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For astronaut, researcher, and mom Kellie Gerardi, navigating the cosmos has been just one part of her extraordinary journey. While she made history as the 90th woman to fly to space, perhaps her most personal and emotionally complex mission has taken place here on Earth as she builds her family through in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Gerardi, a well-known social media influencer with over two million followers, has long used her platform to celebrate women in STEM, motherhood, and everyday life. But in recent years, she has shared another powerful aspect of her life, her fertility journey. Her honest and vulnerable storytelling has offered a rare and much-needed glimpse into the realities of secondary infertility, IVF, and pregnancy loss.

She and her husband have experienced heartbreaking setbacks. Her journey through secondary infertility has been marked by both resilience and grief, navigating the difficult space of knowing that pregnancy is possible, yet enduring multiple losses.

In fall 2024, Gerardi underwent her first round of IVF, a process that was as emotionally taxing as it was physically demanding. Of the embryos created, only one was viable. That embryo was successfully transferred, and she celebrated the pregnancy with the same openness she has become known for. But at her nine-week “graduation” appointment, meant to be a joyful milestone in IVF care, she received the devastating news that there was no detectable heartbeat.

Despite the heartbreak, Gerardi chose to continue sharing her story, including the pain of miscarriage, with the community she has built online. In doing so, she has helped normalize the full spectrum of emotions and experiences associated with infertility, like grief, uncertainty, healing, and hope.

Now, with three frozen embryos and plans to try another transfer in the future, Gerardi remains grounded in both realism and optimism. She’s aware of the unpredictability that IVF brings, yet she continues to hope and prepare for what lies ahead, both on Earth and in space, with her next mission scheduled for 2026.

Her transparency has helped others feel less alone in their fertility journeys. By openly discussing the medical, emotional, and personal aspects of IVF, Gerardi is creating space for meaningful conversations about family-building, loss, and resilience.

At The Surrogacy Law Center, we understand that every family-building journey is unique. Whether it involves IVF, surrogacy, or a combination of paths, we are here to support intended parents through each step of the legal process. Like Gerardi, many of our clients carry both hope and heartache in their stories and we are honored to walk alongside them as they create the families they’ve dreamed of. Contact us today to learn more about starting your journey!