Hope guides Carla Abellana as she steps into married life with her eyes fixed on motherhood.
Barely a month after marrying Dr. Reginald Santos on December 27, 2025, the actress spoke candidly about what she wants next.
The wedding may have marked a new chapter, yet for Carla, the celebration was never the finish line. It was the beginning of building a family.
In her January 2026 interview with Aubrey Carampel for 24 Oras, Carla laid her heart open.
“Hopefully, makapag-start na kami mag-build ng family, if God permits. Yun ang focus bilang, of course, the clock is ticking din. Magpo-40 na ako this year.
“Let’s say, hirap man kami na mag-conceive naturally, at least merong ganung back-up, merong ganung option.”
Carla is set to turn 40 on June 12, 2026.
Read: Carla Abellana quips about outlasting her first marriage
In Vitro Fertilization, more commonly known as IVF, is a form of assisted reproductive technology.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), IVF involves retrieving eggs from a woman’s ovaries and fertilizing them with sperm in a laboratory. Once fertilization occurs and an embryo develops, the embryo is transferred into the uterus in hopes of achieving pregnancy.
The Mayo Clinic further explains that the term “in vitro” means “in glass,” referring to the laboratory dish where fertilization takes place.
The procedure typically includes ovarian stimulation through hormone injections, egg retrieval, laboratory fertilization, and embryo transfer. Success rates vary depending on factors such as age and overall reproductive health.
For Carla, IVF represents an option rather than an assumption. She previously underwent egg freezing, which means her preserved oocytes may later be thawed and fertilized should natural conception prove difficult.
In a subsequent interview a month later, the couple spoke to Aubrey once more for 24 Oras.
Dr. Reginald then expressed: “Whatever it is that she needs for her career and for her health, of course. That's my primary focus para sa kanya.
“Of course, she’s my wife so, I need to take care of her.”
Read: WEDDING ALBUM: Carla Abellana and Dr. Reginald Santos
CARLA ABELLANA’S EGG FREEZING JOURNEY
Carla Abellana began documenting her fertility preservation process on Instagram on March 30, 2025, offering a detailed look at the groundwork behind her decision.
In that post, she described her egg-freezing journey as “a transformative experience” that demanded research, emotional preparation, and strong support.
The Kapuso actress emphasized that from the moment she committed to the procedure, she understood the importance of assembling the right medical team.
She expressed gratitude to @conceiveivfmanila under @krbc.ph, identifying the clinic that would guide her through the process.
“The consultation was the first step, where Medical Director Dr. Ednalyn Ong-Jao explained the process and answered all my questions with much care and expertise. [doctor emoji],” Carla wrote.
“As I prepared, I was amazed by the professionalism and compassion of the entire team. The Nurses made every step easy and reassuring, while Doc Eds ensured that every detail was carefully handled. [emoji]
“The facilities are top-notch, making me feel safe and well taken care of every step of the way. [hospital emoji]
“I’m incredibly grateful to everyone involved—their kindness, support, and expertise made all the difference. [white heart emoji].”
Read: Carla Abellana and Dr. Reg Santos's wedding vows speak of faith
Three days later, on April 2, 2025, Carla returned to Instagram with an update marking a major milestone.
She revealed that after more than a month of daily hormone injections, numerous medications, repeated clinic visits, and several blood tests, egg harvesting day had finally taken place.
In her post, she acknowledged the physical toll of the process, from weight gain to the long waiting period.
The journey tested her patience and faith and was accompanied by moments of fear and uncertainty.
Despite these challenges, she expressed deep gratitude to the medical staff during her second round, as well as to her family and best friends who stood by her.
Read: How much is Carla Abellana's wedding gown?
By April 5, 2025, Carla provided a more detailed breakdown of her progress.
In that Instagram post, she confirmed that the surgery conducted weeks earlier had been successful.
She disclosed that two oocytes were extracted and immediately frozen for cryopreservation. The specificity of that number offered transparency about the medical outcome.
Going into it, Carla provided insight into the clinic’s privacy practices.
She noted that patients at @conceiveivfmanila are assigned specific patient numbers and addressed accordingly, praising the clinic's emphasis on confidentiality.
She added: “I absolutely love their facilities. Neat, clean, comfortable, spacious and not intimidating at all.”
Another thing that earned her favor was the clinic’s “efficient scheduling system.”
Beyond her own procedure, Carla observed the broader environment inside the fertility clinic.
She mentioned seeing several couples in the waiting area for blood extraction, consultations, examinations, and treatments, before going on to reflect on how moving it felt to witness couples who long for a child.
“Some couples are young, some are a bit older. Different journeys, different backgrounds, but we all share the same dream.”
READ MORE: