RHOC’s Jo De La Rosa Breaks Down While Sharing ‘Most Difficult’ Fertility Update
The Real Housewives of Orange County alum Jo De La Rosa is sharing what she describes as the most challenging update in her fertility journey.
“I’m here trying to figure out how to begin this video, as I usually start with: 45 and trying to conceive,” Jo expressed in a TikTok video posted on Saturday, June 13. “But today, it feels especially heartbreaking to say that I’m 45 and genuinely unable to conceive. Admitting this is incredibly painful.”
The reality star continued, “For the past three years, we’ve been attempting to conceive. I find myself doing my makeup during this because I need a little happiness right now, you know? Makeup lifts my spirits.”
Jo, who was first introduced to fans during the 2006 debut of the popular Bravo series alongside the original five cast members, is married to musician Taran Gray. In her emotional video, Jo revealed that the couple had their initial IVF appointment “just yesterday,” mentioning that they underwent separate testing to assess their chances of successfully conceiving and carrying a pregnancy to term.
“During the ultrasound, they insert a device to check how many eggs I have, and the doctor hoped to see at least six [in one ovary] and six [in the other],” she shared. “Even with that number, the chances were only about four percent. I knew going into the appointment that our odds were low due to my age.”
She added, “But when she looked inside, there were zero on one side and just one on the other. Are you kidding me?”
@jodelarosaa Hardest fertility update yet 💔 #pregnancytok #pregnancytiktok #ivf #ivfjourney #infertility
The number of eggs needed for the best chance at a successful IVF cycle can vary depending on the age of the person trying to conceive, according to Boston IVF. For individuals over 42, it may require close to 67 eggs to achieve a successful outcome, taking into account the quality of the eggs, which declines with age.
“I’m just in shock,” Jo said, becoming emotional as she reflected on how her fertility journey has shifted. “Perhaps I’ve been living in denial, thinking I could conceive naturally at 45. It feels like I’m trapped in a nightmare I can’t escape. Despite this, I should feel grateful that I can still carry a baby and that we can choose someone to provide an egg, which will then be implanted in me and be half Taran.”
Jo disclosed that the couple intends to pursue egg donation to achieve pregnancy, allowing Jo the chance to carry the baby after her doctor indicated this was the “only viable option” for conception.
“What I find most challenging is feeling like my choice has been stripped away,” Jo reflected. “Can’t a girl just get a shot to try with her own eggs? But it turns out, there’s just one left. Isn’t that crazy?”
While Jo acknowledges that she needs to grieve what she envisioned for her fertility path, she expressed her resolve to keep moving forward.
“But I simply need a moment,” she reiterated. “So that’s where we are. We’re going to keep going and stay hopeful.”
