Celebrities and IVF...

[brit1612]

When I read the post that someone linked here the other day it got me thinking about celebrities not admitting that they are doing IVF. (Which really bothers me!) I know they want privacy, but they could do a lot of good for helping people understand that they are not alone. Anyways... I did some research and found a quite a few celebs who have talked about their fertilty journey. I put them in a list and posted it...http://ivfsuccessstories.info/2011/02/c ... -admit-it/

[leorira11]

the celebrities that have twins after the age of 40 and don't admit to using some kind of fertility treatment -- what crocks! Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lopez, Angelina Jolie, Mariah Carey, etc. Maybe not IVF, but definitely something!

[LostGirl]

I'm all for people sharing their IVF journey if they want to. But why should someone famous be more compelled to share their story than the rest of us? You could say, because of the difference they'll make putting a face on infertility, but hey, we can all do that.

[annashope]

Lostgirl I see what you are saying but I think infertility is such a tough subject because unless you experience it yourself as we all are people tend to be unresponsive and ignorant to the topic. I feel when a celebrity talks about something people listen and it makes a difference. Believe me in my 3 year struggle for a baby I have been so outspoken but it is a fact that I simply cannot make the kind of a difference in explaining what IVF is as Celine Dion did. We in this country tend to immortalize our celebrities and imagine they are perfect people I think if more of them admitted that infertility can happen to anyone and how difficult of a journey it is maybe more people would be sensitive to the issue or maybe even there could be more insurance coverage

Leora I am so with you and it angers me too...they could do so much but instead they would rather appear "perfect"

[riogirl71]

Nancy Grace having twins at 49... Marcia Cross... Nicole Kidman... I agree that maybe they would not want to get into the donor egg issue but I do think they could make a difference in being outspoken about IVF and struggles. Maybe even round up people to put pressure on the insurance companies and state mandates as to help those of us without a celebrity bank account!

[JA2JB]

I agree that IVF is a private journey that no one should be expected to share, but I also understand from first hand experience how much more impact is made when a celebrity shares her/his infertility struggles. I've been through IVF 4 times, and I shared most of these experiences with my sister. I've always thought we were very close, so I was extremely surprised one day when she called to talk to me about Giuliana (the woman from E! News) and Bill Rancic's IVF struggles. Even though I had shared the exact same experiences, she "felt so sorry for her" and all the pain she was going through. When I shared my story with her, she always said, "don't worry, it will happen for you" or some similar statement. She never once offered pity, a shoulder to cry on, nothing, but she was almost crying talking about all the shots Giuliana had to take and how hard it was for her emotionally. She seemed to think that what I went through wasn't the same. I guess when you see someone on a reality TV show (which I don't watch), they show those private moments that in my case were between my husband and me. Perhaps that's what makes it more real to those watching.

But I don't understand those who falsely deny using any assisted reproductive technology. Just state that it's no one's business and leave it at that.

[brit1612]

I am so glad this sparked a conversation! I know it is their business but I feel like most of them chose to be in the spotlight and can make such a big impact compared to us "normal" people! I have been completely open about my journey, to friends, family... etc. But I don't feel like I have made some impact on society. A few really famous people being outspoken could really make a difference. I agree that they may not want to share the egg donation aspect of their journey (for the child's sake more than anything), but they could admit that they needed "help" getting pregnant!

[MamaBoo]

I guess my two cents are worth just that, but here they are: I don't think anyone should feel coerced into disclosing something so personal as IVF. AFM I am quite open about it. Everyone in my family, everyone at work and everyone who knows me knows I have been through it. However, it is a very personal and private decision. If someone denies they had IVF when they really did, they probably feel it's no one's business. And I think they are right if that is the right decision for their family. Several celebs are open about their experiences, they help bring this health issue into the light. However, I don't think we can judge anyone for not talking openly about it.

[brit1612]

Mama- I agree and am not trying to be judgmental at all. Everyone has their personal decision to disclose or not. It just seems weird to me that some people are ashamed. With other health issues; cancer, diabetes, people don't deny it. I hope I am not coming across as judgmental, because that is not what I was trying to do at all. I just don't want the average person to feel alone or ashamed of what they are going through.

[Ghost]

Mama- I agree and am not trying to be judgmental at all. Everyone has their personal decision to disclose or not. It just seems weird to me that some people are ashamed. With other health issues; cancer, diabetes, people don't deny it. I hope I am not coming across as judgmental, because that is not what I was trying to do at all. I just don't want the average person to feel alone or ashamed of what they are going through.

I agree they should not be required to disclose anything that personal, but it would be a positive public benefit to do so. Many women postpone child-bearing into their late 30s or even their 40s because they read about various celebrities having babies at that age. Heartbreak often results.

[Warren Dew]

If someone denies they had IVF when they really did, they probably feel it's no one's business.

They could just say it's no one's business, rather than denying it when it's true.

[Ghost]

Deleting duplicated post...

[annashope]

Ghost that is a great answer. In our society it has become the norm to communicate to young girls that they don't need to worry about having kids until they are in their late 30's even early 40's. I was shocked when my RE first mentioned that 28/29 was not "that young" and that I should have considered having kids sooner. I agree no one should disclose any information that they are not comfortable with however I think its really not fair that so many celebrities and even non-celebrities are having to go through IVF and yet when interviewed they simply say that it was natural. I agree I feel it gives a false sense of security to many younger girls "like myself" when in fact we may not have all the time in the world. Now my DH and I regret not having started to try way sooner but I too was convinced that I had endless time to worry about kids

[brit1612]

Annashope-Wow I am kind of suprised that your re said 28 is not that young. It just goes to show you the ideas that socitety has put in our head. I think most people feel 40 is the magic age. That if they have kids before or around then that they won't have any problems. Sometimes age does not matter at all. I was 22 when I started my IVF journey, we had MF infertility, but my first cycle they only retreived 6 eggs! My RE said I responded like a 40 year old!

Ghost- Thanks for chiming in on the discussion! I know we all respect your opinion.

[TammyS]

I agree they should not be required to disclose anything that personal, but it would be a positive public benefit to do so. Many women postpone child-bearing into their late 30s or even their 40s because they read about various celebrities having babies at that age. Heartbreak often results.

This is sooo true. Bill and I have been together for 10 yrs and married almost 4 yrs. We thought we had time. We both said...people get pregnant at 40+ all.the.time. ...so we really didnt even start to try until I was almost 39...we were referring to the celeb's. Little did we know. How naive of us. I guess we wasted ALOT of money on birth control, too. We both ended up with issues...low morp/low motility for him...and age for me.