Celebrity Baby Scoop: Elisabeth Rohm says she can be voice on infertility

Elisabeth Rohm just wrapped up participation in Fertility Planit - a two day event April 4-5 at the University of California at Los Angeles. The first event of its kind, Fertility Planit was an all-fertility focused show featuring leading fertility experts. Topics included Beginners Guild to Infertility, Becoming a Single Parent by Choice, Egg Freezing, Creating a LGBT family, Adoption, Male Infertility, Fertility Over 40, Adoption, and IVF.

The actress talked about motherhood, IVF and her book, "Having the Child I Always Wanted (Just Not As Expected)." Other celebrities who spoke included Emily Blunt, The Guncles' Scout Masterson and Bill Horn, and Jason Patric.

Celebrity Baby Scoop caught up with Rohm before the event to discuss Fertility Planit, her past struggle with infertility, and being mom to her daughter Easton.

Q: Many couples struggle with infertility, and in your book "Having the Child I Always Wanted (Just Not As Expected)" you openly share your experience. How do you think your story has provided hope for women who haven't been able to conceive?

A: "I think we all need a friend and a safe place to be able to tell our truth. Secrets are sickness, and suffering in silence is not advised. We all need human connection and compassion. Turning a subject that is taboo into something that is open is also comforting. I hope it is comforting to younger women who have yet to traverse the road to motherhood but may want to. I want to give them the right information so they can have the power of knowledge about what's happening with their bodies. I think it creates a deeper community with women."

Q: Fertility Planit is a unique forum to learn more about treatment options. What inspired you to become a part of this outreach?

A: "I don't necessarily know how to advise anyone on treatment, but I can be a voice of openness and compassion on the subject. I want to encourage women to be proactive on behalf of their bodies. This just happens to be the disease that I have. If I had a different disease, I'd probably care a lot about women in that regard and I'd want to be open about that, sort of like Angelina Jolie being very open about getting a double mastectomy. I think that that is the highest way to live. Women are a community by nature and should be, because they need to connect, they need to talk, and they need to be able to count on each other."

Q: What kind of support is available to women who struggle with infertility?

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A: "If I accomplished one thing from writing my book, it would be to help women in the reproductive generation. They have their destiny in their hands, as they can go to their OB/GYN and check their fertility levels and hormone reserves. If you start doing that at 30, then you are in control of your destiny as a mother. I really want to see women empowered with good information. As far as advising them on doctor's stuff, I have an incredible doctor who helps me. I would happily recommend him."

Q: You're a huge advocate for literacy. What kind of books do you read to Easton?

A: "We're reading Harry Potter and we love it. She's getting ready to turn 6 in April, so she's just learning to read. I think it's a pretty big accomplishment that she's letting me read her a 400-page novel!"

Q: What advice would you give to parents to help their kids develop good reading habits?

A: "Love reading yourself and put some life into it. Be excited about it, come home and say, 'Let's read what happens next in Harry Potter!' I can't wait when I'm shooting and I'm not home and unable to read to her. It breaks my heart and I say to her, 'I can't believe we're not going to be able to find out what happens next.' I love storytelling because it mirrors our human experiences. You can light that love in your child and make them fall in love with storytelling. Storytelling is all about truth . . . you're coming to terms with your truth. You identify with characters in movies and books, and if you love that, then your children will love it too. My mother and stepmother love to read, and I love that my daughter now loves to read because I love to read."

Q: Is Easton looking forward to summer vacation?

A: "You know, she's one of those really happy kids in her school, which is great! She's landed where I think she needs to be, but she's definitely excited. She gets to come to Montreal with me on holiday while I work. Then she'll roll right into her beachy summer plans."

Q: What do you have planned to keep her busy this summer?

A: "We're in a beach community so she'll go to beach camp and learn to surf and all of that. My husband and stepdaughter are big tennis players, so she's going to start learning tennis this summer. You know, just the usual stuff."

Q: Kids can be our best teachers. What kinds of things have you learned from Easton as her mom?

A: "I guess what I've learned is, sort of like my own mother taught me, is that it's not over until it's over. There's always the opportunity for renewal and restoration of love. Each day is new and you may fall into your bed haggard and worn out, then in the morning you wake up and you have a second chance at love and you have a second chance at mothering. She's taught me that. Every morning I wake up and I'm like, 'WOW, I love you like crazy!' You always have a new beginning; it ain't over until it's over. Oh guess what? You get another day tomorrow."

Q: What kind of mom would Easton say you are?

A: "She always tells me that I'm the greatest mom in the world. What I think she means by that is I'm fun. I engage with her and I like to keep her curious mind alive. I laugh with her, nurture her, and don't ignore her. I think I'm present. I'm not sure what she'd say, she'd probably just go 'You're a great Mom.' "

Q: What is one of your favorite Mommy and Me moments?

A: "There's so many. Ultimately, I guess it's the moment I'm about to have that excites me."

Q: Do you have any upcoming projects you'd like to share with us?

A: "I am filming a pilot right now for TNT called 'Guilt By Association,' and I have a movie out. That's kind of what's happening."

Frequently Asked Questions

How common is infertility in the UK?

According to NHS statistics, approximately 1 in 7 UK couples experience fertility issues, which equates to around 3.5 million people. You're certainly not alone if you're struggling to conceive, and there's growing support from celebrities like Elisabeth Rohm who are speaking openly about their journeys to help reduce the stigma surrounding infertility.

Can I get IVF on the NHS and how do I get referred?

NHS-funded IVF is available in the UK, but eligibility and the number of cycles offered varies depending on your local Integrated Care Board (ICB), formerly known as CCGs. NICE guidelines recommend that women under 40 should be offered three full cycles of IVF, though many areas offer fewer. To start the process, speak to your GP who can refer you to a fertility specialist after you've been trying to conceive for at least a year, or sooner if there are known issues.

How long are NHS fertility treatment waiting times?

NHS waiting times for fertility treatment can vary significantly across the UK, with some areas having waits of 18 months to two

Should I consider egg freezing if I'm not ready to have children yet?

Egg freezing can be an option for women who wish to preserve their fertility for the future, as Elisabeth Rohm's participation in Fertility Planit highlighted. The HFEA regulates all egg freezing clinics in the UK, and whilst it's generally not available on the NHS unless for medical reasons, many private clinics offer this service. It's important to know that success rates vary depending on your age when eggs are frozen, with better outcomes typically seen when freezing eggs before the age of 35.

What fertility tests can my GP arrange before referring me to a specialist?

Your GP can arrange initial fertility investigations including blood tests to check hormone levels and ovulation, as well as a semen analysis for your partner. These preliminary tests help identify any obvious issues and are usually required before an NHS referral to a fertility clinic can be made. The NHS recommends seeking advice after 12 months of trying to conceive, or after 6 months if you're over 36.

Are there support groups for people going through fertility treatment in the UK?

Yes, there are several excellent support networks in the UK for those experiencing fertility issues, including Fertility Network UK which offers support groups, counselling services, and online communities. As Elisabeth Rohm emphasises, breaking the silence around infertility and finding a supportive community can be incredibly helpful during your journey. Many NHS fertility clinics also offer counselling services as part of your treatment pathway, which is a requirement under HFEA regulations.

What are the NICE guidelines for fertility treatment eligibility?

NICE guidelines state that women under 40 who have been trying to conceive for two years should be offered three full cycles of IVF, whilst women aged 40-42 may be offered one cycle if certain criteria are met. However, individual ICBs set their own funding criteria which often differ from NICE recommendations, including additional requirements around BMI, smoking status, and whether either partner has existing children. It's advisable to check your local ICB's specific criteria to understand what funding you may be entitled to.