Life is busy in the Bridges’ household. For funnyman Jon and his wife Gemma, there’s barely a moment to catch their breath between playing taxi for son Zeno’s many sports, and daughter Romy’s jazz and swimming lessons – all while juggling busy careers. And now, with a new arrival in the family, things have become even more lively.
“We’ve added to the family!” laughs commercial furniture designer Gemma, 44. “We got Ziggy, a furry miniature schnauzer, one year ago. As a result, we’re spending a lot of time at the dog park next door.”
A new puppy isn’t the only change this family has experienced in the past year. The closing of Newshub in July meant the end of an era for Jon, 58, after more than 16 years. He was one of their longest-standing staff members from his early days presenting Ice TV, to later producing 7 Days, and executive producing The Project and Paddy Gower Has Issues.
“We knew what we were creating was special and couldn’t last forever,” he shares. “The writing had been on the wall for television for a long time, so when it disappeared, I was sad but not surprised.”
Since then, he’s started Believer Media with Paddy Gower to bring positive news – “inspiration, great Kiwis and just a weekly dose of good stuff” – to New Zealand through the website Stuff.
Jon’s also a road cycling fanatic, taking fifth place in the recent road cycling nationals competition.
Jon and Gemma celebrate 15 years of marriage this year. Six years of that was spent trying to start a family, which they’d assumed would be straightforward. However, after a year of trying without success, they sought medical advice.
“It slowly dawns on you that something isn’t right,” explains Gemma. “We saw our GP, then got put on the waiting list for IVF and that was the start of our years-long fertility journey.”
The couple underwent several rounds of intrauterine insemination (IUI) and Gemma took ovulation-inducing medication before finally conceiving Zeno two years later.
She says, “We thought, ‘Okay, my body has done it once, so it should be easier next time,’” says Gemma.
But it wasn’t the case as conceiving Romy was even harder. They underwent multiple rounds of IVF, enduring invasive procedures, hormone treatments and the crushing disappointment of six failed embryo transfers. Gemma also suffered toxoplasmosis, a virus that can cause deformities in foetuses, and recurring polyps in her uterus lining.
“There were months of doctor’s visits, uncomfortable procedures, injections, blood tests, prodding, poking, waiting and then more waiting,” Jon remembers. “And all the while, life’s on hold because everything revolves around the next cycle.”
A close friend offered to be a surrogate, but just as they considered it, they learned they were pregnant with Romy after four long years of trying.
“I’d taken so many negative tests that I didn’t let myself believe it for a long time,” admits Gemma. “I had got to the point where I was thinking I couldn’t put my body through it any more – it was too hard, too emotional.”
Jon reflects, “We were so lucky. Not everyone gets to have the ending we had.”
Now the Bridges’ home is a bustling hub of activity. They describe Zeno, 11, as a “cheeky, cool and nurturing” boy, who’s a talented artist and a sports enthusiast, playing football, tennis and badminton.
Romy, six, is a whirlwind of energy. “She’s very funny,” tells Jon. “She’s quite bossy, loves school and is a delightful little character.”
Jon’s joined the board of Fertility NZ, a support and advocacy organisation for people experiencing fertility struggles.
“It’s easy to forget what we went through once you have your kids and life moves on,” says Jon. “But so many people are still in that place of uncertainty, waiting and hoping.
“One of the best things for us was talking to others going through something similar – people who truly understood. Fertility NZ provides that for so many and I want to be part of making sure those resources are there.”
He also hopes to advocate for better access to fertility treatment.
“We were lucky – we got public funding when we needed it,” he shares. “But that’s not the case for everyone. It shouldn’t be a privilege to get the help you need to start a family.”
Their fertility journey feels like a distant memory now, but every day, they’re grateful for their outcome.
“Family life is busy, it’s fun and it’s full of love,” enthuses Jon. “And that’s exactly what we always wanted.”
To find out more or to donate, visit fertilitynz.org.nz
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