The rEAl dEAl with Erin Andrews
Subscribe
Cover photo

My seventh time doing IVF, I am not keeping it a secret anymore!

IVF treatment

Erin Andrews

Aug 25, 2021
117

*You can always find past the rEAl dEAl newsletters and subscribe to new ones on Bulletin*

Hey everyone, I hope you are enjoying the rest of the summer.

I have to admit, as much as I'm trying to enjoy the last few weeks before the NFL season kicks off, it has been a bit challenging for me. On top of being on a special assignment last week where I was sometimes working up to 14 hours a day, I also had to set aside time for IVF treatment. For those familiar, you know it's a time-consuming and emotionally draining process. This is my 7th one, and I've been going through these treatments since I was 35 years old.

I'm now 43, so my body is kind of stacked against me. I have been trying to do IVF treatment for a while now, but sometimes it doesn't go the way you want it. Your body just doesn't allow it. Every cycle is different in a woman's body, so some months are better than others. When I heard this was the best time to go through another treatment, I had to figure it out all over again. How am I going to juggle this treatment on top of my work schedule? I got so stressed out. When this happens, it really makes you question: is it the future of my family or is it my job?

I work in an industry where I think women feel the need to keep things like this quiet. But no, there are so many other women who maybe put their careers on the back burner because they don't want to miss out on any opportunities. It's so common that people are starting families late and put so many other aspects of their lives on hold.

I decided that this time around, I would be open with my show producers about having to come to work a little later than normal because I was attending daily fertility appointments. And I am thankful I did it. They encouraged me to be open about it because this is real life. It's not like I'm leaving to go take a hot yoga class, I'm trying to have a baby. I am not ashamed, and I want to be vocal and honest about this.

So, as I sat there in that waiting room last week, I gave myself a Tom Brady pep talk! I was like, "You're 43, you're giving this a shot!" Everyone said his arm was dead. Everyone said he couldn't be on a new team and win a championship, and look what happened! Anything is possible, why not us?

It can sometimes be embarrassing when you are in the waiting room and they say your name out loud. It makes me think, "I want this to be quiet, I don't want people to know," but I don't care anymore! It sucks, but I am right there with all these other women in the waiting room. It's a team that no one wants to be a part of. We're all going through this and having a tough time. It can be so isolating, but in reality, we are all there together.

The entire treatment takes such a mental and emotional toll on your body. You feel like shit. You feel bloated and hormonal for a week and a half. You could go through this whole experience and get absolutely nothing out of it — that's the crazy part. It's a ton of money, it's a ton of time, it's a ton of mental and physical anguish. And more times than not, they're unsuccessful.

I think that's why a lot of people choose to be quiet about it. Because maybe we feel as if this is something we have to do, and we don't want to jinx it. On the other hand, we can also feel like we're a failure as females or to our partners. But we are all warriors for going through this! The fertility clinic can sometimes be so full, it's heartbreaking, but we really aren't alone here. You never know who else is going through this; it could be another co-worker or the person making your coffee every day. There are more people than you think.

Now that it's my seventh time, something just hit me. Why am I keeping this such a secret when this is just a part of our lives? Instead of feeling ashamed, we need to give ourselves more love. It freaking sucks, because it can seem like it's such a lonely thing. There are so many of us going through this though, and it's just not talked about.

Have you or someone that you know gone through a similar experience? I'd love to help change the conversation here so people feel they can be more open.

Talk soon,

Erin

Subscribe for free to The rEAl dEAl with Erin Andrews
By subscribing, you agree to share your email address with Erin Andrews to receive their original content, including promotions. Unsubscribe at any time. Meta will also use your information subject to the Bulletin Terms and Policies
117

More from The rEAl dEAl with Erin Andrews
See all

Talking Wine with Iconic Actress, Cameron Diaz and Fashion Entrepreneur, Katherine Power

Hey everyone,
May 28

16-Year NFL Veteran and all around nice guy – Andrew Whitworth

Hey everyone!
May 27
4

All About My Love for Dance

Hey everyone! I hope you’re having a great weekend. I had a great time at Stagecoach this weekend and it was so much fun to see so much amazing live music.
Apr 30
1
Comments
Subscribe with Facebook to comment

117 Comments

  • Beth Loyd
    This is wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing this. Best of luck in your journey and hang in there.
    • 39w
    • Author
      Erin Andrews
      Thank you very much.
      • 39w
  • Campbell Brown
    This is really incredible. Wishing you the very best luck and thank you for sharing!
    2
    • 39w
    • Author
      Erin Andrews
      Thank you!! ❤️
      • 39w
  • Kristi K Schiller
    I went through 9 rounds. We finally did it!! Keep in mind, rounds 1-8 were not easy in the least. Read the book "A Few Good Eggs" - praying for you
    • 28w
  • Tracy P Smith
    Best of luck! Prayers and positive thoughts and energy! From 35 to 40 we worked infertility. At 40 doctor said next step is IVF. Unfortunately a trial run proved my body wouldn't succeed.
    Fortunately we had been blessed with an amazing daughter 10 years earlier.
    • 30w
  • Janice Held
    hang in there and keep you eye on the prize. I ended up doing Donor egg and had a beautiful baby boy at 47! suffered miscarriage and failed Ivfs to get there. be kind to yourself, remember to breath, and good luck.
    • 31w
  • Robin Heider Clark
    Thank you for using your platform to bring more awareness and hopefully more compassion about fertility issues. I got pregnant at 44 through IVF/donor egg and delivered an amazing baby girl at 45. There’s still time!
    • 29w
  • Katie Pfeiffer
    My sister went through IVF treatments. It was a hard road. She wanted kids so badly. I remember her having go be back home at a certain time to take her meds and donthe injections. It was a challenge for sure. But she now has 2 kids. Sending you praye…
    See more
    • 39w
    • Author
      Erin Andrews
      ❤️❤️❤️❤️
      • 39w
  • Jason Lee
    Not sure if you remember me but I was your shuttle driver when you were in town staying at the omni during your trial in Nashville. I’ll be praying for you and your family that the 7th time is a charm!
    • 30w
  • Miriam Struk Anderson
    My daughter in law and son are considering IVF after 5 miscarriages. her eggs are not super healthy and they give her a 30% chance of success. So many women wanting to get pregnant and can’t breaks my heart. Especially when there are those who so easil…
    See more
    • 30w
  • Jamie Lewandowski Kapadia
    I haven’t tried IVF…yet. I’ve gone through 4 rounds of IUI. I finally had my rainbow baby after three miscarriages. He just turned 4 yesterday❤️ I’m 41 now and I go back and forth wondering if I would be mentally prepared to do this again.
    • 28w
View more comments
10 of 111
Share quoteSelect how you’d like to share below
Share on Facebook
Share to Twitter
Send in Whatsapp
Share on Linkedin
Privacy  ·  Terms  ·  Cookies
© Meta 2022
Discover fresh voices. Tune into new conversations. Browse all publications