After three miscarriages and an ectopic pregnancy that led to her left fallopian tube being ruptured and surgically removed, Mrs Angelene Hermann was ready to give up on her dream of having a child.
For seven years since they got married in 2012, she and husband Melvinder Singh experienced hope and heartbreak.
"I was devastated. Every time I tried to bring life into this world, I faced another hurdle," she recalled.
She turned to In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), a process that involves retrieving mature eggs from the ovaries and fertilising them with sperm in a laboratory.
The fertilised embryos are then transferred to the uterus, where they develop into a pregnancy.
Mrs Hermann's hopes turned to despair when the doctor told her that IVF was unlikely to succeed as she had diabetes.
"I lost hope," said Mrs Hermann, 44.
The couple decided to let nature take its course and turned to travelling instead.
In 2019 they visited another doctor, suggested by a relative, who saw possibilities in pregnancy.
The new specialist suggested IVF to stimulate Mrs Hermann's egg production and a regimen of medications for Mr Singh, 42, to improve his sperm count.
The months that followed were a whirlwind of injections, tests, and prayers.
Managing her diabetes became a critical part of the process as Mrs Hermann embraced a stricter diet and lifestyle.
IVF proved to be a success and the couple now have a five-year-old son, Ayden Ishaan Singh.
"After carrying our son, we felt every setback was worth it," said Mrs Hermann.
"We want couples to know that even when the odds seem stacked against you, there's still hope. We also urge other couples to read up more on the government subsidies provided for IVF."
Singapore's fertility journey is one of contrasts - deeply rooted traditions and a society that embraces modern medicine yet grapples with the stigma surrounding infertility.
With the nation's birth rate hitting record lows, IVF isn't just a personal choice - it's a matter of national interest sparking conversations about policies, accessibility and the emotional toll involved.
According to KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH), the number of IVF cases increased more than 40 per cent between 2014 and 2023.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah said that the Chinese Year of the Dragon failed to lift Singapore's total fertility rate, which remained low at 0.97 in 2024 - the same figure as in 2023.
"The Dragon Year effect has been diminishing over the years, reflecting the generational shifts in attitudes and priorities among young couples," she said in Parliament on Feb 28.
Another IVF success story involves Mrs Rafidah Jalil, 38, and her husband Mimrah Mahmood, 40.
In five years, Mrs Rafidah underwent five cycles of IVF.
"Anxiety, self doubts on whether I had enough eggs and frequent visits to the hospitals were some factors which contributed to the stress I had during my IVF journey," she said.
But it was all worth it in the end. The couple now have three children, including a pair of twins.
Mr Mimrah said: "It's best for couples to go for medical screenings once they are married, even if they do not want to have children soon after marriage. IVF may not be the best solution for all couples, hence they can try other treatment options when problems are detected earlier."
Associate Professor Saumya Jamuar, senior consultant, Genetics Service, at KKH, said: "KKH has introduced an enhanced genetic screening plan where married couples can be screened for more than 80 genetic disorders. This will aid couples in planning pregnancy based on the test results and whether they would want to explore treatment options."
