Despite all the infertility issues, The Food Network’s Katie Lee is determined and hopeful to start a family with her husband Ryan Biegel.
The Endless Summer Cookbook author told Us Weekly exclusively at the NYC Wine and Food Festival's Aperitivo presented by Fratelli Beretta, hosted by her and sponsored by Liquor.com, about their family planning. The couple hoped to have a baby in their life immediately after their marriage, but they are currently fighting to fulfill their dream. “[We’re] still trying," she said. “We’ll see what happens.”
In April, for the first time, Katie opened up about her infertility issues and how much the pregnancy rumours have hurt her. She wrote to her fans on Instagram, “I get multiple messages a day asking me if I’m pregnant or why I am not pregnant yet. I get comments saying I look like I’ve gained weight, so I must be pregnant.”
She went on explaining how depressed she feels when people comment on her weight and put pressure on her looks. The 38-year-old star married TV producer Ryan Biegel on September 01, 2018, and they wanted to start a family immediately. But, she was hardly prepared for the challenges that life had to throw at them!
"I couldn't wait to get pregnant! I naively thought it would be easy," Katie explained. She had to endure surgery to correct a fertility problem, which led to an infection and eventually shingles. "My doctor advised us to try IVF," she added, “We just finished the intense process only to get zero healthy embryos. Not only is IVF physically exhausting, the emotional toll is unparalleled. We were filled with hope and excitement, only to be crushed.”
Being a part of the battle herself, she can totally relate to women who suffer from infertility issues and have to face criticism from society. She expressed to Us Weekly how her heart cries out for the women who have reached out to her through social media and have shared their similar experiences. The Beach Bites With Katie Lee star also understands that many women do not even dare to even discuss their experiences and rather suffer through eternal guilt of infertility in silence.
Katie went on to say, “When people ask me when I’m getting pregnant, it hurts. It’s just a reminder that I’m not. When they say I look like I’ve gained weight, I have." Along with the emotional and physical stress, the entire process of IVF has also taken a toll on her body and caused certain hormonal changes. Katie says she cannot indulge herself in rigorous exercise.
But, nothing deters the will of the former Top Chef host, as she concluded, “I know a family will happen for us; it is just going to be a different journey than we imagined.” We hope Lee and other women going through the same pain will have a happy new beginning one day.