Help us raise money for IVF

We are Steph and Laura, and we are raising money to pay for IVF.

Steph and I have had a difficult fertility journey, and we aren’t at the end of it yet.

We are so lucky to have welcomed baby Maeve into our family September 22, 2021. She is the love of our lives and makes every day brighter.

Our journey from start to finish with Maeve was 3 years. We underwent painful, uncomfortable fertility testing. We experienced numerous set backs due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Through this process, Laura was diagnosed with infertility. Endometriosis, low ovarian reserve and poor egg quality. It was devastating.

It took years of savings to pay for IVF, and we are still making debt payments towards it. We are asking for help to pay for our second cycle. Please help us grow our family! Every little bit helps, no amount is too small. Thank you :)

Sharing a little about us:

I’m Laura,

I am an artist, mom, Registered Veterinary Technician and avid reader. I am a retired circus artist and these days, I focus most of my artistic energy into making quilts. I am happily and still in disbelief, the mom of wonderful Maeve McNair Montgomery, who is 1 year old! I also work as a Registered Veterinary Technician, and love helping and caring for animals. I read as often and as much as I can, with a particular love of science fiction and fantasy.

I struggle with infertility. When I was diagnosed, I felt a deep sense of shame. As though I had done something wrong and I was being punished. It is difficult to talk about, but through the support of friends, family and our wonderful fertility clinic. I use my struggle to reach out to others that ask for support with infertility and fertility treatments.

Hi,

I’m am Steph McNair, here is a little about myself. I’ll start most recently and work back through time. I am a parent to the most incredible little baby Maeve Regina McNair Montgomery who is now 1 year old and Partner of 10 wonderful years to Laura Montgomery. And of course loving cat parent to the perfect Paprika. 

I am a Master Hairstylist, 13 years, and salon owner, 3 years, of Maneland Hair - non-binary beauty - in the heart of downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia. I strive to serve and share a welcoming queer space where people are encouraged to be their self. 

Before all of this, I trained and performed as a multidisciplinary artist and Drag King, Oliver Hugh. I maintain a great passion for art and music and other creative outlets. 

Halifax has been my home for nearly 20 years, all through my twenties and all through my thirties. It’s fair to say it’s seen a lot of my growing up and most memorable life milestones. Its seen me stumble home in the wee hours of the morning after a lot of fun, it’s seen me laser focus on goals and ambitions. It’s seen me through a couple of career changes before settling into my profession of Cosmetology, it’s seen me meet the love of my life and start a family together. It seems only natural that it see us grow this ever so lovely family just a little more. 

Asking for support might be my greatest weakness but I am willing to learn and I thank you so very much in advance for your kindness and well wishes. 

We appreciate all the support, this process takes so much time and energy that any contribution means the world.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your contribution

Laura, Steph, Maeve and Paprika