Amy Schumer gets real about IVF struggles in emotional Instagram post

Amy Schumer has turned to social media to share her struggle with IVF, even posting her mobile number for people who’d been through the process to contact her.

Posting a close-up image of her bruised stomach to Instagram, the actress opened up about her fertility battle in an emotional accompanying message.

Revealing that she was one-week into the IVF process, the comedian went on to say she was struggling with the process and urged fans to reach out if they’d had similar experiences.

“Feeling really run down and emotional,” she wrote

“If anyone went through it and if you have any advice or wouldn’t mind sharing your experience with me please do.

The mum-of-one even shared her mobile number and asked people to contact her about their own struggles.

“My number is in my bio. We are freezing my eggs and figuring out what to do to give Gene a sibling.”

After sharing the heartfelt plea, thousands of fans offered their support and advice to the 38-year-old new mum.

“So amazing of you to share this you are helping countless people by posting this photo,” one user wrote. “Hang in there.”

“Ugh. I did 7 rounds to get my b/g twins. It was such an emotional roller coaster,” another shared. “I remember the bruises like you have and feeling like a giant bloated pin cushion. Thank you for normalising and bringing this topic out into the open.”

Many thanked the actress for shining a light on the topic of fertility and IVF.

“Oh man we just went through our first IVF round and I’m so with you,” yet another user shared. “Emotionally and physical draining but you’re strong. Sadly ours failed but onward and upward. Wishing you the best and thank you for sharing your journey.”

Since welcoming her son, Gene, last year, the actress has regularly shared some of the more stark realities of motherhood.

In June the actress was praised for posting a candid post-partum photo of herself hiking with Gene while wearing only a bra, mesh hospital underwear and trainers.

“5 weeks. Hospital underwear for life!” she wrote, marking how long it’s been since she and husband, Chris Fisher, welcomed their son.

Amy isn’t the only star to open up about her fertility struggles.

Last year, Anne Hathaway used her second pregnancy announcement to hint that her path to parenthood hadn’t been an easy one.

“All kidding aside, for everyone going through infertility and conception hell, please know it was not a straight line to either of my pregnancies. Sending you extra love," she wrote alongside a sweet picture showcasing her bump.

And Aussie singer Natalie Imbruglia also shared the happy news that she was pregnant with her first child at 44, (she went on to give birth to a boy in the Autumn) while also opening about her journey to conception.

The ‘Torn’ hitmaker took to her Instagram to say she’s been “blessed” with a pregnancy after help from a sperm donor and successful IVF treatment.

“For those of you that know me, this has been something I have wanted for a very long time and I’m blessed that this is possible with the help of IVF and a sperm donor,” Natalie wrote in an Instagram post.

While people shouldn’t feel they have to reveal all about their conception journeys, the refreshing honesty from those celebrities is encouraging.

In 2018 figures by Public Health England (PHE) found that around a third of women had recently experienced severe reproductive health symptoms, but fewer than half (46%) of the women surveyed had sought professional medical help for their symptoms.

It’s an indication that women’s reproductive health is still stigmatised.

So, candid posts like Schumer’s, Hathaway’s and Imbruglia’s are appreciated for helping to encourage women to talk openly about traditionally taboo fertility issues.