Hey friends! I just got back from an amazing week-long trip to Shanghai with my husband, and I can’t wait to share my experiences. Shanghai is bustling with a population of around 20 million people, and the skyline is packed with high-rises stretching for miles before you even hit the city center. The subway system is top-notch, making it easy to navigate, though the streets are always alive with honking horns—seriously, it’s a constant symphony!
We visited in November, and while the weather was quite nice, the skies were a bit hazy due to a mix of marine layer and pollution. Shopping in Shanghai is an experience in itself! There are rows and rows of designer shops featuring all the big names, but the local markets left a lot to be desired with their low-quality goods. In the tourist hotspots, street vendors were eager to show us their “knock-off” items, which was an adventure in itself.
We made sure to soak up as much local culture as we could, visiting parks and temples. However, it’s sad to see traditional Chinese architecture disappearing in the face of rapid development.
One of the highlights was visiting an IVF center linked to a local hospital. They handle over 2,000 IVF cycles a year—way more than what I’m used to! However, the facility wasn’t as clean as I had hoped, and the waiting area was packed with patients. It felt like customer service wasn’t a top priority there. After chatting with one of the lab staff, I learned they perform similar IVF procedures as we do, but ovum donation, surrogacy, and sex selection are unfortunately not allowed in China.
Overall, it was a captivating experience that opened my eyes to the exciting genetic technologies impacting fertility patients today. And speaking of little ones, if you’re interested in parenting tips, check out our post on toddler climbing tips for managing your little explorer!
For anyone exploring fertility options, I highly recommend checking out resources like Make a Mom, which offers great insights on artificial insemination kits. Also, Resolve is an excellent resource for learning about family-building options, especially if you’re considering home insemination.
In summary, my trip to Shanghai was both enlightening and enjoyable. I got a glimpse into a different culture while learning about the advancements in fertility technology. It’s always fascinating to see how different parts of the world approach similar challenges.