IVF-Lee’s hospital Taichung City Taiwan
Timetable
At this point it’s assumed that you’ve been communicating if not visited Dr. Lee’ Maw-Sheng clinic officially the Lee’s Women hospital in Taichung regarding the IVF procedure. If you have been communicating via email you most probably be emailing with Mr. Hung at the laboratory there as the people with English capability is pretty limited.
The usual timetable on the IVF trip is a month ahead, the consultation and medicines after the previous menstrual cycle happens. A $260USD via bank transfer is requested for a set of meds to be sent by mail some oral and injected.
Arrival in Taiwan is imperative few days before the expected next menstrual period for the consultation.
Clinic SOP :give your name at the front desk and you’ll led into the waiting area and your name will be called into Doctor Lee’s office, then you’ll be sent back to the front desk for the prescriptions and payment. After which you will proceed to the head nurse for all of the detailed medication instructions.
Note: Don’t be surprise if it feels like a production line there, with people moving about like a busy office, that’s how common IVF there is. They are very quick and efficient but none the less accommodating with any question you might have, so do ask all your questions when with Dr. Lee or the Nurse, e.g. your ultrasound will last not more than 5 minutes. They do 3-5 IVF procedure daily. Every other person there is going thru it so do not expect special attention. Clinic gets packed at around 10am so be early at 8:30am for your appointment.
Short brief of the process: You’ll be asked to go back on the second day of your period. Then a set of medicine is given on day 2 to be injected for 5 days to day 7, then a day-to-day visit to monitor oocytes developments via ultrasound and medication till the harvest is scheduled, procedure last about an hour total and recovery in a few hours. Then some more medication and the transfer is scheduled 2-3 days after the harvest. Only a half day stay in the clinic is required after the transfer and bed rest is recommended after. A detailed report and printout of the harvested-fertilized oocytes will be given before the transfer. Then more medicine both oral and injected till the scheduled pregnancy test two weeks after.
Payments is expected in cash and in NTD, amounts will depend on the case and medication prescribed. Expect the larger amount on the 2nd period day between 27-50k ntd, harvest 20k ntd and transfer 40k ntd, some supplemental meds specially those with non-normal needs in between is not unusual and will be charged accordingly. Total cost estimate 120-140k NTD
Acupuncture, herbal or any other supplemental medicine are not much prescribe too by Dr. Lee and if you will ask he will say “no need”,so it will be your decision to continue it or not. Note Eastern medicine in Taiwan is subscribed to by the government and is covered and licensed by their health care plan. The hotel sent all those wanting Acupuncture service to a clinic near Chung Yo at Sanmin road. Acupuncture consultation will include the acupuncture session, supplemental massage and chiropractor service all for 300ntd. So if its just loosening those tense joints or soothing over shopped feet, it’s worth a trip over the acupuncturist. Tell them all that ails you.
Travel Guide
You’ll fly in thru the Taipei international airport.
While at the airport try to get some Taichung map, the one printed by Compass travel magazine is good.
TransportAirport to the hotel:
By limo service to max of 4 pax 2,000NTD if limo service arranged thru the Clinic and pay upon disembarking
By Bus Airport to Taichung City Taichung train station available around the airport; 240ntd bus per person airport to Taichung bus station (or anywhere within Taichung City) which will be near the train station, another 100ntd or so taxi from bus stop toAlice hotel do print thehotel address is Chinese below for the taxi driver, tipping is not standard so exact fare is ok)
Taichung city is about 2 hours (travel speed 100-110kph) by car-bus from the airport. It’s the 3rd largest city in Taiwan Taipei, Kaoshung and Taichung. Its mostly residential neighborhood around the area of the hotel and clinic. Business and commercial area is about 15-20 min by car.
Weather:Taiwan-Taichung weather here is around 3-8 degrees cooler than in Manila.
A lot of hotel from single to 5 star hotels around town. The most convenient is either AliceHotel (about 2 star 800-1200 a night includes breakfast)
No need to bring too much clothes about 2-3 set of casual change will do, travel light as there are a lot of laundry services around the area. Do bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes as a lot will be required of them.
NTD- New Taiwan Dollar
If you don’t have any NT dollars dochange some at the airport, exchange rate there would be about 31.50 to 1 USD, change enough for a day or twouse specially weekends,rates these days ranges from 31.50 to 32.00 depending on time and bank branch. CATO bank beside the hotel will allow maximum of 2,000USD perexchange per person per day, do bring passport for that and mention you are guest at the Alice hotel.Easy peso-NTD conversion guide is 1.5 Peso per 1 NTD
Getting around
To the clinic:
If your arrival is anticipated by the clinic do have it confirm as they will arrange for a ride the very next morning from the hotelto the clinic for free. You have to come back on your own thou which is about a 15 min walk from Beitun road to Alice hotel on Jinhua (Jin Fa) road. Note to familiarize yourself of the appearance of the clinic especially if you don’t read Chinese, as there are no English markings there just a picture of children on the post. Doorman will be helpful to get taxi back to hotel if needed.
Walking:
Taichung is relatively flat so comfortable to walk around, but distances on the map can be misleading as to calculating distance. Side walks are mostly obstructed with household materials or parked vehicles so expect to walk on the road edges. Do watch out for the motorcycles as they are a plenty. Traffic rules according to a travel guide is “suggestive” and only watch for police or traffic personnel otherwise cross at your own risk. Most intersection do have pedestrian timer. Map names in English can change like Jinhua can be Jin Fa, Mincuan can be Mycuan and so on. Most roads have street signs and major ones have English names.
Bus rides:
Bus rides around town is not difficult, you just have to be visually familiar with where you’re going so you'll know when to get down, most buses have English LED/audio announcement of next stops. Sample rides are Bus 6100 from the clinic to the hotel bus fare 20ntd per person this one goes all the way to Taichung station where Taichung Central mall with a Carrefour (large supermarket) is located. From the hotel Bus 33 to Mitsukoshi department storevia JinHua north, Daya road and Wenxin road, also for 20ntd.
AND BUS 55 From the clinic to Chung Yo department store,Yu tsai night market (opens from noon onward to 11pm and near where a good acupuncturist is ), Taichung train station is...... get this for ….FREE! Introductory till end of 2010. Getting back, just look for the bus stops across the street where you got off and take the same number bus back. For bus 55 get off at the Motor vehicle registration office at Shuang Shi road at corner of Dehua road just right before the Beitun intersection and just walk back to Jin hua road where Alice hotel is. Buses stops only at designated stops so press the getting off buzzer before your stop comes up. And getting-on, wait at the designated stops and make sure to wave at the bus or they might not stop. Exact change only and drop box upon riding. Frequency is about every 30 minutes.
Taxi-
Taxi cabs are easy to find in bright yellow. All are metered at 85ntd flag down and 15 per 750 meters stretch. Tips are not expected as change will be given back but a small tip will be much appreciated. English is limited so do have the destination in printed in Chinese.
Day to day living
Alice hotel provides basic bottled water 3-in1 coffee and nestle tea with an electric pitcher in the rooms. Shampoo, bath soap, toothbrush, bathroom slippers and shaving kits are also provided. All rooms are with hot shower, cable TV, hair dryer, personal refrigerator and wired internet access (do ask front desk for the long LAN cable). A business center with PC internet access and printer is also available at the basement. Brewed coffee and tea is available 24 hours at the lobby.
Set-up is for short time use so cabinet space is a premium. Only Daily morning breakfast is available from 7:30-9:30am of Chinese style Congee, continental egg and bread, fresh salad bar is included with the room rates. Trays can be requested for bed resting guest.
Laundry services:
One plastic grocery bag (bring one or two of those, like the yellow SM type, the other for your grocery, no free plastic bag here) washing cost 70-80ntd wash, dry and fold processing is 4-5 hours only. If communication is a problem, just show them your dirty pile and they will give you a plastic bag and a marker pen, write your name on the plastic and pay. Give 100 and they will give you change, so you’ll know if its 70 or 80ntd.
Calling home:
Call cards are available from the 7-11 stores for 200ntd for 26 min call to the Philippines. Calling instruction comes with the card called FREE CARD. Lower priced call card are available from the Filipino goods store around Taichung station area. Balikbayan box and door to door services are also available there.
Where to eat around the Hotel: Remember most everything is in Chinese so look and do point what you want. Taiwanese are very accommodating and will be mostly helpful. The younger ones between 15-25 will have a better chance of knowing any English. Taiwan food taste is flavorful but light, so for those needing strong taste bring your own salt, toyo, catsup or knorr seasoning. And dinning time is early at 6pm to 7pm. So dining 8-9pm is very late and some smaller establishment will be closed by then.
The Hong Kong roasting place: with English menu, up the street across the gas station going towards the clinic. Open between 11-2pm and 5-8pm. Roast chicken, roast duck and roast pork on rice served with 3 choices of vegetable. Serve your own soup and drinks.Meals between 50-60ntd per serving. A McDo Bigmac meal with fries and drink here will cost about 180ntd.
Sizzling plate steak:With English menu: Across the street from roasting place. Beef steak or seafoods on either rice or pasta on sizzling plate: between 80-110ntd per plate.
La Guardia-Laya burger: with English menu: across the street from the hotel. Open for extended breakfast only up to noon. Beef, chicken or pork Burgers, sandwich or bagels, salad and pasta a la carte or set meals, price ranges from 45-75 per order.
NAPOLI Italian fastfood- with English menu: right after the police station at Beitun road on the way to the Clinic. Pizza and fried chicken meal set with unlimited drinks 299ntd good for two.
Turkey rice topping: no English but with turkey picture. 3 small corners down the jinhua road same side as hotel. Rice topping with turkey meal. Tasteful simple meal from 35-45ntd, additional viand between 30-80ntd.
Seafood place: no English sort of a Dampa style at the intersection of Jinhua and Beitun along the way to the clinic. Fresh seafoods for cooking as requested, from sashimi, fried, steam to hot pot preparations, usually enjoyed with beer. Open only at night. About 200 per person
Another seafood place: at Shuang shi road besides the motor license renewal office, across Dehua road. Sauté boneless Bangus belly, fish head soup, oyster soup, even pork pata with rice. About 100 per person.
Across the street and down Jinhua is a street with a motor shop turn right in toward ShuangShi road. That is where a lot of eatery and laundry shop is. At the end of that is a movie house and Hala bakery. A squid soup and Beef noodle shop on the left, Japanese noodle and another beef noodle shop on the right. A takoyaki shop near the end. Some turo-turo barbecue, tea shop also.
Where to shop:
An OK mart and 7-11 is besides and right across the street. Basic needs, snack and drinks available.
For more extensive needs:
Beitun Market: across elementary school on JINHUA north road at the Beitun, jinhua, shuang shi intersection: everything from fresh meat to RTW. Open daily mornings only.
Dry goodsgrocery down the street hotel side about an 80-100 meter walk passes the school. From tissue, knives, soap, shampoo, water, soda to instant noodles.
Green grocer: open 24 H at Sanmin road. About a 15min walk from the hotel. From Hala bakery turn left down Shuang Shi road to Sanmin road cross street via overpass and stoplight from overpass right side. Fresh meat, vegetable, fruits, bakery, and personal care products. Bring your own plastic bag.
Larger department store that will carry foreign brands and feels like malls back home:
ChungYo department store at Sanmin road which is also a block from the Yu Tsai night market. Via Bus 55 when bus swings left from Sanmin.
Mitsukoshi department store near the opera house: accessible by BUS 33 from the clinic at Beitun road. The jade market is two blocks from there, behind the Mercedes dealership opens Friday to Sunday only.
SOGO department store down at the Canal district (3 large blocks from Mitsukoshi at Taizhongang road.
Museum of natural science is a block from Sogo area.
Carrefour supermarkets around town: Taichung central, Little Europe and ChungDe area. These are the larger supermarkets that carry motorcycles, electronic items, shoes, fresh meats to toiletries.
This document was complied from available information at the time of writing and is hoped to be improved and added upon in the future. By Felix March 2010
Print and keep the address below and if you get lost just show to taxi driver, you should be around 150ntd distance from the hotel.
Alice Hotel 632 Jinfa (JinHua) road TaichungTaiwan
愛麗西施商務飯店
台中市北區進化路632號 電話TEL ：04-2230-0598 傳真FAX ：04-2238-1966