Marta Milans, an actor starring in Peacock's "M.I.A.," gave birth to her first daughter at 42 via IVF and is now preparing for a second round. She describes the process as successful but emotionally isolating. 'No one prepared me for how lonely the IVF process is,' she says.
Milans initially conceived naturally after her 2021 marriage, but an ectopic pregnancy revealed uterine problems requiring surgery. Rather than wait, she pursued IVF at Equipo Juana Crespo in Valencia, Spain. Dr. Crespo identified the issue, and after multiple cycles, two embryos were implanted.
Her daughter was born when Milans was 42. The child is now 18 months old, and Milans calls her 'perfect' and 'everything I could hope for.' The journey required back-to-back cycles and surgeries before achieving a healthy pregnancy.
Now, Milans is gearing up for a second IVF attempt. She emphasizes the lack of preparation for the emotional toll, noting the process can feel solitary even with medical support. The essay, told to Business Insider, highlights the hidden struggles of fertility treatments.
While IVF offers hope for many, the experience varies widely. Critics of the industry point to high costs and variable success rates, though Milans' story underscores the personal resilience required regardless of outcome.