USWNT Alum Carli Lloyd Is Pregnant, Expecting First Baby After Difficult Fertility Journey: 'Truly a Miracle'

The former professional soccer player details her difficult journey to pregnancy in a personal essay for 'Women's Health'

Carli Lloyd is growing her team!

In a Women's Health article penned by the former US Women's National Team soccer player, 41, the athlete announced that she is pregnant and expecting her first baby with her husband, Brian. As she shares her excitement to become a mom, Lloyd also reflects on her difficult journey to getting pregnant.

"My whole life revolved around defying odds and proving people wrong. Soccer taught me how to work hard, persevere, be resilient and never give up," Lloyd writes. "I would do whatever it took to prepare, and usually when I prepared, I got results."

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Related: Carli Lloyd Backs Up Her Criticism of USWNT's World Cup Play: 'Sometimes the Truth Hurts'

"But I found out that I didn't know much about this world. I was very naive to think that we wouldn't have any issues getting pregnant. And so it began. The casual whatever happens, happens turned into disappointment month after month. I was starting to feel like this was a race against the clock — my 40-year-old biological clock."

Lloyd pursued in vitro fertilization (IVF) but says she initially felt "ashamed and embarrassed" at having to turn to that option. "But as time went on, I realized that they're all human and many women are going through similar struggles," Lloyd says. "There's a stigma that comes with needing help or needing to go through fertility treatments."

The soccer player and her husband went through two unsuccessful rounds of IVF, ultimately choosing to do a third round with a "totally different" mindset. When she got the good news that she was pregnant, Lloyd says that she hugged her husband and "for the first time in a long time, felt at peace."

"It is still hard to believe I am pregnant," Lloyd writes. "It truly is a miracle, and we are so excited to be parents!"

"I have been told that nothing I have accomplished or faced in my soccer life will ever be as great as being a mom," she continues. "I know this will change me forever, and I am so excited for the journey. This was not an easy journey, but that's true of most things in life that are worthwhile. Brian and I look forward to loving and raising a strong little one to be the best version of themselves."

On Wednesday, May 1, Lloyd also revealed the exciting news on her Instagram, posting a sonogram photo of her baby, as well as a few photos from her pregnancy journey.

In her lengthy caption, the former pro athlete took a moment to thank her husband for his support during the IVF process.

"It has been a rollercoaster of a journey to get to this point. We are beyond excited to be parents! I couldn't have gotten through this without my amazing husband, Brian. He truly kept me going," she wrote.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.