Kourtney Kardashian has opened up about her difficult journey with in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and her eventual natural conception with her husband, Travis Barker.
The reality star shared her experience on Instagram, answering questions from fans and expressing her belief in "God's plan" for her life.
Kardashian, the eldest of the Kardashian sisters, and Barker, the drummer for Blink-182, welcomed their newborn son, Rocky, in December.
They revealed that they conceived naturally after taking a break from IVF treatments before their wedding in May 2022 in Portofino, Italy.
When a fan asked about finding the strength to continue after six failed IVF attempts, Kardashian responded, "I stopped after a year of trying (five failed IVF cycles, three retrievals). My body relaxed, and I believed in God's plan for my life. Lots of prayers for whatever was meant to be for us. Also, lots of optimizing my health. I know how hard it is to feel like you're not trying, but believing in God's plan and saying your prayers is so powerful."
Kardashian confirmed that she conceived her son, Rocky, on Valentine's Day in 2023, a year after stopping fertility treatments. She emphasized that she "got pregnant 100% naturally."
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Additionally, Kardashian shared parenting advice with fans. When a new mother mentioned her baby wouldn't nap unless held, Kardashian encouraged her to cherish the moments, saying, "Enjoy every second! We do the same. He's never been in his crib. It's my favorite thing in the world!"
During her pregnancy, the 45-year-old underwent "urgent fetal surgery," causing Barker to cancel concerts in the UK and Ireland to be with her.
In September, Kardashian expressed her gratitude to the doctors who saved her baby's life, saying she was "eternally grateful."
Kardashian and Barker announced their legal marriage in April 2022 after a "practice" wedding held at 2 a.m. by an Elvis impersonator following the Grammys.
Both Kardashian and Barker have three children from previous relationships.
Understanding IVF
IVF is a complex series of procedures used to help with fertility or prevent genetic problems and assist with the conception of a child.
During IVF, mature eggs are collected from ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a lab. Then the fertilized egg (embryo) or eggs are transferred to a uterus.
One full cycle of IVF takes about three weeks. Sometimes these steps are split into different parts and the process can take longer.
The success rate of IVF depends on numerous factors, including age and the cause of infertility.
According to the Mayo Clinic, women younger than 35 years old who undergo IVF have a 39.6% chance of having a baby, while women aged 41 to 42 have an 11.5% chance.