When Lindsay Albanese laid eyes on her baby daughter for the first time, it felt like a cinematic miracle moment. This feeling was particularly poignant for the 44-year-old, as the road to motherhood had been uncertain and challenging.
“It’s truly indescribable and such a relief,” Lindsay shared with PEOPLE about welcoming her daughter Saeyer Essx in February. “Reflecting on the six years of trying, multiple rounds of IVF, surgeries, and all the hardships, to see that one surviving embryo turn into my daughter is truly magical.”
It almost didn’t happen. Lindsay, a former celebrity stylist turned social media influencer, began trying for a baby at 38. Recognizing that time was not on their side due to their career-focused lifestyles, Lindsay and her husband decided to start their parenthood journey.
After years of unsuccessful attempts and various fertility treatments, Lindsay’s intuition led her to seek further medical advice. It was during this process that she discovered she had endometriosis and a growth in her uterus, hindering her chances of conceiving.
Following laparoscopic surgery and multiple rounds of IVF, Lindsay and her husband were left with just one viable embryo. Despite the odds, this single embryo led to the joyous arrival of their daughter.
For Lindsay, the journey to motherhood has been filled with challenges and uncertainties, but the sight of her daughter is a testament to the miraculous nature of life.
“It’s astonishing how it all comes down to just one,” she remarks. “In the realm of fertility, the equation is not as simple as one plus one equals two. Merely possessing a large number of eggs does not guarantee improved odds. Personally, I had only eight eggs, and yet one endured. I felt as though all hope was lost.”
Upon discovering her pregnancy, Albanese admits that she struggled to fully grasp the joyful news. “After enduring years of anguish from countless unsuccessful attempts, misdiagnoses, failed IUIs, and unsuccessful IVF cycles,” she reflects, “you learn to build walls around yourself, shielding your emotions.”
Describing her initial reaction to the pregnancy as “very neutral,” Albanese explains her reluctance to let excitement take hold prematurely, recognizing that much needed to transpire for the pregnancy to progress successfully. “The fear of miscarrying weighs heavily on you, prompting caution until the risks diminish,” she shares.
Apprehensive about the challenges of pregnancy at 44, Albanese recalls her “uneventful” pregnancy where strict guidelines were in place to ensure its success. Despite constraints like refraining from intense workouts, she credits regular walking for fostering a positive outlook and promoting overall well-being.
Following a C-section, Albanese underwent a smooth delivery and is now recuperating at home with her newborn daughter. Reflecting on her arduous journey to motherhood, she finds solace in her daughter’s existence against all odds. “It’s a profound experience,” she muses. “You were meant to be here despite the challenges. We had but one chance, and here you are.”
Albanese emphasizes the importance of recognizing that quality surpasses quantity in the fertility journey. “Many believe that more attempts increase the chances of success. Yet, I am here to attest that all it takes is one, and it is achievable.”
