Gemma Collins has shared a heartfelt message to mothers, encouraging them to “embrace their children” as she talks about her own fertility issues. The former TOWIE star, aged 44, is open about her desire to be a mum, despite facing multiple miscarriages and once receiving advice to terminate an intersex pregnancy.
She’s previously discussed the possibility of surrogacy with fiancé Rami Hawash due to difficulties conceiving naturally. Struggling with a low AMH hormone level, Gemma faces a low number of eggs available and battles polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which impacts her ovarian function.
Last year, she contemplated fostering, influenced by her mother’s experience as a foster child, reports the Mirror. And fans have been admiring her attitude.
As a stepmother to Rami’s son Tristan, Gemma has said they share a strong connection. Celebrating half term, she took Tristan on a seaside getaway, capturing a moment of joy in a restaurant snapshot. Pairing the photo with an emotional call to action, Gemma urged parents to treasure holidays with their young ones.
Her post expressed: “Beautiful half term happiness it’s really not difficult to love a child unconditionally. I’m loving this phase of my life having time to be the best version of me embrace your children this half term don’t moan enjoy it remember there’s always someone who doesn’t have what you got let children be children.”
Fans have been sending love to Gemma, with one admirer commenting: “Oh Gemma, you’re just such a blessing. Keep Gemma’ing pls.”
Another said: “I miss half terms and school holiday its my two now that they are all grown up… absolutely cherish those times whilst they’re little.” Another person said: “Such beautiful sentiments . I miss having a small one they are so magical!”.
In a revealing conversation last October, Gemma disclosed that her doctors had suggested she consider ending a pregnancy after discovering the foetus was intersex, which is an umbrella term for individuals who have sexual or reproductive anatomy that doesn’t fit typical definitions of male or female. Variations can be chromosomal, genital, in reproductive organs, or hormones.
On the Everything I Know About Me podcast, Gemma recounted the difficult moment: “Something is not right, they said to me your baby could be a hermaphrodite. You can imagine I had no idea what the word was. I had to look it up. It was a real shock. They advised me you need to have a termination because this baby is not going to be right.”
Moreover, Gemma expressed her pain saying: “In a single instant, I learned that I’d been carrying a baby and lost it, meaning that once again I found my longstanding dreams of motherhood shattered into pieces.”
The term hermaphrodite, traditionally taken from mythology, is now considered by many as outdated and insensitive when referring to intersex people.
Reality star Gemma Collins expressed her desire to become a foster parent while appearing on Good Morning Britain alongside her mum Joan. She said: “There’s a lot of love I can give. I always make a good dinner!”
Her mum Joan, who spent her childhood in foster care, reflected on her own experiences, saying she felt “lucky”.