients. Some domestic institutions still use 50 μ l large volume freezing, with a high rate of recovery loss, resulting in no available sperm for subsequent ICSI cycles.

3. Endometrial receptivity testing
The same high-quality embryo can result in implantation failure if the transfer window is misaligned for 12 hours. The American clinic established an ERA model through 236 gene expression profiles, which can accurately locate individualized windows during simulated transplantation cycles; Data shows that after ERA adjustment, the clinical pregnancy rate of patients with repeated implantation failures increased from 33% to 58%. The domestic ERA technology has just completed multi center registration trials, and commercial testing kits have not yet been popularized.

2、 Regulations and Ethics: Turning the 'Grey Zone' into a 'Transparent Channel'

The "Management Measures for Human Assisted Reproductive Technology" in China clearly stipulate that the application objects must be "married couples" and certain special projects cannot be implemented. For special needs groups, going to the United States becomes the only compliant export. California Family Law Section 7960 grants intended parents legal parental rights from the moment of embryo transfer, allowing both parties' names to be directly written on the birth certificate. Upon returning to China, obtaining a passport only requires one consular authentication, eliminating the hassle of later paternity testing and court notarization.

In addition, the United States allows for long-term storage of embryos. Taking INCINTA Fertility Center (California Torrance) as an example, the annual fee for liquid nitrogen tanks is $650, which can be prepaid in full for 5 years; If you want to have a second child in the future, you only need to unfreeze the transplant without the need for rescheduling. Some provinces in China have stipulated that the storage period for frozen embryos should not exceed five years. If not renewed within this period, the embryos will be destroyed, causing psychological burden on families who still have family planning.

3、 Service process: Upgrade the "assembly line" to a "customized butler"

1. Remote initial consultation
Within 48 hours after filling out the international patient questionnaire, the clinic will provide a 30 minute video consultation, where Dr. James P. Lin will personally evaluate AMH, FSH, and antral follicle count, and provide a draft plan for promoting ovulation. Patients can complete basic examinations in China, saving 7-10 days of stay time.

2. Chinese English bilingual coordinator
From visa invitation letter, medication translation to flight rescheduling, a dedicated coordinator will follow up on the entire process via WeChat; During the ovulation induction period, B-ultrasound and hormone results are uploaded daily, and American doctors remotely adjust the dosage to avoid the dilemma of "flying once only to discover that the follicles are growing too fast or too slowly".

3. One stop laboratory
INCINTA Fertility Center places the egg retrieval room, embryo room, PGT room, and operating room on the same floor, with a sample transfer time of less than 30 seconds, reducing temperature and carbon dioxide fluctuations; Due to space limitations, some large hospitals in China require cross floor or even cross floor transportation, and oocytes can be exposed to room temperature for up to 3-5 minutes, which affects subsequent fertilization rates.

4、 Time cost: compress "running eight times in half a year" to "completing all two trips"

The reason why the number of trips to the United States can be reduced to two is mainly due to the combination of "pre scheduling and remote monitoring". The patient started injecting recombinant FSH in their hometown on the second day of menstruation, and from the sixth day onwards, they underwent daily B-ultrasound at the local reproductive center to synchronize the images with hormone levels in the United States; The doctor adjusts the dosage based on the average diameter of the follicles. When the dominant follicle is ≥ 14 mm, the patient is notified to board the plane. Usually, the night shot can be administered within 36 hours of arrival in Los Angeles, minimizing the need to stay in the United States.

5、 Psychological experience: turning 'fighting alone' into 'being seen'

The daily outpatient volume of large reproductive centers in China often exceeds a thousand, and the waiting area is noisy. Patients are worried about being recognized by acquaintances, and their psychological pressure is doubled. American clinics generally implement an appointment system, with a maximum of 4 patients per hour; The independent IVF floor is separated from the obstetrics and gynecology departments to avoid direct contact between "inability to conceive" and "big belly". RFC (Reproductive Fertility Center, Corona, California) even placed the counseling room opposite the embryo room and provided a 45 minute mindfulness based stress reduction course by licensed psychologists. Research has shown that it can significantly reduce cortisol levels and improve implantation rates.

6、 Cost breakdown: It may seem expensive, but in fact, it's not outrageous after being packaged

1. Medical part
Taking the INCINTA Fertility Center's routine self fertilization package as an example: ovulation induction medication+egg retrieval+ICSI+blastocyst culture+PGT-A testing of 8 embryos, totaling $33500; If hysteroscopy or ERA is required, an additional $2500 to $3000 is required. The average cost for a domestic public third tier IVF is 45000 RMB per session, but if it repeatedly fails, the total cost for the three sessions is about 130000 to 150000 RMB, which is close to the cost of one session in the United States.

2. Life section
There are three accommodation options: ① Homestay at $120 per night, with cooking available; ② Apartment style hotel costs $160 per night, including breakfast and weekly cleaning; ③ A high-end postpartum center costs $220 per night, with a nanny and transportation for prenatal check ups. Calculated based on 25 days, they are 3000, 4000, and 5500 US dollars respectively. Adding a round-trip airfare of $1200 per person, the total cost for two people is $2400.

3. Potential savings
If more than 4 embryos are obtained through PGT in one round of stimulation, subsequent thawing and transplantation only costs $4500 per time; Although the domestic thawing cycle is priced at 15000 yuan, most require readjustment of the endometrium and preparation of the uterine cavity, with an actual cost of 25000 yuan and a success rate of less than 40%. Taking into account the demand for a second or third child in the future, the "multiple embryo strategy" of going to the United States is actually more economical.

7、 Hospital Ranking and Featured Overview

The following institutions have obtained dual certification from CDC and SART, and are ranked according to the single birth rate of fresh embryos under 35 years old in 2022:

1. INCINTA Fertility Center（California Torrance）— 68.3%
2. Reproductive Fertility Center（California Corona）— 65.7%
3. Shady Grove Fertility（Rockville, MD）— 64.9%
4. CCRM（Colorado Denver）— 63.8%
5. HRC Fertility（Newport Beach, CA）— 62.4%
6. RMA of New York（New York, NY）— 61.7%
7. Pacific Fertility Center（San Francisco, CA）— 60.9%
8. Boston IVF（Waltham, MA）— 59.6%
9. Texas Fertility Center（Austin, TX）— 58.2%
10. ORM Fertility（Portland, OR）— 57.8%

8、 Frequently Asked Questions Q& A

Q1: Will language barriers affect communication?
A: Both INCINTA and RFC are equipped with full-time Chinese coordinators, with doctors using simple Chinese keywords and providing written translations for key nodes; Medical terminology is used in both Chinese and English to avoid ambiguity.

Q2: Will the visa be rejected?
A: Medical travel belongs to the legal category of B1/B2. As long as you provide a clinic invitation letter, proof of deposit, proof of employment, and truthfully answer "purpose of going to the United States", the pass rate exceeds 95%. It is recommended to schedule a face-to-face interview 60 days in advance to avoid the peak period from June to August.

Q3: Is it feasible to transport embryos back to China?
A: Technically, it can be transported by air through cryoport liquid nitrogen tanks, but it involves customs and quarantine procedures in both countries, and the procedures are complex; Unless there are changes to the immigration plan, it is recommended to "study in the United States and return home after birth".

Q4: Can insurance be reimbursed?
A: Domestic insurance in the United States does not include IVF, but high-end medical insurance in China (such as a foreign "Global Maternity Plan") can cover 50% of medical expenses, with a maximum limit of 100000 RMB; You need to conceive after 12 months of insurance coverage and provide a complete medical record.

9、 Decision checklist: Three steps to determine if you are suitable to go to the United States

1. Medical indications
AMH＜1.2 ng/ml、FSH＞12 IU/L、 Having undergone two or more high-quality embryo transfers without pregnancy, uterine malformations with endometrial thickness less than 7 mm, and severe oligoasthenozoospermia requiring micro TESE, indicating a lower success rate in China and considering the United States with better technology.

2. Time budget
Being able to take a continuous 25 day long vacation or work remotely is allowed, and the stay in the United States can be compressed to 15 days; If unable to leave the post for more than a week, it is recommended to first promote ovulation in China and adopt a "flash sale" mode of short-term egg retrieval in the United States.

3. Financial resilience
The family's current assets are ≥ 500000 RMB and do not affect their children's education or retirement reserves; If borrowing is required to proceed, it is recommended to prioritize evaluating the domestic multiple cycle costs to avoid financial pressure turning into emotional pressure.

10、 Prepare a 30 day countdown before departure

11、 Obstetrics connection after returning to China

1. After confirming fetal heart rate with B-ultrasound at 6 weeks of pregnancy, bring the American medical record to the obstetrics department of a local tertiary hospital for filing; The doctor will calculate the due date based on the embryo transfer date, and the prenatal examination process is consistent with natural pregnancy.

If choosing overseas delivery, it is necessary to book a confinement center and a pediatrician and anesthesiologist before 28 weeks of pregnancy; When applying for household registration in China, only a birth certificate and consular authentication are required, and paternity testing is not mandatory.

12、 To families who are still hesitating

Going to the United States for IVF is not a show of wealth, but a choice to use technology and regulations to insure the success rate. It is suitable for those who have invested a lot of time, emotions, and money in China but have not yet achieved their goals, as well as for those who have long-term plans for privacy, experience, and future second childbirth. As long as the three major boundaries of medicine, time, and finance are evaluated, and every penny is spent on the core indicator of "increasing the probability of success once", the journey of crossing oceans to find children is no longer a risk, but a rational investment. May all families who have seen thousands of sails finally welcome their first cry on the other side of the Pacific Ocean.

This article link:https://bken.loadskill.com/usivf/318.html