Emma Thompson's depression over infertility

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly about her long, successful career in Hollywood and her new film, Stranger Than Fiction, costarring Will Ferrell, actress / screenwriter (Sense & Sensibility) Emma Thompson, 47, shared one of her darkest periods. Emma, who has a daughter, 6-year-old Gaia, with her husband, actor Greg Wise, says she had a lengthy, unsuccessful and difficult round with in-vitro fertilization, that left her with feelings of failure and guilt.

"After that, we tried to have another child, it didn’t work, and I went into a deep clinical depression," she says. "It’s only now that I no longer count other people’s children or judge myself harshly for not providing my daughter with a sibling."

We had posted back in January about Emma and Greg adopting a 17 year old Rwandan orphan, but he’s apparently off to college!

Source: EW, Nov. 24, 2006, pg. 24

Can you relate to Emma’s struggle with infertility?

Comments

Could I relate? Hell, yes, with one notable difference: she was able to have a child. Lucky her.

I am sorry to read she tried IVF to give her daughter a sib. And, I am sad she went through a bout of depression. It is easy to do.

Thankfully, that didn’t happen here but infertility can be an emotional vampire-like experience.

- Principesa on November 27th, 2006

My husband and I have struggled with infertility for 2 yrs now. I can definately relate, it’s depressing and difficult. Somedays you just can’t go out and see other parents with their kids without crying.

- Sarah on November 27th, 2006

I have feelings of guilt over the fact that my DS will be an only child, too.

How old is Emma?

- flagtattoo on November 27th, 2006

I have struggled with infertility since my husband and I started trying to have a baby in August 2004. I have been through 7 rounds of clomid and was going to move on to IUI shortly. However I found out last Wednesday that I am 6 weeks pregnant! I can’t believe it. It seems like it took forever. It can be so depressing to have to carry on to the rest of the world like normal, and sit through countless friends and coworkers getting pregnant with no problem. It definitely is an emotional rollercoaster. I have one friend who went off the pill the same month as I did, and now has 2 kids. It actually for some strange reason hit me very hard when I heard Britney Spears was pregnant for the 2nd time. Sean was only 3 months old when she got pregnant again. It is just shocking to me that some (lucky) people can get pregnant within a month or two. But then I think, honestly everything happens for a reason, and we just deal with what we are given. Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!

- Michelle on November 27th, 2006

Yes, I can relate as well. My husband and I have been TTC for a year and a half and it is really hard to get through sometimes. It is nice to know that Emma was able to have a child.

- Sarah on November 27th, 2006

I lost a baby in February & it was really hard. We have tried almost every month since then without the outcome we hope for. This is especially hard for me because we have 3 kids already (5, 3, & almost 2). I didn’t have ANY trouble getting pregnant with any of them, but after the miscarriage earlier this year I had to have a DNC. I feel like I will never have the 4th child to complete our family. I know that I should be thankful for the 3 that I have (and I thank God for them everyday), but I can’t help wanting one more. I can’t imagine not being able to have any at all. For all of the women that read this or post on here that can’t or are having trouble getting pregnant – my heart goes out to you & your family. And all of my well wishes.

- *** Beth *** on November 27th, 2006

I battled infertility for over a year and now have beautiful 6 month old twins. Even though I finally have children of my own I still get depressed when I see pregnant women or people with brand new babies. The fact that I needed help to get pregnant bothers me and I feel like I let my husband down. Of course he does NOT make me feel that way, but I’m neurotic and feel like a failure as a wife.

- Sarah on November 27th, 2006

Ladies thank you so much for sharing your struggles with infertility with us, I know that we as a group feel honored that you would be willing to share something so personal and our hearts and prayers are with you!

- Nisha, CBB Senior Contributor on November 27th, 2006

Infertility hurts even if you already have a child. I have 2 children from my first marriage but my second husband and I have been trying to have a child of our own now for 8 years. He has no biological children. We have been unsuccessful. Had 6 miscarriages and an ectopic pregnancy to boot. We are looking to do IVF next year and hopefully will get our miracle. Secondary infertility hurts too!

- tink1217 on November 27th, 2006

She is an amazing actress and so brave to admit her depression. Not being able to have a child is NOT a sign of failure! I hope anyone out there who is struggling with infertility knows that. Some babies just take longer to make their appearance…and others are waiting for us in orphanages.

- Christina on November 27th, 2006

I thought I remember reading an article where she discussed the fact that she has PCOS. I was reading the article in the waiting room of my fertility doctors, possibly in Conceive Magazine? (http://www.conceiveonline.com/) I, too, have PCOS and after a diagnosis and several rounds of different methods, successfully had a baby boy (on 6/6/06, right in the middle of the celebrity baby boom/chaos around that time!). Not sure what it will take to have another, and not sure I can put everyone (now, including my ds!) through it all again, but I would love to try for one more… Good luck and best wishes to all out there trying right now.

- Lisa on November 27th, 2006

My husband and I have been going thru infertility for over 2 years now also, tried one round of clomid/metformin two years ago, and then tried herbs/acupuncture and aryuveda med. also. Helped somewhat but I did not get pregnant.
We are going to start back up medically and hopefully have a little miracle!
But I want everyone to know how normal all of these feelings are. I see a therapist who speializes in Infertility so she knows exactly where I am coming from and going thru it herself. She also started a support group I now attend. But the emotional strain on your life, yourself and your relationship and the depression you go thru noone understands unless you go thru it yourself. Get help if you are feeling this way, it really does help you deal with the struggles! The women who can get pregant and easily really have no idea what we go thru!!

- StarsMoonPress on November 29th, 2006

I can deffinently relate. I have a 4 year ols daughter and we have been trying for baby #2 since she turned one. I was recently diagnosed with PCOS and not sure if I will ever be able to have another child. It is hard to think of your child never having any siblings. I wish her the best!

- Alicia on November 30th, 2006