#SHOWBIZ: 'I'm doing this for my parents': Elizabeth Tan opens up on IVF journey

KUALA LUMPUR: Actress Elizabeth Tan is embarking on an IVF journey with her husband, Dr Siew Jim Ding, to start a family, following multiple failed attempts to conceive naturally. At 32 years old, Tan aspires to bear at least two children before reaching the age of 35, driven by the desire to spend quality time with her aging parents and provide them the joy of seeing their grandchildren grow.

In an interview during a press conference for her upcoming horror film, Pemuja Syaitan, Tan revealed that she and her husband began trying for a child when she was 30. She shared, "I d love to have two children before I turn 35, but right now, I don t even have one."

Despite the emotional weight of her decision, Tan remains hopeful and entrusts the outcome to God's hands. The initial phase of the IVF process, egg retrieval, is scheduled to commence this year, while the embryo transfer is set for next year. However, Tan's professional commitments have influenced her timeline, with the film project she is currently working on taking precedence over the embryo transfer.

Tan explained, "I m weighing up whether to proceed with the embryo transfer now or finish the film first, but I think the film needs to come first. Once filming wraps up, I ll do the transfer."

Initially, IVF was not Tan's preferred choice, as most couples prefer to conceive naturally. She had attempted intrauterine insemination (IUI) twice before opting for IVF, both attempts proving unsuccessful. Tan acknowledges that IVF is not a first-choice option, stating, "Nobody chooses IVF as their first option. If possible, everyone wants to conceive naturally." She added, "I m trying not to get my hopes up too much. We ve tried every single month without success, and doing IVF doesn't automatically guarantee a result."

Tan and Dr Siew were married on March 21, 2021. Professionally, Tan is set to star in Pemuja Syaitan, which marks the directorial debut of actress Liyana Jasmay. The film, produced by Mermaid Studios in collaboration with Suraya Filem Production & Distribution, also stars Zul Ariffin, Nadhir Nasar, and Aila Azizul. It is slated to release in cinemas nationwide on October 15.