Former US soccer star Carli Lloyd and husband Brian Hollins are expecting their first child, after undergoing fertility treatment.
The sports star shared the news on Instagram in a post that declared: “Baby Hollins coming in October 2024.”
“It has been a rollercoaster of a journey to get to this point. We are beyond excited to be parents! I couldn’t have gotten through this without my amazing husband, Brian. He truly kept me going.”
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She added, “We are so grateful for all the love and support we had from our family and friends.”
Lloyd thanked her fertility doctor and staff and then highlighted the struggles others are enduring.
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“My story is currently a happy one, but I know there are other women who are facing challenges in their pregnancy journey,” she said.
”I see you and I understand your pain,” she continued.
“My hope is that more and more women will speak up about this topic because their stories helped me. I also wish for more resources, funding, and education around fertility treatments.
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“There is much to be done, and I hope I can play a role in helping.”
The post is accompanied by several photos of the couple’s fertility journey.
In the first photo we see a basket containing an ultrasound photo, a onesie, tiny white shoes and a noticeboard that reads: “We’ve hoped and we’ve prayed and now we’re excited to say…
“Our little miracle is on the way! October 2024.”
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The second shows Lloyd nursing her growing baby bump before pictures of the pair attending medical procedures and, finally, an ultrasound image of their babies.
In an essay written for Women’s Health Lloyd spoke about her struggle to conceive after her retirement at the of 39, speaking of how she felt like her “body let me down”.
She underwent three rounds of fertility treatment, explaining her feelings while sitting in the waiting room.
“I remember feeling really ashamed and embarrassed,” she said.
“I wanted to put my head down, afraid that people would recognise me. I felt as if I shouldn’t be there.
“But as time went on, I realised that we’re all human and many women are going through similar struggles.”
Lloyd said she was sharing her story to help end the “stigma that comes with needing help or needing to go through fertility treatments.”
“It isn’t talked about enough, but it’s just a different process to get to the same end goal: becoming a parent.”
Lloyd and Hollins were married in 2016 in Mexico. The high-school sweethearts had been together for 15 years ahead of their nuptials.
The soccer star helped lead the US team to gold at the 2008 and 2013 Olympics and retired from the sport in 2021.
Since her retirement Lloyd has worked as a commentator including at the FIFA World Cup in 2023.
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