Hugh Jackman Reveals Wife's Miscarriages: 'It's Good to Talk About It'

(Photo: Reuters/Mario Anzuoni)
Hugh Jackman at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California April 28, 2009.

By Sami K. Martin , Christian Post Contributor

December 18, 2012|11:34 am

Hugh Jackman and wife Deborra-Lee Furness have two beautiful children, but it wasn't easy to have them. Jackman recently revealed the struggle he and his wife went through, including more than one miscarriage.

"To be clear, Deb and I always wanted to adopt," Jackman told Katie Couric on her talk show. "That was always in our plans. We didn't know where in the process that would happen, but biologically, obviously we tried and it was not happening for us and it is a difficult time."

"We did IVF (in-vitro fertilization) and Deb had a couple of miscarriages. I'll never forget it- the miscarriage thing. It happens to one in three pregnancies, but it's very, very rarely talked about. It's almost secretive, so I hope Deb doesn't mind me bringing it up now."

Jackman and Furness have been married since 1996 and son Oscar was born in 2000. It was a difficult time for the couple, as the pressure of having children can often take a toll on a marriage. Some choose to end things or give up the hope of having children rather than continue on the hard journey.

"Anywhere from 10-25 percent of all clinically recognized pregnancies will end in miscarriage," according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Groups have finally taken one day to recognize all those who have lost unborn children and allowed families to come forward and share their stories of loss.

"It's a good thing to talk about [miscarriage]. It's more common, and it is tough. There's a grieving that you have to go through," Jackman explained.

When son Oscar was born, "all the heartache just melted away," he added. "Many of you are parents. You guys know you can't prepare for that moment. Nothing can prepare you. You can't even explain how incredible it is and that avalanche of emotion that comes and how it opens up your heart, how it frustrates you, how it angers you, how everything is just, of a sudden, how alive you are as a parent."

Jackman and Furness were blessed a second time with daughter Ava, who is now 7. Jackman can be seen on the big screen in the hit "Les Miserables," which opens in theaters on Christmas Day.