For many, trouble conceiving and having a child is not only real, but a cause of great stress. In fact, as many as one in eight couples experience some form of infertility in the United States.
And celebrities are no exception . But there are plenty of methods and treatments available, and like the celebrities in this list, many use them to start their families.
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Kim Kardashian and Kanye West.
During the course of their relationship, Kim gave birth to two of the former couple’s kids: North and Saint West. But Kim had complications while delivering Saint, which she underwent five surgeries to fix.
Kim suffered from placenta accreta, which occurs when the placenta doesn’t detach after childbirth.
Subsequently, the then-couple went on to have two more kids, Chicago and Psalm. Due to Kim’s complications, they opted to have the kids via gestational surrogacy.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed two children into the world, Archie and Lilibet. But in 2020, before the birth of her daughter, Meghan opened up about having suffered a miscarriage that year.
She wrote an opinion piece posted in the New York Times.
“Losing a child means carrying an almost unbearable grief, experienced by many but talked about by few ,” she wrote. “…[Despite] the staggering commonality of this pain, the conversation remains taboo, riddled with (unwarranted) shame, and perpetuating a cycle of solitary mourning.”
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick
SJP gave birth to the couple’s first child, son James Willkie Broderick, in 2002. But after that, the actress became infertile. She said in an interview once, “I only got to give birth once. I would give birth as often as I could, if I could.”
The couple struggled to conceive for years.
They explored a number of options in order to have more children. Finally, they decided to use a surrogate , who gave birth to their twins, Marion Loretta Elwell Broderick and Tabitha Hodge Broderick, in 2009.
Amy Smart and Carter Oosterhouse
In 2017, the couple announced the birth of their daughter, Flora. This news came as a surprise to fans as they hadn’t previously announced plans to start a family, nor did they announce the pregnancy.
But months later, Smart opened up about fertility issues.
Flora had, in fact, been born via surrogate. “After years of fertility struggles I give thanks today to our kind, loving surrogate for carrying her,” Smart wrote on Instagram .
Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade.
Though Wade has three sons from a previous relationship, he and Union had trouble conceiving a child together, and had their daughter in 2018 via surrogacy.
“We are sleepless and delirious, but so excited to share that our miracle baby arrived last night via surrogate,” Union wrote.
“…and Nov. 7 will forever be etched in our hearts as the most loveliest of all the lovely days. Welcome to the party sweet girl!”
In her memoir, “We’re Going to Need More Wine,” Union opened up about having fertility issues , which resulted in “eight or nine” miscarriages.
Emma Bunton and Jade Jones.
At age 25, the former Spice Girl was diagnosed with endometriosis, a condition that makes conception and fertility difficult. Nevertheless, Bunton knew she wanted to have a child with partner, Jade Jones.
“I knew I had the right partner; I knew I wanted to be a mum. I didn’t give up hope, but it wasn’t happening.”
The couple struggled with fertility issues for five years , before welcoming their first child in 2007, and second in 2011.
Anne Hathaway and Adam Shulman.
Hathaway and Shulman share two children, five-year-old Jonathan and two-year-old Jack. They keep much about their children’s lives private, opting instead to be open and honest about the fertility issues they had when trying to conceive.
“There’s this tendency to portray getting pregnant, having kids, in one light, as if it’s all positive,” Hathaway said.
“But I know from my own experience… it’s so much more complicated than that .”
The couple would gladly welcome a third child if the opportunity arises.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z.
Beyoncé has opened up about her pregnancy and fertility issues, as well as the lessons they’ve taught her. “Having miscarriages taught me that I had to mother myself before I could be a mother to someone else,” she said.
But having Blue Ivy and twins Rumi and Sir have given her a new perspective on life.
“I died and was reborn in my relationship, and the quest for self became even stronger. It’s difficult for me to go backwards,” she continued.
Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise.
While married to Cruise, Kidman suffered from an ectopic pregnancy, and was told she might not be able to conceive. The two decided to adopt their kids, Isabella and Connor, before their split.
After meeting Keith Urban, Kidman became pregnant.
At age 40, Kidman became pregnant, and gave birth to her third child, Sunday, who was her first biologically. “It was a miracle because I’d not thought I’d be able to have [a baby] in my lifetime ,” she said in an interview.
Kidman and Urban went on to have one more child together, Faith, who was born via surrogate.
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend.
The couple have been very honest and open about their fertility struggles, which have involved miscarriages. The two are parents to Luna and Miles. Teigen unfortunately suffered a loss with their third child, Jack.
But, Teigen announced in August that the couple is expecting another child.
Like their previous children, their fourth child was conceived via IVF. In 2017, Legend said, “We’re lucky that we’re living in an age where we can conceive in other ways. “
