Some women have known since they were in kindergarten that they wanted to be a mother one day. Yet, for many of those same women, their childhood dreams of pregnancy, motherhood, and babies becomes difficult to turn into a reality for them due to fertility issues. Though infertility may not be something which is frequently brought up in mainstream media, it does seem like the stigma surrounding the option of surrogacy is diminishing. For the celebrity parents who used a gestational carrier, they not only showed those struggling with fertility they aren't alone, but their platform of fame has allowed them to bring this issue out of the shadows and into the forefront.
In a way, it's surprising that there is still any taboo talk about surrogacy since infertility is not as uncommon as some might think. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), an estimated 6.7 million of women ages 15 to 44 struggle with fertility issues and 7.4 million of women have used infertility services of some kind.
There are a multitude of reasons why someone may find that using a gestational carrier is the best, most viable option for them to have a baby: women with infertility issues, transgender women who want children, or same-sex couples who want to be parents. Thankfully, using a gestational carrier is becoming more normalized thanks to these celeb parents who have spoken up and given a recognizable face to the issue.
1
Tyra Banks and Erik Asla
For a woman who has built an empire with her own two hands, it seems like their was nothing she couldn't accomplish. Yet recently she opened up on her Instagram that she and her partner Erik Asla used a surrogate. Banks shared an Instagram post in which she wrote:
The best present we worked and prayed so hard for is finally here. He's got my fingers and big eyes and his daddy Erik's mouth and chin. As we thank the angel of a woman that carried our miracle baby boy for us, we pray for everyone who struggles to reach this joyous milestone. York Banks Asla, welcome to the world.
2
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban
Though Nicole Kidman initially kept the surrogacy process on the down low, it was more about respecting privacy. Kidman told New York Daily News, "no words can adequately convey the incredible gratitude that we feel for everyone who was so supportive throughout this process, in particular our gestational carrier."
3
Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka
In an almost fairy tale happy ending, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka explained to Oprah that they were thankfully able to have fraternal twins, one biologically Harris' and one biologically Burtka's via a surrogate and two donor eggs.
4
Jimmy Fallon and Nancy Juvonen
According to Us Weekly, Jimmy Fallon and Nancy Juvonen struggled with infertility and ended up having both of their daughters via a gestational carrier after trying many other avenues. "We've tried a bunch of things," Fallon told Us Weekly. "Anyone who's tried will know, it's just awful. . . [the result] is so worth it. It is the most 'worth it' thing. I'm just so happy right now. I'm freaking out."
5
Ellen Pompeo and Chris Ivery
According to E! News, Ellen Pompeo has openly praised her anonymous surrogate and told Jimmy Kimmel, "This is an incredible thing to do with your life, to give the gift of carrying someone's child, so I am forever grateful and feel very blessed and grateful to her . . . now we have a gorgeous baby girl."
6
Ryan Murphy and David Miller
Glee and American Horror Story creator, Ryan Murphy and his husband, David Miller have welcomed both their sons via a gestational carrier. "It's amazing to be two dads and we have a wonderful surrogate," Murphy said in in interview with ABC News. "It's so uplifting and I've enjoyed sharing our story with young gay families."
7
Lucy Liu
Proving that there is no right or wrong way for a family to look, Lucy Liu told CBS News, "I had my baby through a gestational carrier . . . it doesn't matter the machinations of how things occur. How you love and parent a child is most important."
8
Katey Sagal and Kurt Sutter
Former star of Sons of Anarchy, Katey Sagal and her husband, Kurt Sutter used a surrogate for their daughter in 2007. According to E! News, Sagal told OK! Magazine, "I'd had some medical issues after the birth of my other two children, so I was unable to carry a child, so we were always looking at alternative approaches."
9
Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman
Elizabeth Banks had both her sons via a gestational carrier, the star told Allure. "I had already mourned the loss of my fertility for myself, so I was past it," she told the publicaton. "That you can grow a baby outside of yourself, it's just amazing!"
10
Giuliana and Bill Rancic
Giuliana and Bill Rancic openly chronicled their fertility struggles in their reality show on the E! Network. According to People, though they successfully had their son via a surrogate, they were devastated when their surrogate miscarried their second child and last, remaining embryo. Despite the loss and Rancic's cancer struggles, she told People, "we’re open to everything , but still hopeful about growing our family."
11
Matt Bomer and Simon Halls
According to Glamour, Matt Bomer and Simon Halls have three sons together all born via the same anonymous surrogate. "Raising children with my husband has changed everything," Bomer told ABC News. "There’s a level of love that really dissolves a lot of egotism and self-absorption."
12
Perez Hilton
Just like Lucy Liu showed that surrogacy is a viable option for single women, Perez Hilton has done so for single men, as well. "I’m doing it by myself — being a single parent is hard" Hilton told Yahoo. "I'm trying hard to be a good parent, and I set the bar high."
13
Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance
According to People, Angela Bassett and husband Courtney B. Vance tried to get pregnant for more than seven years with fertility treatments, and eventually turned to surrogacy. "I was devastated when it didn’t happen. I had to remain hopeful and resilient," Bassett told People. "A friend told me about the idea of surrogacy. The more we learned about it, the more we began to think that perhaps this was an answer for us." They welcomed twins, a son and a daughter, in 2006 via a gestation carrier.
