McGee's path to conception was unconventional, to say the least. She credited a "shaman elixir" she obtained during a trip to Belize as the catalyst for her pregnancy, a claim that left many medical professionals skeptical. Fertility doctors expressed doubts about the plausibility of her conception, given that McGee had previously undergone tubal ligation and was already a year into menopause. However, the actress remained steadfast in her belief that the shaman's intervention had played a pivotal role in her ability to conceive at such a late stage in life.
Despite the initial excitement and disbelief surrounding her pregnancy, McGee's journey took an unexpected turn when she suffered a devastating miscarriage. In the same interview, she revealed that she had lost the baby, a loss that occurred closer to the end of the first trimester. The actress expressed her deep sorrow, acknowledging the emotional toll the experience had taken on her. "It wasn't expected," she said, "and it was very hard to face the fact that this dream of expanding my family was not going to happen at this point in the junction."
Despite the heartbreak, McGee found solace in the knowledge that she had been granted the opportunity to conceive at her age, a feat that many would consider improbable. She expressed her gratitude for the experience, stating, "I was still so grateful to have the experience of being able to conceive at this age and at this time." This perspective, rooted in resilience and a deep appreciation for the gift of life, has undoubtedly been a source of strength for the actress as she navigates the emotional aftermath of her loss.
McGee's husband, Marcello Thedford, also shared the pain of the miscarriage, describing the experience as "hard" for both of them. "You're talking to a man that just a couple of months ago or so was holding her belly every night, talking to the baby," he said, underscoring the profound impact the loss had on their family.
However, McGee remained steadfast in her desire to expand her family, driven by a deep-seated belief in her own physical and emotional capabilities. She expressed a desire to "pour into a child all the knowledge" that she had accumulated over the years, recognizing the unique advantages that come with raising a child at a later stage in life.
McGee's story has also resonated with other women who share her aspirations of conceiving later in life, but often feel "boxed into this geriatric pregnancy thing." Her openness about her experience has helped to challenge the societal norms and expectations that can sometimes limit the choices and opportunities available to women, particularly as they age.
The shared experience of navigating the complexities and societal judgments surrounding later-life pregnancies has created a bond between McGee and Hall. Their stories serve as a powerful reminder that the decision to have a child is a deeply personal one, and that women should be empowered to make choices that align with their own values, aspirations, and life circumstances.
By sharing their journeys, McGee and Hall have opened the door for important conversations about the challenges and triumphs of later-life pregnancies, challenging the preconceptions and biases that often surround this topic. Their resilience and determination in the face of adversity have inspired others to reconsider their own assumptions and to embrace the diversity of experiences that make up the human experience.