When Keira Rumble, entrepreneur and founder of Krumbled Foods, Mini + Me, and Habitual Beauty, envisioned starting a family, she never imagined the complex and heart-wrenching journey that lay ahead.
After enduring multiple miscarriages, a misdiagnosed heterotopic pregnancy, and the eventual discovery of health issues like endometriosis and Factor V Leiden, Keira’s path to motherhood was far from what she had envisioned. Despite the physical and emotional toll of nine pregnancies, two of which brought her cherished children, Hunter and Goldie, Keira’s story is a testament to the strength and resilience needed to navigate the often unpredictable fertility journey.
Read on as Keira shares her deeply personal experiences, from confronting medical misogyny to the joy of holding her miracle babies, offering hope for others facing similar struggles.
When did you start thinking about your fertility?
“I began seriously considering my fertility after several devastating miscarriages, particularly following my fourth one in early 2020. I think the turning point was actually after a few early miscarriages. It was during my heterotopic pregnancy (a dual pregnancy – for me, it was an ectopic pregnancy and pregnancy in utero). It was an incredibly traumatic experience being misdiagnosed for four weeks, and it really opened my eyes up to so many things that could go wrong when it comes to fertility and women's health issues.
Medical note: Heterotopic pregnancy is a rare but serious medical condition in which two pregnancies develop simultaneously—one inside the uterus and the other outside, often in the fallopian tube as an ectopic pregnancy. This condition can be life-threatening and unfortunately is frequently misdiagnosed or overlooked due to its rare occurrence.
“The experience made me realise that there might be underlying issues affecting my ability to fall pregnant and also stay pregnant. After a few years of further loss, heartbreak, surgeries, an endometriosis diagnosis and finally a blood clotting condition, Factor V Leiden, I knew our only option to start our family was to be down the IVF (In vitro fertilisation) path.
Medical note: Factor V Leiden is a genetic mutation that affects a protein involved in blood clotting, known as Factor V. This mutation increases the risk of developing abnormal blood clots. In Australia, the Factor V Leiden mutation occurs in approximately 1 in 20-25 people, making it relatively common compared with other genetic mutations.
“The journey with my son, Hunter, and later with my daughter, Goldie, highlighted just how fragile and complex fertility can be, pushing me to understand my body better and seek the necessary medical help.”
Can you identify any moments during your journey that clashed with your expectations?
“I naively remember thinking my fertility journey would be similar to my mum's. She has had four pregnancies, which resulted in four kids. My parents actually fell pregnant even with an IUD in! This belief was shattered after multiple miscarriages and the challenges I faced. Initially, I thought that with medical support, particularly after my diagnosis and treatments, everything would fall into place. However, even with IVF, my second journey was anything but simple, as I experienced severe hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and other complications that I hadn’t anticipated.”
Medical note: In cases of hyperemesis gravidarum, women suffer from severe nausea and frequent vomiting, leading to dehydration and weight loss. Approximately 1 in 100 pregnant women are affected by hyperemesis gravidarum.
What did your fertility journey look like?
“I have had nine pregnancies, and I have two living miracle babies. I had my first miscarriage in my mid-20s, which was followed by several others over the next few years. After going through my heterotopic pregnancy, where I faced medical misogyny, gaslighting and negligence, which led me to have emergency salpingectomy surgery (removing my left fallopian tube), which then caused severe adhesion pain, which then led to severe pain and another surgery and then a stage IV endometriosis diagnosis.
“After seeing multiple specialists over years of loss, I was finally diagnosed with Factor V Leiden. We decided to go down the path of IVF in 2020, and alongside my incredible fertility specialist, we conceived our beautiful boy Hunter via IVF. Having been faced with Hyperemesis during my pregnancy ignited a whole new passion of mine, which led me to develop a range of products to help with conception, pregnancy, morning sickness, postpartum and beyond.
“Shortly after Hunter turned one, I had another round of endometriosis surgery and proceeded with a second round of IVF to conceive our daughter, Goldie, who was born in May 2023. This pregnancy was extremely challenging and threw me into a state of significant depression and PTSD, with severe HG that had me vomiting up to 40 times a day, leading to a very difficult physical and emotional experience that carried on into my postpartum period.”
How did you feel when you met each hurdle?
“Each hurdle brought intense emotions – grief, frustration, and eventually, determination. The most surprising and difficult stage was realising how severe my conditions were and how much they affected my pregnancies. I still hold so much sadness around our losses, but holding my beautiful children in my arms makes me so grateful I am fortunate enough to have them here with me.
“The severity of HG during my second pregnancy was particularly shocking. Despite having been through it with Hunter, the level of sickness and the toll it took on me mentally and physically was far beyond what I expected. It was a stark reminder that every pregnancy is different and that my body would react in ways I couldn’t predict.”
What was the most surprising thing that happened to you during this time?
“Throughout my fertility journey, I've encountered a profound issue with medical misogyny and gaslighting, which has been both frustrating and disheartening. When I was suffering from excruciating pain during what turned out to be a heterotopic pregnancy, I was repeatedly dismissed by healthcare professionals for over four weeks. They suggested that my pain was psychological rather than physical and, at one point, even said I needed therapy and not to be presented to the emergency department. This dismissal not only delayed my diagnosis and treatment but also left me feeling isolated and questioning my own experiences. It was only after insisting on further tests and another scan that the true severity of my condition was discovered, finding that I was bleeding internally from a ruptured organ (my fallopian tube).
“This experience has highlighted the dangerous ways in which women’s pain and concerns are often minimised or ignored in the medical field, leading to delayed treatment and unnecessary suffering. It’s a stark reminder of the need for systemic change in how women’s health issues are perceived and addressed.”
Medical Note: unfortunately, many women feel that their pain or symptoms are often ignored or dismissed by healthcare professionals. A Gender Bias Survey Report released by the Australian Government in March revealed that two-thirds of women reported experiencing gender bias or discrimination in the healthcare system.
What was the best or most rewarding thing that happened to you during this time?
“Holding both of my babies in my arms finally when they arrived earth side is everything I have ever dreamed of.”
What do you feel is the biggest misconception surrounding fertility?
“The biggest misconception is that fertility is easy and that pregnancy is a straightforward process. This belief can be harmful because it creates unrealistic expectations and contributes to the stigma around fertility treatments like IVF. It also leads to feelings of shame and isolation for those who face challenges, as they may feel like they are failing in something that should be natural and simple.
“My experiences with both IVF journeys, particularly the physical and emotional tolls they took, highlight how important it is to speak openly about the realities of fertility. Even something as simple as after my egg collections, where I was faced with low egg collections (four and then three), I remember hearing fertility specialists say in the recovery bay to some, ‘oh, you’ve had a great amount of eggs being collected 17 plus,’ which then sent me into a world of questioning whether my round was even worth putting myself through.
“Comparison can be a thief, and no story is ever the same, which I had to constantly remind myself (I still do this, especially now within my motherhood era!).”
What was the most helpful thing you did for yourself during this time?
“Physically, undergoing surgery for endometriosis was crucial, as was starting IVF with a better understanding of my body’s needs. Seeking support from the Pink Elephants Support Network during my losses was so helpful. During my second pregnancy, the support from the Hyperemesis Australia organisation was invaluable, providing the guidance and mental strength I needed to get through such a physically taxing time.
“Mentally, connecting with other women who had similar experiences, openly sharing my story, and being my own advocate in the healthcare system helped me manage the emotional toll. These connections and advocacy were essential in navigating the darkest moments.”
What advice would you give anyone who hasn’t yet gone down their fertility path?
“My advice would be to advocate for your health early on and seek comprehensive testing if you’re struggling to conceive. Don’t be afraid to push for answers and get second opinions. Fertility issues are more common than we think, and understanding your body is critical to navigating this journey. Also, be prepared for each pregnancy to be different. Even if you’ve had a challenging pregnancy before, the next one can present new and unexpected challenges.
“It’s important to listen to your body, seek support, and not be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Also, please please please, get comprehensive genetic testing done prior to starting your fertility journey – or even when you have fallen pregnant!”
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be medical advice and is not a substitute for medical advice. You should speak with a medical professional if you wish to assess your fertility and before making any decisions about healthcare, including contraception.
