Pop superstar Robyn reveals 'hardcore' IVF journey as single mom in her 40s and admits she 'felt like a failure'
Robyn recently opened up about going through a difficult in vitro fertilization (IVF) journey as a single mother in her 40s.She discussed her decision to pursue parenthood without a partner as well as how society views single mothers and the 'hardcore' IVF process she went through alone.In an interview with The Guardian published on Friday, she got candid going through a breakup in 2020 and then choosing to undergo IVF by herself.The Swedish pop star, 46, also said that though she recognizes IVF is a 'privilege,' it was 'definitely a challenge, physically and psychologically,' for her. She said she found the IVF process to be 'pretty hardcore' and said she was unsure initially 'if it was going to work' as she was beginning the process in her early 40s.Robyn, who welcomed her son Tyko in July 2023, also admitted that being a single parent can be 'very, very taxing.' Robyn recently opened up about the 'hardcore' in vitro fertilization (IVF) journey she underwent by herself in her early 40s; pictured in January In a new interview, Robyn, who welcomed her son Tyko in July 2023, discussed her decision to pursue parenthood without a partner as well as how society views single mothersIn her candid interview, she recalled how she previously froze her eggs at age 34.Before she made the decision to start IVF in her 40s, Robyn recalled grappling with 'extremely existential' feelings as she had imagined herself having and raising a child with a partner.She admitted she initially 'felt like a failure' because she 'thought it would happen much sooner.'However, following her breakup, she ultimately decided to foray into parenthood herself as she wanted to avoid having children in an unstable relationship, which she called 'very risky' and 'scary.' 'I think motherhood in a conventional heterosexual relationship, in my life at least, has been really hard to reconcile with what I think I would have to do to make that work,' she candidly shared. 'I would have been able to accept things that weren't great in a relationship without children,' she said. 'But, when kids exist, every single thing that the other person does is so important.'She continued: 'The idea of having children in the relationships I was in felt like a very risky thing to do. I just felt [like] that was more scary than waiting.' Robyn, whose real name is Robin Miriam Carlsson, said she ultimately decided to begin the IVF process when she was in her early 40s. She said it was 'definitely a challenge, physically and psychologically' and she did multiple rounds before she welcomed her son; pictured in February She also candidly shared how she came to the decision to do it alone after a breakup in 2020; pictured in April 2019 'I was older. I didn't know if it was going to work. I did a few rounds,' she said. 'It was a f***ing roller coaster, but also it makes you think about things that you otherwise wouldn't. What is my identity as someone with children, and what is it without? It's extremely existential.' Robyn added: 'I had seen myself having a kid in a stable relationship. I was sad to let go of that. It felt like a failure ... I don't think any human being can say, "I have a right to have a child." But if you want it, you can't really question your desire to be a parent.'You can question how you do it and who you do it with, but you can't question the actual need,' she said It's like saying, "Why are we here?"' After deciding to pursue her 'desire,' she underwent the IVF process, which she said was 'challenging.''It's definitely a challenge, physically and psychologically. But "boohoo, I had to do IVF," it's also a privilege. The fact that it's even possible! It's something that costs money, and a lot of people don't even have the option.' She said she always believed she would have a child with a partner and first had to 'let go' of the idea of parenting in a 'conventional heterosexual relationship' In addition to opening up about the challenges of having a baby by herself, she also discussed her experience as a single mother so far She also opened up to the outlet about being a single parent and raising a toddler by herself. 'It's very, very taxing to be a single mum or dad. I grew up that way,' she said while reflecting on her parents' divorce when she was a kid. 'My mother was tired and she was struggling, and I just didn't want to repeat things that I'd been through as a kid,' Robyn added.'I don't want to expose my mum. She's a great mum, but, you know, just the lack of time, the lack of energy to be present, to not feel happy with your situation.'
