This article is supported by Tru Niagen. Developed by ChromaDex, a pioneer in NAD+ and healthy aging research, Tru Niagen is helping people around the world transform the way they age. Tru Niagen features patented nicotinamide riboside (NR), which is the most efficient and superior-quality NAD+ precursor available. Use our code EGG20 for 20% off at truniagen.com.
We’ve been lucky to have so many women from ABC’s The Bachelor share their diverse paths of parenthoods with us at pregnantish on our podcast, social channels, and live events, in the spirit of spreading more education and awareness around fertility challenges.
In honor of Valentine’s Day, we’re re-sharing their love stories – not with the men, but with the babies they dreamed of…
Holly Durst and Blake Julian – Finding Love & Building Family Through Adoption After an Endometriosis Diagnosis
Like many contestants on the franchise, Holly’s path to The Bachelor was unexpected. After a tough breakup, she was approached on the street and asked if she wanted to be on the show. “I thought, ‘I have nothing to lose,’” she recalled. She never imagined that moment would lead to meeting Blake and eventually finding love.
Holly Durst, a former contestant on The Bachelor and winner of Bachelor Pad season two, met her husband Blake Julian on the show. They married in 2012, but their journey to parenthood was a struggle behind the scenes. After getting married, and years of trying for a baby, Holly’s struggles escalated when she was diagnosed with Stage Four Endometriosis in 2014. “My doctor said I was the worst case he’d ever seen. I would be throwing up every single month on my period because the pain was so bad. And no one ever told me that wasn’t normal.”
I’ll never have a pregnancy announcement or gender reveal party. It still hurts, but I feel so complete with Poppy. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me, and I’m just so grateful. Despite surgery and multiple rounds of IUI and IVF, Holly and Blake faced many failed attempts and losses, keeping much of it private. “It was really emotional. I cried a lot… we were numb to that feeling.” Blake’s reassurance helped her through the tough times: “It doesn’t matter where the child comes from. I just want to be a family.”
They eventually turned to adoption, and in 2019 they welcomed their daughter, Poppy. Holly shared her emotional journey, “I’ll never have a pregnancy announcement or gender reveal party. It still hurts, but I feel so complete with Poppy. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me, and I’m just so grateful.” In 2023, Holly and Julian welcomed their second child via adoption, Knox.
To hear more from Holly Durst on the pregnantish podcast, listen here:
Ashley Spivey – On Loving Her Daughter Penny & Her Commitment to Stillbirth Advocacy After Losing Her Son CJ
Ashley Spivey, contestant on Season 15 of the Bachelor, has made headlines not only with her time on reality TV, but also with her commitment to advocate for better support for parents facing stillbirth.
Her first son, CJ, was stillborn at 31 weeks—a loss she believes could have been prevented with better medical care. “If the doctor would have made two different decisions, CJ would still be here today.” Despite concerns about his reduced movement, she was told to simply listen for his heartbeat. Tragically, this reassurance proved wrong when she learned that CJ had passed away the day before Thanksgiving. “If the baby’s in distress, [the heartbeat is] the last thing to go,” she shared, emphasizing the need for better awareness and guidance.
If the doctor would’ve made two different decisions, CJ would still be here today. 21,000 babies die each year from stillbirth, and no one is doing anything about it. Talking publicly about CJ has led me to people who make me feel like there is hope.
Ashley’s journey to motherhood wasn’t over. When pregnant with Penny, she was closely monitored, which ultimately saved her daughter’s life. After a routine scan showed signs of distress, Penny was delivered through emergency induction, and Ashley expressed deep gratitude for the medical team that acted quickly. After five pregnancies, her daughter Penny was born healthy in November 2022.
Though Ashley continues to grieve CJ’s death, she has found healing through connection with others who have experienced similar pain. “Talking publicly about CJ has led me to people who make me feel like there is hope. 21,000 babies die each year from stillbirth, and no one is doing anything about it,” she said. In addition to personal advocacy, Ashley pushes for legislative changes, like the Shine for Autumn Act, aimed at reducing stillbirth rates.
Listen to more of Ashley’s story on the pregnantish podcast:
Bachelor Winner Whitney Bischoff – The Bachelor’s First Fertility Nurse Who Experienced An Ectopic Pregnancy and Secondary Infertility
You may recognize Whitney Bischoff Angel as the winner of Chris Soules’ season of The Bachelor, but many in Chicago know her as their all-star fertility nurse.
Despite her professional expertise, Whitney faced the heartbreaking reality of infertility – she’s been pregnant five times, but only has two children. “Each time, each loss, it just takes a little… it chips away at you… I help people get pregnant every day, how come I can’t figure this out for myself? There were a lot of dark times… but I was grateful I had frozen my eggs.”
One of the hardest moments came when she experienced an ectopic pregnancy. Initially told by doctors it wasn’t ectopic, Whitney trusted her instincts and insisted on an ultrasound, which revealed the pregnancy in her fallopian tube. The pregnancy ruptured, leading to emergency treatment, and Whitney narrowly avoided losing a tube.Each time, each loss, it just takes a little… it chips away at you… I help people get pregnant every day, how come I can’t figure this out for myself? There were a lot of dark times… but I was grateful I had frozen my eggs.
“There’s someone out there going through the same thing. The DMs from random people were even so helpful. As hard as it is, keep your eyes up, because it will get better, and there will always be brighter days ahead.”
After years of secondary infertility, Whitney and her husband Ricky are proud parents of Hayes and Brady in Chicago.
Listen to more of Whitney’s story on the pregnantish podcast, or read our capture of her work as a Fertility Nurse here.
Krisily Fernstrom – After A Fairytale Wedding, An IVF Warrior Still Fights For Her Baby
Krisily Fernstrom was runner-up on the 7th season of The Bachelor with Bachelor, Charlie O’Connell, and returned for the first season of Bachelor Pad. As a former Miss USA contestant and reality TV star, Krisily was no stranger to competition, but her path to parenthood brought unexpected challenges.
Krisily’s IVF journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions, hope, and perseverance. During her first cycle, Krisily had just one egg, and when it didn’t fertilize, she experienced a deep sense of loss. “I knew it wasn’t an embryo, but it still felt like a loss… I loved that egg. It was still my potential future child. I didn’t believe you could love someone you’ve never met before. But I do now.” Her second cycle brought hope. “We got seven mature eggs, five viable, and every single one fertilized with ICSI. It was incredibly exciting. But every time I went to the bathroom, I panicked that I’d see blood. Every little cramp, I thought, ‘It’s over.’ I feel 100% pregnant one moment, then like I’m miscarrying the next.”
Every IVF story is different. And I’m still here, still fighting for that baby.“When people say, ‘When the time is right, it will happen,’ I can’t tell you how much that breaks me. I’m in my 40s. The time should be right by now! But so many friends reached out after I started sharing… It made me want to keep talking, to let others know they’re not alone. There’s something powerful about hearing other women’s experiences, knowing we’re all in this together. Laughter and understanding—that’s what I need the most right now.”
Her journey continues, and is fueled by hope. “Every IVF story is different. And I’m still here, still fighting for that baby.”
To hear more from Krisily Fernstrom on the pregnantish podcast, listen here:
Dr. Aimee, will you accept this rose? Meet The Bachelor’s Favorite Fertility Doctor
If there was a rose given out to a popular Bachelor Nation fertility doctor, it likely would go to the “Egg Whisperer”, Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh.
Dr. Aimee has helped several Bachelor contestants navigate their family building journeys and has supported them at every step. She shares with us, “Infertility is a disease, and we don’t blame ourselves if, let’s say, our kidney stops working, we don’t say, ‘What did I do wrong? Why do I have kidney disease?’ We don’t do that. But for some reason, when it comes to fertility issues, we self-blame and shame ourselves.”
Why Dr. Aimee Puts Her Fertility Treatment Patients on Tru Niagen
Dr. Aimee is a big proponent of encouraging her patients to replenish NAD in the body, with the hopes of improving clinical outcomes.
“A patient of mine introduced me to Tru Niagen… As we age, our mitochondria in our cells don’t function as well. This happens when a woman turns 30, which is about the time that we see more chromosomal abnormalities in our embryos. So that’s why NAD is important – it improves mitochondria. I encourage all of my patients to take it, including egg donors, and patients who are freezing their eggs.” That’s why NAD is important – it improves mitochondria. I encourage all of my patients to take it.
Mona Rosene, MS, RD, Global Director, Scientific & Medical Affairs at Tru Niagen, explains, “For over six years Dr. Aimee has been telling her patients to support mitochondrial health by elevating NAD+ with Tru Niagen. We recently partnered with her because of the results she was observing in her practice. NAD+ is a coenzyme vital to cell health. It’s found in every single cell in the body and plays a critical role in helping cells create energy in the form of ATP, fuels the body to do everything, whether it’s voluntary or involuntary processes. Tru Niagen can support reproductive health by supporting cellular health. When cellular health is supported, the body can function the way it was created, which helps add life to years. It’s refreshing to see science move toward healthspan versus lifespan and anti-aging.”
Three Bachelor contestants who shared their stories with us – Clare Crawley, Kendall Long, and Caroline Lunny – were Dr. Aimee’s patients. Read on for their stories navigating life after the final rose and their unique paths to parenthood.
Clare Crawley – Happily Ever After in Love and Becoming a Mom Via Surrogacy
Clare Crawley, known for her role as the runner-up on The Bachelor and later as The Bachelorette, has become a prominent figure in the franchise. Recently, however, she’s garnered attention for sharing her deeply personal fertility struggles. At 39, Clare told us she was aware of the ticking biological clock and turned to Dr. Aimee, a fertility specialist, for help. “I want to be proactive on this. I don’t feel I need a man to be a mother,” Clare emphasized, exploring options like adoption, egg donation, and surrogacy.
When Clare met Ryan, he supported her dream of motherhood. Though for a long time, Clare kept her struggles private, fearing judgment due to her age.
“It was a long journey that I held inside and didn’t share because I was so raw. My heart had taken a toll, and I just needed to protect my peace for a little bit. But then once Ryan and I started pursuing (family building), I was like no, this is something that doesn’t matter where you come from, doesn’t matter who you are, it doesn’t matter what you have–fertility issues don’t escape anybody. And I have this platform, so I want to be able to share vulnerably. There are so many other people who go through it. I’d like my platform to be a source of support for people, for women who are going through it, too.” When she’s crying and I’m rocking her…I love it, because she’s crying for me. If this is your dream, don’t give up. One egg, one sperm, one time can change everything.
After exploring egg freezing and surrogacy, they found a surrogate who shared their values. In December 2023, they welcomed their daughter Rowen. “When she’s crying and I’m rocking her…I love it, because she’s crying for me. If this is your dream, don’t give up. One egg, one sperm, one time can change everything.”
To hear more from Clare Crawley on the pregnantish podcast, listen here:
Caroline Lunny – How A Diminished Ovarian Reserve Diagnosis Changed Her Life and Love Life
Caroline Lunny, known for her appearance on The Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise, is raising her voice about fertility preservation and Diminished Ovarian Reserve so others know it’s important to advocate for your health.
“When you hear about The Bachelor, you think of all these women competing for a man, but it never felt like that. I mean, we had a really cool season.” After the show ended, and when she initially inquired about fertility testing, she received pushback because she was young and single: “My doctor initially said no (to testing). She told me, ‘You’re fine, you just turned 29, nothing’s wrong with you.’ I was able to push back, and that’s when I found out that my AMH levels were alarmingly low.”
The pandemic hit during this critical time, causing added stress, but it also sparked profound personal transformation for Caroline, and she began the process to freeze her eggs with Dr. Aimee. “After my first egg retrieval, it ignited something within me. I thought, ‘Oh no, I think I’m shape-shifting into a mom.’ It does something for your soul—I was in an abusive relationship. After that first egg retrieval, I looked at this guy like, ‘Get the hell out of here. Don’t even look at my eggs.’ I had this maternal instinct. I couldn’t leave him for myself, but I had to leave him for my future child. My child deserved a better life than I could have given them with this man. It was incredible to watch that transformation. You’ll do anything to protect them. And all of a sudden, you have strength you didn’t know you had.” After that first egg retrieval, I looked at this guy like, ‘Get the hell out of here. Don’t even look at my eggs.’ I had this maternal instinct. I couldn’t leave him for myself, but I had to leave him for my future child.
Caroline has been committed to raising her voice and encouraging friends to get tested. “I want to shake people and be like, ‘Freeze your eggs. Freeze them now. Freeze them yesterday…I think it’s so important to stay positive. At the end of the day, the child meant to be yours will be yours. You just have to pivot when the moment requires it.”
To hear more from Caroline on the pregnantish podcast, listen to the episode here:
Kendall Long – On Finding Love Again and Why She Froze Her Eggs
Kendall Long, a contestant on the 22nd season of The Bachelor, was a fan favorite, known for her passion for taxidermy. “They used to call me the weird taxidermy girl, but I studied zoology, botany, and entomology on the side! It’s a hobby I’ve always had. I like collecting dead things I find on hikes and learning about them… In our season, the women were always rooting for each other, and I think that was special about our season. Everyone was genuine. We all built each other up, which I loved.”
Kendall was inspired to look into her own fertility after hearing from Caroline Lunny. “Caroline was a huge inspiration. She’s been telling her audience, and all her friends, about freezing eggs and how important it is. For me, having a family is very important. As soon as I saw her go through it, and a couple of our other friends, I just felt inspired, too. She even did my first (hormone) shot. You’re not used to having to take these hormones, so having each other was really good and helped me stay on track to not mess things up.” Growing up, the conversation I kept hearing was how to not become pregnant, or how to avoid it. I learned from Dr. Aimee and Caroline that you need to check your fertility, normalize talking about it, and gain control of your own fertility.
She continues, “On The Bachelor, you’re very vulnerable. You go through getting together with someone, breakups, your first kiss, saying ‘I love you.’ We’re used to being so vulnerable and open with our lives. Talking about something like (fertility) just feels like you’re talking to your friends, to someone you really know. In that way, it feels nice to build a community around something like this. Growing up, the conversation I kept hearing was how to not become pregnant, or how to avoid it. I learned from Dr. Aimee and Caroline that you need to check your fertility, normalize talking about it, and gain control of your own fertility. By freezing my eggs, I took control of my timeline.”
Kendall announced in August 2024 that she’d eloped with Sagely and moved to Europe, and they are now expecting their first baby due in February 2025. To hear more from Kendall on the pregnantish podcast, listen to the episode here:
Life After the Final Rose
For all of these past contestants, now fertility advocates, life after the final rose has delivered unexpected twists, including the challenges of infertility and loss.
By sharing their personal stories, these women have become important advocates for fertility awareness, opening up conversations and providing support to others facing similar struggles.
As they continue to inspire and educate on their platforms, their experiences highlight the resilience and hope that can flourish even through the toughest of circumstances – including sharing their quest to find love vulnerably on television!
This Valentine’s Day, we celebrate these women and their love stories—for the families they have now and the way they’ve inspired so many others tuning in to know that they’re not alone.
This article was supported by Tru Niagen. Developed by ChromaDex, a pioneer in NAD+ and healthy aging research, Tru Niagen is helping people around the world transform the way they age. Tru Niagen features patented nicotinamide riboside (NR), which is the most efficient and superior-quality NAD+ precursor available. Learn more at TruNiagen.com.
Pregnantish community! If you want to try Tru Niagen, use EGG20 for 20% off at truniagen.com.
Listen to stories, share your own, and get feedback from the community.
