Astronaut Kellie Gerardi has announced wonderful news: she is six weeks pregnant after multiple heartbreaking miscarriages and a long IVF journey. Just six months after sharing the pain of her fourth loss, the 36-year-old-who is set to fly with Virgin Galactic in 2026-shared on Instagram that she and her husband Steven Baumruk are expecting their second child. The baby, a boy named Vincent Keith May, was born on August 20, 2025, weighing 8 lbs. 4 oz. and measuring 20 inches long.
The announcement came during what she described as “one of the best weeks of my life.” Not only was she named the Godmother of Royal Caribbean’s newest mega-ship, the Star of the Seas, but she also learned that her most recent IVF cycle had been successful.
A Journey of Loss, IVF, and Secondary Infertility
Kellie has been open about her struggles with secondary infertility-a challenge many couples face when trying to conceive after already having a child. She and Steven share a daughter, Delta, now 7, but their road to baby number two has been filled with heartache.
Earlier this year, Kellie revealed on Jersey Shore Family Vacation that she had suffered another miscarriage at nine weeks following IVF treatment. It was her fourth pregnancy loss, a devastating experience that she described as “heavy and dark.”
Despite the setbacks, she chose to share her IVF treatments-including self-administered hormone injections and embryo transfers-with her social media community. “The online community rallied around me,” she said, “helping me rediscover my innate positivity and the belief that it’s not a no; it’s just a not right now.
The Emotional Six-Week Ultrasound
On August 28, 2025, Kellie posted a heartfelt video from her IVF clinic, capturing the exact moment she saw her baby’s heartbeat.
“Crying in the parking lot of my IVF clinic again, but this time happy tears,” she wrote. “Seeing that flicker is everything to me. We’re still far from out of the woods, but if me and this little cheerio-sized miracle can make it another few weeks together, I might finally graduate from my IVF clinic this time.”
She added: “I feel like I finally let out a breath I’ve been holding for weeks. Grow, baby, grow!”
A Rainbow Baby and a Global Message
Baby Vincent is what many in the fertility community lovingly call a rainbow baby-a child born after miscarriage or pregnancy loss, symbolizing hope after a storm.
For Kellie and Justin, Vincent is their rainbow miracle. “After this very long journey to get here, words cannot describe how blessed and truly grateful we are. Forever living in our baby love bubble until further notice,” they shared in a joint Instagram post.
Celebrated on Earth and Beyond
Adding to the magic of the week, Kellie was asked to take over the prestigious role of Godmother of the Star of the Seas after the legendary Diana Ross had to withdraw unexpectedly. During the christening ceremony at Cape Canaveral, Kellie reflected on her dual milestones of pregnancy and her new maritime honor:
“When drafting my remarks, I realized how much space and sea share in common. Both represent vast frontiers and endless possibilities. There’s a spirit of adventure and exploration that I’m excited to celebrate.”
As she embarks on this dual journey of motherhood and adventure, her narrative will undoubtedly inspire many along the way. Stay tuned for more updates as Kellie shares her experiences in both realms!
Infertility: A Global Challenge
Kellie’s journey is deeply personal, yet it reflects a worldwide issue. According to the World Fertility Organization, 17.5% of adults-roughly 1 in 6 globally-experience infertility. While a routine fertility test is often the first step, experts emphasize the need to go further with advanced female and male fertility testing, genetic screening, and comprehensive IVF treatment options.
With global fertility rates declining due to lifestyle changes, delayed parenthood, and health challenges, stories like Kellie’s highlight the urgent need for accessible, affordable fertility care and fertility preservation options for individuals and couples everywhere.
IVF as a Bridge Between Heartbreak and Hope
At IVFbabble, our take-echoed by countless families who have welcomed children through IVF-is that assisted reproduction has already helped create millions of much-loved babies around the world. For many, it is truly the bridge between heartbreak and hope.
By sharing her struggles and triumphs, Kellie Gerardi is not only celebrating her own rainbow baby but also shining a light on infertility, miscarriage, and the transformative role of IVF. Her openness offers comfort to others on similar paths and underlines the importance of supporting reproductive health for both women and men.
Final Thoughts
Kellie’s incredible milestones-being named Godmother of the Star of the Seas, announcing her pregnancy after IVF and previous miscarriages, and preparing for her upcoming adventures in space-these are all powerful symbols of her strength, resilience, and new beginnings. As she looks ahead to both motherhood and a future mission with Virgin Galactic in 2026, her journey is such an inspiration to the entire TTC community.
Her story is also a reminder that infertility is not discriminative-it can touch anyone, regardless of age, background, fitness or where in the world they live. With 1 in 6 adults globally experiencing infertility, the need for greater access to affordable, high-quality fertility care, diagnostics, and preservation options has never been more urgent. By speaking openly about her struggles and triumphs, Kellie is putting a spotlight on the reality of infertility and reinforces the hope that science, support, and perseverance can make dreams of parenthood come true.
✨ Join the conversation: Infertility is rising globally. With IVF now helping 1 in 6 people facing fertility challenges, what steps should society, governments, and employers take to ensure broader access to fertility care, diagnostics, and preservation options? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below or on Insta @ivfbabble -your voice can inspire others on this journey.
