Why did Priyanka Chopra use a Surrogate?

As fans of the couple shower Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas with congratulatory messages, many are also wondering why the stars welcomed a baby via surrogate.

Surrogacy is typically perceived as a means to start a family reserved for would-be parents who are struggling with infertility.

However, many couples view using a surrogate mother, regardless of health issues, as the go-to option.

From same-sex couples to single individuals, surrogacy is a viable method for those who dream of expanding their families.

While Priyanka and Nick, who have been married since 2018, have shared their aspirations for children on multiple occasions, little is known about the couple’s stance on natural conception.

The high-profile couple welcomed the arrival of their first child with a joint statement on Instagram.

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas’ post read:

“We are overjoyed to confirm that we have welcomed a baby via surrogate.

“We respectfully ask for privacy during this special time as we focus on our family. Thank you so much.”

Since then, fans continue to speculate why the actress and musician opted for a surrogate.

According to reports, the couple welcomed a baby girl, with other sources stating she had unexpectedly arrived 12 weeks early.

Priyanka’s cousin Meera Chopra also revealed in an interview that the couple’s newborn is a girl.

Meera Chopra said: “Priyanka always wanted to have a lot of kids.

“So, I am very happy for this new chapter in her life, she is going to be a super mom to her baby girl.”

As the baby is premature, she and the surrogate are currently in the hospital.

Priyanka and Nick are planning to move them to a hospital in Los Angeles once the baby is healthy enough.

The couple is also yet to share the baby’s name, exact date and time of birth, or any information regarding their surrogate.

Work Obligations

While there are many reasons that couples choose a surrogate when trying to get pregnant, Priyanka and Nick could have had a practical reason as to why they chose this particular option.

Priyanka and Nick opted to expand their family with the help of a surrogate mother due to their busy schedules, according to some sources.

The actress’s recent projects include The White Tiger followed by The Matrix Resurrections.

She will next be seen in Text for You alongside Celine Dion and Omid Djalili.

An insider told the Daily Mail that the couple’s decision was not because Priyanka Chopra had fertility issues.

The couple reportedly chose surrogacy because they couldn’t find time to physically be together to “conceive when she is ovulating”.

However, despite the reports, the couple has yet to confirm whether or not this is true.

Priyanka’s Age

Priyanka Chopra is 39-years-old and shares a 10-year age gap with her husband.

Whilst the couple initially faced criticism from online trolls for their age difference, Priyanka bore the brunt of most of the backlash.

The actress was accused of “preying” upon a younger man.

Priyanka added that she found it “amazing when no one cares if the guy is older”.

Since then, the duo has poked fun at their dynamic – most recently during Netflix’s Jonas Brothers Family Roast.

Priyanka highlighted the differences in not only their ages but their relative success in entertainment.

Jokes aside, age can play a significant role in a woman’s ability to conceive and carry a child.

By the age of 40, the likelihood of getting pregnant drops significantly, though it does still happen.

Some women can conceive at this age with the use of fertility treatments, some without.

However, the majority of women will likely need to use a surrogate at this age.

Surrogacy Stigma

Soon after the couple surprised fans with the news of their baby, internet trolls attacked the actress for “outsourcing” childbirth.

Some also questioned her approach to motherhood, based on her and Nick’s chosen route to becoming parents.

In India, laws regulating the practice of surrogacy have repeatedly been tightened in recent years.

Over the years, Bollywood has witnessed various instances of births via surrogacy.

Despite surrogacy being a recurring topic in the nation, the stigma surrounding the practise is still prevalent.

Similar to adoption and fostering, Asian culture traditionally attaches a sense of ‘shame’ to a woman who is unable to conceive a child on her own.

The prospect of infertility is worrying for any woman who is under pressure to have children, both from her husband and her in-laws.

Though official numbers are difficult to locate, an UN-backed study in 2012 estimated the surrogacy business was worth more than £300 million a year, with over 3,000 fertility clinics across India.

Surrogacy is a booming business and celebrity couples are a testament to that.

Priyanka and Nick join other notable Hollywood A-listers like Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, and Tyra Banks.

Having started their respective families with the help of science, Bollywood celebrities including Gauri and Shah Rukh Khan are also helping to dismantle the social stigma attached to surrogacy.

Whilst Priyanka and Nick’s reasoning is yet to be revealed, infertility is not always the main reason for choosing surrogacy.

Some women may choose not to carry their child to be able to continue their career or maintain their figure.

No matter the reason, surrogates are welcoming of every individual’s circumstances and personal decisions.