When we were told more than four years ago that we would not be able to
conceive naturally it was the most painful thing for us to accept. But my wife and I were
undeterred. We decided we should try the IVF method as it appeared to be the only means
suitable for us. We were warn the method had had limited success and that the odds were
stacked against us when we began our odyssey into the unknown. Locally the concept of
going for IVF treatment was new and finding the right clinic to fulfil our cherished dream
of having a baby was a problem initially. Additionally we faced logistical problems
because both of us were working and had to somehow put aside enough leave days for the
task at hand. Somehow, with the support of many people, we managed to find time to
go.
Our
first attempt was at a world reknown IVF clinic in the United Kingdom. But although we
underwent the treatment my wife did not become pregnant. We must point out the fact that
we were not successful rested more with us than the inability of the clinic to perform.
The turn of events really left us demoralised and dejected-both my wife and I were left in
tears. But a year later we found the urge to try again simply because we could
not resist the desire to have a baby. This time we restricted ourselves to centres closer
to home - and ventured to Singapore instead.
Our very first IVF attempt at the National University Hospital was successful. It was
unbelievable but our worries were far from over. The majority of IVF pregnancies do not go
to full term but lady luck was with us - my wife carried our baby for nine months and gave
birth normally. Little Yin Siet was born on December 14 last year. It was the day we had
been waiting for all the while. When the baby girl was born eventually it was the most
perfect thing in the world. We were completely overwhelmed by the excitement and joy.
We waited this long to make public our story because we wanted to be alone with our
baby... having gone round the world to have one. The baby is perfectly healthy and normal
- and to this day we still find the whole thing difficult to believe. But at long last we
are complete.... we are a family now. We have learnt that a total of 793 couples sought
IVF treatment in Singapore last year. Of the number 140 pregnancies were recorded - but
only 14 resulted in live births. Yin Siet, being among the 14,
is truly a miraculous baby. At least we think so.
When we were told more than four years ago that we would not be able to
conceive naturally it was the most painful thing for us to accept. But my wife and I were
undeterred. We decided we should try the IVF method as it appeared to be the only means
suitable for us. We were warn the method had had limited success and that the odds were
stacked against us when we began our odyssey into the unknown. Locally the concept of
going for IVF treatment was new and finding the right clinic to fulfil our cherished dream
of having a baby was a problem initially. Additionally we faced logistical problems
because both of us were working and had to somehow put aside enough leave days for the
task at hand. Somehow, with the support of many people, we managed to find time to
go. 
Our
first attempt was at a world reknown IVF clinic in the United Kingdom. But although we
underwent the treatment my wife did not become pregnant. We must point out the fact that
we were not successful rested more with us than the inability of the clinic to perform.
The turn of events really left us demoralised and dejected-both my wife and I were left in
tears. But a year later we found the urge to try again simply because we could
not resist the desire to have a baby. This time we restricted ourselves to centres closer
to home - and ventured to Singapore instead. 