Louise Redknapp talks about fertility struggle

Endometriosis prevented Louise Redknapp — former member of the band Eternal, wife to footballer Jamie Redknapp and mom to 3 ½-year-old Charley – from having a baby after several years of trying.  But it was Louise, herself, who very nearly prevented the couple from ever finding out that endometriosis was to blame in the first place.  The 33-year-old says that she was somewhat in denial about having a fertility problem and was reluctant to seek treatment.

I put it to the back of my head and blocked it out; I thought it’s nothing, it sometimes takes a long time. People tried to talk to me about it, but I convinced myself that I was having a great life and it wouldn’t be the right time to have a baby anyway. So I never went through that whole thing of investigating it or looking for alternative treatments. It was Jamie who said let’s find out what’s going on here. 

After a laparoscopy revealed extensive endometriosis, a condition which causes infertility in 30-40% of all women who suffer from it, Louise was told that her own odds of having children were diminished.  The news was "a big shock" for the couple, Louise says, adding,

It was the biggest wake-up call; it made me realize how much I wanted to be a mum. At times, I felt terribly sorry for myself, but I think it was harder for Jamie because he just had to wait and hope while I had treatment.

Charley was conceived after Louise underwent two separate surgeries to treat her condition over six months, and although the couple was thrilled to finally be pregnant, Louise soon thereafter developed chloasma that only worsened upon giving birth.  A skin disorder — commonly referred to as "the mask of pregnancy" — chloasma caused pigmentation patches to appear on Louise’s face that took two years to fade.  Despite her life as the wife of a footballer and a fashion presenter on television, Louise has been humbled by all that she endured in her quest to become a mom, saying she’s "just like every other woman."   

The couple is hoping to make Charley a big brother — but Louise says her approach the second time around is low-key.

I think the minute I mentally work myself into a frenzy, it won’t happen. So I’m just not going to think about it and hope for the best.

Louise and Jamie have been married since 1998.

Source:  Times Online

Comments

I think it mazing that she got pregnant! So happy to hear her success story! I suffered for 5 and a half years of trying to get pregnant and have endometriosis myself and PCOS!

- renee on January 26th, 2008

I think it is awesome as well. I too have severe endometriosis and tried for years to get pregnant. I had numerous surgeries and ended up pregnant only to find out it was an ectopic pregnancy and my tube burst from it. It was then removed.I was told that my chances of ever having a baby were slim to none. So without any drugs or even trying, I ended up pregnant by the grace of god and had a really rough pregnancy. But it was worth it all the way. Thinking he was my miracle baby I thought that I probably wouldn’t be able to have another and by the grace of god, we welcomed another little boy in September of 2006. So these are my miracle babies, and I cherish and love them to death. I ended up getting my tubes tied because I had 2 really harsh pregnancies and am already blessed with my gorgeous boys.

Sorry for going on and on but I just love to let people know that there truly is hope!

- Mom of boys* on January 26th, 2008

Mom of Boys, that’s such a wonderful story! I’m sure it will give hope to lots of people. I think it shows that sometimes it’s easier to get pregnant when you think you can’t have babies, as you don’t stress about it anymore.

- Erika on January 28th, 2008