The pitter patter of little feet is a sound that some of us desire, but not all of us can hear without some sort of intervention – medical or non-medical. Worldwide, infertility affects approximately 8-10% of couples and according to the Ministry of Health Singapore (MOH)1, 1 in 7 Singaporean couples experience infertility.  What exactly counts as infertility? Health professionals agree that if a couple does not conceive after 1 year2 of trying, they are considered infertile. Infertility and its link to stress Being unable to conceive can cause high levels of stress,...

So, you have finally gone past embryo transfer—what a feat in your IVF journey! The end of your IVF cycle is in sight, but before you jump with joy—which is strongly not advisable post IVF—you must know how to take proper care of yourself to ensure success.    Do’s and don’ts after IVF transfer For most couples, embryo transfer is the most exciting stage of their IVF cycle. During this procedure, the fertilized egg is placed into the uterus. After which, many await good news – though, there is no guarantee that conception...

Do you struggle with severe menstrual cramps, or other symptoms that might indicate you have endometriosis? While official statistics[1] show that about 1 in 10 women in their childbearing years here suffer from this condition, there may be more unreported cases than you think: A recent survey conducted by NUH, SGH and KKH among 2,522 women found that over 50% suffer from symptoms that suggest possible endometriosis or other gynaecological conditions.  These symptoms include:  Difficulty conceiving/infertility  Extreme menstrual cramps Excessive or unusual bleeding during menstruation Pain in the back during menstruation ...

Background In 2020, Singapore’s total fertility rate (TFR) fell to a historic low of 1.1[1]. This was mainly brought by the pandemic stress, delayed parenthood plans and decrease in marriages.  These factors aside, there are many in Singapore who aspire to be parents but suffer in silence due to their inability to conceive. Infertility is highly stressful, and can affect the relationship of the couple.  If you and your partner have tried many times to conceive without good news, then it may be time for you to look at more advanced methods. Of...

Through the years, In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) has been an increasingly popular choice for couples who require help conceiving, especially couples in their late 30s onwards. In fact, the number of couples opting for IVF has risen in recent years, from about 5,500 in 2013 to over 7,700 in 20171.  This upward trend is quite understandable. Among the known types of assisted reproductive technology, IVF is the most effective form with a success rate of between 40% - 50% . The success rate is further enhanced with frozen eggs and sperms, making...

If you and your partner are trying to have a baby, you may be wondering if you should get a fertility test or pre-pregnancy screening done. But while the two are easily confused for the other, they are for significantly different purposes.  A pre-pregnancy test is highly encouraged for couples who are planning to get pregnant, while fertility screenings are for couples who have been trying to get pregnant for a period of time without any success.  There is no single best test for infertility – doctors use a variety of ways...

For many couples who are trying to conceive, sex, once a natural activity that’s meant to be enjoyed, becomes a to-do with rules, expectations, and time frames. This can really zap  the passion out of getting hot and heavy. Along with the added tension comes the issue of performance anxiety. Sexual performance anxiety is very common for couples who are trying to conceive and tends to increase the longer a couple tries for a baby. Additionally, studies have shown that the pressure on men to perform sexually on cue can result in impotence1,...

Did you know? As many as 15%1 of couples in Singapore are unable to conceive within a year of trying for a child. Unsurprisingly, the number of Singaporean parents-to-be opting for IVF continues to climb steadily – from 2013 to 2017 alone, the number of IVF cases jumped from 5,500 to 7,700.  Getting pregnant is not as easy as most people think, and artificial conception is not able to promise a child; even if success is had, it can often take copious tries, financial sacrifices, and umpteen emotional rollercoaster rides.  If you’re...

In-vitro fertilisation, or IVF for short, is an assisted reproductive technique (ART) for couples who haven’t been able to conceive naturally. The first IVF baby was born in 1978, and since then, IVF has come a long way from its early years of single-digit success rates. Today, in IVF cases where the woman is 35 years old or younger, there is roughly a 50%1 chance of success. In Singapore, IVF success rates tend to range from 50 to 60%, and most couples are able to get pregnant by their third cycle. Yet,...

Today, egg freezing in Singapore is a popular fertility treatment offered to women with medical conditions that affect their ability to conceive naturally (eg. thyroid, cancer, endometriosis). However, it remains that not many countries allow for the use of this method for healthy, fertile women who are seeking it for other reasons such as their careers, lack of a partner, or even educational pursuits. After years of deliberation, the government has decided that from 20231, all women aged 21 to 35, regardless of their marital status, will be allowed fertility treatment...