Advertisement

Sylvia Jeffreys tears up as she opens up about IVF journey

Channel Nine's Sylvia Jeffreys shared for the first time on Wednesday that she and husband Peter Stefanovic underwent IVF in order to have her son, Oscar.

The 34-year-old, who welcomed Oscar in February, attempted to hold back her tears during an interview on Today Extra as she revealed she struggled with infertility.

Sylvia Jeffreys on Today Extra
Sylvia Jeffreys broke down on Today Extra after sharing that she underwent IVF to welcome her son Oscar. Photo: Nine

Sylvia was interviewing mother Brooke Campbell, who was speaking about the "daunting and overwhelming" decision a family must make when there are leftover embryos they no longer want to use.

While trying to hold back tears, Sylvia said, "Brooke, I know from my personal experience with IVF that so much goes into having a successful embryo and having something sitting there that gives you the opportunity to make life for your family. How are you and your husband coping? What decision have you decided to make?"

RELATED

Brooke said it was "an emotional" decision and that she'd love to be able to donate her embryos to another family, but "the consequences are just too real".

"To know that I would have a biological child walking around there somewhere and my children would also have a sibling out there that they didn't know, it just feels all too real for me," she said.

The mum-of-two said she and her husband will likely choose to donate their embryos to research.

In the interview, Dr Ric Gordon, an IVF specialist, shared the four options available for unwanted frozen embryos: storing, donating to science, donating to a couple and disposal.

He added that some couples even take the embryos home and may have a service for them.

Dr Gordon also said that the embryos donated to research will be used to improve IVF research and the doctors will always tell the parents what research they're planning on doing in case they want to change their minds.

Sylvia added, "It's such a fascinating topic, and Brooke, I know it's probably something very raw for you right now, so thank you so much for sharing it. And I suppose the silver lining in having unused embryos is that you've had your miracles, you've had your babies, so that's the beautiful part of it, isn't it."

Sylvia's co-host David Campbell, checked in on Sylvia, asking, "Are you alright, mate?"

To which she quickly responded, "I'm good! Sorry!"

Click here to sign up to our daily newsletter to get all the latest news and hacks. Or if you have a story tip, email us at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com.