Speaking about the moment she met her son in the hospital, Khloé expressed feeling shocked and guilty about the transactional nature of the experience. She mentioned the separation between herself and the surrogate after the birth and emphasized the need for more honesty and discussion about the differences involved in surrogacy. Khloé acknowledged that her perspective doesn’t imply surrogacy is inherently good or bad but simply highlights its unique aspects.
While Khloé’s honesty is appreciated, it’s essential to recognize that each surrogacy experience is distinct. For instance, other celebrities like Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas, and even Khloé’s sister Kim Kardashian have had different outcomes and experiences with surrogacy. Khloé noted that Kim described her own surrogacy as easy, whereas Khloé found it to be challenging told PopSugar.
Carly Vollero, a general counsel at surrogacy platform Nodal, who has personal and professional experience with surrogacy, explained that feeling a deep bond with the baby is possible in surrogacy journeys. She emphasized that not feeling connected to the baby is a common worry among intended parents but is unlikely to be the reality.
However, Khloé went through her surrogacy experience during a difficult time in her life, dealing with her partner’s infidelity. This may have influenced her emotions and perception during the process. It’s important to separate these personal circumstances from the experience of surrogacy itself.
For those concerned about bonding with their newborns, spending quality time bonding with the baby, such as through skin-to-skin contact and attentive caregiving, can help strengthen the parent-child relationship. Dr. Georgia Witkin, an expert in psychiatry and obstetrics-gynecology, advises parents to observe how their baby responds to their touch and engage in comforting actions like rocking or gentle bouncing.
Dr. Witkin emphasizes that it’s crucial for parents to understand that despite being carried by a different person, the child is genetically theirs. The surrogate’s role is to nourish the embryo and facilitate the child’s growth, without contributing any DNA.
It’s also important to acknowledge that the addition of a child brings significant changes to a parent’s life, leading to exhaustion and feelings of being overwhelmed. Dr. Witkin reassures parents that immediate connection is not always instant and encourages self-compassion throughout the process. Khloé, along with anyone considering or going through surrogacy, should allow themselves grace during this transformative journey.