# @kelliegerardi on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DXZTBDKOdah
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/64331493-kelliegerardi-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/4099300f8c.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-04-21T13:25:17.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Kellie Gerardi (@kelliegerardi) — https://gondola.cc/kelliegerardi

## Caption

The complications from this IVF &  pregnancy / postpartum journey have left a lot of big, consequential question marks for both my long-term personal & professional life, but I’m taking things one step at a time. 

Right now, that first step is a microgravity research flight (here on Earth) coming up in about 6 weeks with my science team. To be honest, I can barely wrap my head around being away & back in such a dynamic environment, but I know that’s because I’m so freshly postpartum right now and in the newborn trenches. I trust I’ll feel differently in a few weeks. 

Given the timing of this research campaign, my goal going into labor was to have nothing more severe than a second degree tear, and that’s exactly what I had! The postpartum hemorrhage was a separate ordeal, but I’m on the other side of that and so grateful to be healing well and on track. 

Provided healing continues like this, I expect be cleared for my upcoming research campaigns here on Earth, and then later, will look forward to my next and likely final science spaceflight (since it’s not a long-duration spaceflight). 

Anything beyond that is a question mark, and I’m going to have to learn to be OK with that. 

Regardless of how anything else in life goes, I know I have my biggest dreams come true at home. 🤍🌈

#ivfjourney #postpartum #postpartumjourney #maternityleave

## Stats

- **Views:** 189,348
- **Likes:** 16,916
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 228

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Kellie Gerardi | @kelliegerardi | https://gondola.cc/kelliegerardi | Influencer |

## Tags

ivfjourney, maternityleave, postpartum, postpartumjourney

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