Sian and Dan Scott, a Cullompton couple, have turned to the community for support as they embark on their next step in a challenging fertility journey: IVF treatment. The couple has been open about their experience with infertility, and after exhausting their savings on other treatments, they are now fundraising to help cover the cost of a £4,000 IVF cycle.

Dan and Sian began trying to conceive not long after starting their relationship in November 2021. As Sian explained, “Dan and I have been wanting a baby together from very early on in our relationship.” The couple tied the knot in July 2023 and was ready to grow their family.

However, Sian’s battle with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a condition diagnosed in her teenage years, made the path to conception far more difficult. "I was diagnosed with PCOS from around the age of 15/16 years old via an ultrasound scan. I was waiting for my periods to arrive, whilst all my female friends around me in school/college were getting theirs, mine never arrived." Although doctors had warned her that PCOS could create difficulties when she wanted to have children, it wasn’t until she and Dan began trying that the full weight of those difficulties hit.

The couple first attempted various fertility treatments, including medications such as Letrozole, Metformin, Clomid, and injections like GonalF, Buseralin, and Meriofert. Unfortunately, despite undergoing ovarian drilling surgery in hopes of stimulating ovulation, Sian’s body did not respond as expected. “We had to move onto medication,” she said, but even that failed to work.

"With every cycle that went past and the medication failed to make me ovulate, Dan and I were feeling a mixture of feelings—sadness that it hadn’t worked, anger that we can’t get my body to respond to treatment, and a sense of grief for a baby that we haven’t even created yet," Sian shared. After repeated attempts, their consultant advised that IUI treatment was no longer viable. “The medications are not strong enough for my body and my ovaries are very resistant to anything we have tried so far.”

Now, IVF is the couple’s only option. However, it brings its own challenges, both financially and physically. "Our biggest concern for us was how on earth are we going to fund £4,000 per cycle of IVF with all of our savings being exhausted with all the IUI treatment that we had just been through," Sian said. Unfortunately, the couple does not qualify for NHS-funded IVF and must bear the costs themselves.

Encouraged by family and friends, Sian and Dan decided to set up a GoFundMe campaign. Although initially hesitant, they were amazed by the response. “Within the first 24 hours we had donations and we were blown away. Family, friends, and even people who we hadn’t spoken to in years or even met before!”

Their story has resonated with many, and Sian has also been sharing their journey on TikTok under the account CreatingBabyScott. The couple remains realistic about the challenges ahead, acknowledging that not all IVF cycles are successful. "We hope that our first IVF round is successful and we get lots of lovely embryos. However, we do remain realistic that everything takes time and the first round isn’t always successful," Sian said.

Despite the challenges they have faced, Sian and Dan are hopeful, with the love and support of their family and friends lifting their spirits. “Our friends and family are a massive part of our journey... They celebrate our wins and they support our losses.”

Sian’s advice for others going through similar struggles is simple but heartfelt: "Trust the professionals, believe in the process, and be kind to yourself. You’re allowed to feel all the emotions, it is/will be the hardest thing we/you have ever gone through."

For those wishing to support Sian and Dan on their IVF journey, donations can be made via their GoFundMe page or by following their story on TikTok at CreatingBabyScott.