Brooke Shields Almost Gave Up on Becoming a Mom, While Her Second Husband Was Always There for Her
Brooke Shields openly shares her personal journey through miscarriages and unsuccessful IVF attempts, shedding light on the emotional struggles she faced. She bravely breaks the silence, recounting the difficult path she took to become a mother. Her story will leave your eyes wet, reflecting the profound impact of her experiences.
Shields was married twice.
Throughout her successful career, Shields has captured the hearts of numerous admirers. Having been married twice and romantically linked with several Hollywood actors, she has experienced the ups and downs of fame and relationships. Her first marriage occurred in 1997 to the talented professional tennis player Andre Agassi, attracting significant attention.
However, their marriage was relatively short-lived, with the couple divorcing less than two years later. Agassi himself acknowledged his part in their failed marriage in 2009, confessing that he wasn’t ready for such a commitment at that point in his life.
Her love life was complicated.
After her first marriage ended, Shields soon met her next husband, producer Chris Henchy. In her book, “Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression,” she revealed that they crossed paths the same year she divorced Agassi. Their meeting was thanks to Shields’ American bulldog, Darla, who had strayed off while Shields was filming Suddenly Susan at Warner Bros. Luckily, Henchy, who was writing for the show, found and returned the furry friend.
After two years of dating, Henchy proposed to Shields in Mexico with a vintage diamond ring. The specifics of their wedding remain a mystery, with conflicting reports suggesting they either married on Catalina Island or in a private Roman Catholic ceremony at a Palm Beach estate. The couple’s desire for privacy added an element of intrigue to their love story.
She had a very difficult pregnancy journey.
Prior to their marriage, Shields and Henchy eagerly anticipated starting a family and embraced the joy of becoming parents. Shields made the decision to stop taking birth control before their wedding, hoping to conceive. However, she faced challenges when she did not get pregnant, leading to concerns about her fertility.
It was later revealed that scarring from a previous surgery on her cervix, performed to remove precancerous cells, had impacted her ability to conceive. Despite these difficulties, Shields found solace and encouragement in her husband’s unwavering support.
After attempting artificial insemination without success, the couple turned to in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. Shield’s doctors warned her about the dwindling time on her biological clock and advised a more aggressive approach.
Despite the emotional toll, Shields and Henchy chose to pursue IVF despite their initial reservations.
Encouraged by a friend’s successful IVF journey, they remained hopeful. Unfortunately, their first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage, leading to more failed cycles and mounting disappointment. Shields began to doubt if motherhood was in her future.
However, in 2002, they decided to give IVF one final try, acknowledging the weariness and pressure they felt. The outcome remained uncertain as they embarked on this make-or-break attempt.
In 2003, Shields ended her fertility struggles when she welcomed her first child, Rowan Francis, accompanied by the comforting sound of James Taylor’s “How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You.” Three years later, their family expanded with the birth of their second daughter, Grier Hammond.
The arrival of both daughters brought immense joy to Shields and Henchy, providing companionship for their children as they grew up.