It’s National Infertility Awareness Week in the US

 

‘All the good things that come out from bad things in life…’ -Deepika Padukone

 

Deepika Padukone posing with some pieces in her Pottery Barn collection. Credit: Pottery Barn

PREGNANCY news

Deepika Padukone Is Having a Baby at 40

Deepika Padukone just shared that she’s expecting her second baby at 40… and it feels really intentional. She posted a sweet photo of her daughter Dua holding a positive pregnancy test, and it’s one of those announcements that’s simple but says a lot. Because honestly, there’s still this idea that motherhood has to happen on a certain timeline, and she’s kind of just doing it her own way.

She’s always been really open about growth and mental health, and that shows in how she talks about life in general. In a conversation with Arianna Huffington, she shared this idea that the hard moments don’t always make sense when you’re in them. But later, when you look back, they can actually lead you somewhere you never expected.

Things don’t always go the way you planned, and in the moment it can feel overwhelming or even wrong. But with time, you start to see it differently. You realize that what felt like a setback might have actually pushed you into something better. It’s not immediate, and it’s not always easy, but it does come together in a way that makes sense later.

Read more: Quote of the day by Deepika Padukone: ‘All good things that come out from bad things in life…’

 
what we're reaching for

🍷 When we wanted something to take the edge off without drinking—whether it was preconception, during any trimester, or honestly through this whole motherhood journey—we’ve reached for a calmer, cleaner option. This tincture was the one that worked.

🍊 Feeling bloated and just... off lately? Same. This is one of those tiny daily things that actually makes a difference—just a few drops and you feel like you’re at least trying to have your life together. We use it, our kids use it, and it’s officially part of the routine.

👖 Fertility hormones and bloating are literally the worst—getting dressed some days feels like your own body is sabotaging your vibe. So here’s our comfort-first guide to what actually feels good during fertility treatments—because if you’re already injecting hormones, the absolute bare minimum is pants that aren’t emotionally aggressive.

 
Fertility NEWS

This Week Is About Infertility Awareness In the US

National Infertility Awareness Week is more important than ever this year… especially with how much people are starting to open up about fertility. It’s not just a niche conversation anymore. It’s something that touches so many people, even if they’re not always talking about it out loud. The week was founded by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, and the whole point is to raise awareness, break stigma, and make space for more honest conversations. And honestly, that’s kind of overdue. For so long, infertility has been treated like something people just quietly deal with, without support or visibility. But that’s starting to shift.

This year’s theme, #MoreThan, feels really intentional… It’s basically saying that people going through infertility are more than a diagnosis, more than a number, and more than one specific path to becoming a parent. And that matters, because when you’re in it, it can feel like everything about you gets reduced to this one thing that isn’t working the way you expected.

The reality is, infertility is way more common than people think… About 1 in 6 people globally are affected, which is actually kind of shocking when you really sit with it. It’s not rare, and it doesn’t discriminate. It affects people across different backgrounds, lifestyles, and stages of life. But even with how common it is, there’s still this layer of silence around it that can make people feel isolated. That’s why this week isn’t just about awareness in a general sense. It’s about making women feel less alone. It’s about creating a space where we can say, “This is what I’m going through,” without feeling judged or misunderstood.

There’s also a big focus on advocacy, which feels really necessary... Organizations like American Society for Reproductive Medicine are pushing for better access to care, because right now, fertility treatment isn’t something everyone can easily access. It can be expensive, complicated, and overwhelming. So part of this movement is about encouraging people to speak up, not just for themselves, but for broader change.

One of the more visible parts of the week is the #WearOrange campaign... Orange is the official color of infertility awareness, and people wear it to show support and solidarity. It sounds small, but it’s actually a really visual way of saying, “This matters.” It creates this sense of community, even among people who might not know each other personally.

There’s also a 5-day challenge that happens during the week, which is basically a series of prompts designed to get people sharing their stories and experiences… Each day has a different focus, and it’s all built around the idea of going deeper than just surface-level awareness.

  • Day 1 (April 20) - #MoreThanMyJourney: Focuses on recognizing the whole person behind the diagnosis and acknowledging that infertility does not define an individual's identity or life.

  • Day 2 (April 21) - #MoreThanAlone: Highlights the importance of support systems, including partners, friends, family, and online communities, to combat the isolation of infertility.

  • Day 3 (April 22) - #WearOrange2026: A day for public visibility, where supporters wear orange to represent warmth, hope, and to normalize conversations around infertility.

  • Day 4 (April 23) - #MoreThanBarriers: Shifts focus to advocacy, pushing for change regarding systemic issues like high costs, access to care, and insurance coverage.

  • Day 5 (April 24) - #MoreThan: Focuses on carrying the message forward beyond the week, ensuring awareness continues throughout the year.

There are also events happening throughout the week… like webinars and discussions that help break things down in a more practical way. Clinics and organizations are hosting conversations to explain what fertility actually looks like, which is helpful because there’s still so much confusion around it. Things like a Fertility 101 webinar or more personal discussions, like “Orange Table Talk,” create space for both education and real, human connection.

But beyond all of that, what really stands out is how much this week reflects a bigger shift in how people are approaching fertility and motherhood... There’s less pressure to follow one specific timeline or path, and more openness to different experiences. Some people pursue IVF, some look into adoption, some choose to live without children, and all of those paths are valid. At the same time, it’s important not to gloss over how hard it can be. Infertility isn’t just a medical condition. It’s emotional, it’s physical, and it can impact every part of someone’s life. And that’s why visibility matters. Not in a performative way, but in a way that creates understanding.

There’s also something about sharing stories that changes the energy around it... When people speak openly, it gives others permission to do the same. It breaks that cycle of silence that can make everything feel heavier than it already is. And, that’s what National Infertility Awareness Week is about. It’s not just a campaign or a hashtag. It’s about shifting how we talk about something that affects so many people, but hasn’t always been acknowledged in a real way. It’s about recognizing that people going through infertility are more than what they’re facing. More than the appointments, the treatments, the waiting, and the uncertainty. They’re whole people with full lives, even in the middle of something really difficult.

Related: Myths About IVF, Egg Freezing & Fertility Treatments: What Every Woman Needs To Know Before Thinking About Pregnancy

 
the week at a glance 

💌 A baby was born from an embryo that’s over 30 years old. The embryo was created back in 1994 and later donated through an embryo adoption program, long before the father was even grown.

💌 Dr. Sasha Hakman opened up on KTLA about her personal IVF experience. As both a doctor and someone who’s been through it, she breaks down what actually matters when you’re trying to conceive.

💌 Joseline Hernandez just shared that she’s pregnant with her second child at age 39, and her first with her husband Balistic Beats. She posted the sweetest photos in a soft pink dress, showing her bump and just looking really happy and grounded.

💌 At 39, Natalie Le Prevost decided to move forward with IVF on her own, spending over $7,500 to become a mom without a partner. Then, while pregnant, she met the love of her life, and everything shifted in a way she didn’t plan.

💌 Carli Lloyd just announced she’s pregnant at 43 after her IVF journey, and it feels like such a meaningful moment. After such an intense career, she’s now shifting into something more personal, and doing it on her own timeline.

💌 When it comes to IVF, embryo quality is everything, and Dr Jyoti Gupta says there are simple ways to support it. Things like what you eat, how you take care of your body, and getting the right medical guidance can actually make a difference.

💌 Infertility isn’t just a women’s issue, and Monash IVF Singapore is making that really clear by spotlighting male factor infertility. It’s part of a bigger shift toward more honest, balanced conversations during National Infertility Awareness Week.

💌 Breast cancer treatment can impact fertility in ways people don’t always expect, but there are options to preserve it. From egg freezing to other medical approaches, planning ahead can make a difference.

 

Photo: Natalie Portman by Annie Leibovitz exclusively for Vanity Fair.

PREGNANCY NEWS

Natalie Portman is Embracing Motherhood Again In Her 40s

Natalie Portman shared that she’s expecting her third child, and her first with her partner Tanguy Destable... She called the pregnancy a “privilege and a miracle,” and that wording really says a lot. It’s not just excitement, it’s appreciation. There’s this deeper awareness that comes with it. At 44, she’s in a completely different place than when she had her first two children with Benjamin Millepied. And you can feel that shift. She’s talked about how when you’re younger, you don’t always fully grasp what’s happening. You’re in it, but maybe you’re not as present. Now, there’s more clarity, and more gratitude behind the experience.

She’s currently living in Paris, which already feels like a softer, slower backdrop for this phase of her life... After her divorce in 2024, this pregnancy also marks a new chapter, not just in motherhood, but in how she’s choosing to move forward. There’s something really refreshing about that. Because people still have these expectations around timelines, especially when it comes to having children. There’s this quiet pressure to do things by a certain age, in a certain order, and in a certain way. And moments like this kind of push back on that without even trying to.

She’s also been really open about how she’s feeling physically… She says she has good energy and is staying active with things like swimming and Gyrotonics. It’s not extreme or performative. It’s just about feeling good in her body and supporting herself in a way that feels sustainable. That’s kind of the vibe overall. Nothing feels forced. She’s not trying to prove anything. She’s just experiencing it. There’s a sense of calm that comes from having already gone through motherhood before, but also a deeper appreciation because she understands how significant it is. It’s not something she’s taking for granted.

That perspective matters, especially in a time when conversations around fertility and motherhood are shifting so much... More women are having children later, not just because they can, but because they want to feel ready. Emotionally, mentally, and in their lives overall. That doesn’t mean it’s always easy. It just means the intention behind it is different.

There’s also something really powerful about the idea of starting again in a new relationship... This is her first child with Tanguy Destable, and that brings its own kind of energy. It’s not just continuing a story. It’s creating something new within a different chapter of her life. And that’s not always talked about enough. The idea that motherhood doesn’t have to exist in one fixed version. It can evolve. It can look different at different points in your life. It can happen earlier. It can happen later. It can happen in a completely new chapter of your life. And all of those versions are beautiful.

Read the full story: EXCLUSIVE: Natalie Portman Feels “Lucky” and “Grateful” to Be Welcoming Third Child

 
what we're reaching for continued...

🍋 Sati Soda’s lemon-lime blend is one of those things that just makes our routine feel more elevated without trying too hard. It has this really calming, clear energy from the CBD and adaptogens like lion’s mane and ashwagandha, so we feel relaxed but still present.

🤍 A space for women fully in it—IVF, pregnancy after loss, high-anxiety pregnancies—the emotional roller coaster no one warned us about. It’s everything the “just relax” crowd doesn’t understand.

🧳 The packing cubes that make life feel curated and calm—with everything tucked into its spot, we’re actually able to see what we packed, and suddenly the whole day vibes… a touch more peaceful and under control.

🌿 We’ve been using these and the difference in our face and ankle swelling is actually noticeable. It’s this blend of herbal ingredients that supports lymphatic drainage and helps your body move things along (which, honestly, we all need), and somehow it just works.

 
From the ‘Geriatric’ Moms Group Chat

😳 Well… this mom left her phone open…

👒 Sun hat season is here!

🧚‍♀️ When the tooth fairy needs to outdo herself

🍃 Because our children’s birthdays are in May and October

👯‍♀️ Let mom be your lawyer.

💨 We have to keep them on their toes!

 
 

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