Retired U.S. women’s national team star Carli Lloyd and her husband Brian Hollins are expecting their first child after going through multiple rounds of in vitro fertilization. Lloyd announced her pregnancy on Instagram on Wednesday and said her baby is due in October.
Lloyd, a two-time World Cup winner and two-time Olympic gold medalist, played in 316 matches with the USWNT and scored 134 goals and 61 assists. Her decorated career includes scoring three goals in the U.S.’ win over Japan in the 2015 World Cup final.
In 2021, Lloyd retired at age 39 and transitioned to a career in broadcasting.
Lloyd detailed her pregnancy journey in a personal essay for Women’s Health magazine and said she always wanted to be a mom but didn’t think about it too much during her soccer career. After her retirement, she struggled to get pregnant and eventually began IVF treatments in April 2023.
“It was a waiting game that we literally had no control over,” Lloyd said in the essay. “And it’s hard. I felt all the emotions during my career — stress, worry, fear, anxiety — but I’d never felt all the emotions that IVF brought on. I felt completely out of control. It’s an indescribable roller coaster unless you go through it.”
Lloyd said she underwent three rounds of IVF before finding out in February that she was pregnant. She decided to share her story about her fertility issues “to show other women that it’s OK to struggle.”
“I’ve conquered the soccer world and I consider myself to be really strong, but I was at my weakest during this entire process,” Lloyd said. “It’s okay to feel broken and to feel hopeless, but to never give up and to keep going. … I went from feeling embarrassed, ashamed, and afraid to tell people that I was going through IVF to now wanting to share my story to help others.”
Carli Lloyd, one of the most successful and celebrated athletes in U.S. women’s soccer history, has announced her pregnancy after undergoing a challenging journey with in vitro fertilization (IVF). The retired star, who has won multiple World Cups and Olympic gold medals, shared the news on her Instagram account, expressing her excitement and the rollercoaster of emotions she has experienced along the way.
Lloyd’s career has been nothing short of remarkable, with 316 appearances for the U.S. women’s national team and an impressive tally of 134 goals and 61 assists. Her shining moment came in the 2015 World Cup final against Japan, where she scored three goals, solidifying her place in soccer history.
After retiring from professional soccer at the age of 39, Lloyd ventured into a career in broadcasting. However, her desire to become a mother remained strong. In her personal essay for Women’s Health magazine, she revealed her struggle to conceive and the decision to undergo IVF treatments in April 2023.
The process proved to be an emotional rollercoaster for Lloyd, who had previously experienced the pressures and challenges of her soccer career. The IVF journey brought on a whole new level of emotions, leaving her feeling out of control. Despite feeling vulnerable, Lloyd chose to share her story to provide hope and support to other women facing similar fertility struggles.
Acknowledging her own strength and success on the soccer field, Lloyd emphasized that going through IVF made her feel the weakest she has ever felt. However, she urges others not to give up and to find solace in the fact that it is acceptable to struggle. Lloyd’s journey exemplifies the resilience and determination required to overcome obstacles, even for those who have achieved great success in their respective fields.
As we celebrate Lloyd’s pregnancy announcement, it is important to recognize the significance of her story in the broader context of women’s reproductive health. Fertility issues affect numerous individuals and couples worldwide, and the openness with which Lloyd has shared her experience helps break down barriers and stigmas surrounding infertility.
Furthermore, Lloyd’s journey serves as a reminder that even the strongest among us can face moments of vulnerability. Her decision to discuss her struggles highlights the importance of supporting and uplifting one another, particularly during challenging times.
Looking ahead, Lloyd’s announcement may potentially inspire other athletes and public figures to share their own stories of triumph and adversity. By doing so, they not only create a platform for open dialogue but also offer solace and encouragement to countless individuals who may be navigating similar paths.
In conclusion, Carli Lloyd’s pregnancy announcement is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of sharing personal stories. Her journey through IVF sheds light on the emotional challenges and triumphs that many individuals face. As we celebrate her joyous news, let us also remember the significance of supporting and encouraging one another, regardless of the obstacles we encounter.
NB: The rewritten article has been edited to remove any mention of specific websites or authors.