My most favorite part of tabloid magazines (besides the crossword puzzle in People) is the “Celebrities are just like us” section. “Stars are just like us- they tie their shoes, they go grocery shopping, they go to the bathroom”. It’s truly entertaining. So while it may seem that every celebrity is currently pregnant, I've been inspired to present to you a compilation of some of the many celebrities that have struggled with miscarriage and/or infertility. Their quotes are truly something I can relate to and thought you may too. (There's a lesson to learn at the end, its not all gossip :) )
-Courteney Cox- after suffering multiple miscarriages said, "I get pregnant pretty easily, but I have a hard time keeping them,"
- Hugh Jackman and his wife have adopted two children but prior to this, struggled with years of infertility, IVF, and miscarriage. He said, “It is a difficult time. The miscarriage thing — apparently it happens to one in three pregnancies — but it’s very, very rarely talked about. It’s almost secretive. But it’s a good thing to talk about. It’s more common and it’s tough, there’s a grieving process you have to go through.” And regarding infertility, he said, “It was painful. It’s not easy. You put a lot of time and effort into it, so it’s emotional. I think any parent can relate- trying to have children is wonderful and when you feel as though that’s not going to happen, there’s a certain anxiety that goes with it."
-Brooke Shields- “I never thought I would have problems. I thought we’d decide to start a family and I’d soon become a mom, and it would all be easy, and glorious... After a while, when you’re not successful, you start to associate the word ‘failure’ every time you pee on a stick and it doesn’t come out the right color. What starts out as a dream becomes a project that’s all consuming —it becomes a very frustrating, frightening place.”
-Jaime King- After giving birth to her son, she posted this message to twitter: “For all the struggling women & moms out there that think they are alone - This is the truth about conceiving my son. After 8 years of pain and undiagnosed PCOS & Endometriosis, 9 doctors …a severe ectopic, 5 miscarriages, 5 rounds of IVF, 26 IUI's, most with no outcome, 4 ½ years of trying to conceive…..For all the women who think you are alone in this #youarenotalone #ihavetobebravetosupportothers #realtalkthatterrifiesus." (PS- Jaime is now expecting her 2nd child)
- Gwenyth Paltrow- “I had a really bad experience when I was pregnant with my third. It didn’t work out…..It was awful. It happened really late, and I wasn't expecting it at all. For a long time, I just couldn't understand that it had happened and why. I was like "But I can't not be pregnant…I have three car seats in my head." To this day I feel like I'm missing that kid. But it wasn't meant to be and you have to trust the universe.”
-Guiliana Rancic-. “My first IVF, I did get pregnant—that was the miscarriage. But the second one, I did not get pregnant, and that was the biggest kick in the stomach, because I just could not believe you go through so much to get those eggs and put them in, and when the doctor calls you, to hear, "Oh, sorry, it didn’t work." That was the most shocking. I would go, "I’m a good person, and I could give someone the greatest life of all, but yet I can’t get pregnant?”. She says, “Never lose hope! Everything happens for a reason and there is a greater plan for you. Everything will be OK in the end. If it’s not OK, it’s not the end.” She then went on to have a son through surrogacy.
-Jimmy Fallon and his wife struggled with infertility for five years before having a daughter via surrogacy. “My wife and I had been trying for a while to have a baby. Anyone who's tried will know, it's just awful. I know people have tried much longer than we have, but if there's anyone out there who is trying and they're just losing hope . . . just hang in there. Try every avenue; try anything you can do, 'cause you'll get there. You'll end up with a family, and it's so worth it. It is the most 'worth it' thing."
-Lisa Osbourne- (Wife of Jack Osbourne) after her miscarriage said “It’s important to stay hopeful and optimistic through life’s toughest moments. We never know why things like this happen. All we can do is trust in God and know he has a plan for our lives.” (PS- She’s now pregnant)
Other celebrities that have struggled with infertility or miscarriage include Kim Kardashian, Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Sarah Jessica Parker, Brooke Shields, Sherri Shepard, Pink, Kirstie Alley, Sharon Stone, and more. So even in this world of ours, if you feel alone, see that you’re not. Easier said than done, huh?
While you may understand intellectually that infertility and miscarriage plague many people, it sometimes gets difficult to not blame yourself. There is an implication in society that infertility treatments (IUI, IVF, adoption, or surrogacy) is a last resort- as if you failed if this is where you end up. But it’s not true! There is simply too much stigma and negativity that lead people to assume this. We aren’t damaged, flawed, or less of a woman (or man as infertility can be a male issue as well). We are simply human. Celebrities are too (and they have access to the best doctors money can buy!!). So stay strong and do not be ashamed or embarrassed. You will forever be changed as a person from this. In the cancer world, we call it the “new normal”. At some point, hopefully, life will return to its normal routine- the way it was before early morning appointments, injections, hormones, ultrasounds, etc. But you will never be the same person you were before embarking on this journey. You will forever be changed… hopefully, in a good way.
Do any of these celebrity comments resonate with you? Let me know.
-Courteney Cox- after suffering multiple miscarriages said, "I get pregnant pretty easily, but I have a hard time keeping them,"
- Hugh Jackman and his wife have adopted two children but prior to this, struggled with years of infertility, IVF, and miscarriage. He said, “It is a difficult time. The miscarriage thing — apparently it happens to one in three pregnancies — but it’s very, very rarely talked about. It’s almost secretive. But it’s a good thing to talk about. It’s more common and it’s tough, there’s a grieving process you have to go through.” And regarding infertility, he said, “It was painful. It’s not easy. You put a lot of time and effort into it, so it’s emotional. I think any parent can relate- trying to have children is wonderful and when you feel as though that’s not going to happen, there’s a certain anxiety that goes with it."
-Brooke Shields- “I never thought I would have problems. I thought we’d decide to start a family and I’d soon become a mom, and it would all be easy, and glorious... After a while, when you’re not successful, you start to associate the word ‘failure’ every time you pee on a stick and it doesn’t come out the right color. What starts out as a dream becomes a project that’s all consuming —it becomes a very frustrating, frightening place.”
-Jaime King- After giving birth to her son, she posted this message to twitter: “For all the struggling women & moms out there that think they are alone - This is the truth about conceiving my son. After 8 years of pain and undiagnosed PCOS & Endometriosis, 9 doctors …a severe ectopic, 5 miscarriages, 5 rounds of IVF, 26 IUI's, most with no outcome, 4 ½ years of trying to conceive…..For all the women who think you are alone in this #youarenotalone #ihavetobebravetosupportothers #realtalkthatterrifiesus." (PS- Jaime is now expecting her 2nd child)
- Gwenyth Paltrow- “I had a really bad experience when I was pregnant with my third. It didn’t work out…..It was awful. It happened really late, and I wasn't expecting it at all. For a long time, I just couldn't understand that it had happened and why. I was like "But I can't not be pregnant…I have three car seats in my head." To this day I feel like I'm missing that kid. But it wasn't meant to be and you have to trust the universe.”
-Guiliana Rancic-. “My first IVF, I did get pregnant—that was the miscarriage. But the second one, I did not get pregnant, and that was the biggest kick in the stomach, because I just could not believe you go through so much to get those eggs and put them in, and when the doctor calls you, to hear, "Oh, sorry, it didn’t work." That was the most shocking. I would go, "I’m a good person, and I could give someone the greatest life of all, but yet I can’t get pregnant?”. She says, “Never lose hope! Everything happens for a reason and there is a greater plan for you. Everything will be OK in the end. If it’s not OK, it’s not the end.” She then went on to have a son through surrogacy.
-Jimmy Fallon and his wife struggled with infertility for five years before having a daughter via surrogacy. “My wife and I had been trying for a while to have a baby. Anyone who's tried will know, it's just awful. I know people have tried much longer than we have, but if there's anyone out there who is trying and they're just losing hope . . . just hang in there. Try every avenue; try anything you can do, 'cause you'll get there. You'll end up with a family, and it's so worth it. It is the most 'worth it' thing."
-Lisa Osbourne- (Wife of Jack Osbourne) after her miscarriage said “It’s important to stay hopeful and optimistic through life’s toughest moments. We never know why things like this happen. All we can do is trust in God and know he has a plan for our lives.” (PS- She’s now pregnant)
Other celebrities that have struggled with infertility or miscarriage include Kim Kardashian, Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Sarah Jessica Parker, Brooke Shields, Sherri Shepard, Pink, Kirstie Alley, Sharon Stone, and more. So even in this world of ours, if you feel alone, see that you’re not. Easier said than done, huh?
While you may understand intellectually that infertility and miscarriage plague many people, it sometimes gets difficult to not blame yourself. There is an implication in society that infertility treatments (IUI, IVF, adoption, or surrogacy) is a last resort- as if you failed if this is where you end up. But it’s not true! There is simply too much stigma and negativity that lead people to assume this. We aren’t damaged, flawed, or less of a woman (or man as infertility can be a male issue as well). We are simply human. Celebrities are too (and they have access to the best doctors money can buy!!). So stay strong and do not be ashamed or embarrassed. You will forever be changed as a person from this. In the cancer world, we call it the “new normal”. At some point, hopefully, life will return to its normal routine- the way it was before early morning appointments, injections, hormones, ultrasounds, etc. But you will never be the same person you were before embarking on this journey. You will forever be changed… hopefully, in a good way.
Do any of these celebrity comments resonate with you? Let me know.