Reba McEntire’s daughter-in-law is sharing her deeply personal journey through infertility
Reba McEntire’s son, Shelby Blackstock, and his wife, Marissa Blackstock, have been open about the emotional and physical challenges they’ve faced while trying to start a family.
The couple tied the knot at Walt Disney World in February 2022 and soon after began hoping to welcome a child. However, their path to parenthood proved far more difficult than they initially expected.
In November 2023, Marissa revealed that after a long period of trying to conceive naturally, they sought help from a highly regarded OB-GYN in Nashville. While the appointment didn’t deliver the outcome they had hoped for, she shared a message rooted in perspective and gratitude—emphasizing appreciation for their health and for one another, even amid disappointment.
Beginning the IVF Process
By July 2025, Marissa turned to social media again, this time asking for support as she and Shelby prepared to begin in vitro fertilization (IVF). She candidly described the experience of starting fertility medications, admitting just how intense the process felt.
IVF, according to medical experts, is a procedure designed to help individuals conceive when pregnancy doesn’t happen naturally. It involves fertilizing eggs in a laboratory and transferring selected embryos into the uterus. While the process has helped countless families worldwide, it can also be physically demanding, emotionally draining, and financially stressful.
A Setback—and Renewed Hope
In early December 2025, Marissa shared that she had received her first-ever positive pregnancy test—a moment of long-awaited joy. Sadly, that happiness was short-lived, as the pregnancy did not continue.
At the time, Marissa spoke openly about the compounded grief she had experienced over the year, noting how loss can reshape life in unexpected ways. Still, even through heartbreak, she emphasized her determination to keep moving forward and to hold onto hope.
Just weeks later, Marissa announced that she and Shelby were preparing for a second round of IVF. In a heartfelt message, she thanked friends, loved ones, and supporters for the overwhelming encouragement they had received, saying their kindness helped ease the isolation that often accompanies infertility.
She also shared that while the first IVF attempt did not result in a lasting pregnancy, it confirmed something important—that her body is capable of becoming pregnant. That knowledge, she explained, has brought renewed optimism as they continue their journey.
“We’re going into this feeling hopeful,” Marissa shared. “I know now that my body can do this.”