KEEPING IT REAL
In May this year, model Jennifer Hawkins announced the happy news that she was expecting her first child with husband of six years, Jake Wall. But the beautiful snap of the pair admiring Hawkins’ blooming belly didn’t reveal the pain and heartbreak they had endured to get to that moment. In a brave move, the 35-year-old model candidly spoke to Newscorp about her struggles with endometriosis and how the couple suffered a devastating miscarriage after falling pregnant, when no heartbeat was detected at their first scan.
“It was the toughest year of our lives. I felt like I almost broke and, in fact, it’s still really raw,” she said.
Model Jesinta Franklin was also refreshingly honest this week when she spoke about her struggle to conceive with husband Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin. Announcing that she was pregnant with her first child on her lifestyle app, the 28-year-old said her journey to pregnancy was “physically and emotionally challenging”.
But it was Franklin’s reasoning for wanting to be candid about her struggle which was incredibly touching.
“I wanted other women to find comfort in the fact this was not a surprise,” she said.
As someone of ‘prime’ child-bearing age, I know all too well the question that inevitably gets asked by acquaintances and friends, over and over again, once you’re married: “So when are you having children?”
Unfortunately for many it is not as easy as clicking your fingers, and I admire any public figure who feels comfortable sharing their struggle in order to change that conversation. You can read all about Jesinta’s pregnancy announcement on page 22.
– Stacey Hicks, Editor