'We've been trying for 2 1/2 years': Gretchen Rossi, 37, describes 'disheartening' fertility struggle after Slade, 42, reversed his vasectomy

Gretchen Rossi has suffered some bumps on the road to starting her family.

And on Friday the Real Housewives Of Orange County vet told People that it's been more heart-wrenching than she thought it would be.

The 37-year-old reality TV beauty not only had to wait until her partner Slade Smiley, 42, reversed his vasectomy, but she also has had issues with IVF.

'We have been full-steam ahead on trying to start a family. It's been a good two to two-and-a-half years of really trying actively to have a baby. That's been, quite honestly, very difficult on us,' she said.

Not an easy path: Gretchen Rossi told People magazine on Friday she and partner Slade Smiley, seen here on August 24 in Santa Monica, have been trying to get pregnant for two-and-a-half years

Not an easy path: Gretchen Rossi told People magazine on Friday she and partner Slade Smiley, seen here on August 24 in Santa Monica, have been trying to get pregnant for two-and-a-half years

The show must go on: The couple on an episode of The Real Housewives Of Orange County

The show must go on: The couple on an episode of The Real Housewives Of Orange County

After his surgery was completed last year, they tried to get pregnant naturally but it did not work. So they went back to the doctor for IVF.

'We had such great results at the beginning and then the day before they were supposed to implant all the embryos – we had 14 embryos – basically what happened was they arrested, which means they all died off,' said the Bravo standout.

Gretchen called that 'very disheartening and a very difficult time for us.'

No laughs here: 'We have been full-steam ahead on trying to start a family... That's been, quite honestly, very difficult on us,' she said

No laughs here: 'We have been full-steam ahead on trying to start a family... That's been, quite honestly, very difficult on us,' she said

She added it was 'emotionally, physically and mentally extremely draining.'

Now they are back to trying to get pregnant naturally. 

'They said to give it at least a good year, so we're going to continue through the end of this year trying naturally and then if nothing has happened, we'll probably go back to in vitro again,' said the TV icon.

Gretchen also said: 'I hope the Lord blesses us with a baby.'

Trying what's best: 'They said to give it at least a good year, so we're going to continue through the end of this year trying naturally,' said the TV icon; here they are seen in 2009

Trying what's best: 'They said to give it at least a good year, so we're going to continue through the end of this year trying naturally,' said the TV icon; here they are seen in 2009

As far as getting married the blonde bombshell said the focus is not on that now.

'Slade and I are just so excited about having children together,' she said.

Rossi added that she is at peace with his large debt, which came from taking care of his sick son from a previous relationship.

'It's no longer a concern of starting a family with him because I think that through self-realization and realizing that life happens, Slade is unfortunately and probably never going to be completely out of debt because a lot of his debt is due to his son being ill,' she said to People.  

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