Undergoing IVF isn't easy, and Gretchen Rossi knows that first hand. The Real Housewives of Orange County alum has been open with fans about her challenges with the process, which she's now undergoing for the second time. And though the road to fertility has been paved with some bumps, Gretchen is thankful for the one reassuring constant that's helped her out along the way: her supportive fiancé, Slade Smiley. 

On April 23, Gretchen took to Instagram Stories to share insight into her entire journey with IVF. On the first day of her shots, Gretchen shared a video of herself nervously injecting the medication as Slade offered tips and sweet words of encouragement. "Thank goodness for a supportive partner through this," Gretchen wrote to caption one clip.

Photo: @gretchenrossi/Instagram Stories

Photo: @gretchenrossi/Instagram Stories

Photo: @gretchenrossi/Instagram Stories

Photo: @gretchenrossi/Instagram Stories

Photo: @gretchenrossi/Instagram Stories

Photo: @gretchenrossi/Instagram Stories

In another clip, which she posted to Instagram, Gretchen explained: "I just wanted to share this journey with you all because I know so many of you go through this as well and it's overwhelming at times, so I just wanted to share a diary of all the emotions." 

Gretchen also thanked her fans for their words of support, and opened up about her decision to publicly share her journey.

"It’s not always easy to let people inside your most intimate moments, but I realize that the more we open up as humans and let people see inside the real, raw, and vulnerable parts of our life (and not just the picture perfect life we all create through pictures on our Instagram) the more we can grow from one another and truly connect as humans," she wrote. "I am grateful for the gift of truth, the gift of heartache, the gift of compassion, and the gift of love so we can all share our stories and help each other through this wonderful thing called life."