Mandy Moore just got real about the emotional rollercoaster that led to her third child. On the June 2 episode of the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast, the This Is Us star described how one round of IVF produced zero viable embryos — and how that “failure” cleared the path for the biggest surprise of her life.

The 42-year-old actress and her husband, Dawes frontman Taylor Goldsmith, already had two sons when they decided to explore options for a third baby. What happened next surprised even them.

Mandy Moore Gets Candid on Podcast About Her IVF Experience

Moore didn’t hold back. She explained that she and Taylor approached IVF as a practical “insurance policy.” They wanted the option to freeze embryos and expand their family on their own timeline. Instead, the cycle delivered hard news.

“So, I did a round of IVF, and it was unsuccessful, we didn’t get any viable eggs, no embryos… And I was like okay, well this just settles that. If this is something that is meant to be, it will happen naturally.”

She had already faced fertility challenges earlier in her journey. During her first pregnancy with son Gus, doctors diagnosed her with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a rare autoimmune condition that affects platelet levels. Her egg count was also flagged as extremely low. The failed IVF round felt like confirmation that their family of four was complete.

The Details Behind the Failed IVF Round

Moore has been open in the past about the physical and emotional toll of trying to grow their family. The couple had two healthy natural pregnancies — Gus arrived in February 2021 and Ozzie followed in October 2022. By the time they considered a third child, they were in their late 30s and early 40s. One round of IVF was meant to give them peace of mind.

It didn’t work out that way. No viable embryos meant they made peace with the family they already had. Moore has said she felt “so grateful and so happy with these two guys.” They stopped actively trying.

Then life had other plans.

From Peace with Two Boys to a Surprise Baby Girl

Moore was “very” surprised when she found out she was pregnant with daughter Louise “Lou” Everett Goldsmith. The couple wasn’t actively trying at the time, but they were emotionally open after the IVF process.

“And she showed up very, very surprisingly… We were not trying, but obviously we were open to it because of the IVF of all.”

Lou arrived in September 2024, turning the Goldsmith-Moore household into a family of five in what Moore later described as “three kids in three-and-a-half years.” The actress has called the arrival of their “dream girl” nothing short of miraculous.

  • Gus (August Harrison Goldsmith) – born February 2021, now 5
  • Ozzie (Oscar Bennett Goldsmith) – born October 2022, now 3½
  • Lou (Louise Everett Goldsmith) – born September 2024, now nearly 2

Life with the ‘Big Three’ and Reflections on Being Done

By early 2026, Moore was already feeling the beautiful weight of being “done having babies.” In a January Instagram Story, she shared a mix of gratitude and quiet sadness after an OB-GYN visit: “I’m endlessly grateful for my beautiful family AND there’s a certain sadness knowing I’m done having babies and won’t be pregnant again.”

She has described pregnancy itself as relatively easy on her body, with no major postpartum struggles. The real challenge has been the non-stop pace of raising three kids under five while navigating her high-profile career and personal health realities.

Moore has also used her platform to advocate for better women’s health research, partnering with Perelel in 2024 to highlight how little funding goes toward understanding female fertility and related conditions.

Why Her Honesty Matters in 2026

Moore’s willingness to talk openly about unsuccessful IVF, low egg count, and the emotional whiplash of fertility treatments lands differently now. Just weeks earlier, news broke that she is executive producing (and possibly starring in) a new IVF-themed drama series in development at HBO Max. Her personal story adds unmistakable authenticity to that project.

More importantly, her candor gives other women permission to feel the full range of emotions that come with trying — and sometimes failing — to have the family they imagined. She has said it plainly: “Everybody’s journey is a little bit different.”

Fans and fellow parents have flooded social media with support since the podcast clip started circulating. Many are calling her honesty “refreshing” and “healing” for anyone who has stared at a negative pregnancy test or an empty embryo report and wondered what comes next.

Right now, what comes next for Mandy Moore is pure gratitude — and a house full of noise, love, and three very lucky kids.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mandy Moore’s IVF Journey

Did Mandy Moore use IVF to get pregnant with her third child?
No. Moore and Taylor Goldsmith underwent one unsuccessful round of IVF before conceiving daughter Lou naturally.

When did Mandy Moore share details about her failed IVF?
She spoke openly about the experience on the June 2, 2026 episode of the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast. The story quickly made headlines on June 3.

How many children does Mandy Moore have?
Three: sons Gus (born 2021) and Ozzie (born 2022), and daughter Lou (born September 2024).

Has Mandy Moore been open about other fertility or health challenges?
Yes. She was diagnosed with the rare blood disorder ITP (immune thrombocytopenic purpura) during her first pregnancy and has spoken about her doctor warning of a very low egg count.