A Miracle of Life Across Borders: Indian Patient's Five-Year Quest for Motherhood Fulfilled in China

On International Women's Day, a warm atmosphere filled the free clinic site at the Reproductive Medicine Center of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, affiliated with Zhejiang University School of Medicine (hereinafter referred to as SRRSH). An Indian couple, who had traveled thousands of miles, held their delicate, adorable baby girl in their arms and came specifically to express their deepest gratitude to Dr. Zhang Songying and her team. "Thank you for this lovely gift. It's because of you and your team's efforts that has given us the opportunity to become parents!"

This simple yet heartfelt sentiment perfectly captured a touching moment that transcended national borders. From India to Hangzhou, from repeated failures to the joy of welcoming a daughter, the success of this complex international case stands as a powerful testament to the advance of China's assisted reproductive technology. Moreover, it serves as a model of personalized treatment integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western medicine, a story of human compassion that transcends borders to safeguard life.

A Journey Across the Seas for a Child: Five Years of Repeated Failure, Seeking Hope in a Foreign Land

The Indian patient had faced years of infertility after marriage, her five-year path to motherhood fraught with difficulty. Previously, she had undergone two failed artificial insemination (IUI) procedures in her home country. Two subsequent egg retrieval cycles were also unsuccessful due to poor egg quality and arrested embryo development, ultimately yielding no usable embryos. These relentless blows left the couple on the brink of despair.

Having heard of China's world-renowned expertise in assisted reproductive technology, they traveled to the SRRSH Reproductive Medicine Center in 2024, clutching their last shred of hope, and sought out Dr. Zhang Songying's team. Following a comprehensive examination, the patient's Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) level was found to be only 0.51 ng/ml, leading to a diagnosis of diminished ovarian reserve. This presented an immense challenge for pregnancy assistance and was recognized as a complex case within the reproductive medicine field.

Integrating Chinese and Western Medicine to Overcome a Challenge: Precision Treatment Ignites the Spark of Life

Facing this international patient who had traveled so far, Dr. Zhang Songying's team set aside conventional protocols. They designed a personalized treatment plan centered on individualized diagnosis and TCM pattern differentiation.

The team meticulously analyzed the patient's condition, considering the couple's living environment, dietary habits and lifestyle. They diagnosed a pattern of Yang deficiency with dampness and spleen deficiency. Their TCM conditioning strategy focused on "warming Yang, strengthening the Spleen, resolving Dampness, and unblocking the meridians," which they combined with Western medications like growth hormone to optimize the follicular microenvironment. After three months of careful preparation, the patient's ovarian response improved significantly, laying a solid foundation for subsequent treatment.

Dr. Zhang then employed a long follicular-phase protocol followed by a fresh embryo transfer. Although only three eggs were ultimately retrieved, their quality was markedly enhanced. Utilizing conventional IVF, these three precious eggs developed into two high-quality embryos. Following the fresh embryo transfer, the patient became pregnant.

However, the challenges were not over. She faced significant crises during her pregnancy: threatened miscarriage in the first trimester and threatened premature labor in the third. The Reproductive Medicine Center and Obstetrics Division worked in tandem, providing continuous care and using precise TCM methods to stabilize the pregnancy, overcoming obstacles one by one. In late 2025, the patient successfully delivered a healthy baby girl at full term, fulfilling her five-year dream.

"For women with diminished ovarian reserve, while the number of eggs retrieved is a factor, egg quality is the true key," explained Dr. Zhang Songying. 'TCM works to harmonize Qi and blood and improve the endometrial lining, while Western medicine optimizes the follicular environment. The synergy of integrated Chinese and Western medicine can often create unexpected opportunities for poor responders. TCM, based on pattern differentiation, can help stabilize the 'fetal root' (the foundation of pregnancy), improve the mother's constitution, regulate endocrine function, and enhance uterine stability. However, it is crucial to strictly follow the physician's guidance and avoid self-medication."

A Doctor's Compassion Knows No Borders: Gratitude Across Mountains and Seas, Trust Beyond Nationality

On the day of the Women's Day free clinic, the couple returned with their baby not only to express their heartfelt appreciation but also to bring the patient's mother to consult with Dr. Liu Qing for health management. Having personally witnessed the remarkable effects of TCM, they once again chose to entrust their family's health to the SRRSH team.

From pregnancy assistance and miscarriage prevention to postpartum care, from the patient herself to her family members, SRRSH has fostered this cross-border trust through comprehensive, full-cycle collaborative services integrating Chinese and Western medicine. "To see them enjoying family happiness with their child and elder on this day dedicated to women – that is the best gift we could ever receive," said Dr. Zhang.

Every embryo is hard-won, and every life deserves our utmost effort. Dr. Zhang Songying said that her team will continue to focus on the diagnosis and treatment of complex infertility cases. With advanced technology and humanistic care, they aim to bring the hope of parenthood to more families beyond borders.

Source: Tidenews