Naomi Watts, 56, has written candidly about her struggles with menopause in her new book, Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I’d Known About Menopause. The actress shares her journey to conceive with Liev Schreiber, revealing that she tried various fertility treatments, including Clomid and intrauterine insemination (IUI), but was unable to get pregnant due to hormonal issues.
Watts recounts how her “obsession” with getting pregnant affected her relationship with Schreiber, causing a strain on their 11-year partnership. She spent countless hours monitoring her ovulation, checking her temperature, and tracking her progress, spending a significant amount of money on fertility treatments.
When she finally conceived, Watts was in the midst of filming Eastern Promises, and had to balance her pregnancy with her acting career. After initially feeling hesitant to share the news due to fear of being seen as a “difficult” partner, she eventually felt compelled to reveal her pregnancy after experiencing a strong fetal flutter during filming.
Watts has since welcomed two children with Schreiber, but their relationship ultimately ended in 2016. Looking back on her journey, Watts emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and acknowledging that women often put themselves at risk for others’ expectations.
“I wish I’d known that it’s okay to prioritize our own desires and needs,” Watts writes. “After menopause, we’re reminded that all our life choices have been influenced by external pressures and hormones we didn’t choose. It’s a valuable lesson in being kinder to ourselves.”
Source: https://people.com/naomi-watts-infertility-journey-during-relationship-liev-schreiber-8777484