Jenna Kutska and her husband, Kurt, of Wheeling, appeared on a recent episode of MTV’s documentary series, True Life: I’m Desperate for a Baby. Cameras followed them as they went through fertility treatment with Dr. Angeline Beltsos of Fertility Centers of Illinois. They became pregnant the first time using IVF as the nation watched.
Their son, Justin, was born July 18. Jenna shared a few thoughts on her journey and motherhood while Justin slept.
What was it like watching your story on TV? I was happy with the way it all played out. It was hard to see us go through the struggle and cry. As I am watching it, I am holding him, so it was very surreal. Now that I have him, I forget all that we went through to have him. You try to forget the negative or sad parts of it. The hardest thing was the waiting. Each month it was another letdown. Even though it was only two years of trying to conceive, it’s like every day and every month was a struggle along the way.
How has the journey changed you? I wanted to be a mom so bad. I always wanted to have kids. I never imagined it wouldn’t come so easily. I think it made me appreciate it even more.
What is the craziest thing people have said to you? When we were going through it, we were sitting in the fertility office and there was another younger couple there. … I remember her looking at me like I was out of my mind for allowing them to film it. (My philosophy was) anything you go through in life, you can help so many people if you talk about it, whether it is your experience or thoughts. I was trying to stay so positive through the whole thing, I don’t think I thought ‘what if it doesn’t work in the end.’ (The other couple on the episode didn’t get pregnant after many tries.) We’re going to have a baby and this is going to be a good story.
Favorite part about being a mom: The unconditional love. Right away, a connection and a bond that is unexplainable. It is the most unbelievable moment of anyone’s life.
If you had to give a piece of advice to another couple: Never lose hope.
