Welcoming their first baby during a global pandemic was a daunting prospect for Dancing With The Stars judge Rachel White and her Kiwi hubby Stuart, but it turned out COVID was the least of their concerns when it came to the birth of their sweet son Maxim Ilya, with a difficult pregnancy that saw the brunette beauty nearly die on the delivery table.
“It’s so much easier to talk about what happened now because I finally have my baby – he’s beautiful and literally my dream come true – but there was a lot that came with it,” says Rachel, 34, speaking exclusively to Woman’s Day from their home in Los Angeles. Going back to the beginning, the champion dancer reveals her heartache at struggling to fall pregnant. “At the time, it was hard to admit that having a baby just wasn’t happening for us,” she confesses. “I felt like whenever I found out someone else was expecting, even though I was happy for them, it was really hard for me. I’d wanted it for so long and I’m such a goal-oriented person, so it was difficult.”
She and Northland hunk Stu, 38, saw a doctor in Aotearoa and underwent a heartbreaking failed attempt at intra-uterine insemination before trying a “pretty intense IVF treatment” back in the US.
Thanks to top Californian doctors, the couple were able to test Rachel’s embryos for haemophilia C, a condition the Russian-Californian star lives with that prevents her blood from clotting properly.
Esta historia es de la edición November 16, 2020 de Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 16, 2020 de Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Lee & Luke's - RECIPE FOR LOVE
The Cantabrian contestants reveal the secrets of their incredibly strong mother-son bond
JEN GARNER FINALLY TELLS - MY SIDE OF THE STORY!
The actress breaks her silence at last on her relationship with ex-husband Ben Affleck
JESS BREAKOUT ROLE - 'KIWIS DON'T REALLY CARE IF YOU'RE FAMOUS'
The Palmerston North actress is in demand after her part in Netflix hit 3 Body Problem
POSH'S SPICY 50TH
It cost a whopping $525,000, but it was worth every penny!
NEW NZ EXPERT JO - LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX!'
The Kiwi relationships therapist reveals how she was convinced to join MAFS and shares her top tips for the bed room
MEGHAN WARNS HARRY - ARCHIE'S NEVER SETTING FOOT IN LONDON
Despite her husband's pleas, the duchess is determined to celebrate their son's birthday in the US
SHORTY STAR COURTENAY'S - BEAUTIFUL BIG DAY
The actress and her long-time love Chris tied the knot in an intimate, emotional ceremony
Jaden's Paraly mpic dream LOWE IT TO MYSELF'
The record-breaking wheelchair racer isn't letting his disability hold him back
Peak PERFECTION
Fiona Connolly discovers California's winter wonderland Mammoth Lakes is just as magical in summer
HOW TO BUDGET LIKE A LEGEND
Business specialist Cameron Wislang offers his five top tips for managing your money