Singapore's declining birth rate is a constant national conversation, yet the lived reality of infertility remains largely unspoken. For couples like the author and her husband, the journey to parenthood is marked by cycles of hope and despair.
Approximately 15 percent of couples in Singapore face infertility, a figure expected to rise as individuals marry and start families later in life. The nation's policymakers are focused on encouraging marriage and childbirth, addressing concerns about the future, and implementing financial and logistical support. However, even with these efforts, biological realities mean conception is not guaranteed.
Discussions about babies and well-meaning but insensitive questions about when children are expected can serve as painful reminders of personal struggles. The author recounts advice to "just relax" and a gynaecologist's blunt assessment of their "hardcore" issue, underscoring the secrecy and shame often associated with seeking fertility help.
While the government plans to raise awareness of fertility health and improve workplace support for those undergoing treatments, the human element is crucial. Couples struggling with infertility desire empathy and understanding. Simple questions like "When are you having children?" can be deeply challenging for many. Aspiring parents long for their desire to have children to be heard, rather than assuming they simply need nudging.