Brooke Shields' daughter underwent a two-year-long cryopreservation process.
In the realm of Hollywood, Brooke Shields, now 59, experienced motherhood through in-vitro fertilization (IVF) on seven separate occasions. This procedure ultimately led to the birth of her first daughter, Rowan Francis Henchy, in 2003. Her second daughter, Grier Hammond, was conceived naturally. This familial discussion about IVF is quite open, as evidenced in an interview with "People" magazine.
In that interview, Rowan expresses her gratitude to her mother for discussing IVF with her at a young age. Rowan underscores, "I owe my existence to IVF," adding, "I was frozen for two years, and Mom talked to us about it when we were young, so we're aware of it now." This conversation, she believes, is crucial for young women.
Brooke Shields affirms her daughter's viewpoint. Many women in her and the current generation prioritize their careers initially, something that can take time and years. Consequently, issues may arise in their late thirties. Brooke often advises women to consider freezing their eggs. Encouraging laughter, Rowan recounts, "The other night, she looked at me and said, 'Your graduation present is freezing your eggs,' and I just said, 'Mom...'."
Her openness about postnatal depression aids her daughters
Brooke Shields isn't just open about IVF; she also brought the topic of postnatal depression into the light. In 2005, she shared her experiences in her book "Down Came the Rain". At that time, she was one of the first prominent figures to publicly discuss feelings of sadness and despair following childbirth. Rowan attributes her mother's book to positively influencing many women's lives. She socializes, "Something 'so terrible' finally had a positive outcome, and she has a stronger bond with me because of what she went through."
Brooke emphasizes that her book is also vital for her daughters. They may experience similar feelings if they ever become mothers. "It's a tool—to help them recognize if something's not right, that it's normal and should be addressed. There's nothing wrong with them. It's not their fault, and that's what I wanted to convey to them later in life."
In 2001, Brooke Shields tied the knot with screenwriter and film producer Chris Henchy. They share two daughters, Rowan and Grier. Her first marriage, to tennis star Andre Agassi, ended in 1999, and it remained childless.
Brooke Shields' transparency about her postnatal depression journey motivated her daughters to attend the premiere of the film adaptation of her book "Down Came the Rain." Rowan recalls, "We went to the movie premiere, and I felt like, 'This is my mom—she's showing her strength and vulnerability.' It was incredibly powerful."
Discussing Hollywood's glamorous facade, Brooke asserts, "Despite the glitz and glamour associated with The Hollywood, it's essential to remember that every woman's journey through motherhood is unique and filled with its challenges."
