After 12 years of infertility and numerous challenges, this Lunar New Year marks a life-changing milestone for Phung Thi Lien and her husband as they welcome two baby girls into their family.

A long journey of hope and perseverance

Lien, 35, and her husband, residents of Son Tay, Hanoi, married in 2011. Initially, the couple delayed having children, believing they had time. However, when they decided to start a family, they quickly realized the journey to parenthood would not be easy.

After years of trying without success, they turned to traditional medicine, visiting herbalists and practitioners in search of a miracle. But nothing worked.

In 2017, they shifted to modern medicine, and doctors discovered that the husband had poor sperm quality. They were advised to undergo in-vitro fertilization (IVF). That year, Lien had two embryo transfers, both of which failed.

Financial and emotional struggles

The couple poured all their earnings into treatments, even borrowing money to cover the costs, clinging to the hope of having a child. In 2020, they tried IVF again at a different medical facility, but success still eluded them.

Amid mounting financial and emotional strain, they felt the weight of seeing friends and family joyfully raising children.

In 2023, Lien and her husband sought help from the Hanoi Hospital for Andrology and Infertility, determined to fulfill their dream of becoming parents.

Lien responded well to egg stimulation and retrieval procedures. However, in May 2023, her embryo transfer failed again. Despite the disappointment, she remained resilient, focusing on improving her health for the next attempt.

A miracle happens

In December 2023, under the care of Dr. Pham Thi My, Lien underwent another embryo transfer. This time, the results brought tears of joy. A pregnancy test showed two lines, and a Beta HCG test after 14 days confirmed she was pregnant.

The joy doubled when an ultrasound revealed twin heartbeats.

In August 2024, the long-awaited moment finally arrived. Lien, surrounded by eight supportive family members, delivered twin daughters via C-section. After 12 years of struggle, their family was complete.

This Lunar New Year, Lien and her husband will walk hand in hand with their daughters, visiting relatives and friends. The painful years of enduring questions like “When will you have children?” are now behind them, replaced by the fulfillment of their dreams and the sound of laughter from their two little blessings.

Phuong Thuy