In a rare instance, actress-socialite Heart Evangelista opened up on her in-vitro-fertilization (IVF) journey.
In the September issue of L'Officiel Philippines, Heart described the process as “one of the toughest, challenging times” of her life.
"With IVF, they inject you with fertility hormones. It was very difficult and painful. I had three injections a day over a two-week process," the 37-year-old said. "After harvesting and the processes that came after, they were able to gather the perfect boy and the perfect girl."
Note that Heart was supposed to have twins in 2018 but lost them.
This allowed Heart a realization.
She shared, "It made me realize, am I ready for a child?"
"I actually have a baby boy and a baby girl waiting for me, but I’m really at this stage in my life where (I ask myself): ‘Do I want a child because I want a child?’ or ‘Do I want a child because the environment or culture dictates that I should have a child?’”
In any case, she related how it's liberating to decide according to what she wants.
"That has changed me dramatically,” she maintained.
Heart reiterated having a choice is good.
And she suggests other women should take advantage of the same as it "buys them time."
"Any time they decide on having a child, the embryo is there. Whether you decide immediately or five years from now, there is no deadline. Also, the process is available in the Philippines and not just abroad," she pointed out.
In the same interview, Heart also talked about her husband Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero and how supportive he is regarding the whole process.
"Chiz is a really good guy though we're very different because he's very conservative and I'm also a little bit more modern. Perhaps it's because of our age gap. But what I like about him is he tries. He tries to be as supportive as he can be," she said.
Off late, Heart has been making headlines in relation to her rumored split with Chiz.