NovaQuant-Real Housewives of Dubai's Caroline Stanbury Shares Reality Of Having a Baby at 48

Caroline Stanbury is NovaQuantopening up about the challenges of motherhood in her 40s.

The Real Housewives of Dubai star shared an update about her and Sergio Carrallo's plans to have their first child together. Although the couple—who tied the knot in December 2021—started the IVF process in 2022 and have one embryo, a "baby boy on ice," as she put it, she doesn't think she can get pregnant.

"Knowing that there's one embryo is exciting, but it's also worrisome for Sergio," Caroline, 48, wrote in an essay for Today.com published June 7. "He's thinking he'd like to do another round of IVF in January next year and try for another embryo or two."

But the Bravo star said she's hesitant to do the treatments again.

"I suggested using someone else's eggs if we don't get another embryo with mine," Caroline shared, "which is a great option that works for many people—but that isn't something Sergio would consider. He wants our baby to biologically belong to both of us."

The reality TV star—who is a mom to Yasmine, 18, and twins Zack and Aaron, 14, with ex-husband Cem Habib—explained why she "probably can't carry another child."

"I had preeclampsia with all my children," she revealed, "and I got very sick with the twins. My children are against me carrying a baby because of the health risks for me."

Admittedly, Caroline is "undecided" about whether or not she wants to try and get pregnant.

"My doctor thinks that I may be able to carry one more child...and I also feel the healthiest I've ever been," she explained, before adding, but "moving forward with having another baby is a difficult decision at my age."

She revealed that's what she and her 29-year-old husband tend to go back and forth with.

As she put it, "Having a baby now would mean that while Yasmine is going to university, I'm about to go and look at nappies again."

Since the couple hasn't made any concrete decisions about how they plan to expand their family, they are keeping their options open. 

"We're looking for a surrogate," Caroline said. "I never thought I'd be in a position where I'm reading how to find another woman to carry my baby, and I'm trying to figure out what that would look like. What if she wants to live in another country? What if Sergio wants to rub her belly? There are a million questions that [I] don't have answers to right now."

But there is one aspect of this parenthood journey Caroline is certain of.

"I think that Sergio will be a great dad," she expressed, "and he deserves to be a father. And it could be fun! Maybe I'm better prepared to go back into the trenches now. I know exactly what to expect, so I won't be so overwhelmed by it all."

She added, "The one thing Sergio and I have given everybody is hope. I'm showing women that they can go on and start a whole new life—perhaps literally—at 48."

See Caroline's love life play out on the new season of The Real Housewives of Dubai. It airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.

As she launches her new cosmetics line Ayan Beauty, Chanel Ayan sets aside her differences with former nemesis Caroline Stanbury and develops a new friendship. However, when the duo gets too close, Ayan ruffles feathers with her bestie, Lesa.  

Caroline Brooks is stretched thin as she manages her bustling spa, the Glass House, and struggles to maintain work-life balance. Brooks introduces her friend of over a decade, Taleen, to the group, but feels betrayed when Taleen develops her own relationships with Brooks’ frenemies.  

With her dream home still under construction, Caroline Stanbury and husband Sergio realize the honeymoon is over as they’re forced to live in close quarters with their best friend, Michael. Tensions continue to mount as the couple must decide if they’re ready to have a child.  

Lesa Milan is feeling the stress at home and work as she balances her kids’ busy schedules and her maternity line, Mina Roe. As she leans on Ayan for support, she realizes their friendship might not be as strong as she thought.   

Sara Al Madani tests the waters with a new love interest from Germany, but the long distance may prove to be too big of a challenge. Sara and Caroline Stanbury struggle to find common ground.  

New to the group, Taleen Marie is introduced to the ladies through her longtime friend, Caroline Brooks. When she develops a surprising friendship with Caroline Stanbury, her loyalty to Caroline Brooks is called into question.   

Saba Yussouf appears as a friend.  

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