Stories of Celebrities Who Struggled to Conceive
Sometimes, despite what you most want, nature doesn’t seem to get the memo. A person can be the ideal, seemingly natural candidate for something – and the world just doesn’t play ball. A particular example of this is when someone who would be an excellent parent just can’t conceive a baby despite years of trying.
If you have been or currently are suffering through this situation, you know how isolating it can be. Your mind whirs with your choices. We know the alternatives, but we can be reluctant to try them. Surrogacy denies the chance of experiencing pregnancy. Adoption means you may always live in fear of the questions your child ultimately asks.
As for IVF, it’s a big commitment, and leaves you asking questions of yourself such as: am I giving up on conceiving naturally? What about the strain on our relationship? How will my body deal with the stress and physical strain of IVF?
All of these are understandable and valid questions, but as the following celebrities can attest, they aren’t insurmountable. Sometimes, it’s comforting to know that others – even the very fortunate – have gone through the same dilemma and come out the other side the better for it.
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend
Model (and purveyor of witty clapbacks on Twitter) Chrissy Teigen seems to have a charmed life, but she and musician husband John Legend struggled to conceive for several years.
IVF is often mentioned as an option that only older women opt for. Teigen, however, is currently 31 – so IVF is something for all ages to consider without concern. The couple eventually opted for treatment and welcomed daughter Luna Simone in April of 2016.
Celine Dion and René Angelil
In contrast, an example of older parents turning to IVF to fight back against the aging process. Married in 1994, Dion and Angelil opted for IVF in 2000. They welcomed son René-Charles in 2000, and chose to use IVF again when expanding their brood. They were blessed with twins Eddy and Nelson in 2010.
And Others…
Other celebrities who have used IVF (or surrogacy) include Tyra Banks, Emma Thompson and Courteney Cox. Sarah Jessica Parker opted for surrogacy when she struggled to conceive. On the adoption side, Nicole Kidman adopted two children during her marriage to Tom Cruise, as have Madonna and Hugh Jackman. It’s also worth a nod to Calista Flockhart; although now married to Harrison Ford, she adopted in 2001 as a single parent.
So You’re Not Alone
If your life is dominated by friends and family who seem to conceive without any effort, then it can feel like you are stranded with your concerns. It’s miserable experience, but it doesn’t have to be permanent. As has been demonstrated, even among the selective celebrity pool, there is plenty of experience of infertility and undergoing treatments with in vitro fertilization specialists in the pursuit of parenthood. You have a multitude of options in front of you when you are willing to explore them.
It might be a difficult time, but hopefully one day, you will look back on it with nothing but a wry smile – and see it as something you got through.
