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Renae Ayris and Andrew Papadopoulos expecting first child after infertility struggles

Headshot of Stephanie McKenna
Stephanie McKennaThe West Australian
Renae Ayris
Camera IconRenae Ayris

After months of struggling with ‘unexplained infertility’ former Miss Universe Australia Renae Ayris and her fitness superstar husband Andrew Papadopoulos are finally starting the family they always dreamed of.

The 30-year-old model announced the news that “baby pap” is due in December while holding their ultrasound and grinning from ear to ear.

“I still can’t believe I’m pregnant - something that felt so out of reach for so long,” she wrote.

As the expectant couple look forward to the next chapter in their lives, they took the opportunity lay bare the “roller coaster full of hope and disappointment” and pain “so deep, so immense it couldn’t be contained”.

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The pregnancy announcement.
Camera IconThe pregnancy announcement.

Ayris’ post contained a video documenting their infertility journey including footage of her husband injecting her stomach, and of herself sitting in hospital slippers.

“This wasn’t a walk in the park for us, although I know it can be a lot tougher for others. Last year after many tests we were diagnosed with ‘unexplained infertility’,” she wrote.

Infertility affects one in eight couples and they hope by sharing their journey, it will break the “misplaced stigma attached to it” and others facing similar struggles will know they are not alone.

“Infertility is HARD, a roller coaster full of hope and disappointment ... And with it brings so much stigma and isolation. It becomes easy to blame yourself and feel broken,” she wrote.

Papadopoulos also shared a moving “message to you and those who are experiencing infertility”, expressing his adoration for his “beautiful wife”.

“As courage only exists in the presence of fear, helplessness and uncertainty. The immense courage the she showed throughout this journey was inspirational,” he wrote.

“I personally witnessed Renae’s resolve being tested everyday, every month and every time those around her deliver their happy news.

“I could see in her eyes and almost feel the burden the she was carrying on her shoulders. I knew she didn’t want to feel the way she did, but the pain was so deep, so immense it couldn’t be contained.

“As her husband it was heartbreaking to feel like I was sitting on the sideline as my wife was going through the battle of her life. Unable to provide any means to help her cope with a topic that you’re never prepared for.”

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