Hallmark Star Taylor Cole Reveals Years of Fertility Struggles and Five Failed IVF Attempts
Hallmark favorite Taylor Cole and her husband, Cameron Larson, have quietly faced fertility struggles for several years.
“I’ve been navigating infertility issues for the past three years,” Cole, 41, shared on the Thursday, December 4, installment of Ryan McPartlin’s “That’s Awesome” podcast. “I would say that has significantly shaped who I am and who I’ve become. The path I’ve walked because of it has truly transformed me for the better.”
Cole also acknowledged that she “hasn't achieved the typical Hallmark happy ending just yet,” but she remains hopeful.
“[I have learned] to accept the outcome, whatever life ultimately has in store for me,” she expressed. “It’s a continuous process of learning and adapting, [but] it has genuinely involved eliminating chemicals, ensuring I will live longer and healthier. My future children will be healthier, and my future self will appreciate all the sacrifices I’ve made.”
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Cole, who exchanged vows with Larson in 2020, has gone through five unsuccessful in vitro fertilization (IVF) attempts. To prepare for each attempt, the actress removed caffeine and alcohol from her diet and adopted a gluten-free regimen.
Continue reading for further insights from Cole regarding her fertility experience:
Concealing Her Emotions at Work
Cole informed McPartlin, her costar in this summer’s Double Scoop, that she discovered her most recent IVF cycle had failed while in the midst of filming.
“It certainly helps that we’re filming something so uplifting and that the fans are so genuinely appreciative, so that serves as a reminder [for me] to step into the scene and feel grateful to even have the chance to portray these characters,” Cole commented on separating her personal feelings while shooting Hallmark scenes. “Embracing that mindset of gratitude [was incredibly helpful for me] and it’s monumental.”
Once scenes were completed, Cole would “allow [herself] the space to process and feel” her emotions.
“It’s about finding equilibrium, and also remembering that the shoot lasts only three weeks,” she stated. “I possess what I consider my unique strength, which is a somewhat optimistic outlook, believing, ‘It happened for a reason, and there’s no point in dwelling on ‘why me?’’”
Cole filmed Double Scoop on her birthday, which also happened to be the day she took a pregnancy test.
“I received the disheartening news that I had started another menstrual cycle, meaning I was not pregnant,” Cole recounted. “It’s an entire day where everyone is thrilled it’s your birthday. You have all these affectionate, wonderful people approaching you, saying, ‘Happy Birthday.’ You’re expected to be happy, but internally, you’re thinking, ‘I just want to cry.’”
Health and Additional Obstacles
Cole significantly altered her diet and incorporated more frequent exercise into her daily routine during each IVF cycle. She also had to consider her Hashimoto’s disease. (Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disorder impacting the thyroid gland.)
“Because I have Hashimoto’s, I must take a medication that decreases bone density,” she explained. “[I’ve learned how] to embrace challenges that make me uncomfortable and recognize that it’s ultimately for my well-being [because often] my happiness comes from assisting others. You can’t always do that; sometimes you have to [prioritize yourself] first. That led to a complete emotional revelation, questioning things like, ‘Am I deserving? Do I have the time to devote to myself?’”
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She Has Concluded IVF Cycles
“Everything that happened was precisely what I needed to reach this point,” Cole reflected on her challenging journey. “It simply is what it is, and it will materialize when it is destined to.”
According to Cole, she does not intend to “undergo any more” IVF rounds.
“I am fully in a state of acceptance at 41, declaring, ‘You know what? That spirit will choose me when it’s ready, and if not, it will be in another lifetime,’” she affirmed. “I am open to whatever life brings my way.”
Understanding the Expense of IVF
“I’d certainly appreciate getting my money back from five rounds of IVF and two frozen embryo transfers, but aside from that,” Cole quipped, revealing that each cycle cost approximately $25,000. “And I’ve done it five times, and that doesn’t even include the acupuncture I spend $5,000 a month on [for support]. That’s why I’m no longer pursuing it. I’m finished. I’m financially depleted.”
