With IVF (in vitro fertilization) increasing over the past four decades and now with almost 2% of US born babies being conceived with assisted reproductive technology, it’ no surprise that some well-known celebs have conceived their children through IVF.
Each of these celebrities have their own unique journey with infertility struggles, IVF, and desire to become parents. Whether you’re in the public eye or not, walking through infertility comes with a rollercoaster of emotions and we’re grateful that these women have chosen to share their stories in hopes of letting others know that they’re not alone.
Below are 10 celeb’s IVF stories you may not have known:
1. Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West were originally told by doctors that Kim would never be able to get pregnant. But 3 miracle babies later, and they are now a family of 5. Their oldest child was conceived naturally, their second child was conceived via IVF, and their their child was born by gestational surrogacy because of medical complications with Kim’s second pregnancy.
Photo credit: Kim Kardashian’s Twitter
2. Tyra Banks
After a year of emotional failed IVF attempts, the television star and her then significant other chose IVF and gestational surrogacy for their son, York. From a People magazine interview, Tyra speaks about the emotional rollercoaster of having her son,
“There are so many stages. Like, ‘Okay, it’s a healthy embryo. Okay, it’s month one.’ I was just constantly living on edge until I held him for the first time.”
Photo credit: Tyra Bank’s Instagram
3. Celine Dion
Singer Celine Dion, 50, has 3 sons. Her oldest, Rene-Charles, is now 17 and her twin boys, Eddy and Nelson, are 8 years old. Celine’s first son was born after a 6-year attempt to conceive. While trying to get pregnant with her twins in 2010 through IVF, her husband said,
“’We are living the reality of the majority of couples who have to use IVF. The process can be long and arduous. But we are full of confidence. Céline is more determined than ever.”
4. Sofia Vergara
The actress originally underwent IVF in 2013 but now is in the middle of a custody battle with her ex regarding the embryos. To read more on their story, click here.
5. Chrissy Teigan
When asked on her advice for women who find the IVF process intimidating, the model and author answered,
“There are so many different factors that go into being able to conceive a baby. The [IVF] process really makes you appreciate that…There’s no right way to do IVF. You just have to keep hoping that it will happen. It’s easy for some, and not for others. And that’s okay.”
Teigan and her husband, John Legend, now have 2 children conceived through IVF. Their first child was born in 2016 and their second child was born earlier this year in 2018.
For the full interview with Chrissy Teigen and Jenn Gann, click here.
Photo credit: Chrissy Teigan’s Instagram
6. Elizabeth Banks
After several rounds of unsuccessful fertility treatments, model and actress Elizabeth Banks and her husband chose IVF and gestational surrogacy. They now have 2 sons, Magnus Mitchell (6) and Felix (7).
7. Giuliana Rancic
In 2011, Giuliana Rancic, known for her role as an anchor on E! News, was on round 3 of IVF treatments when she learned she had breast cancer. After finishing radiation and surgeries, her and her husband welcomed their son Edward Duke into the world via gestational surrogate.
In the public eye, Rancic was very open and honest about her journey to parenthood. In her published article for CCRM, Rancic encourages her readers with this:
“If you are dealing with infertility, please know that you are not alone. In fact, so many people feel the same way you do right now and many before you have gone down the road you are going down. Some days are harder than others. There are tears…followed by not-so-great-news…followed by some more tears-but all it takes is one phone call with the joyful words you’ve been waiting for. Keep the faith and stay hopeful and strong and know, what’s meant to be, will be.”
Photo credit: Giuliana Rancic’s Instagram
8. Courteney Cox
Actress Courteney Cox, known for her acting role on the show Friends, went through 2 rounds of IVF before giving birth to her first child at the age of 39. Courteney struggled with miscarriages prior to IVF treatments. Her daughter, Coco, is now in high school.
9. Emma Thompson
Emma Thompson, actress and screenwriter, openly talks about her devastating experience with IVF. Her first child was born in 1999 with help from IVF treatments but she was not able to get pregnant again during the second round. In a 2014 interview with the Daily Mail, Thompson said,
“IVF is very upsetting. It’s a brutal process and it’s very emotional. It’s really hard. But then you pick yourself up, look around and see this unbelievably beautiful little baby you’ve got anyway.”
Shortly after their second attempt at IVF, the couple adopted their then teenage son, a former Rwandan child soldier.
10. Brooke Shields
Through IVF, Shields’ had both her daughters (Rowan and Grier) in 2003 and 2006.
Shield’s book Down Came The Rain, tells the personal story of her struggle to get pregnant, the high expectations that herself and others placed on her as a new mom, and her experience with postpartum depression.
The actress and model shares more of her story on FertilityToday.org
Photo credit: Brooke Shields’ Instagram
