As the option of surrogacy grows, more people are vocalizing their use of the procedure.

Surrogacy is when another woman carries and delivers a child for a couple. There are two types of surrogate mothers. One is the traditional surrogate, where a woman is artificially inseminated with the father’s or a donor’s sperm. They then carry the child for about nine months and deliver it.

The second type is gestational surrogates. Through in vitro fertilization (IVF), eggs are retrieved from the mother and fertilized with sperm from the father. Then, the embryo is placed in the uterus of the gestational surrogate. The main difference between both procedures is that the traditional surrogate is considered the baby’s biological mother, whereas the gestational surrogate is not genetically connected to the child.   

There are several reasons as to why families consider surrogacy. One prominent reason is due to fertility issues that prevent pregnancy or being able to carry a baby to full term. Other reasons include women who have undergone a hysterectomy, the removal of the uterus or possessing underlying conditions that make them a high-risk pregnancy. 

Surrogates have also made parenthood possible for people who chose not to adopt. Gay couples, singles or older partners have the chance to start a family. The process is becoming more normalized as people, especially celebrities, continue to be open about their experiences.

Adrienne Bailon and Israel Houghton

Actress, artist, and former co-host of “The Real” Adrienne Bailon shared with her supporters that her son was born through surrogacy in 2022. The boy mom posted an emotional caption on Instagram with her holding her son after birth, revealing in the post the pregnancy challenges she has faced.

Michelle Buteau and Gijs van der Most

Michelle Buteau, legendary comedian and actress, revealed her years of fertility attempts and IVF treatments she experienced to conceive naturally. After struggling to carry a baby to full term, Buteau expanded her research and looked into surrogacy as an option instead. Then, in 2019, she and her husband welcomed twins.

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas

In January 2022, Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas welcomed their daughter through a surrogate. In previous interviews, the pair openly discussed their wish to have children. Surrogacy made that happen, turning the married couple into first-time parents.

Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker

“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” veterans opened up with fans about using a surrogate mother to deliver their second child together. While Kandi Burruss admitted to it being a “tough decision” initially, she eventually grew to appreciate the new way of achieving motherhood. She said they “wouldn’t change a thing.”

Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade

In a previous interview, Union touched on her fertility struggles that led her to embrace surrogacy. In 2018, the couple shared on Instagram a picture of them holding their first child together in a hospital room.

Tyra Banks

The former supermodel and host Tyra Banks welcomed the birth of her baby boy in 2016 through a gestational surrogate.

Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance

Hollywood’s power couple Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance shared their multiple attempts at a natural pregnancy with followers. The pair did not find success with fertility treatments, leading them to consider surrogacy as a viable option for children. In 2006, twins resulted from Bassett and Vance’s use of a surrogate mother.