A Korean actress has opened up about her struggles as she tries to conceive a second child through in vitro fertilization (IVF).
On August 4th, a video titled “Hwang Bo Ra’s Four-Month Journey of Retrying IVF with Miraculous Follicles Despite Side Effects” was released on YouTube.
In the video, Hwang Bo Ra revealed that she stopped treatment due to injection side effects during the IVF process but returned to the hospital. She shared her mixed emotions after being told by medical staff that she was entering “perimenopause.”
“I experienced severe side effects from the injections and thought about taking a month off, but I came to the hospital just in case,” she said. “The doctor gave me hopeful words, which made me think a lot.”
She continued, “Since it’s perimenopause, if ovulation doesn’t occur even after one year of induction, then it’s menopause,” adding, “It felt like receiving a terminal diagnosis.”
Still, she expressed determination to continue IVF, saying, “I feel like I must persevere and keep going for the next year without giving up.”
Later, after being told there were follicles visible at the hospital, she decided to resume IVF injections. “Finally, follicles have appeared, and I’m receiving fluids,” she said. “I didn’t expect anything, so hearing this suddenly was unbelievable. I’m so grateful and amazed.” She added, “I’m overwhelmed and almost tearing up since I’m already under pressure from parenting.”
With the egg retrieval scheduled, she also gave up on a previously planned company workshop. “I had a company workshop set for 3-4 months ago, but I decided not to go,” she explained. “These precious follicles we’ve been waiting for come first. I’ll attend the workshop next time.” She added, “I’m both excited and nervous thinking about whether I can make a miracle.”
Ahead of egg retrieval, Hwang Bo Ra candidly shared why she wants a second child. “I struggled to have my first child and wondered why I was being greedy for a second,” she said. “I’m older now, and my husband will soon be 50.”
She continued, “I grew up lonely as a child. To a child, parents are their universe, and if that universe collapses, the child collapses too. I thought having a sibling for Woo In might provide some comfort and strength, so I felt we needed a second child.”
She also expressed some frustration toward her husband on the day of egg retrieval. “My husband cut down on drinking for about three days, and I told him not to drink the day before, but he had a glass of wine,” she revealed. “I got angry and shouted, ‘What are you even doing? I don’t want to try for a second child anymore.’”
She joked, “It’s probably the first time in 2-3 years that he’s giving a sperm sample. If his sperm isn’t good, I plan to give him a piece of my mind.”