‘Our Little Frozen Embryo’: Gordon Ramsay’s Wife Tana Opens Up About IVF Journey
Gordon Ramsay’s wife Tana Ramsay has shared her journey to motherhood on a podcast, discussing her various pregnancies, IVF experiences and raising six children of varying ages.
Tana Ramsay, cookbook author and partner of Gordon Ramsay, has been very open about her experiences as a mother. She has six children ranging in age from 26 years to eight months and she has a lot to say about her journey.
The ups and downs of pregnancy
In an episode of the Postcards from Midlife podcast with Lorraine Candy and Trish Halpin, 50-year-old Tana opened up about the various pregnancies she has had so far. Her first was uncomplicated but difficulties arose during her twin pregnancy with Jack, now 24, and Holly. “I had a blood clot when I was pregnant and started bleeding at 14 weeks, so it was very scary,” she recalls.
The only child she gave birth to naturally was Tilly when she was 22. She discovered that Tilly was four months pregnant when she conceived Tilly in 2012. In 2016, the couple faced the devastating loss of their son Rocky after he died at birth.
Oscar, now five, and Jesse, just eight months old, were both conceived through IVF. The frozen embryos left over from Oscar’s transplant were used to conceive Jesse later. She says Oscar’s pregnancy was not a cause for concern, “Oscar’s pregnancy – I had one or two scares, actually, but it was very straightforward.”
Parenting with experience and wisdom
Pediatric ovary syndrome has meant that Tana has had to undergo IVF in some cases to get pregnant. But, among other things, she fondly referred to the little cold embryo: “There’s a little bit of Rocky in Jesse and it makes us all feel whole again.”
Having a child at such an age also presents its own challenges. As such, Tana has commented on how parenting styles have changed. “I was the youngest mum at the school gate and obviously I’m the oldest mum now, but I don’t think that stands out. There are a lot of older mums and I think we’re all a little bit calmer, actually,” she said.
Gordon Ramsay, in an interview with PEOPLE in May, echoed his wife’s comments on the subject. “I think I was a better dad the second time around, if I’m honest,” he admitted, citing experience. Furthermore, Tana has praised her husband for being a better dad.
Tana’s story speaks volumes about how resilient and adaptable women have to be when raising children. Sharing their experiences as parents helps them know that other people feel what they sometimes feel.
