Seo Dong-ju Reveals Struggles with IVF: 'I Cried So Much After Failing PGT'

Broadcaster Seo Dong-ju has openly shared her personal journey and the emotional toll of undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).

In a video uploaded on the 11th to her YouTube channel 'Seo Dong-ju's Also.Do.Dong', she discussed her ongoing efforts to conceive. Seo Dong-ju revealed she visited a clinic to undergo an 8-constitution diagnosis, hoping it would aid her pregnancy attempts, as she had heard it can be beneficial for infertility when combined with a tailored diet.

"I learn a lot from chat rooms for women struggling with infertility," Seo Dong-ju explained. She confessed to a recent setback where an embryo successfully reached the 5-day cultivation stage but unfortunately did not pass the PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing). This news led her to tears, and she shared, "I called my mother and cried together," finding solace in her mother's comforting words.

Following the diagnosis of being a 'Geumyang' constitution type, Seo Dong-ju outlined her future plans, including dietary adjustments and exercise. She aims to achieve a successful pregnancy within a year, stating, "If it takes longer, I plan to use the 3-4 day cultivated embryos I currently have." She also mentioned plans to visit a clinic recommended by Lee Ji-hye, whom she met on the show 'Same Bed, Different Dreams'.

When asked about the difficulties of IVF, Seo Dong-ju candidly spoke about the emotional rollercoaster caused by hormone treatments, physical discomfort, and the despair that follows when embryos are discarded. "The hormone injections and medication cause significant mood swings; I even get angry at my husband, but I try to suppress it, reminding myself it's the hormones, not me," she shared.

Concluding her message, Seo Dong-ju affirmed her commitment to continue IVF treatments until next August. "Regardless of the outcome, I believe the process itself is radiant and something to be grateful for. I cheer on everyone undergoing IVF, and I will do my best to share positive news," she stated with determination.

Seo Dong-ju, a prominent South Korean television personality and lawyer, was previously married to a Korean-American businessman but divorced in 2017. She has since focused on her career in entertainment, appearing on numerous variety shows and dramas. Her openness about her IVF journey highlights a growing trend of public figures sharing personal health challenges.