MONTREAL - The husband of pop diva Celine Dion has revealed that she is no longer pregnant. In an interview with the Journal de Montreal, Rene Angelil said the latest in vitro fertilization treatment she underwent was unsuccessful. The singer had announced this latest pregnancy last August but chose to remain quiet on the fact that her situation had changed. Angelil said Dion underwent another treatment in October and that a third is planned.
"We're living the reality of the majority of couples who face these procreation techniques," Angelil said in a telephone interview from the couple's Florida home. "The road can be long and difficult. It doesn't always work as was the case the first time with (their 8-year-old son) Rene-Charles.
"Last August, Dr. Zev Rosenwaks thought the pregnancy was well underway. That wasn't the case. We found out about 10 days later. We were definitely in shock."
Dion and Angelil decided to keep the sad news to themselves as they hoped another treatment would quickly lead to another pregnancy.
"It was negative," Angelil, 67, said of the second attempt. "But you know Celine - she doesn't give up. And I admire all those women who go through this difficult process. She's undergone numerous examinations, hormone injections and blood tests. We have to go to New York often. Celine and I aren't discouraged since we already have an extraordinary son, Rene-Charles. It's not as though we don't have any children. So we have faith in life and in our lucky star."
The couple will travel to New York this weekend for a third try.
"The doctors are optimistic and remind us that it's normal with a procreation procedure like this to have to try more than once," Angelil explained.
The 41-year-old pop icon's husband and manager added that he is speaking publicly because he has felt the outside pressure regarding the pregnancy and because the results of the other attempts aren't yet conclusive.
"Celine and I especially want to say that we're not discouraged (and) that with our son we know we are privileged parents. And that we're again trying to have this second pregnancy with the help of Dr. Zev Rosenwaks's team," he noted.
"Couples who have undergone these procedures will certainly understand our silence these last weeks. But we're full of confidence today. Celine is more determined than ever."
Fertility specialists generally say the chances that an in vitro fertilization will succeed are one in four.
