Mandy Moore has opened up about her experiences with in vitro fertilisation (IVF), revealing the challenges she faced before welcoming her third child. In a recent episode of the podcast ‘Not Skinny But Not Fat’, the 42-year-old actress discussed her fertility journey, which included a round of IVF that ultimately did not yield viable embryos.
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Speaking candidly on the podcast, Moore described her decision to pursue IVF as an “insurance policy” as she and her husband, Taylor Goldsmith, contemplated expanding their family with a third child. Although she had successfully conceived her first two boys, August “Gus” and Oscar “Ozzie”, both conceived naturally, Moore considered IVF as a backup option to preserve an embryo for the future.
“I did a round of IVF, and it was unsuccessful; we didn’t get any viable eggs, no embryos,” she recounted. “And I was like, okay, well, this just settles that. If this is something that is meant to be, it will happen naturally,” Moore stated, reflecting on the outcome of her IVF journey.
Despite the disappointment of the unsuccessful IVF attempt, Moore expressed gratitude for her two sons, who are now five and three years old. “I am so grateful and so happy with these two guys,” she remarked before jokingly addressing the arrival of her daughter, Louise “Lou” Goldsmith, born in September 2024. “Lou just had to show up,” she quipped, noting that her third pregnancy came as a surprise after they had not actively tried to conceive.
Moore explained that the unexpected nature of Lou’s arrival was influenced by their previous IVF experience. “We were not trying, but obviously we were open to it because of the IVF of it all,” she shared. This surprising turn of events demonstrated the unpredictable nature of family planning.
In previous public statements, Moore has touched upon her fertility issues, recalling a doctor’s advice that she had a slim chance of conceiving prior to her first pregnancy. To her astonishment, she became pregnant with Gus shortly thereafter. This theme of unpredictability seems to have defined her family-building journey, particularly given the swift succession of her children’s births, with Lou and Ozzie being just under two years apart.
Reflecting on the challenges of having three children in a relatively short span, Moore candidly admitted, “I am still emotionally recovering.” She acknowledged the demands of motherhood while also recognising her good fortune in that her pregnancies “were very easy for me.” The actress noted that she experienced no significant postpartum symptoms, which she deemed fortunate given the rapid changes in her family life.
As she navigated the complexities of being a mother to three young children, Moore celebrated her first Mother’s Day as a mother of three in May 2025. Sharing her thoughts on social media, she conveyed heartfelt emotions about motherhood, describing it as “the single greatest gift of my life.” She acknowledged the constant worries that accompany parenthood but concluded that the joy of being a mother “triumphs over everything else.”
In her post, Moore expressed profound gratitude for the maternal role models in her life who have supported her through the journey of parenthood. Her words resonated with many, as she reflected on the importance of solidarity and shared experiences among mothers. “I’m endlessly grateful to the moms in my life who model what it takes, lend an ear, make the best suggestions, and generally make me feel less alone on the journey,” she wrote.
Mandy Moore’s story serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding family planning and the emotional landscape that can accompany it. Her openness about her experiences with IVF and the joys and challenges of motherhood humanises the often private and difficult conversations many families face. With her candid insights, Moore not only shares her personal journey but also offers support and encouragement to others navigating similar paths.