The Real Housewives of Orange County alum Jo De La Rosa is keeping it real as she continues to document her struggle with infertility.
“I feel like on the emotional side, a little bit of my womanhood was taken away,” Jo, 45, exclusively shared with Us Weekly while attending Galyna Saltkovska’s season 3 premiere party for The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys on Monday, June 15. “You feel like there’s something wrong with you, and I don’t think that I was ready for that. I don’t think I was ready.”
Earlier this month, the Bravo reality star revealed via social media that she “cannot get pregnant” and is infertile. Despite hearing difficult news from a doctor, Jo and her husband, Taran Gray, remain hopeful that they can start a family and become parents.
“I feel like I’m going through the seven stages of grief where you feel all the things. You feel sad, you feel angry, you just feel everything,” Jo shared from The Abbey in West Hollywood, California. “Motherhood looks all different kinds of ways, and it comes in all different kinds of forms.”
For several years, Jo has been open with her social media followers about trying to get pregnant.
She recalls some commenters questioning why she didn’t immediately do IVF or a surrogate. According to the Bravo star, it’s easier said than done.
“It’s like, ‘Do you want to send me a check for $40,000 a round?’ Also, I’m 45 and about to be 46 in September,” she explained. “I’m very realistic knowing it’s gonna take more than one round of IVF. I know some friends who are in four to five rounds already, so you’re looking at a six-figure situation. Not everybody has that disposably. I know we definitely don’t have the six figures sitting in the bank.”
At this stage in her journey, Jo doesn’t want to hear from strangers who think she should just “relax.”
Instead, she appreciates her close friends, including Galyna and Real Housewives of Orange County alum Alexis Bellino, for being supportive behind the scenes.
“If you are someone who is struggling with infertility, do not lose hope. God has you in the palm of His hand and He will find a way,” Jo told Us while trying to hold back tears. “Your baby will find you, and I truly believe that’s going to be our story as well. Even if it’s not right now, our baby will find us as well so don’t lose hope.”
As for how she remains so optimistic and confident that all will be well, Jo points to her faith that remains strong — even if she’s been asking questions, like, “Why me?”
“I also have to look on the other side of it,” Jo added. “If this is the story that God wants to give us to be able to tell, then it’s for a reason. I have to believe that. I have to believe there’s a purpose, and so we are going to stay hopeful. Who knows how the story ends.”
Hear more of Jo’s journey when her “Currently Spiraling” podcast launches July 15.
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