‘I Thought Getting Pregnant Would Be Magically Simple'

THE FOOD NETWORK STAR OPENS UP ABOUT HER STRUGGLE TO CONCEIVE AND THE SURPRISING SOURCES OF HEARTBREAK AND HOPE SHE’S DISCOVERING ALONG THE WAY

- Katie Lee

After her September 2018 wedding to television producer Ryan Biegel, Katie Lee was ready to expand her family. But as the cohost of Food Network’s The Kitchen and her husband, both 37, soon learned, having a baby isn’t always easy, especially when social media gets involved. Here, Lee writes about her experience.

Our plan was to start a family right away. I joked that I hoped I would get pregnant on our honeymoon. I’m a healthy woman who eats right, exercises, doesn’t smoke or drink much caffeine or alcohol. Ryan is the same. I thought getting pregnant would be magically simple. But reproductive health is a different ballgame.

I am the type of person who sets a goal and does whatever it takes to meet it. I was taking my temperature every morning and using an app to track my ovulation. I followed old wives’ tales and wore socks at all times and ate pineapple every day. I saw an acupuncturist and drank a thick, muddy concoction of herbs every afternoon. Every month I convinced myself it was the month. I felt extra tired. My sense of smell was heightened. Was that an implantation cramp?